KruisinKath

Both companies do have similar tours of differing lengths. I would not do the version that has dinner at Fox Island either, but some folks seem to enjoy it. I just did the straight 6 hour tour. I know there’s a 7.5 hour one that goes to 2 glaciers, but one of us isn’t thrilled with boats in general, so 6 hours was plenty.

In 2013, we did a mini land trip, staying based in Anchorage as we didn’t rent car. Did train to Whittier one day for 26 glacier cruise, then train to Seward the next day, Kenai Fjords Tours 6 hr tour, then got on our ship. We had to take 6:45 AM train ride. If memory serves, they stored our luggage during the boat tour, then we got it and there was a shuttle to the ship, but I was stupid enough to go along with my boyfriend’s desire to walk. Not a bad walk if you don’t have to roll heavy luggage, lol. Train to Whittier left Anchorage later I think, but you can ck schedule on Alaska Railroad site. Hope that helps!

We did the Kenai Fjords Tours 6 hr tour. If I recall, it only went to one glacier (their 7.5 hr tour goes to two I think). No issues with not having an assigned table. Once you get your table, you’ll have your stuff there. It’s not like you’re playing musical chairs every time you come back inside. We spent more time outside checking out the Orcas in the bay, and getting clear shots of all the other wildlife we saw. Highly recommend!

I recommend you go to Trip Advisor community forum/Alaska and start reading some posts where people give their general itineraries for feedback. That forum is geared more toward do-it-yourself trips. This will give you a good sense of some popular stops, how long it takes to get from place to place, and things to do in each area. Then based on what interests you, you can come up with a tentative itinerary. The moderators will not create itineraries for you, but most, if not all, are locals, and they are awesome at helping people work through their trips and any problem areas. Good luck!

YW! And I meant Bonine (stupid auto correct!), LOL.

Have a great trip!

I get seasick on larger ships, and found that if I start taking Bonnie a day or two prior to actually getting on the ship, I am good from the get go. You could try that next time you cruise to see if that helps.

I see what you did there, thanks for the chuckle! And sorry you didn’t see any bears!

They’re one of the longest running vendors in Juneau; you’ll be in good hands!

When I went in 2013, we did whale watching in both places! If you decide to do the same, I recommend Glacier Wind in Icy Strait Point!

Kenai Fjords Tours is the original Kenai fjords tour operator so has been there a long time. We did the six-hour tour through them in 2013 on our “only” trip to Alaska, and will be booking with them again in 2025 (yep, Alaska hooks you!). 😁

You could do whale watching tour in Icy Strait Point. Highly recommend Glacier Wind.

Unfortunately, the latest is they don’t anticipate the bridge being done on the Park road until 2026. We’re planning our trip for 2025, so kind of bummed.

Great, thanks for the additional info!

If you were paying attention, you’d see I posted in relation to the low fare guarantee, which I have. Otherwise, I would obviously not normally expect an automatic adjustment, or any for that matter.

Do they automatically adjust your fare if it has dropped, or do you have to watch things and ask for the adjustment?

We did the Radiance southbound in 2013. Stayed at Ship Creek Comfort Inn (now Wyndham). Flew in, dinner at Simon & Shuforts (sp?). Next day, walked to train station, train to Whittier, 26 Glacier tour, train back. Beautiful scenery! Next day, train to Seward (as others have said, a can’t miss awesome scenic ride), Kenai Fords Tours 6 hour tour. After, boyfriend wanted to walk to ship. Not too bad unless you have all your luggage! How he talked me into that, I’ll never know, lol. But we made it! Sweaty first pic though! As others have noted, rental cars are expensive but especially so if you don’t drop off where you picked up.

Unfortunately, the latest updates have pushed it to 2026. We’re going in July 2025, so I’m wrestling with whether to focus on other areas or hit Denali. 😗

They’ll have that regardless. If they go northbound, they’re taking a flight from Anchorage to home. We did southbound in 2013, and the flights are long anyway; but our flight from Vancouver was shorter, when we were tired and ready for our own beds, LOL.

2025 can’t get here soon enough!

I’m working with a HAL PCC and she did say when the time comes, she’ll be sure to talk with Ship Inventory. I splurged on an aft Neptune Suite on NA, with my sister right next to us, so definitely don’t want to lose it-so hope you’re right!

I did this so I could get the cabin I wanted. However, someone posted elsewhere that when the land portions come out and if I add one, they may need to cancel my current booking and rebook. I’m not willing to lose my cabin, so may do land on my own.

Oh, good point. My PCC got me the cabin I wanted prior to the cruises showing on the website. Otherwise I wouldn’t have booked two years out!! So I’ll be sure to ask her about that; just may have to do land on my own-I’ve been going back and forth anyway….

No worries at all!

I have Alaska Air card, so if either of you end up wanting to get, let me know and I’ll refer you!