For anyone who may have been interested, the "Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer" excursion is now available for booking on rssc.com. We are going to sign up as I've read many positive reviews on this one.

Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer

Duration: 6 Hours.
Seated.

Join us for an exclusive opportunity to see the very best of the Tracy Arm wilderness area, and an exciting close-up view of the majestic Sawyer Glaciers.
You'll board a, high-speed catamaran directly from the Seven Seas Mariner. Relax in the warm, spacious cabin, surrounded by large windows as your experienced captain guides you past curious seals resting on floating icebergs and extraordinary up-close views of South Sawyer Glacier.
From the topside observation decks, you'll simply adore this unforgettable sensory experience. At times, you can feel immense spires of ice break from the glacier and crash into the sea. Before leaving Tracy Arm, you'll view the beautiful North Sawyer Glacier, which cannot be approached by large cruise ships.
While exploring the length of this ice-carved fjord, you'll cruise beneath cliffs that rise 4,000 feet above the jade-colored sea. There will be frequent stops to view and photograph wildlife, including Pigeon Guillemots, Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, and on occasion, Mountain Goats and Black Bear. Feel the mist on your face as the vessel maneuvers almost directly under a plunging waterfall.
Departing Tracy Arm, the onboard naturalist will relate interesting information about the area, called "one of the most dramatically stunning fjords of Southeast Alaska" by naturalist John Muir. Enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages served by your friendly Alaskan crew on the cruise from Stephens Passage north to Juneau.
Provided: Binoculars and snacks.
Please note: To fully enjoy the outside observation deck, dress warmly and bring a rainproof jacket, hat and gloves. Vessel is equipped with restrooms. The tour will disembark next to the Seven Seas Mariner in downtown Juneau. A hearty snack will be served onboard the catamaran upon arrival, so those participating in an afternoon tour need not worry about lunch. This tour is available from June onwards. This tour will not rejoin the ship in Juneau until 1:15pm, we recommend not scheduling another tour until after 1:45pm. Please check actual departure times carefully once on board.

Thanks Dena! I signed up as it sounds like a wonderful excursion.

We thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful excursion last year. A note: perhaps the provisions have been increased this year, but I did not consider the AM pastries and half sandwiches a substitute for lunch. Guess I was too "dainty" but the sandwiches were gone very quickly.

Our Capt. Larry excursion was not until 3:30 so we had plenty of time for lunch on the ship. By the way, we boarded the Mariner directly from the cat in Juneau.

Kathy: It does sounds wonderful but it makes for very full day no??? We have CL booked at 3ish - I dread the thought of getting up at 6 am and going going till who knows when? I will pass on info to others going from here - if they have the stamina I say go for it!!! Joanna

We did this excursion and really enjoyed it. I hope to get pictures up soon.Would definitely do again, but I would not book another excursion along with it. (although that was good too.) So much to do, so little time. I would do one or the other because we did not see Juneau, itself, at all! Just the pier. We found that the schedule on this itinerary involved early mornings for excursions, so we never even hit the lounges, and were back to our stateroom by 9pm or 10pm at latest! I know I am getting older but....I really could have used an extra sea day ( or really another week of sea and land days mixed) Could we just cruise around for awhile ( would do back to back if had time )
Sandra

Sandra: I relate!!!!!!!!!!!!! Been there done that - do not want to do too much - J

Joanna,
An "early bird," I am NOT! Departure was scheduled at 7:15??AM; they offered a very hearty continental breakfast (cereal,fruit,etc, in addition to pastries,etc.) in the theatre. All I really wanted was coffee and maybe a muffin. I really don't want to eat that early, but DH had his cereal,fruit,etc. We were delayed 20-30 mins. or so, and I was just glad I was mobile. All this by way of explanation that I thought the "hearty snack" was skimpy, OR maybe the other pax on our excursion were "vultures!!"

Because of this early AM excursion and the Capt. Larry trip returning at 7-7:30PM, we had pre-planned dinner in the suite and told our waiter this the night before. He had the menus delivered that AM(and thereafter) and we were happy we chose to do dinner in this manner. It WAS a long day but very worthwhile! Don't know how much we missed of Juneau itself; we did have a glimpse of Mendenhall glacier (no comparison to Hubbard!) from Capt. Larry's boat; saw some of the the town on the ride to the boat. The Tramway up to Mt. Roberts is fairly pricey IF all you want to do is go up and back, not hike and explore (no thank you.)
Can you tell I'm an "OF?"

Thanks Dena! Reserved!

I will gird myself for the long day. No late night partying for me the night before!

Masaki

We're reserved on this too. Will be very interesting. Masaki, please pass the coffee.

Double espresso, Kathy? :D

Masaki

Mona and I are going to take this one too. Tom.

Doesn't it conflict with whale watching? Or are my times completely messed up?

Lauri: Whale watching is at 3 PM

This tour will not rejoin the ship in Juneau until 1:15pm, we recommend not scheduling another tour until after 1:45pm. Please check actual departure times carefully once on board.

Oh, OK. My times were off.

Another stupid question...aren't we all going to be in Tracy Arm? Before I sign up, I need to understand what this trip offers over the regular cruise. For me, it would have to be extra special since I already have an excursion that day. Help please.

