jrbnrnc

Is there a good reason to choose the 26 glacier tour over the Major Marine Tour that justifies the $30. difference in price?

Will go to Denali and then to Keni, From what point in these areas did you take your favorite Alaska Photo of senic views? We leave on Aug. 5

The Paupers

deladeb

My photos from flying over and around Denali turned out great and the experience was awesome (we lucked out with perfect weather, great visibility and smooth flying). We took the Whittier cruise to Surprise glacier with Kenai Fjord tours. It was an overcast day so the glacier looks really blue, those photos turned out very good.
Make sure you visit the Wildlife Conservation center near Portage Glacier (near Whittier tunnel) Great photos of the animals, especially the bears!

lisakinnear

Hi, I'm leaving on Sept 1st and have toyed with the idea of doing the 26 glacier tour out of Whittier. When you return can you tell me which one you chose and what you thought of it? Thanks.

jrbnrnc

Just returned and here is the answer to my question that I wish I had received before our RV trip. We took the Major Marine Tour from Whittier. The meal was great but we thought dinner meant evening meal so ate lunch before the cruise. The meal begins the trip and dessert is served on the way back. This was a shorter cruise and had only 2 tidewater glaciers. No large calving on either but we did see and her some chunks falling off. I do not know how many of the 26 glacier tour glaciers are tide water or what are the odds of seeing major calving. We saw seals and otters but no whales. We were told that the wildlife is better on the tour from Seward. We had a beautiful day because we could make reservations a day in advance. The 26 glacier tour may have been better at the higher price. (You get a meal on that tour too I was told, but not salmon and prime rib. If I were to do it again, I would probably spend the extra for the 26 glacier tour that covers more territory and then I would be lamenting that the extra time on the boat was too much. The beauty of the day was well worth the money. My favorite photos were the brief view of Mt. McKinley or the lynx on the side of the road from the shuttle bus at Denalai NP. The weather there is impossible to predict. We thought we would have good weather but it was cloudy and snowed on us on the way to Wonder Lake. We did not get the postcard picture of the mountain but felt lucky just to see it at all on the return trip. Hint: The school bus shuttles stop for any wildlife viewing and drivers know where they are most likely found. I would not pay extra for a guided tour and found the green bus to be confortable enough with the frequent stops for rest and viewing. Also, if possible get on a bus with the longer nose rather than the flat nose bus. The windows do not get as dirty on the longer nose bus. Another great photo was taken at the base of the Whittier Glacier. The hike there is easier there and the glacier than Exit Glacier near Seward. May try to post a longer trip report later.

coolcamden

We took the 26 glacier tour and were within 100 yards of some huge tidewater glaciers. Surprise Glacier was calving when we were there and we saw a huge chunk the size of 5 semi containers drop into the ocean. So huge that it created a 20 foot tidal wave hitting the boat. So much fun. The weather was bad so our captain decided to bypass some of the college glaciers, but we don't feel like we missed much. All in all we saw over 10 and they were more than enough.

The food was fish and chips, 4 pieces of nice fresh flaky cod. Free fresh coffee, tea. Buy your own sodas and liquor. we like it a lot.