While in Valdez we sailed with Stan Stephens out to the Columbia Glacier.
The boat looked really new and was well appointed. The captain was very knowledgeable about the area and also well experienced sailing in these waters.
The cruise leaves Valdez at 10:30 and you return at 4:30. Boarding begins at 10.
Lunch is included. They served Alaskan chowder, a bagel with cream cheese and a pack of Oreo cookies. There was also a vegetarian minestrone available for those with special dietary needs only. There is coffee, tea, water and lemonade all day. There is also a galley with a small menu where you can make additional purchases. The prices were very reasonable.
They day was overcast, but we saw lots of animals (unfortunately no whales). But we saw sea otters, seals, sea lions, puffins and eagles.
The scenery was beautiful and we saw a lot of waterfalls along the water as well.
As we approached the Columbia Glacier the waters were littered with pieces of ice from the glacier. Some were the size of a bus. The captain had to take his time to navigate these waters carefully.
We spent some time looking at the glacier. The crew fishes a piece of glacier ice out of the water so we could see it up close.
It was an enjoyable day on the water.