Kenai Fjords vs. Major Marine tour

Looking for an unbiased opinion of the above. Will be in Seward mid Sept. and need to decide which tour would be best, from both cost and time-constraint standpoints: Kenai Fjords%26#39; 6-hr National Park Tour @ $129 including some sort of lunch (not sure what) or Major Marine%26#39;s 8-hr tour (I think both tours go same mileage, but Major Marine%26#39;s is slower) @ $114.30 internet price plus $15 salmon lunch. The meals are actually not that important to me. Just not sure I can justify spending another 2 hr%26#39;s at sea when I have lots of other things I could be doing on shore unless we%26#39;d see more, the ship comfort, etc. is better. Would appreciate any help out there.

Kenai Fjords vs. Major Marine tour

We just took the 6 hr. kenai fjords trip and felt it was a good amount of time. The longer trip might go farther, but it would get too long for me. They served a chicken wrap sandwich, which was fine. Snacks to purchase. I liked our captain and would recommend the Kenai Fjords boat tour.

Kenai Fjords vs. Major Marine tour

Thanks tqluvtotry,

I%26#39;m beginning to believe that there%26#39;s really no Bad Choice here. It all depends upon the weather, time of year and other things that no operator can control.

';';I%26#39;m beginning to believe that there%26#39;s really no Bad Choice here. It all depends upon the weather, time of year and other things that no operator can control';';

Your pretty much right on that as they all go through the same waters, some just farther than others which gives more opportunity for wildlife and to different glaciers.

I like Major Marine the best for the reserved seating, all you can eat prime rib/salmon buffet( yummy) and they are the only one with an actual park ranger on board.

I am comparing Major and Renown National Park Cruises against the Kenai Fjords Northwestern Cruise. I see from their website that Renown will also have a ranger on board in 2009. Does this change the thinking? Does Major go further in its extra 2 hours or is it merely slower? What about stability and / or comfort on board? Any advice appreciated.

Glacierlady is right - the boats are all going the same route and if one boat sees something good like whales they radio each other and all race there. I know that doesn%26#39;t help your decision, but it would come down to the time you feel you want to be out there, boat design and crew knowledge and experience. As far as the time goes, I%26#39;m thinking you probably want to reserve the whole day as those tours really make you pretty tired so doing a bunch of other things that day is likely not going to happen. Kenai Fjords Tours crew have a really strict safety and wildlife training in the spring and certain of their tours also have a ranger, although the crew are equally as knowledgeable. Their newer boats, the Aialik Voyager and the Orca Voyager are the smoothest rides and are a lot more environmentally friendly than the older boats and I would recommend asking to be on one of those two. Hint: Only the most experienced of the Seward tour boat captains get to drive the new boats! September weather can be iffy so if you have a few days available, I would wait to book until you%26#39;re here and see the weather. There is always space on the boats.

We went with Major Marine Tours last summer because of the reserved seating. I can tell you we really enjoyed our trip. We opted for the 9 hour tour because we don%26#39;t know if we%26#39;ll ever get the chance to do it again... I brought my 8,10 and 14 year olds with me and they LOVED it. I%26#39;m sure, like the other posters have mentioned, each tour is about the same... I wanted the reserved seating because it was helpful with the kids... they left their stuff at the reserved table and went back and forth all afternoon between the table and the deck. You%26#39;ll enjoy the trip whichever company you choose... :)

I was considering similar questions for august. Frankly, what it came down to for me was cost. I wanted to do an 8.5 or 9 hour trip, and I found a 2-for-1 deal with Kenai Fjords in the Northern Lights coupon book which you can google and buy online Howeever, I%26#39;m pretty sure the book had Major Marine as well for a shorter tour. (mine%26#39;s en route to me right now or I%26#39;d look to confirm for sure. there%26#39;s a list of coupons on the coupon book web site).

Major Marine, Reknown, and Kenai Fjords all seem to have one perk or another which is why I just left it to price. I was happy to let the choice be made by saving - in my case - $180 with the 2-for-1.

I will say that if I didn%26#39;t have a coupon, I was actually planning to go with Saltwater Lodge, since their tours are smaller at 16 people or less.

I totally agree with AKHoneymooners. My decision of company the past two years was based on coupons and this year I will be taking the NW Fjords tour for two reasons - 1) a Northern Lights coupon book and 2) I have never taken this tour before.

You really can%26#39;t go wrong in any case!

John