Tracy Arm/Sawyer Glacier excursion ?

[irishgrandma]

We just printed our e-docs for our May 17th Norwegian Sun cruise and are so excited we could pop ! We are scheduled to take the Tracy Arm / Sawyer Glacier excursion out of Juneau and according to the e-docs, it departs at 1pm and our ship is scheduled to leave Juneau at 1:15 pm. From what I have read, we will "meet up" with our ship later in the day. Is that right? It sounds great but I don't know how this will work. Has anyone taken this excursion recently so you could help me fill in the blanks? What operator runs this excursion? Was it worth the money? Did you spend time on shore first then come back to the ship to leave for the excursion? Did they pick you up at the boat? It sounds like a great way to get some very cool pictures and a unique view of our approaching ship. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[brunolvr]

We just printed our e-docs for our May 17th Norwegian Sun cruise and are so excited we could pop ! We are scheduled to take the Tracy Arm / Sawyer Glacier excursion out of Juneau and according to the e-docs, it departs at 1pm and our ship is scheduled to leave Juneau at 1:15 pm. From what I have read, we will "meet up" with our ship later in the day. Is that right? It sounds great but I don't know how this will work. Has anyone taken this excursion recently so you could help me fill in the blanks? What operator runs this excursion? Was it worth the money? Did you spend time on shore first then come back to the ship to leave for the excursion? Did they pick you up at the boat? It sounds like a great way to get some very cool pictures and a unique view of our approaching ship. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

Numerous posts about it here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=927813&highlight=tracy+fjord

[Budget Queen]

Yes, I have taken it. Contractor is Allen Marine. This jet boat is faster than the cruiseship and offers plenty of wildlife and scenic stops. You do NOT get off this boat until you directly access the cruiseship at some point in Tracy Arm.

 

I always do some shore touring in Juneau. You will board the jet boat from the cruiseship.

 

YES, it most certainly is worth it and "necessary", in my opinion. WAY superior to anything seen via cruiseship.

 

HOWEVER, be prepared in your timeframe to not go to Tracy Arm. The past couple seasons, the cruiseship has diverted to Endicott Glacier, which isn't much different viewing to the cruiseship comparing the jet boat.