I did the 5 hour Resurrection Bay Tour with Fox Island so I’ll speak to this one.
You park at the free parking lot and then ride a shuttle to the check in point. Once checked in, you can sit and wait or roam about the pier area until boarding. The pier area has various shops and restaurants.
Though the description states large bags aren’t allowed, they are. Masks are required while indoors on the boat but not while on the decks outside. There is outside seating for those who want to stay on deck and it is available immediately. Restrooms and refreshments are also available for purchase inside.
A freezing rain storm put a damper on our trip – choosing to start just as we headed out. As conditions were so horribly cold and rainy, our captain wisely decided to race to Fox Island to let us eat and hopefully allow for the weather to clear up. Not much of anything the 1st hour or during the hour at Fox Island.
I had the salmon filet lunch (not cakes as advertised) and it was just ok. The salmon was bland and a bit on the drier side than I’d like. Overall, if I had to do it over again, I would choose a cruise WITHOUT Fox Island. Nothing there warranted the extra time.
Back on board post Fox Island and the weather cleared.
During this last portion of the trip, we ended up being able to go to the amazingly beautiful Channel Island area. We saw sea otter, puffin (both species), seal, sea stars and had a nice long session watching 2 humpback whales (among other wildlife I don’t remember the name of).
The crew on this ship were amazing – very fun and personable.
We could hear everything loud and clear - even on the outside decks. They even took requests for what type of wildlife we wanted to see and actually made an effort to find it. (I was Team Puffin.)
It was wonderful and magical. However, make sure you dress appropriately. It’s significantly colder on the water than on land. I normally take the land temp and subtract 20 degrees. I also always go water and wind proof.
Highly recommended. Minus 1 star for Fox Island.