It was hard to wake up this morning but we had to be ready at 8.15 am for our 'Whales and Mendenhall Photo Safari' during which we will have the opportunity to explore Stephen's Passage! Steve and I were slightly perturbed when we saw the array of photographic equipment carried by some of the others. We were armed with dad's little Canon and my iPhone. Shortly after the boat docked in Juneau, we were met by our guide, photographer David Sheakley. During our sho...

This morning we arrive in the small city of Haines which is located in the northernmost position of the Alaska Panhandle. Although Haines lies on the Chilkat Peninsula and is near Glacier Bay, it has an uncommonly warm climate for Alaska which is categorised as 'humid continental'. Today is Steve's birthday and after breakfast in our cabin, we set off for the ferry from Haines to Skagway. During the 40 minute transfer, we spot the now familiar blow and wait for ...

We can finally see land as we continue our approach to Glacier Bay. The day promises to be full of awesomeness and has made an excellent start. We decided to have a walk around the deck. it is cold but bright and sunny. We watch the little murrelet birds skimming over the surface of the water then diving down for what seemed like an age before popping up to the surface again. Steve spots the dorsal fin of a whale and it isn't long before we see many more. It's th...

Today will be spent in the Gulf of Alaska travelling to Glacier Bay. Nothing to see but sea, oh but someone did point out Mount Denali in the distance. However, it did give us a chance to get to know our little floating hotel. We start the day with the huge breakfast we ordered in our cabin before attending a presentation on the available excursions which was held in the Mondriaan Lounge. At the end of the presentation we were told to check under the tables to s...

Today we are heading south back to Anchorage where we will lose some of our fellow travellers who are not joining us on the cruise, then on to Seward to board our ship MS Zaandam. On the way we called in at the Iditarod Headquarters and had a dog-sled ride. Of course, there is no snow, so it's a 4 wheeled affair. I fell in love with a puppy who seemed to like snuggling with me too! After spending an hour at the market in Anchorage we set off on the 3 hour journe...