Is it worth spending the extra 3.5hrs on Northwestern Fjords tour compared to their shorter 6hr tour? What is the difference between the two? I am worried the NW tour may be too much for the kids.

I don't know how old are your kids but from your other posts I understand you are taking them on all day bear watching tour from Homer to Kenai National Park and Preserve, then on whale watching cruise with Rainbow Tours also from Homer. IMHO, you should be more concerned that all day bear watching trip or a long way getting to whales would be too much for them. Bear watching tours and whale watching cruise are going to be more demanding than Kenai Fjords cruise of any length even if it is 9 hours long.

The icy water near the calving glacier is very interesting. The boat will shut off the engine so you can hear all the creaks and groans that glaciers make. Heading back from there it gets kind of boring. Don't be surprised to see some folks napping in the cabin. We've got some amazing video of orcas swimming in unison but the glacier didn't calve that day. Still, it's a great trip.

The 6 hr tour ought to be plenty but do not miss this tour. Kenai Fjords was one of the most lovely places we toured. Loads of wildlife and scenery to enjoy for years to come. Easy to nap on boat on way back.

We took the longer tour and there were many children of all ages on. They were so busy watching for whales etc and not one seemed bored. You go farther on the longer tour, and they stop for some time so you can really observe the wildlife and also the glaciers. We saw a huge piece of one glacier let go and fall into the water. What a noise, sound like a huge explosion.

Haven't been on the shorter, but the NW tour we were on had lots of kids on board. They were quite busy, even if it was busy eating and drinking hot chocolate. Besides the other things named above, the boat also pulls up under a waterfall for a few minutes. The kids LOVED this, as did a lot of adults. ;-)

BayouGal, I think now is time for you too to plan your trip to Alaska. Can't wait to see your pending itinerary. Give us some ideas, when, where, how, why?

LoL, Pat. I think I started planning it the minute we landed in New Orleans from our trip to Alaska last summer.