Hello,

I'm beginning to research a potential Alaskan cruise in 2009 summer. We have 2 recent experiences to draw from, which leads to my question.

One friend of ours sailed on Princess from Seward/Whittier towards the South [ended in vancouver probably]. They were quite disappointed by the scenery in this direction, felt it was mostly just forest views, not much glacier viewing except Glacier Bay Natl Park [they seemed to be passing thru glacier-filled areas during the night], and hardly saw any wildlife [orcas, whales, etc]. they went around June 10th.

Another friend went the following week on NCL, but they did the reverse direction from Seattle going Northbound, touched Glacier Bay and i think returned to Vancouver/Victoria. They were very happy with their sights, felt that they could saw a lot of glaciers during the sailing, lot of ice chunks on the water and a lot of sealife too. They did the Inside Passage.

Any comments on why the difference of experience might be, and is this usually the case? Is either route better for glacier sightings and/or sealife viewings? Any other major differences between the 2 routes that would favour one over the other?

Pls don't try to convince me that seeing Alaska by land might be the best, i already know that, that's how i did it the first time. this trip is for my 60+ yr old parents who have always wanted to go on a cruise in their lifetime; thought this would be a good way to do that and see one of the most beautiful areas in North America.

Thanks for all insights.

Just returned yesterday from Princess Whittier-Vancouver cruise. We saw plenty of glaciers, as well as forests, mountains, snow. Don't know what your friend was thinking - the state is mainly mountains and forests, not glaciers.

We saw lots of sea mammals on a 6-hour wildlife cruise out of Seward - but again, it is a huge cruise ship, not a whale watching boat. Saw many whales, dolphins, otters from ship - but we were 6 stories up and farther away.

The port excursions are where you get to see both glaciers and animals closer up.

Why different experiences - my guess is just different perceptions and expectations of the experience, not an actual objective difference.

We just returned from a northbound cruise on the Diamond Princess (Vancouver to Whittier). We were discussing the trip with the group of friends we were travelling with and we all decided that we did the cruise in the right direction. Seems like the scenery just got better and better - and the glaciers at the end of the cruise was just the icing on the cake. (The ship spent time in Glacier Bay and College Fiords) Although, I admit that it was a beautiful trip and if given the chance I would leave tomorrow and never give consideration to the route! It was a great trip and I'd do it again in a skinny minute - either direction!!!

Thanks to both of you for clarifying that it may just be a case of wrong expectations in my friend's case.

Can you pls give me some info on the following:

- first of all, when the ship is in Glacier Bay or College fjords how close does it get to the glaciers. When i went on my alaska land trip several yrs ago we did a 6-hr day cruise [similar to what one of you did] and we got SO CLOSE to the glaciers we could see them calving and it was magnificent !!]

- pls tell me what shore excursions each of you did, and what was good/bad abt them? Would you recommend the same trips and/or operators.

If this is too much info for you to write, i can email you separately to ask for specific details.

thanks a lot,
Bhavana.

On the 2 days of glacier viewing, the ship is close enough to see glaciers calving - we got photos of one. There is a limit to how close one can really get, since huge pieces of glcier could fall off. The captain turned the ship so that each side got equal viewing time - important for those with outside cabins who want to view from there.

Shore excursions. Skagway - adult son and husband did independent hike, using map from park service/ranger office in downtown. They enjoyed it. Dtr and I did culinary and garden demonstration at Skagway Inn. Enjoyable, especially discussion of gardening in such a climate.

Juneau. Helicopter landing and walk around on Mendenhall Glacier. Expensive but well worth it. I am not a small aircraft fan, but competency of pilot was evident. One of best things we did on entire trip.

Then did Salmon Bake for lunch. This was easily skippable - average food; we did it for something to fill the afternoon as we were shopped out.

Ketchikan. I did Rain Forest walk - interesting, but also skippable. Rest of family did zipline over rain forest. They said it was great.