Views while sailing Alaska

We are sailing Vancouver to Whittier in May.. We love to spend time on our balcony relaxing & taking in the views. This is our 1st trip to Alaska 1st time on Coral & my question is...We are going to want to take in the ship & all it has to offer but what are the MUST SEE spots while sailing that we need to be viewing the sensory outside? I have read mention of bridges, viewpoints etc I would hate to be checking out the ship & miss an awesome viewing moment..Is there a book I can purchase, A map? I feel like this is such a different cruise than the others we have done. If I'm in the spa or casino although fun I would hate to miss something unforgettable.. Thank You!

Easy to find lots of available books. Try doing a search in Amazon for "Alaska Cruise Maps". Lots and lots of hits including this one -

http://www.amazon.com/Alaska-Cruise-Handbook-Mile---Mile/dp/0979491509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433874336&sr=1-1&keywords=alaska+cruise+map

Or else go to your local Barnes and Noble as I am sure that they have stuff.

DON

We are sailing Vancouver to Whittier in May.. We love to spend time on our balcony relaxing & taking in the views. This is our 1st trip to Alaska 1st time on Coral & my question is...We are going to want to take in the ship & all it has to offer but what are the MUST SEE spots while sailing that we need to be viewing the sensory outside? I have read mention of bridges, viewpoints etc I would hate to be checking out the ship & miss an awesome viewing moment..Is there a book I can purchase, A map? I feel like this is such a different cruise than the others we have done. If I'm in the spa or casino although fun I would hate to miss something unforgettable.. Thank You!

Since you have cruised; how would you answer your question? Help those of us sailing soon

 

I wanted to thank you again Budget Queen we returned last week from Alaska & we had an AMAZING vacation to say the least. I've taken warm weather cruises in the past but this is now our new favorite. We spotted whales, sea lions, eagles, sheep, dolphines etc my husband had permenant rings around his eyes from the binoculars. Even got to see a whale breech from our ship balcony. Between the ships naturalist Mark Harris & the wonderful info from you I printed & took with us I feel like we got to see so much of beautiful Alaska. We're already looking forward to going back..Thanks Again!!

 

My most sincere "you're welcome".

This thread has such great info from Budget Queen. She is always generous to share her experiences.:D

We're going late in the season, from Aug 29 - Sept 8, on Princess, round trip from San Francisco.

From reading above, we clearly need to be out and watching as we enter and leave ports, but I want to post my itinerary in case there is something else I should be aware of:

Day 1: depart SF

Day 2, 3: at sea

Day 4: Juneau 1:30 pm - 10 pm

Day 5: Skagway 7am - 8:30 pm

Day 6: Glacier Bay 6 am - 3 pm

Day 7: Ketchikan 8am - 6 pm

Day 8: At Sea

Day 9: Victoria 7 am - 2pm

Day 10: At Sea

Day 11: San Francisco 7 am

from the map, it doesn't look like we do the Inside Passage at all.

Thanks,

Mary

We're going late in the season, from Aug 29 - Sept 8, on Princess, round trip from San Francisco.

 

From reading above, we clearly need to be out and watching as we enter and leave ports, but I want to post my itinerary in case there is something else I should be aware of:

 

Day 1: depart SF

Day 2, 3: at sea

Day 4: Juneau 1:30 pm - 10 pm

Day 5: Skagway 7am - 8:30 pm

Day 6: Glacier Bay 6 am - 3 pm

Day 7: Ketchikan 8am - 6 pm

Day 8: At Sea

Day 9: Victoria 7 am - 2pm

Day 10: At Sea

Day 11: San Francisco 7 am

 

from the map, it doesn't look like we do the Inside Passage at all.

 

Thanks,

Mary

You do sail Alaska inside passage, you can not get to Juneau or Skagway without doing so. You don't sail inside Vancouver Island?

Your scenic areas is going to be from dawn day 4 and 6

It depends on your route- leaving Glacier Bay, IF you go left, scenic sailing- through dark.

