deadzone1003 Posted November 27, 2006 #1 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Have anyone had any experience with Tracy Arm Glacier Cruise from Juneau through Goldbelt Tour? The Sapphire Princess is suppose to arrive at 8am, but the Glacier Cruise leaves at 9am. Is that cutting it too thin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Posted November 27, 2006 #2 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I've gone with Adventure Bound Alaska - there's a photojournal of the excursion posted at http://www.explorenorth.com/articles/tracy_arm.html They usually board at 7:30, but may have special arrangements for the later arrivals - it'd be worth an email to check. http://www.adventureboundalaska.com/ Murray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 27, 2006 #3 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I've gone with Auk Nu, excellent vender. Is your ship coming from Skagway or from Ketchikan?? If coming from Skagway, no problem with the ship making it to port on time, BUT I doubt you are going to make a 9am boat trip since no guarantee on ship clearance. I suggest you contact the venders directly and inquire if this is something they will recommend for you and schedule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted November 27, 2006 #4 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I have also done Adventure Bound and it was a top notch tour! I would definitely do a small boat trip to Tracy Arm again. One of the best excursions I have taken in Alaska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcdon7230 Posted November 27, 2006 #5 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Is the Tracy Arm Glacier Cruise from Juneau with independent vendors available for the late arriving Pearl? She gets to Juneau at 2PM, but doesn't leave until 10PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 27, 2006 #6 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Is the Tracy Arm Glacier Cruise from Juneau with independent vendors available for the late arriving Pearl? She gets to Juneau at 2PM, but doesn't leave until 10PM.[/QUOT Nope, unless you are looking for, maybe a private charter? All the independent regular runs leave in the morning. You need 8-10 hours for the trip. I'm on the Pearl too this coming season. Glacier Bay is the highlight with that itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chat Noir Posted November 27, 2006 #7 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I have also done Adventure Bound and it was a top notch tour! I would definitely do a small boat trip to Tracy Arm again. One of the best excursions I have taken in Alaska. My sentiments, exactly! And those of my teenage sons and my husband. It definitely is worth the effort of speaking to the vendor concerning your arrival time with regard to the tour departure time. Our next cruise is mainly going to be based on Juneau port time to allow for a repeat of this excursion. We were well pleased with Adventure Bound, but are willing to go with the best fit to our schedule. Other than that, we're just watching for a bargain cruise. We enjoyed the tour enough that Tracy Arm via small boat is our only specific requirement!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadzone1003 Posted November 28, 2006 Author #8 Share Posted November 28, 2006 Thank you for your replies. I just talked to Adventure Bound and Goldbelt Tours. Goldbelt haven't finalized their schedule yet. Adventure Bound said timing was impossible for the Sapphire Princess. Even Adventure Bound didn't recommend that I try Goldbelt Tours as it can take as long as an hour to disembark in Juneau. (Does it?) My best bet is to call them on a cell phone as I'm disembarking and see if they have any room left.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casshew Posted November 28, 2006 #9 Share Posted November 28, 2006 Tracy arm is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska05 Posted November 28, 2006 #10 Share Posted November 28, 2006 Thank you for your replies. I just talked to Adventure Bound and Goldbelt Tours. Goldbelt haven't finalized their schedule yet. Adventure Bound said timing was impossible for the Sapphire Princess. Even Adventure Bound didn't recommend that I try Goldbelt Tours as it can take as long as an hour to disembark in Juneau. (Does it?) My best bet is to call them on a cell phone as I'm disembarking and see if they have any room left.:( I'm going to be on the Sapphire Princess also (July 23 northbound) and really, really want to do this excursion. I have been in contact with Goldbelt also and will check back with them in the spring. I'm hoping we can work something out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadzone1003 Posted November 28, 2006 Author #11 Share Posted November 28, 2006 You mean the Island Princess, July 23rd, Northbound?? The Sapphire Princess is in Whittier on July 21st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska05 Posted November 28, 2006 #12 Share Posted November 28, 2006 You mean the Island Princess, July 23rd, Northbound?? The Sapphire Princess is in Whittier on July 21st. Brain freeze:D . You're right, we're on the Island. The Island's arrival time is the same though -- 8:00 am :( . