Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Explorer excursion

[stjlo]

We will be on the Emerald Princess in July. The small boat excursion really appeals to me, but can someone tell me what you see on the small boat that you won't see on the cruise ship? And by leaving the ship, will be missing anything? Thank you.

 

I posted this on the Alaska site as well....

[calvin31]

We did this excursion on our last Alaskan cruise. HIGHLY recommended as you'll get closer to the glacier than the cruise ship will ever get. You essentially follow the cruise ship's route back to Juneau and since you're closer to the water you'll see much more wildlife. Do it! :)

 

 

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[GoHawks-43-8]

The small boat excursion really appeals to me, but can someone tell me what you see on the small boat that you won't see on the cruise ship?

 

We did this two years ago when we were on the Ruby. I cannot recommend it enough. I was uneasy about the price of the excursion but it was absolutely so worth it.

 

Here's what happened.... We woke up at the crack of dawn all bleary eyed and got onto a little boat that pulled up next to the Ruby. The boat drove us up Tracy Arm towards Sawyer Glacier. After the boat pulled away from the Ruby the Ruby turned the other way. We went towards glaciers, the Ruby went back towards civilization.

 

We first went down one arm (I don't recall north or south) towards the glacier. We got up close and personal with the glacier. The first bit we went to was not very active. There were some ice chunks floating in the water but not very many. Saw amazing blues.

 

We left that glacier and went to the other one. This side was much more active so we couldn't get as close to the glacier. All kinds of ice in the water. The glacier was dropping pieces all over. Then as we looked at the ice floating in the water it looked like someone took a giant pepper shaker and covered the ice. As we grabbed the binoculars we saw that what looked like pepper was actually a crap ton of seals. We spent some time there.

 

Then we turned around and headed towards Juneau. On the way we saw some humpback whales, including the tail in the air as it dives deep.

 

We continued our journey towards Juneau and met up with an orca. At first it was alone but came up close to the boat. The guides said that they cannot approach the orcas, but the orcas can approach them. As we continued our journey another orca joined and then another and another with a baby. They escorted us for a while and were so close to the boat. We were so enraptured we didn't even think to take pictures of them we were just so amazed. The guides were even all geeked out about it.

 

Finally the boat brought us to Juneau.

 

Now, please keep in mind, while that description might seem quick the trip was not. And was not quick in a good way. It was just plain awesome.

 

The guides on the boat were incredible. Very knowledgeable and personable. Again, I cannot recommend it enough. We are heading back up there on the Emerald this summer and are having a tough time deciding whether or not to do the same exact excursion again. First time, do not hesitate, do not pass go, do not collect $200 go straight to this excursion. If it isn't expensive for you, just go. If it is expensive to go, it is worth the money even if it means you can't do an excursion in another port. Just go.

 

And by leaving the ship, will be missing anything?.

 

We missed Juneau. By the time we got to Juneau we were just spent. Our plan was go back on the ship for lunch and then head into town. The reality was we got back on the ship, hit the cabin for a quick snooze and by the time we were ready to do something it was dinner time.

 

(I tried attaching some pictures but there was some token missing error. Have no idea what that means.)

 

Let's see if this link works. Try this: http://appelphysics.com/SawyerGlacier.htm

Edited June 10, 2017 by GoHawks-43-8

[stjlo]

We did this two years ago when we were on the Ruby. I cannot recommend it enough. I was uneasy about the price of the excursion but it was absolutely so worth it.

 

Here's what happened.... We woke up at the crack of dawn all bleary eyed and got onto a little boat that pulled up next to the Ruby. The boat drove us up Tracy Arm towards Sawyer Glacier. After the boat pulled away from the Ruby the Ruby turned the other way. We went towards glaciers, the Ruby went back towards civilization.

 

We first went down one arm (I don't recall north or south) towards the glacier. We got up close and personal with the glacier. The first bit we went to was not very active. There were some ice chunks floating in the water but not very many. Saw amazing blues.

 

We left that glacier and went to the other one. This side was much more active so we couldn't get as close to the glacier. All kinds of ice in the water. The glacier was dropping pieces all over. Then as we looked at the ice floating in the water it looked like someone took a giant pepper shaker and covered the ice. As we grabbed the binoculars we saw that what looked like pepper was actually a crap ton of seals. We spent some time there.

 

Then we turned around and headed towards Juneau. On the way we saw some humpback whales, including the tail in the air as it dives deep.

 

We continued our journey towards Juneau and met up with an orca. At first it was alone but came up close to the boat. The guides said that they cannot approach the orcas, but the orcas can approach them. As we continued our journey another orca joined and then another and another with a baby. They escorted us for a while and were so close to the boat. We were so enraptured we didn't even think to take pictures of them we were just so amazed. The guides were even all geeked out about it.

 

Finally the boat brought us to Juneau.

 

Now, please keep in mind, while that description might seem quick the trip was not. And was not quick in a good way. It was just plain awesome.

 

The guides on the boat were incredible. Very knowledgeable and personable. Again, I cannot recommend it enough. We are heading back up there on the Emerald this summer and are having a tough time deciding whether or not to do the same exact excursion again. First time, do not hesitate, do not pass go, do not collect $200 go straight to this excursion. If it isn't expensive for you, just go. If it is expensive to go, it is worth the money even if it means you can't do an excursion in another port. Just go.

 

 

 

We missed Juneau. By the time we got to Juneau we were just spent. Our plan was go back on the ship for lunch and then head into town. The reality was we got back on the ship, hit the cabin for a quick snooze and by the time we were ready to do something it was dinner time.

 

(I tried attaching some pictures but there was some token missing error. Have no idea what that means.)

 

Let's see if this link works. Try this: http://appelphysics.com/SawyerGlacier.htm

 

I can't thank you enough for your reply. I have this tour booked for my husband and I in July and was questioning whether it was worth it. Maybe you'll be on the same boat with us! (We're on the 07/30 Emerald out of Seattle). We'll have to stay awake, though, and not take a nap, because we're leaving our 2 kids (21 and 15) on the ship and meeting up in Juneau where we have a car rental waiting to go and explore. It's our first time to Alaska and I really want to see as much as I can while we are there.

 

Thanks again.