| Rating |
Date Attended [v] |
Reviewer |
Gender |
Age |
Where From? |
Group Type? |
|
Not their fault but 3 whales?? Seen better in Maui
|
| Sat, Oct 6, 07 10:00 AM |
geque4 |
Male |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Individual |
| First time in M Bay for whale watching. With all the hype of this area being prime, I decided to go whale watching.
Have gone several times in Maui and each time saw at least 20+ throughout the trip.
This was very lackluster and after about 1 1/2 to the trip we came across about three which we saw from about 1/4 mile away.
As for the dolphins, Been there done that. I could of seen them in a tank.
More of a seal, dolphin trip than whales.
Total waste of my time after driving 2 1/2 hrs to get there. I also stayed an extra night in a hotel before flying home to do this trip. Ship/crew were fine, but that is not what I paid for. I would never recommend whale watching in M Bay.
Ron Johnson |
|
|
Warning:Switched without warning to another cruise
|
| Wed, Oct 3, 07 1:30 PM |
rjccc27 |
Male |
Unspecified |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| We had a less than pleasant experience. Arrived one and a half hours before cruise and checked in. Reservation was acknowledged and we discussed the superior characteristics of Princess Monterey with the people at reception - large ship, specifically designed for whale watching compared to all others which are just "fishing boats," lecture by marine biologist, enclosed space, on board facilities. We were feeling pretty good about our selection. At 1:30pm, for a 1:30 pm cruise, a company rep announces to those waiting to board that we are being moved to another company and another ship and tells us to go over to another dock. No real explanation, no upfront offer of any alternative. Only when pressed did rep say that it cost too much to send out his ship with this number of passengers. Substituted ship, run by another company, was a fishing boat, had no amenities, no lecturer and, we later found out, cost less per person than Princess Monterey. Arriving back we asked for refund of difference in cost. Partial refund of difference was reluctantly given but only after some discussion. We had done all that was required of us - pre-booked, showed up well in advance. We understand the need to be flexible, but the way this was handled was not professional. I don't know how often this happens, but I advise passengers to ask questions and be aggressive about your rights for refunds or alternatives, rather than being herded to another ship like we were. |
|
Brilliant
|
| Mon, Oct 1, 07 10:00 AM |
MichaVeith |
Male |
20-29 |
Combination |
Couple on a Date |
| After our Sunday afternoon trip was cancelled, we were so afraid of not getting the opportunity to see whales, dolphins and so on. But Monday morning was also wonderful and we saw so many beautiful animals. Thanks a lot for this amazing experience.
Micha and Ela |
|
Great trip
|
| Sat, Sep 29, 07 4:30 PM |
Shailaja108 |
Female |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Other |
| The trip was great. However, I think the coordinator should make people more aware of the extremely cold temperatures and the great possibility of sea sickness. But in spite of all that the whale watching was awesome. I understand that motion sickness pills don't help much for the sea sickness, but the patch behind the ear helps more. Availability of this information and resources would make this trip more enjoyable. |
|
|
Check the seas
|
| Sat, Sep 29, 07 4:30 PM |
skemppainen |
Male |
30-39 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Individual |
| The trip and guide were good, but the waves were BRUTAL. 10-12 foot swells had many sick, soaked, and cold. That is not the fault of anyone but Mother Nature, and it provided for an ADVENTURE for sure. If you have an issue with motion sickness at all, I would suggest avoiding anything less than "normal" seas.
Other than that, it was great, and we had a "breacher" withing 50 yards of the boat, and now know what whales breath smells like. YIKES! Get a mint buddy! |
|
|
WAY-OVERTIME BUT ENTHUSIASTIC SERVICE
|
| Thu, Sep 27, 07 1:30 PM |
SAMMYBRUIN |
Male |
60-69 |
International Tourist(s) |
Individual |
| THE WHOLE TRIP TOOK EXTRA ONE OR TWO HOURS. WE COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF HOURS. BUT THEY DID NOT GIVE UP AND KEEP LOOKING FOR WHALES AND CHASING THEM AROUND. IT WAS A BAD DAY FOR A WHALE WATCHING BUT WE WERE VERY LUCKY. |
|
|
whale watching
|
| Mon, Sep 24, 07 10:00 AM |
kooistra |
Male |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Other |
| My wife and I rated this as one of the high points of trip, which included yosemite, lake tahoe and san francisco. The boat was large, stable and well maintained. The captain and crew were professional, polite and helpful. The narrator gave us information on the whales, dolfins,seals, and the monterey bay estuary. On our tour we saw sea lions, otters in the harbor, dolfins and humpback whale. For comparison, I have lived on the gulf coast of florida for 51 years and have seen many sights on the water. This trip is in my top 1%. |
|
|
fantastic
|
| Mon, Sep 24, 07 10:00 AM |
sduncan242 |
Female |
20-29 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Couple on a Date |
| It was truly a wonderful experience. I would recommened it to anyone interested in marine life. It makes you appreciate wildlife at a whole new level, I thought it was fantastic. |
|
|
Nicest boat of them all
|
| Sun, Sep 23, 07 10:00 AM |
Fenili |
Female |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Group of Friends |
| Great tour guide, very knowledgable in her field. We were excited to see all that we came to see!! |
|
|
West Coast Whale Watch leaves much to be desired
|
| Thu, Sep 20, 07 1:30 PM |
joanmaz |
Female |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family With Children |
| As residents of CT we have vacationed in Provincetown on Cape Cod, Massachusetts for over thirty years. We Whale Watch every year in Cape Cod on the Dolphin Fleet out of Provincetown. The whales feed during the summer months at Stellwagon Bank. it is nothing to see forty, fifty, or more whales, in edition to dolphins on the East Coast Whale Watches.
Our Captain keeps his distance so as not to disturb them but there are so many, we have had them come over, right along side the boat and going under the bow like you could touch them.
They are named by the design on their flukes and many years we see the same ones. It is a fantastic Whale Watch.
We thought the West Coast one would be the same but it was most disappointing, seeing only six whales and not really seeing them, as they were so far away. Just their water spouts were noticable in the distance.
Seeing so few it didn't seem like there is a feeding area off of Monterey , like the East Coast's Stellwagon Bank.
The boat ride was good, and the crew were very nice and informative but my husband, son and I will never go on a West Coast Whale Watch again. Cape Cod is the place to see whales and it is worth a flight out here.
Joan & Bob Mazurek |