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 28, 2006 #13 Share Posted November 28, 2006 Thank you for your replies. I just talked to Adventure Bound and Goldbelt Tours. Goldbelt haven't finalized their schedule yet. Adventure Bound said timing was impossible for the Sapphire Princess. Even Adventure Bound didn't recommend that I try Goldbelt Tours as it can take as long as an hour to disembark in Juneau. (Does it?) My best bet is to call them on a cell phone as I'm disembarking and see if they have any room left.:( Yes, it most certainly can take an hour or more for a ship to dock and clear. As I already mentioned, IF your ship is coming from Skagway, you have a better chance of making and early Juneau arrival and clearance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadzone1003 Posted November 28, 2006 Author #14 Share Posted November 28, 2006 Thanks for the info, Budget Queen. My ship, Sapphire Princess, is northbound, coming from Ketchikan. I guess my cell phone idea might be my best bet.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska05 Posted November 28, 2006 #15 Share Posted November 28, 2006 Thanks for the info, Budget Queen. My ship, Sapphire Princess, is northbound, coming from Ketchikan. I guess my cell phone idea might be my best bet.:( When is your cruise? If you're going before my July 23 north on the Island, I'd be interested in hearing how things turn out for you. We can keep our fingers crossed that the ships leave Ketchikan on time and we can get off in time to make the excursion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadzone1003 Posted November 28, 2006 Author #16 Share Posted November 28, 2006 When is your cruise? If you're going before my July 23 north on the Island, I'd be interested in hearing how things turn out for you. We can keep our fingers crossed that the ships leave Ketchikan on time and we can get off in time to make the excursion. Sapphire Princess leaves Vancouver on July 14th, northbound. It arrives in Juneau at 8am, July 17th from Ketchikan. From what Budget Queen said, coming from Ketchikan, it sounds like the Sapphire Princess will just make the 8am arrival time. For the ship of our size, it may take over an hour to disembark after the ship is docked. Adventure Bound leaves at 8am for a 9 hour tour. Goldbelt Tours leaves at 9am for a 8 hour tour. (Goldbelt has not finalize their schedule yet, that is their 2006 departure time) There is a third called Allen Marine I just heard about, but it has an exclusive with NCL. There are 2 NCL ships in Juneau that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanCanCase Posted December 7, 2006 #17 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Thank you for your replies. I just talked to Adventure Bound and Goldbelt Tours. Goldbelt haven't finalized their schedule yet. Adventure Bound said timing was impossible for the Sapphire Princess. Even Adventure Bound didn't recommend that I try Goldbelt Tours as it can take as long as an hour to disembark in Juneau. (Does it?) My best bet is to call them on a cell phone as I'm disembarking and see if they have any room left.:( Dig around for a Private Charter operator as BQ suggested. I know of 2 charters who are actually LOWERING their rates to make a small-boat private charter to Tracy Arm "cost competetive" with the scheduled tours. Also, a private charter will be able to flex departure/arrival times to better accomodate your port times. A 9am arrival would be no problem for several charter companies here in Juneau. The 2pm arrival can be arranged on a case by case basis depending upon time of year and daylight before sunset... -Case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabySis Posted December 10, 2006 #18 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Okay, I'm asking for the tour operators you're using. We're on the Noordam July 1, 2007. Thanks so much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanCanCase Posted December 10, 2006 #19 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Okay, I'm asking for the tour operators you're using. We're on the Noordam July 1, 2007. Thanks so much http://www.adventureboundalaska.com/ phone Contact: 800-228-3875 http://www.auknutours.com/ phone Contact: 800-820-2628 http://www.harvandmarvs.com/ phone Contact: 866-909-7288 http://www.alaskanmarineadventures.com/ phone Contact: 907-957-1666 These are the main boats that I see in Tracy Arm often during the summer season. There are a variety of other boats, but most are private pleasure boats, or extended (multi-day) chartered cruises. Of all of these tours, Harv and Marv's usually leaves from Aukey Bay, so you'll have a 20 minute taxi or bus ride each way. The other 3 vendors depart right from downtown next to the cruise docks. Hope this helps. -Case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BabySis Posted December 10, 2006 #20 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Thanks so much!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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