Weather Permitting, Alaska, United States

5.0 (1 review) Spent Ranking #20 in Seward Ferries

Safe and scenic ride

Sailed with Weather Permitting to and from Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge. Very efficient and friendly staff. Focused on safety, not just water safety but appropriate Covid precautions. Per regulations use of masks were required when inside the cabin. Reviewed on-water emergency procedures including use of life-vests, life raft and response to man overboard accident. In case of the latter never take your eye off the person, keep pointing at him/her, all the while yelling “man overboard!” while crew turn boat around. Also throw safety ring as close to the person as possible. The skies were mostly clear and it was sunny but winds were blowing hard and there was a heavy chop. It was still preferable to be on the rear deck and watch the views even if it meant being occasionally doused with sea spray. The captain requested we not stand on the foredeck when in motion, only when stopped for wildlife and scenery viewing. The classic views of the Kenai Fjords were in full display. The iconic sea stacks topped with a tree or two, steep-sided fjord walls, snow fields up high. Of course there were the glaciers of the Harding Icefield that poured of the Kenai Peninsula to the sea (tidewater glaciers): Bear (the largest, seen only from a distance), Holgate (up close), Surprise Glacier (hanging glacier, no longer makes it to the water or another glacier), and Aialik (seen at a middle distance). Wildlife spotted: horned puffins, cormorants, gulls galore, Steller’s sea lion, harbor seals, and a few late-departing humpback whales including a mother and calf. The staff were always available to answer questions, and were clearly very knowledgeable. The ride back took place under more threatening conditions though the water was more calm. We stopped only twice to watch the humpbacks, but it seemed seals and seabirds had hunkered down for the approaching storm. A good ride, safe and scenic.
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