Sitka

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been to this port before. Have done the raptor center and Sea otter and Wildlife tours before as well as a general tour of the port. For us we have enjoyed the Sea otter and Wildlife Tour the best and decided to do it again. The other 2 times that we have done it, the weather was beautiful. We were not as lucky this time. RAIN!!! (We have been in Sitka before when it was rainy.

 

Our tour boat came directly to ship to get us as it has in the past. The tour was to have begun around 7 AM before we never really left the ship until nearly 7:30. We did see some whales and sea otters. But because of the rainy conditions we didn't see much animal life along the shoreline. As usual on this tour everyone was given a tiny bit of salmon mousse on a cracker to try - no seconds (wasn't as good as what we had on the Icy Straight tour). After the tour we were dropped off down by O'Conell's Bridge. We just did a short walk around the town as DH was getting worried about the dampness and his medications. The Statendam was the second ship anchored there. The Oosterdam was the first ship anchored and both of us used the O'Connell Bridge docking area. The Summit was in the third position and the Veendam was in the fourth position and both of them used the Crescent Harbor dock.

[cruisergrandma]

Thanks for your post. Was the water rough getting into your tender? We will be traveling in September with my 81 year old mother-in-law. She has some mobility problems (walks with a cane). Do you recommend the raptor center?

[Krazy Kruizers]

All the ships are in a fairly protected area because of the numerous islands around. We didn't have any trouble with the tenders - no rough water.

 

The raptor center is fantastic. On our HAL cruise it was offered only as part of the Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest. There wasn't a separate tour just for that. Doing it on your own could involve a lot of walking.