CapriAnniversary

We are traveling to Alaska for the 4th of July weekend and will have 2 full days in Seward. If you've had recent experiences (within last year or two) with cruise tour operators for glacier and/or wildlife tours and have recommendations to make on who to use, and whether a full day is clearly better than a half day tour, please advise.

dfnh

It was 4 years ago that we enjoyed a 9 hour cruise with Kenai Fjords. Great captain, nice crew, enjoyable lunch of deep fried haliburt pieces and cookies for snack. We saw lots of wildlife include time when the boat was stopped so we could watch some orcas. The glaciers didn't calve for us although the engines were shut down so we could hear the incredible sounds of the ice creaking and groaning. We lucked out on a perfectly calm day. I didn't see anyone sea sick. I don't think we would have gotten all the way to the glaciers on less than a full day cruise.
I hope you reserve soon. 4th of July is a big time in Seward because of the Mt Marathon race.

CapriAnniversary

Thanks for that heads up!

BudgetQueen

There are only two major companies. Alaska Heritage and Renown. Both long standing excellent operators. choose one.

You never want to consider any "bay" trips and always look for 6 hours +++ On the WATER. My favorite route is Northwestern Fjords with Alaska Heritage, but have been on the regular 6 hour trips many times. Longer- better for me, means more scenery, more wildlife.

rongolf

Hi just got back i recommend full day cruise i took Saltwater lodge cruise 14 people 159. Its well worth it and we saw everything and i mean everything. we had a perfect day on water and u really need the full day to see all the stuff. We stayed at Angels rest.

kflmeyer

Hey Rongolf - I think you took the trip that I planned for August/Sept! I am staying in the Wing Cabin at Angel's Rest. The views look incredible!

historytraveler

Just replied to another post regarding best cruise out of Seward. We did the Salt Water Lodge Wildlfie and Glacier cruise, and it was the best part our 10 day trip. Their boat only takes 14 people and we were out for 8 hours. The smaller boat allows for maximum flexibility. Highly recommend it!

MonicaH

kflmeyer-

I am staying in the Wing cabin at Angels Rest in early August. I will post a report as soon as I get back.

Monica

kflmeyer

MonicaH - Thanks! It seems like an awesome place to stay. Isn't it exciting to see the trip reports coming in? We leave August 28th, but I've been planning for a year!

rongolf

ANgels rest has their places on Lowell point, Not to dissapoint u their pictures on web site look better than then the actual place. Why I say this is the houese (if u want to classify them as houses are shacks)are weird tos say the least one guy has a cabin on top of two ship containers right next to wing cabin, My son said one place looked like the ted k. mad bomber house(shack) I found out that this part of Seward has no building codes and that explains it. Plus right next to Angels is a a area where people stay overnite in their mobiles. So the view sare good but the surrounding areas are not quite what I expected. Also getting ther u take this 2 mile drive along a pothole infested road and u feel like your going to drive into Cook Inlet at any second.

BudgetQueen

It isn't the Cook Inlet, it's Resurrection Bay.

But the Lowell Point description is accurate. I've stayed out there twice and it's definately not my preference. A car is absolutely necessary and I would never consider it without it.

historytraveler

Just returned from Alaska, and I thought a lot of it looked like Lowell Pt. That said, we stayed at Saltwater Lodge (Lowell Point) and although the short drive from Seward was marred by the housing clutter, once you get inside the rooms, the views across Resurrection Bay are fabulous.

marleyzoemom

Kenei Fjords ( Alaska Heritage) was excellent. We did the Northwestern Glacier trip, which was cut short due to very rough seas. It was still a GREAT trip, Great crew, and excellent refund policy.
A top notch operation.