Seward excursion before HA cruise ship sails

[ychen555]

We will be arriving at Seward the night before the cruise sails (8pm). Is it worthwhile to take the boat cruise to the Senai Fjords National Park to see the Glacier up close? Since the curise ship will sail pass so many glaciers on its way to Vancouver, I am not sure if it will be the same thing. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[jtl513]

I've never been to Exit Glacier at Kenai N.P. but have seen it in my daughter's pictures. I would go if I had the chance because every glacier is different, and it may be the best view of a glacier you get all week if the weather is bad (rainy/gray etc.) :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

welcome to cruise critic

it is a wonderful excursion

[ychen555]

Thank you both for the reply! The excursion ends at 5:30pm, and the ship sails at 8pm. Do you think we have enough time to go through the embarkation?

[catl331]

Do you think we have enough time to go through the embarkation?You'll have no problem. Our bus down from Denali didn't get to Seward until around 5:15, and there were people still boarding an hour after us.

[ClevelandOhio]

My son is a National Park Service Ranger and in the past has been assigned at the Kenai. I have had an extensive visit to the park. One of the many things that we did during our visit was the boat trip into the Park. As long as I live I shall never forget that day. We saw whales that came up to the boat and played with us. We saw species of birds that are pelagic. Pelagic birds live at sea and only come ashore to nest. Some of the birds lay squarish eggs so that they don't roll off the barren rock shores of the islands. The islands in the park are teeming with wild life. We saw birds that looked like penguins. They were not penguins but did appear to be wearing tuxedos.

There are no roads into the park except for the road to exit glacier. The rest of the access to the park is by water. You will approach some of the most remote areas that you have ever seen. The boats are much, much smaller than a cruise ship so you will get an opportunity to see the glaciers up close and personal. Each boat has a naturalist and often a ranger on board.

Don't miss this chance. Without a doubt my day in the Kenai Fjords was one of the top ten days of my life!

[aliaschief]

Definitely try and take the tour. We felt that the Senai Fjords National Park was the best excursion we took on our p Alaskan cruise.

[ychen555]

All your replies are so helpful, thank you! I will take your advice and book the boat tour.