Glaciers

I've seen many glowing reviews for Seattle Express. Another is Premier Airport Shuttle.

If you decide to go to Exit Glacier there is a shuttle that runs hourly from downtown to the glacier for $20 round trip. For a hike, although the Harding Icefield Trail would be too long, just going to Marmot Meadows is a nice hike that gives you views from above Exit Glacier. https://www.nps.gov/places/marmot-meadows.htm

There are several excursions in Seward that are compatible with a day trip to Seward by train. Check their website for a list of them that are accessed by clicking on “Seward” from the community list. Getting out on the water for glacier viewing and possible wildlife sightings is good. https://www.alaskarailroad.com/travel-planning/day-trips

Although I've seen Princess dock at Pier 66 it's been a port stop and not the start of a Seattle cruise. Princess usually uses Smith Cove, Pier 91. Taxi or Seattle Express are good options.

https://claalaska.com/?page_id=1250 The schedule can change a bit as well. We're looking at the Grand just prior to your sailing and they recently added Vancouver to the sailing.

Look closely at the description of the tour. I’ve not heard of any recent tours that canoe and then set foot on the glacier, only to the edge of it. If you have found one that does, please post a link.

Having all of those cruisers in town can be pretty overwhelming and inconvenient for the folks that live there. Packed restaurants, packed roads with cars and buses. Even in Seattle, that can more easily absorb all the summer tourists, we find that waiting until the off season is much more manageable when we want to go to some of our favorite restaurants and venues.

I used to take a tripod on each Alaska cruise for use with a 600mm lens but found it wasn’t worth lugging around when I wasn’t using it that much. Sometimes it just got in the way, particularly when trying to follow something like whales with a bunch of people standing right next to you.

Nice you were able to get the 50 bucks back. It does seem they were accommodating your late arrival which was nice. They are one of the top whale watch tour groups in Juneau and have been for years. Look at Jayleen’s or Juneau Tours & Whale Watch. Both are very good as well.

Look at UnCruise, Alaskan Dream and Lindblad. Very small, less than 100 passengers. We've had less than 30 passengers when we've went with them. Less emphasis on ports and more on wilderness rural SE Alaska. Kayaks, paddlesboards and skiffs. Overnights in Glacier Bay.

There are small luggage storage areas in each car that also double at a bike rack. Be one of the first to board and you can put your luggage there.

With the demand in Alaska cruising I do wonder if this will entice other communities to open their doors to cruise ships. It appears Klawock just started this year.

Those small ship cruises that were mentioned would be the best way to see what you’re looking for although not usually a good fit with a 12 year old. You’ll need to plan your excursions carefully and will be able to see most of what you want although it might be pricey. You’ll most likely be disappointed if expecting to see all these things from the ship.

We saw one bear at quite a distance from the boardwalk when we were there in May as well. We, too, knew chances were slim so expectations weren’t high. If we end up in ISP in July/August we will check out a tour with this operator. Thank you!

Did you see much wildlife while on this tour and what month did you go out with them?

We haven’t stayed there but live not too far from there. It’s an older hotel in a good location. The reviews on Trip Advisor are very good. It’s near many restaurants and about a 15 minute walk to the Space Needle and Monorail that runs to the downtown core in about 3 minutes. That would put you close to Pike Place Market and then from there the waterfront/Great Wheel is a 5-10 minute walk. Check out the route for the free Waterfront Shuttle for another transportation option with a stop at the Space Needle/Seattle Center.

The Encore with Glacier Bay. Except for Sitka that is a gem and that whale watching is fantastic in Icy Strait Point, ICP is a waste of time. You can get great whale watching in Juneau. The Encore will tick your WPYR desire too. It’s a good experience and there is nothing else similar to it in Alaska.

It sounds like it might be the area east of Prince of Wales Island near Whale Pass and to the west of Zarembo Island as you sail through.

The shuttle runs continuously throughout the day. It drops at the tram area which is central to where most of the tours pick up. It’s about a 15 minute walk to the museum from there, a flat walk. In the past, the shuttles have been a standard bus and not the school bus type so seating is good. There can be some lines at times if you head out first thing. Walking map, points of interest. https://t.ly/HDOkV

Arctic Roadrunner on Old Seward Hwy would work. It’s a 10 minute drive from the airport and on your way out of town. It’s a favorite locals spot.

We’ve rented a car during a Whittier b2b. Besides Avis there is Alaska Auto Rental. In addition to the Wildlife Conservation Center, it would allow you to include a drive up to Girdwood and take the tram if the weather is good. Although they are not always there, occasionally there are dall sheep at Windy Corner at mile 106 and also occasionally beluga whales in Turnagain Arm. Also, a bore tide if your timing is good. Look at the bore tide schedule to see if you may be there when one comes through. https://girdwood.com/bore-tide-schedule/

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. "Starting in 2026, Juneau will have a cap on the number of daily passengers that come off cruise ships: 16,000 people on most days and 12,000 people on Saturdays. Currently, Juneau can see up to 21,000 visitors on its busiest days." https://www.ktoo.org/2024/05/31/with-cruise-tourism-booming-juneau-has-negotiated-a-limit-on-how-many-passengers-can-come-off-ships/

The whales weren't there yet when we went through so we got massages at the Sand Bar.

I did read a review from someone who also noted the vessel they were on was a bit dated. We’ve been out with them twice as well as UnCruise and didn’t notice much of a difference between the two. I’m not familiar with vessels in general so maybe Alaskan Dream’s are older? Not sure you can put a blanket over the entire line based on one outing. The main difference we did notice was that Alaskan Dream put more of an emphasis on Alaska Native Culture. We’d certainly go with them again but prefer UnCruise.

In your price range, look at La Quinta near the airport. They have free breakfast and shuttle to the airport. You could take the light rail into downtown to explore. You'll find nothing within that price downtown.