new_cruiser Posted April 24, 2018 #1 Share Posted April 24, 2018 Glacier Wind isn't available the day I'm in Icy Strait. Any suggestions of other small boat alternatives? I'll be there May 20 - Is that too early to see bears on a bear tour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEWLKAT Posted April 24, 2018 #2 Share Posted April 24, 2018 I have booked with a fairly new company, Hoonah Whale Tours, their boat only holds 6. I was referred to them by F.I.S.H.E.S. They seem like a nice young couple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new_cruiser Posted April 24, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted April 24, 2018 I couldn't find a website for F.I.S.H.E.S. Can you pass that and the contact info for the new company along? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEWLKAT Posted April 24, 2018 #4 Share Posted April 24, 2018 The folks at F.I.S.H.E.S retired last year, I found out when I requested to book with them this year, and they then referred to me to Hoonah Whale Tours. Here is the link to Hoonah Whale tours. https://www.hoonahwhaletours.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawk1972 Posted April 24, 2018 #5 Share Posted April 24, 2018 We were able to book with Glacier Wind for our cruise, but I was also considering Hoonah Travel Adventures before we booked. This is our first visit to ISP so I have no personal experience, but HTA seems to be worth considering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEWLKAT Posted April 24, 2018 #6 Share Posted April 24, 2018 I actually have 2 tours scheduled for Icy Strait, I booked a early morning bear watch with Hoonah Travel Adventures, then later the whale watch with Hoonah Whale Tours (I liked that they use a 6 passenger boat rather than a 12 passenger craft). I did consider Glacier Wind though :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitsmom Posted April 24, 2018 #7 Share Posted April 24, 2018 We booked ours thru RCI for the Whales & Marine Mammals. Not sure how many can be on the boat; however, the boat has an open air observation deck and we travel to Point Adolphus (one of the most active whale feeding spots for humpback whales, sea lions, and soaring eagles). It is a 2.5 hour excursion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamminlion Posted April 24, 2018 #8 Share Posted April 24, 2018 Glacier Wind hands down. Shawn and Teresa will take excellent care of you. Cannot recommend them highly enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new_cruiser Posted April 24, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted April 24, 2018 Glacier Wind hands down. Shawn and Teresa will take excellent care of you. Cannot recommend them highly enough. They aren't available unless 3 other people turn up who are interested in booking the tour. I'm traveling solo and they require a minimum of 4 people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shine Posted April 24, 2018 #10 Share Posted April 24, 2018 We're using ISP whale watching tours. Very nice to deal with. I don;t know if they have a minimum, we're a party of 6. Going in July. Colleen has been our contact person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkJedi Posted April 24, 2018 #11 Share Posted April 24, 2018 They aren't available unless 3 other people turn up who are interested in booking the tour. I'm traveling solo and they require a minimum of 4 people. Have you asked on your roll call thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new_cruiser Posted April 24, 2018 Author #12 Share Posted April 24, 2018 Have you asked on your roll call thread?Yes, but not many on the thread It's usually like that for small ships. Sent from my Pixel using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkJedi Posted April 24, 2018 #13 Share Posted April 24, 2018 Yes, but not many on the thread It's usually like that for small ships. Sent from my Pixel using Forums mobile app Check other ships in port the same time and see about their roll call threads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new_cruiser Posted April 24, 2018 Author #14 Share Posted April 24, 2018 Star Legend is the only ship that day. I think that port is usually one ship. Sent from my Pixel using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyaheel Posted April 30, 2018 #15 Share Posted April 30, 2018 My first question was "which port is best for Whale Watching" (the one thing I missed out on most not doing on our last AK cruise) and I think most posts agree ISP is better than Juneau. I checked the Glacier Wind and they have availability online for our date (Hoonah Whale tours does not) So - will we be able to see whales Sept 9? Our last AK cruise was also late in the season (it was our ship's last Alaska cruise - they headed to Japan after we disembarked) We did see some beluga whales, can't recall if we saw orcas (it was a while back and I haven't reviewed my trip report) We didn't see any humpbacks but I seem to recall some people on our ship who did a whale watching tour did see some... I don't want to spend $160 pp and not have a good chance to see them.....