BudgetQueen,

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy life to offer such a wealth of information! I really do appreciate all you have posted. :) :)

I am concerned that I will not get to see much of what you have talked about due to the fact that the hubby wanted to try a September 19th cruise this time. We have always gone in the summer time with lots of daylight! I fear we will have many dark nights w/o chances of seeing the wildlife. :confused:

Here is our Itinerary on Holland's Noordam:

SAT 19SEP15 Sail from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 5:00pm

SUN 20SEP15 Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage 1

MON 21SEP15 Tracy Arm, Alaska, US 1 10:00am 10:30am

MON 21SEP15 Juneau, Alaska, US 1:00pm 10:00pm

TUE 22SEP15 Skagway, Alaska, US 7:00am 9:00pm

WED 23SEP15 Glacier Bay 1 7:00am 4:00pm

THU 24SEP15 Ketchikan, Alaska, US 10:00am 6:00pm

FRI 25SEP15 Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage 1

SAT 26SEP15 Debark Ship Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 7:00am

Thanks for all your suggestion, I did order one of the books you mentioned. Cant wait! Have a FABULOUS week! :D

BudgetQueen,

 

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy life to offer such a wealth of information! I really do appreciate all you have posted. :) :)

 

I am concerned that I will not get to see much of what you have talked about due to the fact that the hubby wanted to try a September 19th cruise this time. We have always gone in the summer time with lots of daylight! I fear we will have many dark nights w/o chances of seeing the wildlife. :confused:

 

Here is our Itinerary on Holland's Noordam:

 

SAT 19SEP15 Sail from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 5:00pm

SUN 20SEP15 Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage 1

MON 21SEP15 Tracy Arm, Alaska, US 1 10:00am 10:30am

MON 21SEP15 Juneau, Alaska, US 1:00pm 10:00pm

TUE 22SEP15 Skagway, Alaska, US 7:00am 9:00pm

WED 23SEP15 Glacier Bay 1 7:00am 4:00pm

THU 24SEP15 Ketchikan, Alaska, US 10:00am 6:00pm

FRI 25SEP15 Scenic Cruising The Inside Passage 1

SAT 26SEP15 Debark Ship Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 7:00am

 

Thanks for all your suggestion, I did order one of the books you mentioned. Cant wait! Have a FABULOUS week! :D

Thank you for the kind words. :) My pleasure. Unfortunately your time, impacts significantly with your daylight. it will be dark by 7pm, and sunrise 7am.

If you haven't been there, I encourage you to purchase the add on Tracy Arm tour. otherwise, you have your Juneau day, nonstop scenery and humpback opportunities. I would still encourage you to be up early Glacier bay day then stay out late.

Depending on your route- if Snow Pass- be out at dawn- Ketchikan day. Stay out after sailng, and remain out last sea day, from afternoon, through dark.

You do sail Alaska inside passage, you can not get to Juneau or Skagway without doing so. You don't sail inside Vancouver Island?

 

Your scenic areas is going to be from dawn day 4 and 6

 

It depends on your route- leaving Glacier Bay, IF you go left, scenic sailing- through dark.

Thanks very much, this is quite helpful!

The map with the cruise itinerary (maybe not accurate?) show us going outside Vancouver Island both ways, up and back. So, rougher seas (similar to Seattle r/t) than we had on our first Alaska cruise, which was r/t Vancouver.

Really appreciate all your advice!

You are very kind to reply to all of us in such detail.

Mary

Budget Queen, do you mind doing another? You've mentioned in the past September isn't the best time for viewing, but could you tell me when our best chances are? I believe if we go through Snow Pass it would be a few hours after Ketchikan, correct? Maybe around sunset? And maybe a few hours before we get to Juneau? and sunrise before Glacier Bay?

We so, so, SO appreciate all of your help!! We'll be on the starboard side if that matters --

I listed the date, the port, the time we're there, and the **sunrise & sunset

Sept. 19th - 29th

9/19, Sat: Seattle , Depart @ 4 p.m. **6:52a.m. - 7:14p.m.

9/20, Sun: Cruising Inside Passage

9/21, Mon: Ketchikan, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. **6:30a.m. - 6:45p.m.

9/22, Tues: Juneau, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. **6:43a.m. - 6:54p.m.

