seward boat tour
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,842
seward boat tour
travelling to seward in august with wife and kids (12,9,6)and would like to do a boat tour.
is kenai or majormarine better??
also what is the best one for kids?we are keen to see whales if poss..
finally any idea on getting discounts...as these are not cheap tours!
thanks....
is kenai or majormarine better??
also what is the best one for kids?we are keen to see whales if poss..
finally any idea on getting discounts...as these are not cheap tours!
thanks....
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
We did the Kenai 9 hour tour in August a few years ago (2011?) and enjoyed it immensely. Saw humpbacks and (if I remember correctly Orca's) Lots of other marine life and birds.
The last fiord was unreal. The trip might be too long for the kids though.
Bring warm clothing, it does get cold. There are times where you're just plowing throiugh the Gulf and the kids might be able to nap on camp mattresses.
The last fiord was unreal. The trip might be too long for the kids though.
Bring warm clothing, it does get cold. There are times where you're just plowing throiugh the Gulf and the kids might be able to nap on camp mattresses.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
I'm going to start with a disclaimer that I've never used this or any other coupon book so you have to do your own due dilligence.
Here's a stating point for you
http://www.planitalaska.com/the-grea...our-saver.html
Here's a stating point for you
http://www.planitalaska.com/the-grea...our-saver.html
#6
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: NYC, MSY
Programs: DL DM, 1.5MM, NEXUS, Sky Club Lifetime, Admirals Club Lifetime, LowValueCustomer everywhere
Posts: 6,447
I don't know but I'd suggest that you call or email whichever company you're thinking about using and ask them. I have found that every tour company I've dealt with has been completely open and honest about their offerings. They couldn't guarantee that you'd see whales on a particular trip but they will tell you if the trip sees them regularly at times when they are in the area.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Fort Worth, Texas USA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum 5 million miles
Posts: 1,001
I usually travel to Seward two times every summer. I take a day cruise almost every day that I am there. Both Kenai Fjords and Major Marine offer excellent cruises. I really enjoy the wildlife cruises that do not include a trip to one of the glaciers. You have calmer waters and great opportunities to see wildlife. Humpback whale sightings are fairly common on the wildlife cruises. However, humpbacks are not extremely acrobatic or active in the feeding grounds of Alaska. They are focused on eating, so if you see a humpback, you will probably see tail flukes when the whale is diving, exhalations when the whale is breathing, and the hump of its back as it goes under water. Having said that, I will report that last summer, I saw multiple breaches, pec slaps, and head slaps from a mother and calf while I was on a wildlife watch.
I have seen orcas on almost every cruise. I even saw transient orcas one time. Resident orcas that live in pods in the Seward area are much more common. Resident orcas do not eat other sea mammals. Sea otters, Dall porpoises, mountain goats, bald eagles, harbor seals, and Stellar sea lions are extremely easy to see. My niece and I were on one trip where we spotted an animal that our captain and crew had never seen on a cruise - we saw a porcupine. I have seen bears on many cruises. When they are on shore, the boat can get fairly close.
Major Marine has an optional meal on their cruises. Without the meal, their cruises are cheaper than Kenai Fjords. Kenai Fjords usually has a meal included. Both companies allow you to bring your own food. Skip the cruise that stops at Fox Island for a meal since you spend a lot of time getting off the boat, eating, and reboarding. Both companies have a National Park Ranger/Naturalist. Your children can participate in the Junior Ranger Program.
The longer cruises to the glaciers are also wonderful but may be a bit too much for younger children. If you really want the best experience, take the Captain's Choice cruise offered by Kenai Fjords. It is over $200 per person, but the boat is smaller, the number of passengers is lower, and you have more input into what you see and do.
I have seen orcas on almost every cruise. I even saw transient orcas one time. Resident orcas that live in pods in the Seward area are much more common. Resident orcas do not eat other sea mammals. Sea otters, Dall porpoises, mountain goats, bald eagles, harbor seals, and Stellar sea lions are extremely easy to see. My niece and I were on one trip where we spotted an animal that our captain and crew had never seen on a cruise - we saw a porcupine. I have seen bears on many cruises. When they are on shore, the boat can get fairly close.
Major Marine has an optional meal on their cruises. Without the meal, their cruises are cheaper than Kenai Fjords. Kenai Fjords usually has a meal included. Both companies allow you to bring your own food. Skip the cruise that stops at Fox Island for a meal since you spend a lot of time getting off the boat, eating, and reboarding. Both companies have a National Park Ranger/Naturalist. Your children can participate in the Junior Ranger Program.
The longer cruises to the glaciers are also wonderful but may be a bit too much for younger children. If you really want the best experience, take the Captain's Choice cruise offered by Kenai Fjords. It is over $200 per person, but the boat is smaller, the number of passengers is lower, and you have more input into what you see and do.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,842
thanks all..
due to the discount it would be 220$ for famil of 5 for the 5hr wildlife tour and
480$ for the 6hr tour on major marine -so as there is such a big difference ,was wondering if we would miss out on anything (in particular whales)by just doing the 5hr one(i know it doesnt go out of the bay so was worried we might see too little)
due to the discount it would be 220$ for famil of 5 for the 5hr wildlife tour and
480$ for the 6hr tour on major marine -so as there is such a big difference ,was wondering if we would miss out on anything (in particular whales)by just doing the 5hr one(i know it doesnt go out of the bay so was worried we might see too little)
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
thanks all..
due to the discount it would be 220$ for famil of 5 for the 5hr wildlife tour and
480$ for the 6hr tour on major marine -so as there is such a big difference ,was wondering if we would miss out on anything (in particular whales)by just doing the 5hr one(i know it doesnt go out of the bay so was worried we might see too little)
due to the discount it would be 220$ for famil of 5 for the 5hr wildlife tour and
480$ for the 6hr tour on major marine -so as there is such a big difference ,was wondering if we would miss out on anything (in particular whales)by just doing the 5hr one(i know it doesnt go out of the bay so was worried we might see too little)
If you really want a better chance to see whales, splurge on the longer tour. But realize that there is no "way out" once you board. If any of you tend to get seasick, definitely take precautions before boarding.
I too find that Major Marine and Kenai Fjords offer a very similar very high quality experience. Kenai Fjords offers a free meal (wrap) and Major Marine offers a buffet for about $20. For me, food is way down the priority list when I am on these tours, so I tend to bring my own snacks with either one.