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We have stayed at Sheraton Wall Centre. Nice area and easy taxi ride to port.

I used these for Alaska and they work great.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/671412-REG/Nikon_7277_Travelite_VI_8x25_Binocular.html

and these:

https://www.leupold.com/bx-1-rogue-8x25mm-compact-binocular

They are both perfect size and magnification for viewing longer.

12 hours ago, 5waldos said:

No reason to ask for code since everyone onboard was required to show it in order to board the ship. So assuming that the ship was doing its job- you were all good to go. And any ship found to not be checking would probably be banned from docking in Canada or sailing in its waters. 

We were told to have it ready as we got the ship in Victoria and they did not ask for it as we entered.

On 5/18/2022 at 1:33 AM, xlxo said:

Keep in mind.... Juneau offers the majestic humpback whale watching, BC offers the smaller and faster orca whale watches, and not to be confused with ones found on Deck 16.

These Orcas were seen in 2019 in Juneau along with humpback whales. This trip was in the middle of June then.

We've used Harv and Marv on 4 separate occasions and had a great experience each time. 

On 5/19/2022 at 12:56 PM, NavyCruiser said:

My last resort solution:

3 day bus ride home...

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Vancouver,+BC,+Canada/Houston,+TX/@39.1842166,-118.0379994,5z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x548673f143a94fb3:0xbb9196ea9b81f38b!2m2!1d-123.1207375!2d49.2827291!1m5!1m1!1s0x8640b8b4488d8501:0xca0d02def365053b!2m2!1d-95.3698028!2d29.7604267!3e3

 

Please, if that happens at least wear a mask the whole time on the bus.

Harv and Marv is great. Glad you could get the small boat. We just back form our cruise. Here are a few pics from our whale watch tour with Harv and Marv.

We've used Harv and Marv 4 times over the years and they have been great each time. We did a late September cruise and the water was rougher but that was the best whale watching we had. I would pick the Outback experience as the boat is a little bigger but plenty of room for you to see clearly.

1 hour ago, JoshP42301 said:

My wife and I are taking a Princess cruise to Alaska starting-ending in Seattle, and it has a stop in Victoria before returning to port.  I fully understand the ArriveCAN app, as much as it seems everybody else.  I just wanted to hear if anyone who has gone there post-COVID on a US-based cruise has had any issues going to Victoria.  If anyone could share their experiences in Victoria (what getting off the boat is like, if they had any negative issues (from the QR code to the random testing or being prevented getting off), or anything that is pertinent to know, we'd greatly appreciate it.  Thanks for helping a newbie (Have cruised twice to the Caribbean, and this will be our first since COVID to anywhere)!

We just got off the Solstice and had no issues getting off the ship. We had our QR code ready from the ArriveCAN app but no one asked for it at all.

On 3/21/2022 at 9:14 PM, Sea Monster 2 said:

Sure, any specific info helps if you’ve lost your passport.  A photocopy is useful in terms of them having precise info with which to work, but is not itself proof if identity or citizenship— it will make it easier for them to acquire that proof for you. STEP also puts you and your info on their radar should anything go wrong. 

Thank you so much for the information. I do register with STEP as well.

Definitely Juneau. We have used Harv and Marv for whale watching 3 times and thought they were great. 

Wow! Thank you for sharing this story and being so resourceful! I don't think I would have been so calm. This has been a great lesson to share and I will take your advice of carrying my passport.

2 hours ago, Sea Monster 2 said:

I was a consular officer, the person at the embassy who helps you get a new passport. I’m so glad this turned out OK for you and that you both maintained a sense of humor and adventure during your travails! I would like to add a couple of items to this discussion: the most important one is to always travel with a passport. Bad things really do happen, with alarming regularity, which is why we have consular officers posted in most countries to assist American citizens in distress. Proving your citizenship is the first step to professional assistance when anything happens, including being victim of a crime (or committing one, in which case the US government will monitor your case), having a medical emergency, etc. All US travelers should register their travel plans online with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at the State Department’s website— this streamlines assistance and enables the embassy or consulate to reach out to you in an emergency. Cruisers should also keep in mind that there is not an embassy or consulate on every island or at every port— you may need to travel to another city, island or even country for assistance, which can be extraordinarily difficult without a passport. Registering via STEP can facilitate assistance in challenging situations.

 

It sounds as though you both kept very cool heads in dealing with this, and had the resources to navigate the situation. And now you have an entertaining adventure tale for life!

Does having a copy of your passport help in this situation? I have always heard about just taking a copy of your passport with you.

Juneau would be the place to whale watch. Harv and Marv is a company we have used 3 times. They have smaller boats and We like that.

 In Ketchikan , I am sure the ship will have excursions. We did a float plane with Island Wings one time, Did the Aleutian Ballad and loved it but I love the Deadiest Catch. They also take to an area where you see tons of eagles. The Lumberjack show is fun as well.

On 7/1/2021 at 7:17 PM, JayFank said:

Our family of three -- Myself (38, male), wife (35) and daughter (7) -- will be cruising on Royal's Radiance of the Seas in May 2022. Prior to cruising, we will be visiting the Matanuska Glacier while in Anchorage and going to Seavey's dog sled camp in Seward.

For Juneau, I really want to do a Mendenhall Glacier hike/tour, however, age restrictions prevent us from doing so unless we travel via helicopter. The other option would be whale watching either with Harv and Marv or another company. Given we will be visiting Matanuska and get the full "glacier experience" by walking through crevasses, possible ice caves, etc., would a glacier tour via helicopter bring anything new other than the aerial views? Also, are there "better" glaciers to visit in Juneau other than Mendenhall?

For Skagway, we are considering the White Pass railroad, but are open to options.

For Icy Straight Point, we are going to do whale watching.

For Ketchikan, we plan on doing the Misty Fjords Flightseeing, but are open to which companies to use or other alternatives.

We used Island Wings in Ketchikan and it was a trip to remember. We have been on 3 Harv and Marv tours, saw whales each time and all were wonderful. Loved the smaller boat with plenty o f room to see. The train is something to see in Skagway if this is the first time there.

we have used Harv and Marv on 3 occasions and had a great time each trip. I loved the smaller boat size.

Thank you for this update Turtles06. This is a big weight off of our minds as well as our Rhine River cruise is March 25th.

Misty Fjords by float plane.

We love Harv and Marv. Have been on an excursion 3 times and saw whales all 3 times. Here are a few photos from 6/13/19.

SHIP: Eclipse

CABIN #: 8261

DECK #: 8

CLASS: 1A

AREA: midship near aft elevators

BED NEAR: balcony

QUIET?: yes

BALCONY VIEW: not obstructed. Can see straight down to water

BALCONY SIZE: normal

WIND A PROBLEM?:no

SOOT A PROBLEM?:no

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS:This is right near the entrance to the elevator area. As long as the glass doors separating the room hallway from the elevator area are closed. The room is very quiet. Great location to get everywhere

14 hours ago, chicagopaul said:

 

I’ll go through my papers to see if I see it advertised but to my knowledge they always offer it. You should be able to check your cruise planner for pricing. I can tell you that on our cruise the specialty restaurants were not too busy with the exception of Murano one night. At least what we noticed. 

Thank you so much for that information. We will be on the June 9th Eclipse cruise. So excited!!!

Great trip review. One question. Did they have a 3 night dining plan for sale during the 1st day.

Definitely Island Wings with Michelle. She was awesome and it was the most amazing flight.

we took a float plane over the fjords with Island Wings. it was awe inspiring and one of the highlights of our trip.