Volendam-Alaska-Port or Starboard?

[OctCruzer]

Looking at 2012 cruise, r/t Vancouver, Volendam. Any opinions on which side of ship to choose for better views - port or starboard?

 

Also, weather is a big thing and hard to predict - late May/early June OK?

[CruiserBruce]

Doesn't matter, the scenery is 360 degrees.

 

The key to Alaska is layers. Probably won't be warmer than mid 70s. Could be raining at times.

[fsdj1097]

Looking at 2012 cruise, r/t Vancouver, Volendam. Any opinions on which side of ship to choose for better views - port or starboard?

 

Also, weather is a big thing and hard to predict - late May/early June OK?

 

If you're r/t Vancouver, the inside passage is beautiful from either side. Some prefer the port side for the Glacier Bay visits as some believe as the ship approaches the glacier, the port side gets a better and longer view before the Capt. rotates the ship for the starboard side.

 

We have sailed late May/early June and have had bright sunny cruises and cloudy, rain-filled cruises. Remember Southeast Alaska is a rainforest. You'll see more snow-capped mountains during this time period on the average. But, you may not see as much glacier calving than the later cruises. If bear viewing is a priority, the later cruisers seem to have better luck seeing bears. For whales, orcas, seals, etc, you'll see them all during the cruise season. If fishing is in your plans, the king salmon usually peak around the 3-4th week of June. The other species are typically later. Halibut are there year-round.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Many times the captains keep the port side of the ship facing the glaciers the longest.