Alaska Sea Days

[twocruisersok]

I am planning our first Alaskian cruise.  One iteniary we like has 2 sea days.  Does this mean the ship will go way out in the ocean, or will it be close to land to see the scenry and wildlife?  This is with Princess going through the Inside Passage.  Thanks!

[auntmeg]

Where are you departing from?
What's the rest of the itinerary?

 

Those pieces of information will determine how much land you will see.

 

Cruises leaving out of Seattle are generally further out from the land than cruises leaving out of Vancouver.

[twocruisersok]

Leaving Vancouver roundtrip

Inside passage, Skagway, Ketchekan, Glacier Bay, Juneau

 

 

 

 

[Northern Aurora]

We have done Vancouver RT.  While I don't know what ship you are considering our experience was that we saw quite a bit of scenic land and islands on our sea days.

[twocruisersok]

Thanks, I appreciate the help.  I just didn't want to be out at sea all day.  I want to see things every day.

 

[dfilpus]

If your ship sails east of Vancouver Island, then there will be scenery on both sides of the island. Some ships cannot sail east of the island, so they sail west of the island where the scenery is only on one side of the ship and the ship may be a little farther from land. It depends on the ship.

[quack2]

From the ship you will see scenery.  Wildlife?  Not so much.  If you want wildlife, book port excursions.

[donaldsc]

Scenery - yes.  Wildlife - no.  Whales or more likely whale spouts - probably.

 

DON

[lobsternight]

If you are round tripout of Vancouver you will be in site of land for all  but a few hours on sea days.  On departure depending on tides and currents you will see spectacular scenery passing through Seymour Narrows and up to the North tip of van ouver Island  

 

Usually the first sea day starts away from land, but in the early afternoon you should be close again when they pick up the American Pilot near Prince Rupert  

 

On the return sea day once again you will have a few hours, usually in the morning outmat sea.  You will pass by spectacular scenery during the day, glaciers right down to the ocean, but at a distance  once again get out on deck as you pass by the northern tip of Vancouver Island.  Keep an eye out as the channel Narrows, often see Orcas up close.

 

Must agree that mostly you see whale spouts in the distance but have had good encounters too, once right next to the ship at icy Straight.  Lots of eagles of course, everywhere, but bears from the ship is unlikely.

 

I am sure you will have a wonderful time, most people love it.

[quack2]

And you will spot many fellow cruisers mistaking Dall's Porpoises for Orcas.

[SightCRR]

Spend a couple hours on the first sea day to scout out where to go for best viewing. Plan for areas that work in sun and wind/rain. Don't just plan for viewing from room because you are missing 1/2 of the sights. Look for hidden spots that many people wont find. Bow may be open for G/B but often crowed. Try to find spots that have easy access to opposite side of the ship. Take and study the deck plans. Up high but also down low good for the whales/glaciers. 

[shipgeeks]

Sea days on our AK cruise were my favorite part!  We spent all our waking hours up on the top deck, just watching the scenery go by.  We had been given a balcony, but only used it once the entire 10 days.