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

Waitlist:
Total 0

Masaki, Sign us up!!!

Peter and me ;) NOt sure if we will do the helicopter thing. Doesn't the dog sledding excursion include a helicopter ride?

Or are we doing our own doggie research??

Since the dog sledding excursion is on the glacier, yes, it does include a helicopter ride since you need to get there. :)

Masaki

Masaki, count Mark and I in! Thanks for organizing this!

Karen and Mark, whale watching only

Did We hear Photo op????
We're On!!!!!
Kathy and Frank
Whale Watching only (I think unless Dog Sledding was on the Glacier? - definitely want to MUSH)

Pam and Mark, for whale watching only.

If we start overloading the trip, I'll drop out and give somebody else my place.

Masaki, thanks for planning this you over achieving cruise planner you..pls count Ida and I in for Whale Watching..r/wes

George and I would love to come along.

Masaki,

I started peeking into dog sledding excursions, so I will start a thread there :)

Masaki: Of course, I haven't discussed this with our friends but they've put me in charge so sign up Mondae, duPont, McWilliams and Minor - Joanna

If I counted right, we have 3 seats left!! Wow, we might have to take 2 boats :)

I meant to say whale watching only - yes Karen two boats would be great you know more will want to sign on --- Joanna

I think Tom and I would enjoy this too! Thanks Masaki!

YEAH!!!!! Marcie I was going to add your name but thought maybe that was too "pushy" maybe Tom hates whales??!! - glad you did!!!

Keep adding names, folks, if you're interested. We could certainly do 2 separate tours and not everybody who signs up now will necessarily go so we'll start a second boat and start wait listing folks after that.

For those that gave their names already, please check the first post of this thread and make sure that I got your information correct.

Masaki

Doug and I are game for dogsledding and whales, but will forego the helicopter ride.

We did the helicopter ride to the glacier last time we were in Alaska. It's spectacular but we aren't inspired to do it again this time. It's a fun excursion.

If you haven't done it (the helicopter ride and the walk on the glacier) before, I think it's worthwhile. We've done it twice now so that's probably enough. :)

Masaki

I agree, Masaki. I didn't intend to discourage anyone from doing it who hasn't yet. It really is exhilarating and worth every penny, especially if you get a rush out of going up in a helicopter (as I do).

Masaki, I'd like to do just the whale watch too. I did the helicopter last time, which was awesome, so I'm saving the copter this time for dog sledding.

Anyone have any info on dog sledding?

I thought Gato was checking into the dog sledding?

Andrea - you changed your board name! :)

Masaki

Hi JOanna, Masaki...

Yes I'm looking into the dog sledding...watch the board for a new thread soon on this topic!!

Just saw this post. Masaki, include Alan and me on the whale watching tour too (whale watch only). Thanks for making the arrangements!

Andrea, Just how did you change your board name???
When we changed Ngaire's from Ngaire Keene to just Ngaire, her post count went to 0!

Yes, it was time to have my real name out there since I "know" so many of you! ;)

Karen, I just changed it in my profile in the "Publicly Displayed Name" section. My login name stayed the same.

Alan and I took a whale watching excursion with the infamous Capt. Larry, three years ago. The guy is terrific and very colorful! You'll all enjoy his excursion.

We also used Coastal Helicopter for our glacier walk. Excellent company!

If you're sailing to Ketchikan - Misty Fjords excursion with Island Wings is first rate! Ask for Michelle.

Denise - Island Wings is the next excursion I'm going to arrange in Ketchikan - I hope to fly with Michelle since I got rained out last time I was supposed to fly with her ... :)

Masaki

Masaki,
Can we do both the helicopter ride and the whale watch as well? I really hope we can, because we need you book 2 KNIGHTS and 2 MOSKOS as well!
Look out Alaska, here we come!!!

whoever is working the MUSH list, please add these four souls as well !!! HALLELUJAH !!!!
the Sheik is REALLY pleased

WOW: The Shiek, the Saint and Gretchen and George - Alaksa will never be the same again is right!!! Joanna

Yipee! I'm so thrilled that Marty & Erika and Gretchen & George will be coming on MUSH! I want to do the dog sledding too!! In case I miss a thread (the internet comes and goes on the ship) will someone PLEASE be in charge of putting us down should a dog sledding thread start??

We were suppose to do this on our '03 Alaskan cruise but it got cancelled due to bad visibilty weather. I was sooooooooooo disappointed!

Coastal and Capt. Larry work together to coordinate if you want to do both excursions in one day. I believe I spoke with Carol at Coastal and she helped with my arrangements.

Marty, that is great news! Now if we just lasso the McWilliams into coming......


Editing to add, I just checked the roll call and they are already on it! Woo hoo.

There is still the issue of Sheri not being onboard :(

Masaki, we are trying to decide on whether to come or not. If we do and there are too many signed up for the whale watching tour, I can put on a wet suit and paint a white stripe on the sides and just swim around the ship!!! LOL

Well well well, it appears the Sheik has figured out how to keep warm at night!!

Glad your contingent will be onboard. George has promised not to take a picture of you with something odd under your arm this time.

Marty - consider the four of you added. :) It'll be good to cruise with you four again!! As Denise has already said, Orca and Coastal will work it so it flows seamlessly from the tour to the helicopter (or vice-versa)

Don - by the time MUSH rolls around, your diet will be so successful, you'll look like a pretty emaciated whale. :D

Masaki

Masaki, what sort of trip do you want to do with Michelle? Do you want to go to Anan Creek & see the bears?! Or just fly over Misty Fjords?

I'd love to be included in the whale watching too please - if it can be done without me sinking the boat! Don't know who my companion will be at this stage (not as lucky as it sounds as I can only choose from my other half, sister or son) but put me down for two please.

I've walked on a glacier in New Zealand and Canada - would Alaska be different? Don't think I could manage a helicopter ride.

FYI: Lee sent me a fabulous pix of her son with MOM - handsome son - she isn't about to sink a boat - Joanna

Lee - added!

Andrea - if bear watching is still in season at that time, I'd love to do that. That wasn't even an option on my previous Alaska cruises since it was too early in the season. :)

Masaki