9/23, Wends: Skagway, 7 a.m. - 8:15 p.m. **6:34a.m. - 6:40p.m.

9/24, Thurs: Glacier Bay - not sure times?

9/25, Fri: Icy Strait Point, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. **5:50a.m. - 5:53p.m.

9/26, Sat: Sitka , 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. ** 6:56a.m. - 6:47p.m.

9/27, Sun: Sea Day

9/28, Mon: Victoria, 3 p.m. - 11:59 p.m. **7:08a.m. - 6:59p.m.

9/29, Tues: Vancouver, Arrive @ 8 a.m. **7:09a.m. - 6:56p.m.

Budget Queen, do you mind doing another? You've mentioned in the past September isn't the best time for viewing, but could you tell me when our best chances are? I believe if we go through Snow Pass it would be a few hours after Ketchikan, correct? Maybe around sunset? And maybe a few hours before we get to Juneau? and sunrise before Glacier Bay?

 

We so, so, SO appreciate all of your help!! We'll be on the starboard side if that matters --

 

I listed the date, the port, the time we're there, and the **sunrise & sunset

 

Sept. 19th - 29th

 

9/19, Sat: Seattle , Depart @ 4 p.m. **6:52a.m. - 7:14p.m.

9/20, Sun: Cruising Inside Passage

9/21, Mon: Ketchikan, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. **6:30a.m. - 6:45p.m.

9/22, Tues: Juneau, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. **6:43a.m. - 6:54p.m.

9/23, Wends: Skagway, 7 a.m. - 8:15 p.m. **6:34a.m. - 6:40p.m.

9/24, Thurs: Glacier Bay - not sure times?

9/25, Fri: Icy Strait Point, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. **5:50a.m. - 5:53p.m.

9/26, Sat: Sitka , 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. ** 6:56a.m. - 6:47p.m.

9/27, Sun: Sea Day

9/28, Mon: Victoria, 3 p.m. - 11:59 p.m. **7:08a.m. - 6:59p.m.

9/29, Tues: Vancouver, Arrive @ 8 a.m. **7:09a.m. - 6:56p.m.

You have no chance of Snow Pass during daylight, whales and scenery- from dawn going into Juneau, very scenic sailing out of Sitka- well worth staying out, through open ocean/dark. Hoonah- out 1/2 hour prior to dawn (even if "dark", you can "see") then staying out, when leaving- through dark/open ocean.

Glacier Bay- you will be stalled outside Bartlett Cove, way before dawn- take a look anyway, if any wildlife- you'd have a lot of time viewing it. Worthwhile to stay out the entire day, of course. After leaving- drop off of the rangers- stay out- going past Point Aldolphus, which is a humpback feeding area, on starboard side. BUT, keep scanning both sides. In my opinion- if of interest to see the most- forget about the dining room and shows until dark. A significant lack of daylight for this itinerary.

You have no chance of Snow Pass during daylight, whales and scenery- from dawn going into Juneau, very scenic sailing out of Sitka- well worth staying out, through open ocean/dark. Hoonah- out 1/2 hour prior to dawn (even if "dark", you can "see") then staying out, when leaving- through dark/open ocean.

 

Glacier Bay- you will be stalled outside Bartlett Cove, way before dawn- take a look anyway, if any wildlife- you'd have a lot of time viewing it. Worthwhile to stay out the entire day, of course. After leaving- drop off of the rangers- stay out- going past Point Aldolphus, which is a humpback feeding area, on starboard side. BUT, keep scanning both sides. In my opinion- if of interest to see the most- forget about the dining room and shows until dark. A significant lack of daylight for this itinerary.

Thank you so much for the help!!! I've taken note of all your tips :) We know it's not an ideal time but it worked best for my husband's work schedule. Just curious about snow pass as I've read different things - about how far out from Ketchikan is it? I know we won't be able to see anything, but would you say about 3 hours north?

Thank you so much for the help!!! I've taken note of all your tips :) We know it's not an ideal time but it worked best for my husband's work schedule. Just curious about snow pass as I've read different things - about how far out from Ketchikan is it? I know we won't be able to see anything, but would you say about 3 hours north?

