Just back in the office today after 10 wonderful days in Alaska. I will share more details later, but I have to rave about Glacier Bay Cruises (www.glacierbaytours.com). We are two 40 somethings who took my husbands 70-something parents for a week's cruise on this small ship cruise line. We were on the Wilderness Adventurer, which has a capacity of about 65. There were 50 or so on our sailing. We are not usually group travelers, and we had never been on a cruise before, but with the inlaws and for Alaska it seemed like the best thing to do. The staff on the vessel included three naturalists who lead hikes, kayaking and glacier and wildlife viewing right from the ship. The ship is small so it can go where others cannot, including an overnight and full day in Glacier Bay National Park. Service, food, accomodations and ship mates were all first rate. (I said we had never been on a cruise before but my husband and I travel extensively in the U.S. and elsewhere for work and for fun.) I will have more details when I have more time, but I wanted to get this message posted for anyone who is still thinking of planning to Alaska this summer.

When can we expect your detailed report? I never dreamed of going to Alaska on a cruise but after reading your raves about the Wilderness Adventurer maybe we should think about this option. Thank you for posting

After doing a fly in, RV trip to Alaska, I'd say a cruise/land trip would be the ideal way to see the best of Alaska.

We did love our RV trip but want to see more of the beautiful coast line.

Hi Laurie Ann:

I've been thinking of taking this cruise next summer.

I'm going to be in Alaska for a month is July and I'm planning to stop in Juneau for a couple of days.

Glacier Bay has a cruise starting that Saturday. Can you tell me where you boarded the ship? I plan to go and talk to the people and if possible, take a tour of the ship. Not sure if this is possible because of security but...

There is not alot of information about cruise review for some reason with this company. I really don't know why.

Thank you.

Rogue

Our cruise went from Ketchikan to Juneau, with days in Misty Fjiords, Tracy Arm, Petersburg, Glacier Bay and other small inlets. Other cruises are round trip from Juneau. The schedules are all in their brochure which you can download on the web. (www.glacierbaytours.com) If you wanted to meet some passengers or crew and you are in Juneau on a day when they are disembarking and embarking, it happens at about 8 am (disembark) or 4 pm (embark). We docked right at the center of the dock downtown Juneau. Look close because they are dwarfed by the "real" cruise ships, but there was a green tent right there at streetside where our luggage was kept until our transfer. You could talk to passengers getting off right there. There were also representatives of the Glacier Bay company in addition to the crew there. Right at disembarkation they are busy getting passengers to the airport etc., but I would bet they would be happy to talk to you sometime during the day if you just ask. Enjoy planning your trip.

laurie ann, I have a silly question. A couple years ago we cruised with Holland America to Alaska. The Glacier Bay park day was by far the most beautiful day I've ever spent on a cruise ship. I was a little jealous of the small ships we saw, getting up close and personal with calving glaciers. But here's my question: there were lots of huge icebergs floating in that bay. Our big cruise ship of course just pushed them away, you never felt them. What was that like on the small ship? I would love to go back someday, maybe we'll do it on a small ship...

Also, what was your cabin like? Any balconies available or just porthole windows or what? Thanks!

See my later posting "I promised more details..." I think you can find it just by clicking on my screen name above. Enjoy planning your next trip.

Lauri Ann: I look forward to your details. I am going on the Juneau roundtrip cruise 410 in August. Please include information on what you thought about kayaking. I'm wondering if it requires a lot of physical stamina.

See my other posting titled "I promised more details . . " I think you can just click on my screen name above and see all my other postings. Kayaking was easy and so great. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I am not athletic, not coordinated, but me and many others on our cruise in similar circumstances found it must easier than expected. Our kayaking was all in coves in the ocean, with 2 person kayaks, sometimes with a bit of a tide, but very easy and the best way to see, hear and smell and overall experience coastal life. Do not hestitate to at least try it.