Whale songs are a go-to soundtrack for serenity, whether you’re meditating, getting a massage or just trying to chill out. But have you ever listened to a whale IRL? It’s an amazing experience that can’t be recreated, even on the highest of high-end sound systems.
Intrigued? This summer, American Queen Voyages is offering the opportunity to listen in on whale chatter while cruising from British Columbia, Canada to Alaska, USA. On board will be Dr. Michelle Fournet, director of the Sound Science Research Collective, an acclaimed acoustic ecologist and a leading expert in the communication of North Pacific humpback whales. That’s a lot of impressive credentials, so passengers can expect a lot more than just a bit of eavesdropping.
American Queen Voyages recently debuted its expedition ship Ocean Victory. The expedition team worked in partnership with the Sound Science Research Collective and collaborated with California Polytechnic State University researchers for the ship’s inaugural Alaska expedition season. The ship’s maiden voyage will depart on May 7, with Dr. Fournet on board. A fellow researcher will be on board the following sailing in June.
The 12- and 13-day expeditions are limited to 186 passengers for a more intimate, personalized experience. All on board will have an excellent opportunity to participate in the activities offered, including access to the Sound Science Collective’s hydrophones to listen to the voices of Alaska's whales in real time. Researchers will discuss whale sounds and what they’ve learned so far about how whales communicate. The hydrophones can also pick up the sounds of fish and seal chatter, as well as the crashing waves, so guests can get a whale’s-ear perspective on the ocean below.
Whale enthusiasts can participate in whale tracking through fluke identification by uploading their own photos from the cruise to a scientific database that tracks the whales’ seasonal movements. It’s an armchair ocean science fanatic’s dream to participate in and directly contribute to the Collective’s research on board the ship.
When not whale-watching from observation decks or bathing in the sounds of the ocean, passengers can sit in on informative lectures and take part in expedition activities off the ship on kayaks and Zodiacs.
Expeditions sail from May through September 2022. Find out more information here.