We are four adults taking a May crusie. We are adventurous but not 20yrs old. We love nature and wildlife. What do you think of these: Juneau: Helicopter to glacier. Skagway: Yukon and Sled Dog tour or Yukon Jeep tour or Chilkat Bald Eagle raft adventure. Ketchikan: Misty fjords Seaplane?

Opinions REALLY wanted.

Also, this is probably stupid, but we are at Glacier Bay from 7am to 4pm. but I don't have a list of excursions...Do you not get off the ship?

Thanks very much

I will let others comment on your excursions....

Glacier Bay - you actually won't get off the ship there. Your cruise ship will enter Glacier Bay National Park and slowly cruise past several smaller glaciers until your reach Marjorie glacier which is the large glacier at the end. Your ship will then stop for anywhere from 30-90 minutes and you will watch the glaicer (many ships will turn so that both sides see the glaicer) and then your ship will sail out of Glacier Bay. There will be Park Rangers that get on the ship that day and they will be available for questions and there will be commentary coming from the bridge on what you are seeing. It truly is a spectuatular day. Try to be outside as much as you can from 7-4, not just when in front of the major glacier. If you are lucky, you may see whales and bears that day.

You will LOVE Alaska!

Thanks Theresa!

Actually the large glacier at the "end " of Glacier Bay is the Grand Pacific, Margerie is much smaller.

This is a 110 mile round trip adventure, all sailing and viewing from your ship. You will want a PORT side if you are staying in your cabin. If you have starboard or inside, get out on deck. Dress appropriately, layers, knit hat, gloves and a good pair of binoculars. If whales are a priority- you need to be out on a front deck at dawn, as the ship sails through Icy Strait, loaded with humpbacks- IF coming from Skagway?? If heading toward Skagway after Glacier Bay, be out when they leave.

As for your excursions- the glacier helicopter landings are the top selections in my opinion. www.coastal.com offer great tours and personal attention. Skagway- are you open to a car rental??? Far superior to a bus and you can visit the sled dogs and opt for the cart ride on your own. Only 1 road, South Klondike Highway, but the added bonus of Murray's superb highway log- give it a read and then decide? www.explorenorth.com Only major rental company is Avis. Bonus of going in May is still plenty of snow and good possiblity for bears. The jeep trips get very poor reviews, basically follow the leader. You have the opportunity to see bald eagles everywhere, just keep a look out.

Ketchikan- Misty Fjords floatplanes are also my top pick. Consider independent with www.islandwings.com or www.southeastaviation.com

OK - the more beautiful glacier near the end of Glacier Bay is Marjorie (sp?) Glacier. Though beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Hey, BudgetQueen, I found this post from you so please ignore my question on the other post! This is all very helpful - however I have one question. You say get a PORT cabin.. we have a STARBOARD on the NCL Wind 7 day round trip from Vancouver. Did we do the wrong thing? I thought we would be on the correct side - certainly on the way up!

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We made the same mistake. By looking at the map it seemed as if starboard would be best so that is what we asked for. Oh well, guess its the deck!

BudgetQueen: Would we be able to see the whales from our starboard balcony?(coming from Skagway) It would be great to have coffee at 7am on the balcony and watch the humpbacks.

Also, BudgetQueen, for clarification, do you recommend renting a car in Skagway over and above any of the excursions? We are in Skagway from 7a to 9p so we have a nice long day there.

Also, have you ever heard of Port Promotions? They were recommended to us for shore excursions by our TA who lives in Vancouver. Thanks for your answers.

In Alaska it is FAR better to book direct with venders and so simple. I would never use a middle man- like Port Promotions, they are order takers only, with a commission priority only.

Get your tour confirmed directly, all questions answered.

As for starboard side- yes this is the wrong side if you are sailing Glacier Bay and/or College Fjords. Be sure to get out on deck.

As for whale watching- again it's a poor choice to be looking from a balcony, whales require tracking from ahead, by side viewing, you have cut your sightings by over 50%. And coming from Skagway, you are again on the wrong side. Point Adolphus is the south side of Icy Strait. IF this is a priority, you need to be on a front deck with a good pair of wide angle binoculars, my preference is 10x50.


As for a Skagway car rental, yes a great day trip. Be sure to print out and bring Murray's South Klondike Highway road guide- a must!!! www.explorenorth.com Also do a side trip to Dyea, very scenic.

I see you are on the NCL Wind??? That does not go to Glacier Bay, but going through the Tracy Arm Fjords is still best to be out on deck, but you do have views from both sides, with the glaciers at the end, front and starboard. I am on this myself also this year.

BudgetQueen
We are on Holland. Would it be best to call and ask if our rooms could be changed to port? What about the days at sea, is it still better to be port side or starboard for viewing from our balcony?

Thank you.

BudgetQueen, yes we are on the NCL Wind sailing Sun 4th June 06. The only information I have about the trip so far is below (inc times);
Mon Sailing
Tue ARRIVE-DOCK KETCHIKAN,
Wed ARRIVE-DOCK JUNEAU,
Wed DEPART JUNEAU,
Thu ARRIVE-DOCK SKAGWAY,
Thu DEPART SKAGWAY,
Fri & Sat at sea
I know its inside passage but even though I have the brochure it doesnt explain the really good stuff like you do! Are we going to miss out on a lot of interesting things with this trip-like Glacier Bay? Whales and glaciers were a must. We are quite prepared for a dawn rising.. as it were! Would it be a good idea to get a detailed map of the area?
cd - it sounds like you have the same problem as us, in that we have no idea what the trip entails in terms of glaciers and how it relates to all this good information!

tt
Topping

You have left out Tracy Arm after Skagway. This is your only glacier sailing experience, but is also a possibility not to see any since it is a "dead end" to the Twin Sawyers and it's sometimes iced out. So I strongly suggest with your glacier priority that you get some flights into your itinerary. Glacier helicopter landings are just excellent, but flightseeing can offer nonstop extended glacier viewing. IF NCL offers an extended trip into Tracy Arm, take it.

I still question this NCL schedule??? I Have NO IDEA WHY the Juneau port time is only to 1:15PM when the sailing to Skagway takes less than 8 hours??? AND why coming back to Tracy Arm when it is one the "way" to/from Juneau? I'll be on the first sailing, so I'll find out.

An Inside passage map is wonderful, BUT thre are many different routes the ship can sail. You won't have a clue since there is no ship naturalist on NCL.

For whales, tours are necessary, so book out of Juneau, with close to 100% sightions of humpbacks.

Thanks BudgetQueen - you are a mine of great information. I notice your fame has gone before you and you're featured in 'Alask Ports of Call 2006'. I wonder if you are on our sailing? We are about to book our trips now based on your recommndations..thanks once again.

BudgetQueen, sailing from Vancouver to Whittier, which side of the ship would you recommend port or starboard?

YIKES- I don't know if I like being quoted.

Anyway, sailing from Vancouver- more important is to determine - if you are sailing Glacier Bay and College Fjords, if you want only glacier viewing from your balcony??? If so, then you need the port side. Overall, starboard is slightly better going north, but definately viewing from both sides. Do try and get out on deck frequently- the best views of all. Be well prepared in your attire- nothing worse for the scenery then having to run in because you get cold.

Thank you Budget Queen!