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The Kenai Fjords 8 hour tour out of Seward on Wednesday after I disembarked was really nice, even if the skies were grey. Just a little rain, which was easy to avoid. The next day I did the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise in Whittier. The weather out of Whittier was miserable much of the trip. Inside windows were constantly fogged over with rain drops on the outside. It did get better when we got the northern end of College Fjord. Fought my way to some nice glacier and waterfall photos. Very little wildlife. I really didn't like the boat for the 26 Glacier Cruise. The ratio of passengers to available outside rail space for photos was way too high, IMO. Nice comfortable boat, but too many passengers to be able to get photos reliably. And, of course, since everyone has to take a minute or two to compose their perfect selfie, the frustration level gets pretty high with people waiting to get to the rail. If I have to choose between Kenai Fjords tour in Seward or 26 Glacier Cruise in Whittier, I will take Seward every time. Just my $0.02.

Here is what we missed on the Spirit this morning. Photo taken by someone on the Crown Princess

And is getting close to the face of the glacier. Meanwhile, the Spirit is moseying on its way to Seward after electing to skip Hubbard Glacier. I don't the imagine the captain will provide an explanation of why the other two ships visiting Hubbard today got in, and we chose to blow it off.

...apparently on the way into Hubbard Glacier. I'm currently on the Norwegian Spirit (was just in front of you) and our captain gave up on Hubbard due to the fog. Grrrrrr.

Crown Princess is well into Yakutat Bay

I'm not going to be happy if both the Crown Princess and the Regatta get into Hubbard Glacier and Norwegian Spirit bailed. https://www.cruisingearth.com/ship-tracker/norwegian-cruise-line/norwegian-spirit/

I booked with Kenai Fjords this time. Both offer similar trips and are both good companies.

It appears the Crown Princess is bypassing Hubbard as well. There is one small ship near the face of the glacier. Update: now Crown Princess has turned as if they are going to try to make it in.

Yes, I heard the announcement. Too much fog. No Hubbard. Good luck on Thursday. The weather forecast shows a lot of rainy days ahead. I have an 8 hour boat trip tomorrow in Seward. Rain expected all day. I hope I can still see some wildlife and get some photos.

6:00 a.m. Tuesday update. Ship has turned around. I don't think we're going to get into Hubbard Glacier due to the fog.

My 24-240 has been remarkably versatile on the cruise I'm currently on.

What? Oregon last? Sacrilege.

I'm like the guy you don't want to be behind in the check out line. I don't recall being on an Alaska cruise with more nice days than grey, overcast and usually wet. An occasional super spectacular day, but rarely, if ever, a string of them together. . . . but I keep coming back.

The whales were really active today. I was on a six person catamaran. I'm guessing you were on one of the red boats. Several breaches while we were on our way out to the whales. Could see from a distance and fortunately they stayed at for awhile after we arrived. Capturing breaches is tough. First, the whales have to be breaching. Then, you have to be pointing your camera in their general vicinity. I think I got one good breach but I'm afraid to look at my photos in case I missed out. I think on a mirrorless or DLSR, a wider angle is better than a big zoom for whales. I had a 100-400 on a crop sensor (160ish to 600 ish), and a 24-240 on a full frame. I was switching back and for a lot Anyway, fun day trying to capture the whales.

Drove by there on Sunday. Appeared to be closed long-term.

Things are going well. For me, the quality of a cruise depends on my wildlife photo opportunities. Sitka wasn't bad. Otters, raptors and bear excursion. Saw some otters and some uncooperative whales. Raptor Center and Fortress of the Bears was nice, but a little rushed, IMO. Sitka weather was fantastic. The kind of day you hope for but never expect in Alaska. I decided not to do whale watching in Juneau, instead going to Mendenhall and the Glacier Gardens. Glacier Gardens was disappointing. A few upside down flower trees and a steep, fully loaded tram ride up to a viewpoint. Guide wouldn't stop talking or stopping the tram to let us photograph something. Mendenhall was nice. Been there several times before but it's been a few years. Returned to Juneau and had lunch at Deckhand Dave's. Excellent fish tacos. In Skagway I rented a car from Avis and drove north to Carcross hoping to see bears on the side of the road. l've done this before and have always had great success with photographs. Yesterday I didn't see a single bear. Landscape were nice though. Went back to Skagway via Dyea. Got a couple of nice bald eagle in a tree shots. Very expensive rental car ($350ish). Going out today in Icy Strait to shoot whales with Glacier Wind. This is my favorite whale photo port. Wish the light was better but will do the best I can. Shawn, Teresa and Casey at Glacier Wind are great people and run great whale watching outings. Now, if only the whales will show themselves . . . P.S. enemy ship approaching on starboard side. Could be the Millenium.

For wildlife, I liked my 100-400.

I tried Onda on Embarkation Night. My entree, the Veal Milanese, was quite frankly, awful. Everything else, including the service was top notch.

ignore the forecast. Bring layers for warmth and something water repellent.

That was quite a sunset last night. Lasted forever. Can't have a great sunset without some clouds. Agree about embarkation. Very smooth. Arrived at 11:00, was onboard by 11:30. Lunch at the Local was just o.k. Dinner at Onda was a little disappointing. Great service but food quality lacking. The most expensive item on the menu was the veal Milanese. Lots of breading to hide the veal. Tonight is Teppanyaki. And yes, we sailed up the west side of Vancouver Island. My goal on this cruise is to find a reliable source to tell me why.

There must another excuse. Other sourthbound ships from Ketchikan to Vancouver take the inside route. Would Canadian environmental regulations stop them from using the inside passage but still sail to Vancouver?

I'm currently monitoring the location of the Spirit as she sails south toward Vancouver. I want to see which side of Vancouver Island she sails on. Too early to tell for sure, but she seems to be heading toward the west side rather than the more scenic and protected east side. https://www.cruisingearth.com/port-tracker/canada/vancouver-british-columbia/

Not a risk worth taking.

Great town to explore in.

I'll try to add some things as I go. I haven't researched how to post photos here so that is on my pre-cruise check list. I'm flying into Vancouver on Tuesday. I'm just doing the 7-day to Seward. Spending a couple more days in the area to do the Kenai Fjords boat tour on Wednesday and the 26 Glacier cruise out of Whittier on Thursday. Never been to Whittier. I sure wish it was easier to get there from Seward. Oh well, more train rides!