[i'm also wary of the 4 person minimum - we're on a small ship and right now our sailing doesn't even have a roll call at all :o] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stpiloui Posted May 1, 2018 #16 Share Posted May 1, 2018 We are in ISP in June- also booked with Icy Strait Whale Adventures. Also worked with Colleen to arrange. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primetimegirl Posted June 23, 2018 #17 Share Posted June 23, 2018 Glacier Winds is not available for our day in Icy Strait. Who would you recommend and what time of the day do you think is best to see whales? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calif. Cruisers Posted June 23, 2018 #18 Share Posted June 23, 2018 We have used Hoonah Whale Tours twice and highly recommend it! We couldn't have had a better trip. Bubble net feeding multiple times, humpback whales swimming right in front of us. We got the best photos, and memories of a lifetime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gottagoacruzn Posted June 23, 2018 #19 Share Posted June 23, 2018 Last May 2017, we were in Icy Strait, had gone back to the ship an was out on the balcony lookin around, my roommate came in, an said, lets go out on deck to see what we could find. Well a few minutes after bein out on deck, a pod of whales kept circlein the ship. Didn't have to take whale tours. It was the highlite of the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primetimegirl Posted June 23, 2018 #20 Share Posted June 23, 2018 Would you say morning or afternoon is best?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfie11 Posted June 23, 2018 #21 Share Posted June 23, 2018 My first question was "which port is best for Whale Watching" (the one thing I missed out on most not doing on our last AK cruise) and I think most posts agree ISP is better than Juneau. I checked the Glacier Wind and they have availability online for our date (Hoonah Whale tours does not) So - will we be able to see whales Sept 9? Our last AK cruise was also late in the season (it was our ship's last Alaska cruise - they headed to Japan after we disembarked) We did see some beluga whales, can't recall if we saw orcas (it was a while back and I haven't reviewed my trip report) We didn't see any humpbacks but I seem to recall some people on our ship who did a whale watching tour did see some... I don't want to spend $160 pp and not have a good chance to see them.....[i'm also wary of the 4 person minimum - we're on a small ship and right now our sailing doesn't even have a roll call at all :o] I would be interested in feedback from anyone going whale watching in ISP this year. We were at Point Adolphus a few days ago and didn’t see any whales. Glacier Bay ranger said only a couple of whales there, but in Juneau they were feeding right where the ship was docked.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted June 24, 2018 #22 Share Posted June 24, 2018 Would you say morning or afternoon is best?? There isn't any magic time. They are in the water, and "eating". round the clock with rest when needed. Schedule where it fits your overall port time best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted June 24, 2018 #23 Share Posted June 24, 2018 I would be interested in feedback from anyone going whale watching in ISP this year. We were at Point Adolphus a few days ago and didn’t see any whales. Glacier Bay ranger said only a couple of whales there, but in Juneau they were feeding right where the ship was docked.... Point Adolphus has been a diminished feeding area for the past several seasons. Some type environmental change has happened apparently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterdrago Posted June 24, 2018 #24 Share Posted June 24, 2018 We were looking at Adventure Bound Alaska out of Juneau to Tracy Arm. They are mostly an up close glacier tour but they have many whale pix on their web pages. Their tour is an all day thing and it looks like they board about 15 minutes b4 our ship gets in. I've sent them two inquiries with no response. They do get very high reviews - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g31020-Activities-c55-Juneau_Alaska.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted June 24, 2018 #25 Share Posted June 24, 2018 We were looking at Adventure Bound Alaska out of Juneau to Tracy Arm. They are mostly an up close glacier tour but they have many whale pix on their web pages. Their tour is an all day thing and it looks like they board about 15 minutes b4 our ship gets in. I've sent them two inquiries with no response. They do get very high reviews - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g31020-Activities-c55-Juneau_Alaska.html I've taken Adventure Bound several times. Never have I had more than 1/2 brief humpback sightings, with one trip none. This tour is not going to be available for you. They leave on time. But make sure of their schedule for your particular day. There can be variations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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