peety3

If Gastineau is available, I highly recommend them. Their boats are quite stable, plenty of room inside (butt benches facing into an open area), great windows.

Highly recommend Gastineau Guiding (http://stepintoalaska.com). Small yet stable boats - 14 pax for the photo safari, 20 pax for the others. Huge windows that the crew will lift in/up out of the way so PLENTY of room to see and take pictures, plus a bow platform when stopped (and stern on the 20pax boats). We've toured with them five times with fantastic results.

Several years ago, we were shooting full-frame DSLRs and owned a 14mm f/2.8. For one of our Alaska cruises, I rented the 11-24 f/4 and stuck it in my wife's bag. We were out on the Tracy Arm small boat excursion and my wife went digging in her bag to see what wide lens I packed for her. On goes the 11-24, and a few minutes later I hear her say "yep, we can buy this lens." So for at least some people, wide is good.

Go with LensRentals.com. I live in the Seattle metro, and last I rented lenses from Glazers, they were BEAT UP. Last I checked, LensRentals will not ship to a hotel, but they will gladly ship to a FedEx Office location where you can pick it up. I have gone that route with all of my rentals over the past seven years, along with gear that I've shipped to other cities for jobs I've done. Depending on exactly where you have the gear shipped, I've often seen the FedEx drivers go straight from the Redmond hub/base to the nearby FedEx Office so they can get my package off their truck quickly and have room for the day's pickups. If you're getting into town early, try to pick up your stuff and check it out to be sure. With the time zone difference, you've got to jump on issues quick so LR can ship a replacement overnight so you can have it in time for your trip.

I recommend Gastineau Guiding. We've done two different tours with them, and I strongly suggest their Photo Safari. Great opportunity to learn about photography, smaller boat (14 vs 20) than their other tours, and a short trail hike to learn about the recession of Mendenhall Glacier. That said, any of their tours are top-notch.

Consider the Photo Safari tour from Gastineau Guiding. Small boat that's a lot more stable than H&M, opportunity to learn some photography, and a short trail hike to learn about the recession of Mendenhall Glacier.