If you go to top of this thread you can read Regent's description of this excursion - I am guessing you get to go to areas the ship can't get into - up close?? Maybe someone who has done this will comment??

The big ships (and even the Mariner counts as one for the purposes of this) have a hard time getting all the way into Tracy Arm. So, yes, the Mariner does do a Tracy Arm sailing but you'll be more up close and see more things on the excursion than if you stay on the Mariner. The smaller ships can get much closer to the glaciers than the Mariner will so you may have a chance to see calving up close and personal (though hopefully not TOO close and personal) as well as more wildlife. And not all cruise ships get to do this excursion as well. There is no similar excursion at Hubbard Glacier or in College Fjords on the other cruise lines. Only the Mariner and the Norwegian Sun offer this tour so it's somewhat unique.

People that have done this excursion have regularly rated this excursion as their most favorite excursion that they did in Alaska.

http://www.allenmarinetours.com/sightseeing/juneau/tours/glacier-fjord/index.html
(this is the description of the tour though we'll be boarding the catamaran directly from the Mariner rather than in Juneau and getting dropped off in Juneau rather than back at the ship)

Masaki

It's really gorgeous scenery; I was fascinated by the color of the water, blue-green, almost tropical looking. The cliffs, waterfalls, and glaciers, beautiful - very up close and personal. I don't remember a lot of wildlife and we were only able to get close to one glacier because of the ice. Very worthwhile!

Maybe Terry Breen can add a lot more?

Wow, sounds very cool. I think I'll sign up!

On our Alaskan cruise earlier this month, the Mariner didn't even see the Sawyer glaciers. We cruised into Tracey Arm and enjoyed a 360* turn in one part of the arm and saw lots of icebergs. This catamaran excursion should get you up close with both glaciers.

If you get up early that morning, be sure to be up in the Observation Lounge. That was the morning we were entertained by the pod of humpback whales. Maybe they will still be in the area. That was one wonderful show for us.

I hesitate to say anything but I will. Please take my comment from what I expereienced last year. I went at almost the same time as y'all are going this year I think there was a day difference in departure.

We booked the Tracy Arm excursion through Radisson. When we boarded the ship, there was a note in the cabin that it was cancelled and they gave some other tour in place (one that was listed that we had no interest in).

The point is that the reason it was cancelled was that they said they could no longer do it because of the time of year or something like that. I honestly don't remember the whole reason but it was totally cancelled. they gave us a refund for the tour that they choose for us but we didnt' want. So if you have any way to know in advance because y'all are a group maybe you can find out in advance if it's still going otherwise you might be giving up another choice that y'all want to do but don't because of you wanting to go on this one.

I don't know if this was just a one time thing and other times it does go at that time of year or that something went wrong or whatever but I didn't know till I got on the ship and looked through what was left for me in envelopes. Maybe they said it had something to do with the daylight hour. I can't remember and I'm sorry, I wish I could.

I hope what I'm writing makes sense. Anyway I saw this thread and just thought I would mention this. There were a lot of disappointed people on the cruise, The captain did a wonderful job of going through Tracy Arm and Terry Breen did a wonderful narration and we saw the twin Sawyers but not as close obviously.

Please don't base your choice on what I write because maybe it was just a one time thing, or something just went wrong that one time, but I thought I would write and mention it in case it is of importantce.

You always make sense - we "all" have a great TA we will be fine - and yes things happen - we need to roll with the punches - if you are not a flexible person you will hate cruising IMHO

Didn't they move the Whale Watch up so we would be back before 6:00? My confirmation shows check in at 2:30, and I remember when I called in the deposit that I was told it had been moved to earlier, but I don't remember what the original time was. Masaki? I think we will just stay on the ship and watch from there, as it is I will have to take a pill to go on the Whale Watch! :p

Mrs. Moose, don't hesitate to give us your thoughts, especially since you just did this cruise last year. I know things get cancelled, which is one of the main reasons I'm going back to Alaska. When I went in 2002 my dog sledding trip was cancelled - I knew right then I'd be visiting in the future!

JoAnn, I think check-in is at 2:30 but we don't leave until 3:00. I was reading through the whale watch post and I believe it's a 3.5 hour excursion. We should be back by 6:30.

AndreaN, that is the only thing that I can remember worth mentioning.

OK thanks. Thought it was something like that. My confirmation says "trip time 3:00" wasn't sure if that meant departure time, or length of trip, and I guess it could be either or even both, because somehow I had 3 hours in mind, but anyway it will be what it is right?

I have down we're returning at 6:30 from Capt. Larry's excursion. We booked Tracy Arm too so there will be enough time to come back to the ship for lunch and then when we get back from Capt. Larry we will have just enoiugh time to prepare for dinner.

The Orca times listed above are my understanding as well. :)

I think Tracy Arm might be cancelled at last minute for a variety of situations - in particular, the ice conditions. Since there's a bunch of calving that takes place off the Sawyer Glaciers, depending on the conditions, it might not be safe for the catamaran to get close - therefore, the excursion gets cancelled. This is obviously out of the control of anybody - all we can do is roll with the punches if this happens.

Masaki