Coral

I have done both via small boat. Tracy Arm is better than Endicott Arm IMO. Overall - cruise ships can make it to Endicott Arm easier than Tracy Arm due to the twists and turns Tracy Arm has. I prefer the fjords in Tracy Arm - they are more dramatic. Though I would do either again.

I am curious what your son did to land this job? Is he in college?

Have you seen any large NCL or RCCL ships sail inside Vancouver Island? In the past, these ships have been out of Seattle though they will often go to Vancouver to sail to Hawaii.

The Summit is only 90,000 tonnage which isn't that large by today's standards. There are several Princess ships larger that can sail inside passage (not Royal class).

I honestly think the ship is always "concerned about the current sailing". Unless they need to add food at the pier for a specific diet (Kosher, baby food) - I don't think they will do anything before ones gets on a ship.

Technically - Edge is somewhere between Crown Princess size and Royal Princess size. It will be interesting which way it goes.

Most lines put their big ships out of Seattle. I am trying to think of which large ships are out of Vancouver? I don't know if the large ships are out of Seattle (best ships in some people's mind) are put there to attract people on an inferior route or because they are unable to sail inside passage? Good question. Can you think of other large ships docked in Vancouver? Celebrity Edge is the only one I can see on the schedule that is equivalent in size. I don't know what route they take.

I am not sure if the Edge would, with her size - if she was sailing from Vancouver.

You will be pleased. I promise. I went with them again last year. People in your van will most likely come from your ship.

I did one also (May 2023):

It took me 1 minute in Vancouver for my Alaskan cruise last year.

The other option is to switch your sled dog excursion to Skagway and then do whale watching in Juneau. Though - there is a chance in both ports that weather or other conditions could prevent the helicopter ride from happening.

This is a booking site. I prefer to deal direct with the vendor for tours. As @wolfie11 noted, Dyea Dave is no longer alive. He had cancer and his tours hadn't run in many years.

I am going to encourage you to book independently. Chilkoot Tours has a great reputation. You will not miss the ship. I personally will always try to book independently and have never missed the ship. You will be in a much smaller group (van vs bus). https://chilkootcharters.com

I did find that also after @wolfie11 posted. I had to search. I honestly have never seen anyone say "I had a great whale watching experience in Ketchikan" on this board. I am not even sure I have seen anyone say they went whale watching in Ketchikan on this board.