3pm Tracy (Endicott Arm) Excursion

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Hello! I've asked about this excursion before but I'm hoping to get input from anyone who went on the second, 3pm Glacier Explorer port adventure in Endicott Arm. I put my DH on the 12pm one and was planning on just staying on the ship with the kids, getting pics with the characters, and enjoying the view from our verandah. But since this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for us, I wonder if I'll regret not handing off the kids to go on the later one and getting the chance to take some great photos of the glacier, wildlife and the Wonder itself in Endicott Arm. If you've gone on the second excursion, how did you find it? Was the light still good for taking photos? TIA!

 

[Snowwhyt]

Absolutely take that advantage and go! Especially if you’re the photographer. You were going to get some absolutely amazing shots being on that boat by yourself and spending the time with the kids earlier. Use your distance lenses when you’re on the Wonder. Get ready for some zoom shots that you’ll be able to take while you’re on the smaller boat. You have the most amazing idea.

 

[tlprice]

Was the light still good for taking photos?

I haven't done this excursion,but regarding your question, you do realize in Alaska in the summer it is light almost 24 hours a day.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I haven't done this excursion,but regarding your question, you do realize in Alaska in the summer it is light almost 24 hours a day.

Yes, I think someone complained about it being kind of hazy on the second excursion once, but that was probably due to clouds rolling in and not the specific time of day now that I think of it.

 

[GPaLarry]

Weather up there can be iffy at best so dress accordingly. That's Alaska. If you have a verandah, the Wonder will spend half its time in the Arm facing the glacier from the starboard side and half port. Watch for the smoking section forward port side on the upper decks if it is calm. We got ashes and smoke for hours, even after Guest Services made adjustments. We watched the two smaller boats loading up for the excursions during our cruise. It is hard to tell where the glacier will be calving, so being close might not assure get you the best view. We saw it happen from the Wonder at one end of the glacier while the smaller boat was far away. Good luck!!

 

[Snowwhyt]

I haven't done this excursion,but regarding your question, you do realize in Alaska in the summer it is light almost 24 hours a day.

There is no 24 hour light in that area, it’s not quite that far. Although the way light is usually affected for a photographer is by the clouds, fog and the frequent rains. Having both boat tours booked fo having both boat tours booked (One for the husband one for the wife) could give some nice options.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I went on the early one, but I can say there was plenty of light for the later one as well. The variable is the weather. It rained hard on our excursion. Foggy, misty. Not great. But everything lifted just in time to get some great photos, thankfully! Good luck! It is a great excursion.

 

[kickash]

We went on the first one but the 2nd one had plenty of light and good views.
This pic is us back on the ship (waiting in line for Mickey in his Alaska outfit) looking at the boats for the 2nd excursion. Look at the lower left of the glacier.

 

[kickash]

For what it’s worth, this excursion was a highlight of our entire trip, which included Seattle, Vancouver, and the cruise. Do it if you can!
This is one of my absolute favorite pictures from the entire trip!