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Have you ever wanted to see orcas, calving glaciers, sea lions, and other wildlife? Did you ever think you could do it it just one amazing and awe inspiring trip? Well you can! Last year we finally made time to go on a wildlife and glacier cruise with Major Marine Tours, and I’m here to give you all the insider info and tips you need to know about this awesome adventure!
Which cruise do I choose?
The first thing you’ll need to do is choose what tour you’d like to go on. Major Marine Tours, located in Seward and Whitter, Alaska, has a variety of tour options to choose from, varying from 3.5 hours all the way to 8.5 hours. We chose the 7.5 hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise. This was a perfect cruise for us because we are in our late 20s/30s, have no kiddos, and had planned the whole day around the cruise, so it worked great for us.
If you do have kids, have something else in addition to the cruise planned for the day, or are maybe a bit older and may get uncomfortable sitting for an extended period, I’d suggest a cruise for maybe 6 hours or less. Although you can be out there all day and never run out of things to see, it can get a little long for some people, and there are still many things you’ll see even on a shorter cruise.
What do I need to pack?
Once you’ve got your cruise picked out, it’s time to pack.
One very important thing you’ll want to think about is what to wear, but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Just check out this article here to see a full list of what you’ll want to wear on your cruise.
Another important aspect is sea sickness. There are many options for you to use, and there is a good chance you won’t get sick, but just incase you may want to check out these options. I usually just take Bonine, but choose whatever option usually works best for you, and be sure to read the instructions first.
If you want to get an even better look at some of the wildlife, bring binoculars. They do provide binos on board, but I would suggest bringing your own pair so you know you’ll have the best view possible of all the animals you’ll see. This pair will give you a great view of all there is to see while out on the water.
Bring your camera! This is a must because you will have many great photo opportunities and can capture some priceless family moments out on the water. I got a Canon Rebel with this strap after our cruise and I wish I would have had it on the cruise. It takes amazing photos and the strap allows you to carry it more easily and comfortably. In addition, you’ll want to make sure your battery is fully charged and that you bring an extra battery just in case.
No matter what cruise you choose, you’ll want to bring snacks. Bringing a water bottle, juices, and whatever snacks you’d like is a good plan. If you’re on one of the longer cruises, you can choose to purchase a salmon and prime rib buffet meal, which is well worth it. I was a little unsure about buying the meal, but it turned out to be delicious. They also will take some glacier ice out and use it for drinks during the cruise, which is fun as well. Go for the Shirley Temple, it’s pretty yummy!
What will I see and do?
Before you board the boat you’ll get the opportunity to have your picture taken by the crew in front of the boat. This is a great chance to get a souvenir picture and you can purchase it during your cruise. In my opinion, it is well worth the money to get something fun like that to bring home with you.
After that, your adventure begins! On our cruise we saw otters, humpback and orca whales, sea lions, and some incredible glaciers. During the cruise a park ranger will narrate your trip, giving you some background information on sights along the way and pointing out wildlife as it comes along. We saw an incredible amount of whales (even orcas!), and the captain was awesome at getting us close enough to them without getting too close. Major Marine Tours went out of their way to find whales and other wildlife for us to see and were very courteous to the other boats and tours out on the water looking for whales as well.
There is also a program for kids on some of the tours where they can learn more about the wildlife and landscape, and even earn a Junior Ranger Badge at the end of the trip. This is a great way to help kiddos learn about the wildlife while also having fun.
Now, I’ve got to say I’ve been on my fair share of day cruises in Alaska, but this one was by far the best one. From the awesome crew, to informative narration, and delicious food to incredible whale watching, this glacier and wildlife cruise is a must. You will see wildlife and glaciers like you could never imagine, and make priceless memories during this once in a lifetime Alaskan experience. I would say its a must-do item for your Alaskan bucket list.
Check out this video to see our glacier and wildlife cruise in action!