DAY 2: Enjoy an early morning breakfast on your own, then embark on the Spirit of Adventure to cruise into famous Glacier Bay. The vessel's high speed enables us to explore all the glacier bay cruiseway into the Bay's West Arm. Along the way, as you watch for wildlife and birds, you'll notice the transition of plant life from the lush, mature evergreen forest near the Lodge, to younger alder and willow growth, to the recently uncovered bare rock dotted with primitive lichens and mosses at the faces of the retreating glaciers. Watch for giant towers of ice to "calve" away from the face of a glacier and tumble into the water. Your glacier viewing experience is enhanced by the Park's wildlife and marine life: bears, moose, and mountain goats; all manner of sea birds; three species of whales, the humpback, orca and minke; harbor seals and sea lions. The Spirit of Adventure features open top-deck viewing as well as comfortable interior seating, and large picture windows all around on both enclosed decks so you won't miss a thing. The cruise is planned with plenty of time for wildlife watching. To add information and perspective, a National Park Service Ranger accompanies the cruise as narrator/interpreter for the day. The day-long cruise includes lunch served on board. After your day of glacier and wildlife viewing, return to Bartlett Cove where you will be transferred to the Gustavus Airport for your return flight to Juneau or beyond, or to Haines or Skagway. Or, consider staying longer at Glacier Bay Lodge and enjoy exciting options such as, flightseeing and sea kayaking. Please note: If departing from Haines or Skagway, the above itinerary is simply in reverse, beginning on day one with early morning flight to Gustavus, cruise aboard the Spirit of Adventure, and overnight at Glacier Bay Lodge, followed by whale watching and return flight on day two.
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