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Cruise West Alaska Cruise Reviews: Alaska Inside Passage and Wilderness Lodges

2005

Wow-wow-wow. It was the most amazing, spectacular trip! My pictures are being developed and I'll be sure to scan a few to send to you. And yes, our mugs were waiting for us and they were a perfect cap to a perfect trip. I've been singing your praises far and wide, and even gave your info to a man from Australia to give to his friends at home!

Don't even know where to begin--we saw so much wildlife from bears to moose to eagles to seals to dall sheep and whales. Was enchanted with the mountain views, seeing a rainforest, muskegs, and the glaciers. Have never seen so many beautiful colors and sights. Trip into Denali was wonderful and we loved the Kantishna Roadhouse. A very special treat and privilege to stay there. I loved Glacial Bay and had a wonderful trip with them. Their naturalist was superb and we learned so much while having fun! The Anan Bear Observatory was incredible. I was eye-to-eye with bears watching them fish and bald eagles perched close by which I also watched fish in the Anan Creek.

The Cruise West staff was superb, from all the land-based guides to the members of the ship's staff. They were all so pleasant, so concerned about making sure everything was perfect for us, and all sang Cruise West's praises. Was an incredible experience to meet so many native Alaskans and to hear of their love of their land. We truly saw a piece of Alaska and not a floating hotel. On our final day, we cruised to LaConte Glacier and were stunned to see so many sea lions as well as the beautiful glacier. I have incredible pictures (I hope) of sea lion families right down to the little ones. After the sea lions, we encountered a pod of 9-10 orcas. Our captain didn't give us a cursory glance (even though it was the last day and I'm sure he was anxious to reach Ketchikan) but devoted a long time for us to view these giants. While there, a large cruise ship came barreling by--went right through where the pod was--never slowed down nor were there any people on deck to know what they were missing. We all said this should be a Cruise West commercial.

I am so happy I booked with you -- everything was so wonderful--and Cruise West was also simply outstanding!

Always, Charleen