Icy Strait

[Photogirl]

I'll be on one of the first Celebrity Cruises to go to Icy Strait in early June.

The bear watching Tour sounds very interesting; however, I'm a little hesitant to spend that kind of money if it's too early in the season for a bear spotting to be likely. Does anyone (perhaps someone who lives in Alaska) have any idea of my chances to see bears (at the newly built board walks)? Nil or very slight at that time of year or time of day???

Since whale sightings are not guaranteed on their whale tours (like they are in Juneau), I'm wondering if I should wait for Juneau to do that. Or are the odds high for whale sightings on the Icy Strait tours?

If bear sightings are unlikely before the salmon start to spawn later in the season, this then leaves me with the Forest Tram if I want to be assured any kind of wild life photos. However, even that only says an eagle's nest - not a guarantee of any birds.

I would like to get off the ship and "see" something of the Icy Strait port, but I'm a little bewildered as which (if any) would be the best excursion to take.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Yukon]

You're going to be too early for good bear spotting, but there may well be an issue beyond the season. When the bear-viewing platforms were built at Hyder, Alaska 4 years ago, they scared away all the bears and few have returned to what was one of the best spots in the state. Ah well, it was only a million bucks!