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QA Whale Watching Cruise
By CruiseDirector | March 15, 2010
Cruises are absolutely wonderful. You get the chance to mingle with many other people while cruising the ocean. You get to participate in a lot of activities that you may not have had a chance on land. You can take your cruise to the next level though. If you find whales fascinating then you may want to consider taking a whale watching cruise. These cruises can show you the best that nature has to offer. You will get an opportunity to see whales in their natural habitats. You will definitely come back with memories and photos to last a lifetime. And cruises are great family vacations as well. It is something that everyone can enjoy. This article will cover some of your questions about a whale watching tour. Hopefully you will find yourself booking a cruise as soon as possible just so you can see these magnificent creatures.
What is a whale watching cruise?
A whale watching cruise is exactly what it sounds like. It is a cruise that offers travelers the opportunity to watch whales in their natural environment. But you should know that the term “cruise” is used loosely in some cases. It may be just a few hours trip or it could be a full vacation length cruise that could span weeks. It really all depends on what type of cruise you are looking for and can afford. Obviously the lengthier cruises have more opportunity to view whales but are going to cost more. A simple day trip may not see any whales but will cost much less than a full cruise.
What time of year is best for a whale watching cruise?
If you are going to take a whale watching cruise you have to check with the individual cruise line to see when they depart. Most major cruise lines do offer whale watching cruises but they are only during certain period of the year. The most common time to go on a cruise where you can see whales is during the early spring months and the late fall months depending on the hemisphere. Weather does play a huge part in where and when a cruise line departs from so you need to double check with the cruise line first. You definitely would not want to take an Alaskan cruise in the middle of winter because of the ice floes and packs that can occur near the Bering Strait.
What types of whales can you see on a whale watching cruise?
Some whales are more commonly seen during certain months. That is when they come closer to shore and it is easier to see them. If you want to see California Gray Whales then you need to take a whale watching cruise during the months of December through April. The whales are traveling south at this time and it is a great time to visit Monterey, California to check out this “Gray Whale Migration Highway). During the summer months you get the opportunity to see quite a lot of whales. You can see: fin whales, minke whales, orcas, blue whales and even the huge humpback whales.
Is it dangerous to go on a whale watching cruise?
If you are on one of the huge cruise liners then you do not have to worry about any danger. The only danger comes if you take the excursions out on small boats to see the whales. You have to remember that whales are wild creatures. Even the smallest whale is thousands of pounds and can do tremendous damage to individuals and water craft if you are not careful. That is why most cruise lines, if they offer smaller excursions to see whales closer up, will still stay a relatively safe distance away from the whales. They are big enough to see without getting up close. Another thing to keep in mind is the excursions that give you the chance to swim with whales or dolphins. Always remember that these are not tame pets and could really care less if you get hurt or not. As long as you keep a safe distance and do not attempt to come into contact with the whales you should be fine.
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