Snow Pass is about 6++ hours from Ketchikan. Some cruises don't sail it, Carnival is one, I have never sailed that route on. (4 cruises in the last 2 years)

This will be our first cruise, 2 sisters from New Zealand, Vancouver return sailing 13 may 2016 Crown Princess cabin A401 balcony deck 12

Vancouver

Glacier bay

Juneau

Skagway

Ketchikan.

I have just finished reading this thread and have learned so much from it.

Can you offer any other infomation for us,

Many thanks

Jocelyn and Judi

This will be our first cruise, 2 sisters from New Zealand, Vancouver return sailing 13 may 2016 Crown Princess cabin A401 balcony deck 12

Vancouver

Glacier bay

Juneau

Skagway

Ketchikan.

 

I have just finished reading this thread and have learned so much from it.

Can you offer any other infomation for us,

 

Many thanks

 

Jocelyn and Judi

Times?

Departing Sunday, 8/23 from Vancouver on Oceania Regatta. Advice for viewing:

Inside passage cruising, Mon., 8/24

Hubbard Glacier, Wed., 8/26

Thanks for the help.

Times?

Sorry forgot times

Vancouver depart 4 30pm

at sea

Glacier bay 11am 7 30pm

Juneau 8am 10pm

Skagway 6am 5pm

Ketchican 12pm 7pm

at sea

Vancouver 7 30am

Sorry forgot times

 

Vancouver depart 4 30pm

at sea

Glacier bay 11am 7 30pm

 

Juneau 8am 10pm

Skagway 6am 5pm

Ketchican 12pm 7pm

at sea

Vancouver 7 30am

Pre Dawn through open ocean, 1st sea day.

Pre dawn Juneau, leaving Skagway, through dark- will be going by Haines, Eldred Rock lighthouse.

Glacier Bay- predawn start, through dark.

Ketchikan- 1/2 hour predawn- especially if transiting Snow Pass. All sailing scenery.

last sea day- later afternoon, when you get closer to land.- staying out (no shows/dinner :) ) for scenery and decent chances of seeing the northern Vancouver Island orca pods.

In your opinion, what will the optimal viewing times be? We are in an AFT suite on the Pearl and don't want to miss anything!

Thu Vancouver, British Columbia (EMBARK) 4:00 pm

Fri CRUISE INSIDE PASSAGE

Sat Juneau, Alaska 1:00 pm 10:00 pm

Sun Skagway, Alaska 7:00 am 8:15 pm

Mon Sitka, Alaska 10:00 am 7:00 pm

Tue Cruise Glacier Bay --- ---

Wed Icy Strait Point, Alaska 7:00 am 4:00 pm

Thu Ketchikan, Alaska 10:00 am 7:00 pm

Fri At Sea

Sat Victoria, British Columbia 12:00 pm 11:59 pm

Sun Seattle, Washington (DISEMBARK) 8:00 am

Watchdiva, I suppose the first question would be, when is this cruise as one thing you don't want to miss is me waving to you as you sail by my house an hour after you sail under the Lions Gate bridge?

Watchdiva, I suppose the first question would be, when is this cruise as one thing you don't want to miss is me waving to you as you sail by my house an hour after you sail under the Lions Gate bridge?

Hey, good one Putterdude!!!:) Hey, was just thinkin, you gonna be up when the Jewel Ots passes by on Sept 18, when we get into Vancouver?

Hey, good one Putterdude!!!:) Hey, was just thinkin, you gonna be up when the Jewel Ots passes by on Sept 18, when we get into Vancouver?

Southbound at 0400 ..... no way,:eek: northbound, yes we will be home from the UK and will give you a big wave.

LOL....May 2016! First NCL Pearl sailing of the season.

LOL....May 2016! First NCL Pearl sailing of the season.

You have a lot of scenic sailing to take advantage of, with daylight by 4am every morning, through late evening. I don't ever "aft" view as my priority is wildlife- which is the "worse" place to do this. You need to track from AHEAD, not trying to catch a glimpse as you are sailing away. If it's a scenery priority- a very high percentage of your cruise. Look out when you wish.

Thanks Budget Queen!