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If you want to see glaciers, Prince
William Sound is the best place in
Southcentral Alaska for a sightseeing
cruise. Major
Marine Tours will take you through
these calm, protected waters and spend
time at three active glaciers, floating
among the icebergs. Why cruise with
Major Marine? They offer guaranteed
reserved seating in a heated cabin,
a salmon and prime rib buffet (a steal
at $15), and a forest ranger as your
guide.
The Coast Guard-certified Emerald
Sea departs from Whittier, slowly
cruising along the high, forest cliffsides-close
enough for waterfalls to splash the
boat. Sometimes the captain will
cut the engines, so you're just drifting
along, quietly. It's a very relaxing,
serene experience. In comparison
to the Seward area, there aren't as
many charters, cruises, or personal
watercraft in Prince William Sound.
The sound is home to bald eagles, otters,
seals, porpoises, and entire rookeries
of birds, and the captain will stop
for major sightings.
When the Emerald Sea
enters Blackstone Bay, you'll see the
massive Blackstone and Beloit Glaciers-both
active tidewater glaciers-looming in
the distance. As the boat moves in
closer, the glaciers grow larger,
until they tower 1,700 feet over the 100-foot vessel.
The captain will take you up to a half mile away
from these glaciers, which feels
even closer because they're so
huge. You can't get any closer
than that for safety reasons, and
sometimes icebergs prevent a closer
inspection.
Rather than zipping from glacier
to glacier, the Emerald Sea stops at
each one, giving you plenty of time
to take in Mother Nature's glorious
ice sculptures-such as Northland, an
active alpine glacier. Spending time
at three active glaciers increases
your chances of seeing major glacial
activity. Listen as the glaciers groan
and watch for them to crack and calve
off enormous sections of ice. Anytime
the captain stops the boat, there'll
be plenty of time to get your picture.
This cruise is hosted by a Chugach National Forest
ranger, who'll point out wildlife and glaciers and
discuss the area's history and the '89 oil spill. They
are available for questions, and when a good one comes
up, they'll answer it over the loudspeaker. Kids get
to be honorary rangers during the tour.
Whittier tends to be overcast in the summer, but this doesn't affect the viewing. Morning clouds and/or fog sometimes clear up by the time the tour starts.
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