In the spirit of overplanning for a cruise for which we don't even know when we're going, I'm organizing the whale watching cruise in Juneau. I'm going to be trying to arrange something with Capt. Larry's organization (Orca Enterprises) on our day in Juneau.
From his website: "Your personalized whale watching excursion begins in beautiful Auke Bay, original winter home of local Tlingit Indians (15 minutes north of Juneau). Auke Bay positions us within 30 minutes of some of the best feeding grounds for the endangered Humpback Whales in our area. We have occasionally seen whales and orca from the dock.
Our Auke Bay departure point allows us to cruise along the shorelines of Admiralty Island, known as the "home of the bears". It boasts the largest concentration of Alaskan Brown Bears and nesting Bald Eagles in the world. While cruising around islands in Stephens Passage we encounter and photograph the endangered Humpback Whales and Stellar Sea Lions, along with Harbor Seals, Dalls Porpoise, regular sightings of Orcas (Killer Whales), an occasional Otter, and a variety of sea and shore birds.
Our location on the "Inside Passage" of Southeast Alaska offers well-protected and usually quite calm waters. Marine mammals, the majestic Chilkat Mountains and several glaciers provide our guests the photo opportunities of a lifetime.
Our personalized tour-style and high speed boat allows us to stop, observe and photograph marine mammals in their natural environment, while safely and comfortably enjoying the rugged Alaskan scenery.
Awesome Orca is certified for 32 passengers. We restrict seating to 23 passengers per trip to maximize your comfort and photo opportunities. We operate three tours daily, approximately 2 1/2 hours on the water, total duration 3 1/2 hours. Custom tours are available year round."
"Our fully customized, one of a kind, mammal-safe jet boat, the "AWESOME ORCA", was designed and built specifically for whale watching tours and the comfort of our guests. It is 42 feet long and 12 feet wide, and is one of the fastest excursion vessels in Southeast Alaska. It features a fully enclosed, heated cabin with fantastic viewing from every seat. It is handicap accessible with a restroom and full galley. The rear open deck and upper level observation areas are perfect if you prefer to be outside. The "AWESOME ORCA's" design offers an opportunity for our guests to be up close and personal with the whales and wildlife we encounter. "
An optional glacier walk helicopter tour can be added onto the whalewatching tour - they'll take us to the helicopter tour directly from the wharf where the Orca launches from. Or if you prefer, they'll take us directly back to the ship afterwards.
The whalewatching tour is approx. 3.5 hours and the cost in 2004 was $110.25 per person (subject to change for 2006 when we're going). The helicopter add-on was $175 for 2004 (subject to change for 2006 when we're going) and should be approx. 1.5 hours.
To those that are interested, I'd like for you to respond with name, number of people, and whether you want the helicopter add on or not. Once I get an idea of numbers, I'll contact Orca and find out how they'd like to arrange things.
To start off with,
(edited for revised people and accounting for bigger boat (max 40/boat))
Boat 1: Masaki and Amanda (2) - whale watch only Karen and Mark (2) - whale watch only Kathy and Frank and Carol (3) - whale watch only Joanna, Tony, and friends (11) - whale watch only Tom and Marcie (2) - whale watch only Doug and Andi (2) - whale watch only Andrea N (1) - whale watch only Donna and Alan (2) - whale watch only JoAnn, Frank, and friends (6) - whale watch only Total 31
Boat 2: The Sheik and the Saint (2) - whale watch/helicopter George and Gretchen Moskos (2) - whale watch/helicopter Lee and others (3) - whale watch only Lauri and Pam (ssclbc) (2) - whale watch only Olivia and family (10) - whale watch only Jean and Clyde (2) - whale watch only Don and Diana (2) - whale watch only Suzanne and friend (2) - whale watch only Ngaire and Ken (2) - whale watch only Betty (1) - whale watch only Total 28
🚢 Cruise with your favorite Keene Luxury Travel Staff Member! 💰 5% KLT Reward plus Shipboard Credit available (amount varies per voyage)! 💲 Offering Enhanced KLT Rewards on voyages hosted by Ngaire & Clay!
