Would a five night "Alaskan sampler" include glaciers?

[San Diego Ellie]

Looking ahead to 2008, I saw that Dawn Princess will be doing a five night sampler from Vancouver that just goes as far as Ketchikan. Would there be any glacier viewing during that sailing, or are the glaciers all further than that?

[NancyIL]

Island Wings in Ketchikan offers a flight to Misty Fjords, as well as a longer excursion that flies over the glaciers: http://islandwings.com/sfs.html

 

If seeing glaciers is important, I'd opt for a 7-day cruise that goes to Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. You can also visit the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, and most cruise ships include that port.

[San Diego Ellie]

Thanks, Nancy, for the quick reply. I will reconsider the five day cruise in view of your input on seeing glaciers.

[NancyIL]

Thanks, Nancy, for the quick reply. I will reconsider the five day cruise in view of your input on seeing glaciers.

 

Be aware that my input is from reading, as I will be there for the first time this June! I imagine that particular cruise is early in the season and at a good price, and I could see doing a short cruise like that if you've already been to Alaska. However, I personally wouldn't do it instead of a 7-day cruise for a first-time visit.

[fti]

Someone :D recently pointed out that cruise to me from Vancouver to Seattle with a Ketchikan port. Sounded interesting since I enjoyed Ketchikan (Misty Fjords and the eagles <two different places> especially). But I too would not do that for an Alaskan experience. You are mostly at sea (2 days I believe). You might get more bang for your Alaskan buck on a 7 night cruise.

[NancyIL]

Someone :D recently pointed out that cruise to me from Vancouver to Seattle with a Ketchikan port.

 

So THAT'S why it sounded familiar! :D

[Budget Queen]

If you have a glacier priority, this wouldn't be an option I would consider. IF you opt for the glacier flight- which is costly, you probably could have purchased a 7 day cruise. Seeing glaciers from the air, for me is a supplement to seeing them from the water. Two different experiences.

 

On the scale, Mendenhall in NO way is in any similar ballpark compared to Glacier Bay or Hubbard.