Hi, as a retirement treat my wife and I traveled from Scotland to cruise the inside passage to Seward from Vancouver on the Celebrity Millennium, May/June last year. What an experience it turned out to be.
I had my 7D MKII, 100-400 MKII +1.4 iii and a 17/50 2.8 for scenery and "snaps", no tripod which I didn't really miss and felt I had all bases covered. The zoom was rarely of the camera as wildlife and particularly the birds was my mission.
The Whale watching from icy strait point drew many positive remarks from fellow passengers, where I encountered my first wood thrush, a Swainsons.
A cable car trip up mount Roberts at Juneau was memorable, woodland birds, Alpine plants and spectacular scenery.
Don't be too perturbed if you feel your not getting the shots you want at the Hubbard glacier to begin with, the only time we were allowed up on the bow of the ship, pick a high point and as the ship turns your time will come but DO have plenty of layers of clothing on plus hat.
The ship presents quite a presence as far as the birds are concerned and take flight pretty early and the truth is if it wasn't for my images to review later would have struggled to identify quite a few as they were mostly all new species for me, whales and porpoise, seals and sea otter were almost daily from the balcony which I had to tear myself away from when sailing, imagine having to sleep whilst there was still daylight outside.
We did venture into Denali from Anchorage, as mentioned elsewhere well worth it. Bears, moose, caribou, even more alpine plants but my highlight Gyr falcon by it's breeding site.
I can't possibly cover all highlights but I came away not feeling I needed anymore equipment and as I had my laptop to store images daily so memory cards weren't an issue though did have to battery change daily.
We finished the trip on Vancouver island for four days, staying in Victoria, also as mentioned Butchart gardens was a real treat, so much wildlife attracted by all the beautiful plants.
Hope this helps.
To the wider Rumours community, my first post, first started viewing a couple of years ago and can't thank you enough for all you have taught me. Cheers.
