MicDay

Had excellent whale and dolphin watching while we were eating dinner at Izumi one night and Geovanni's on another. 

I've cruised Alaska a few times now. 
For years I always thought "bikinis look better than parkas" so I kept putting off an Alaskan cruise.  Then I finally did one.  Wow!  I was hooked.  
Every visit is different.  Every cruise has been great.  
I cruise differently when going to Alaska.  The ship activities and entertainment become secondary, I'm there for Alaska and I soak up every minute outside watching it all whenever possible.   I've even skipped all shows, 70's parties and such just so I soak in as much scenery as I can. I don't buy the drink package so I am sharp, up early to catch the sunrise then up late to watch the sunset in the inside passage.
If you are going to Dawes glacier move around the ship.  Go down to a lower deck and watch ice flows passing by then try the helipad then try a higher deck then lunch outdoors at the aft of the Windjammer to watch it all sail by.  So beautiful and seeing the ship in close proximity to the high mountain walls is magical.
Enjoy your cruise!

@KaydenDeenDo you mind sharing what company you found with a small boat?  The two I've found outside of RC only have large boats?  Thanks!!!

Yay, pool time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It looks beautiful, can't wait for the night pictures when its lit up.
 
 

I looked at COSTCO, they offer a really nice "shop card" and some other perks.
I did booked a very pricey Europe cruise with RC on my own in 2019.   What a headache.
Than 2020 happen 
I love the advice on this site so I took it and signed up with MEI.  Poor Kelley got stuck with me.
She is on vacation right now, did not know, but still took the time to answer my questions. ?
I have not regretted it and have really enjoyed her help and guidance.
I'm in the process of trying to get my family and friends to book with her.
 

Thank you!!
You guys are going right after us.
We go 08/27-09/03, this is our first time in Alaska too.
I'm so excited too!!

@MicDay I’m glad you’re here! The more information I have on Alaska the better! It just makes me MORE excited for this trip

@SpeedNoodles what company did you use in Juneau if you don't mind sharing.
 
@KaydenDeensorry I keep highjacking your thread!

We booked it through Royal, but it was operated by Allen Marine Tours.  The boats were good sized, but not as large as the one in the photo that Twangster posted above.  The employees were fantastic (but I'd imagine you'll find that with the majority of tour operators up there).
 

Just so everyone knows, the captains of these excursions boats all know each other, it's a small community even if the company they work for are competitors.  Most will get on the radio and exchange sighting locations.  On the smaller boats you may be able to hear the radio chatter and see this in action yourself. 

@AshleyDillothank you but I just reread what you and KaydenDeen are talking about my cruise does not go to ICP but Juneau.  But I will keep this in mind when we go back ?
Thank you!

I really think we are at a point that everyone just does:
you do you and I’ll do me 
what makes me feel comfortable and safe might not be the same for you and that’s ok
no judgement here

Yeah, I always bring my own low ride floaties to lazy rivers, sitting in the donut tube hurts after awhile. 
Haha I once managed 63 laps in one day at the Harrah's SoCal, we kept track with a mulch tally as we floated along. 

A man made canal loop where you sit in an innertube and calmly float around with your drink in hand

They are SO relaxing.  And cater to my most prominent skill.  Laziness.

They'd have to drag me out of a lazy river at Coco Cay.  (A precedent has been set - I had to be coaxed out of one at the Westin Scottsdale at closing time by hotel staff.  I was unhappy about their decision).

So here's the thing with larger boats:

When everyone rushed to one side it  actually starts to list that way ? 
The problem is trying to secure a spot on the railing so you can see.  Once a whale is spotted on the other side, it's a mad dash to secure a spot on the railing on the other side.  
When you are on a smaller boat they are more agile and can more quickly move with the whales or to another location.
What tends to happen is the larger boats are a little further away while the smaller boats end up getting between the whales and the larger boats.  In this next picture a whale had just submerged behind me so my smaller boat was between the larger boat and the whales.

Is that worth $200?  That's up to you to decide.  

@JLMoranme too!!!  I LOVE LOVE a good lazy river.  Disney has some of the best lazy rivers at their waterparks.  Do not try the one at Discovery Cove, it's a nightmare.  
I might have to book a cruise going to Coco Cay when the lazy river is done ?

Don't let my wife hear this. She'll only ever want to go to Coco Cay and nowhere else. Well, except Bermuda of course... ?

I really think we are at a point that everyone just does:
you do you and I’ll do me 
what makes me feel comfortable and safe might not be the same for you and that’s ok
no judgement here

I feel like every sailing has it's own coordinator, and all coordinators were not created equally, lol.

We just saved $346 on next months cruise.  Thank you!!!
I emailed my wonderful TA Kelley but she was getting a totally different number, hers was way higher. 
I sent a screenshot and she sent a screenshot, same cruise, two totally different cost! 
She still submitted the form and I now have $346 OBC.  It took about 15 minutes, crazy fast.
 
 

I really think we are at a point that everyone just does:
you do you and I’ll do me 
what makes me feel comfortable and safe might not be the same for you and that’s ok
no judgement here

@Bob_KY I right there with you!  Since I wanted to see some of Seattle before we cruise we are there two days earlier with plans to explore.  We won’t talk about preparing to leave work for 13 days.  
I'm trying not to stress about it but holy cow.  I understand why RC is doing this but it doesn’t take the stress of it away.

Here're a few thoughts regarding this new test mandate 3 days prior to embarkation:
1. Vaccinated folks like the missus and me still have to sweat out test results that could screw up our entire vacation plans at the midnight hour...false positives are a thing.
2. The data seems to show that 99% of new cases are occurring in the group that choose to not get vaccinated.
3. Vaccinated folks who do test positive rarely risk hospitalization and/or death...the therapeutics administered to the already-vaxed seem to reduce fatality risk to almost zero.
4. RCG is in a tough spot. They're playing a balancing act between satisfying the CDC rules, assuaging national political shenanigans, managing guest perceptions and overcoming the financial risks of getting back to creating amazing vacation experiences while avoiding the gargantuan risk of cruising lockdowns.
Happy sailing to all! ?