Juneau Travel Forum

So, I am taking a round trip inside passage cruise from Seattle and return. Not sure I should take a shore excursion from Juneau for whale watching since I will be on a bigger boat (cruise line) anyway. The whale watching tour is expensive = more than $120. Will I see whale from Princess cruise or I really should take a smaller boat for it? Anyone can advise?

To start, I don't think whales are guaranteed, whether taking a small boat excursion, or a cruise ship. But, an excursion has a greater chance of seeing whales, and spend time watching when you do find them. Where as, if you were lucky enough to spot on from the cruise ship, the ship will keep on sailing past. Yes, these excursions are unfortunately expensive. It really depends upon the individual with how much they hope to see a whale, and what their willing to spend to increase their odds and spend a day in the outdoors seeking whales. If it's imporant to see a whale, then you had better take an excursion.

We cruised for a week last July and only saw the briefest glimpse of a whale. Some people who went whale watching had some good close encounters. I would recommend Husky sledding!!

If money is not an issue, definitely take a whale-watching cruise. We saw a mother and calf, who swam around our boat for about 20 minutes. From the cruise ship, you will not get nearly as close a view.

Boy, was I lucky back in July 2004. We had a whale parade along the inside passage, so it was worthless to take on a watching tour. Instead we took a floatplane trip over Glacier Bay by Alaska Fly 'n Fish. Expensive? Kinda, but worth every cent. Awesome from above! And the pilot did search for whales on the way back and we got to see a pod of humpbacks.

Perhaps it would be best to wait until you get outside of Juneau to decide. There are dozens of booths right on the dock that will sign you up on the spot. Spotting whales can be hit or miss on cruise ships but you never know. We took a whale watching trip out of Juneau independent of the cruise company while visiting our daughter and the grandkids. Had a wonderful trip that included a salmon bake at a remote island lodge. Lots of whales spotted.