HAL Whale Watching operator?

[Emu2302]

We are planning to do a whale watching excursion in Juneau, but would also like to go up to the Mendenhall visitor center as well. I'd prefer to book whale watching with Harv & Marv based on the reviews, but they do not do Mendenhall. Wie wouldn't have time to go to Mendenhall on our own if we booked through Harv & Marv.

 

There is an excursion offered through HAL, but I was curious if anyone knew what operator they use? I am trying to find some reviews and the review system on HAL.com is horrendous.

 

This is the one I'm speaking of: Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Quest

Edited September 4, 2019 by Emu2302

[Glaciers]

If the boat holds over 100 people its Allen Marine. If 20 or so it’s probably Gastineau Guiding who gets very good reviews. Smaller boats are usually preferred as appears you’re aware of since you’ve considered Harv and Marv.

[Emu2302]

28 minutes ago, Glaciers said:

If the boat holds over 100 people its Allen Marine. If 20 or so it’s probably Gastineau Guiding who gets very good reviews. Smaller boats are usually preferred as appears you’re aware of since you’ve considered Harv and Marv.

 

Thank you! A whale watching boat with 100+ people sounds like a nightmare. I wonder if I call HAL to inquire on the size of the boat, if they could/would tell me?

[Glaciers]

I would think they could tell but who knows. I called about the new Hubbard Glacier excursion as it wasn't showing on the excursion list for our ship. They said it was already sold out. Turned out it wasn't operating yet. Good luck!

[Emu2302]

Just now, Glaciers said:

I would think they could tell but who knows. I called about the new Hubbard Glacier excursion as it wasn't showing on the excursion list for our ship. They said it was already sold out. Turned out it wasn't operating yet. Good luck!

Thank you! Based on your info and visiting both Allen Marine and Gastineau Guiding websites I was able to determine Allen Marine is the operator for the tour I am looking at (Gastineau Guiding looks to be the operator for the same tour w/Photo Safari). 

 

 

[tnterry]

We went on a whale watching tour in July of this year with Juneau Tours that was a combo whale watching/Mendenhall Glacier tour.  It was a very nice boat with great tour guides and there were probably no more than 20 of us.  The boat could hold more, but even with more people I would think it would have still been good.  Their website is juneautours.com

[donaldsc]

2 hours ago, Emu2302 said:

Thank you! Based on your info and visiting both Allen Marine and Gastineau Guiding websites I was able to determine Allen Marine is the operator for the tour I am looking at (Gastineau Guiding looks to be the operator for the same tour w/Photo Safari). 

 

 

 

I did the Photo Safari tour with Gastineau.  I think that there were maybe 12 people on the boat.  It was a very good excursion.

 

DON

[Cruise_More_Often]

13 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

I did the Photo Safari tour with Gastineau.  I think that there were maybe 12 people on the boat.  It was a very good excursion.

 

DON

 

We did the Photo Safari with Gastineau also. The excursion did go to Mendenhall Glacier, but it involved a hike into the area, and we had only a short time there for photographs of the Glacier from a distance. You might be able to arrange with them to be left at the Glacier, but you would be responsible for your own transportation back to the ship.

[donaldsc]

4 hours ago, Cruise_More_Often said:

 

We did the Photo Safari with Gastineau also. The excursion did go to Mendenhall Glacier, but it involved a hike into the area, and we had only a short time there for photographs of the Glacier from a distance. You might be able to arrange with them to be left at the Glacier, but you would be responsible for your own transportation back to the ship.

 

That was the one we took except that we did Mendenhall first so we couldn't stay there.  The walk was not long bu,t it was not a waste of time and we did it mainly for the whales.

 

DON

[Crew News]

Allen Marine boats are large but have real restrooms, food and beverages, large windows, less wave motion, naturalists, good seats, and lots of deck area for whale watching.

[quack2]

The downside of the ship excursion that includes Mendenhall, other than cost, is the number of people they cram onto the boat.  If you're hoping to get whale photos, you will be challenged on the excursion vessel because of people being in your way.   Harv and Marv, or other small boat companies, are much better for getting good photos, assuming the whales are cooperating.

 

On a recent trip, I did Harv and Marv in the morning, had them drop me at the airport on the way back, rented a car at the airport, then drove to Mendenhall Glacier and then on up to the National Shrine of St. Therese's and beyond.  Then back to the airport where I dropped the car and took a taxi back to the ship.

[Cruise_More_Often]

18 hours ago, Crew News said:

Allen Marine boats are large but have real restrooms, food and beverages, large windows, less wave motion, naturalists, good seats, and lots of deck area for whale watching.

 

This is one thing I've noticed on the Gastineau Photo Excursions. The boat goes like a bat out of hell to get to the area where the whales are, then comes to a stop. It becomes a real challenge to get a decent photo, even with few people aboard those boats, with the boat bouncing up and down.

[Crew News]

13 minutes ago, Cruise_More_Often said:

 

This is one thing I've noticed on the Gastineau Photo Excursions. The boat goes like a bat out of hell to get to the area where the whales are, then comes to a stop. It becomes a real challenge to get a decent photo, even with few people aboard those boats, with the boat bouncing up and down.

 

The secret to small boats is to sit as close to the back door as possible and head out the back door as soon as the crew allows it.

[Emu2302]

Thank you all! I'm leaning towards booking Juneau tours. The shared experiences and tips are really helpful.