18 Jun 2023
We booked this to avoid the crowds on the bigger boats and are so glad we did.
This was a highlight of our Alaska cruise. Dennis and Crystal picked the 4 of us up in a limo (no lie!) and drove us through the town of Hoonah to the dock. We boarded the boat and essentially had a private tour because no one else had booked the remaining two spaces.
Dennis drove the boat far out looking for whales and finally we spotted on after about 20 minutes or so. He stopped the boat far enough away so the whale could feel comfortable. He moved the boat around so we could follow the whale and yet keep a respectful distance. At one point, the whale surfaced about 75 yards in front of us and circled the boat. It was a magical experience.
Don't be afraid to take the 6pm tour because it stays light until late in Alaska in the summer. We got back to the ship by 8:45pm.
The boat is also very stable because it's a double hull construction. For someone prone to sea sickness, I found this ride very stable and I had zero issues. Great boat, great captain, great experience.