We had an amazing, unforgettable experience with Lu-Lu Belle boat, Captain Fred and his lovely crew! Captain Fred is a wealth of knowledge about Valdez and his extraordinary experience with the waters! He navigated very tight spaces for wildlife and got us within 1/4 mile to the face of the Columbia Glacier. The smaller boat (which is Captain Fred's home) made for a more cozy and warm ambiance, oriental rugs and all! :) There is food and snacks available during the cruise, they even baked fresh brownies, which warmed the soul in the cold weather! We were also allowed to bring a cooler of snacks! They don't serve alcohol but we were told you are able to bring your own wine and beer. For me, this is the best wildlife cruise in Valdez. read more

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We looked at the two major glacier trips out of Valdez and choose this one because of the reviews. Boy were they right! We had the best day of our trip so far. Captain Fred and crew Sara & Jake were fantastic. You can tell they really want you to have the best time. The boat was so clean and the food was simple but good. The smell of the fresh cooked brownies was not fair, you had to have one! We saw so much wildlife and stopped extremely close to the glacier. We would do this trip again in a heartbeat. Go for this trip on the Lu-Lu Belle you will not regret it. read more

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WOW! We had an amazing trip with Lulu Belle. The staff and wildlife were both amazing. They really go out of their way to ensure that everyone is happy and enjoy their trip. read more

Captain Fred is by far one of the most entertaining narrators we have experienced on one fo these cruises and the Lu-Lu Belle is the most luxurious cruise boat we have ever encountered for a day cruise. This was our second cruise on this trip, the first one out of Seward. We have done many wildlife cruises like this before and they have all been good experiences but this one stands out. The Lu-Lu Belle is smaller than its competition and that makes it a more intimate and engaging setting but we also lucked out in being 2 of only 17 passengers aboard plus 3 crew. Captain Fred pilots the boat and keeps up a continuing narrative the whole time. He is like Hal Holbrook doing a one man show of Mark Twain. He relates the history, the biology, the mammals and the geography with a wry sense of humor and an actor's skill for dramatic delivery. His commentary is thoroughly engaging and the sound system on the boat does a good job of letting him be heard. We boarded about 10:30AM and cruised all day until returning to the dock about 7:30PM. We definitely got our money's worth. Along the way, the crew served up blueberry muffins and brownies and had hot clam and salmon chowder for sale in a toasted bread bowl. Purchased food was expensive but it always is on an excursion boat. They do not sell alcohol on this boat. We nosed into some tight caves to see Puffins but sadly they did not show. We passed colonies of sea lions and he turned the boat around to play with Dall porpoises. The highlight was approaching the Columbia glacier but there was so much ice in the water that we had to carefully thread our way in and eventually had to turn around a few miles short fo the face. As a substitute, we cruised into another bay with tidewater glaciers and stayed long enough to witness several significant ice falls. Because of the length of the trip, this might be a bit too long for small children. During the return trip through the Valdez narrows, Captain Fred asked for volunteers to pilot the boat and left the bridge in the capable hands of a passenger and one of the young women who crew the boat. What we did not know was that these crew members had all been trained to back up the Captain and one of them actually maneuvered us to the dock in the harbor, a difficult task for anyone. It was a good day. I have take the cruise out of the same harbor with a competitor and had a good time but given a choice, I would pick Captain Fred and the Lu-Lu Belle. read more

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The views can't be beat. This would be a 5-star experience if it weren't for the Captain. He spent the better part of the cruise talking, and much of that was right-wing political commentary and false information about climate change. Five minutes in, the Captain made a transphobic "joke." It only went on from there. As my husband said, "it's like being stuck on a boat with your crazy uncle who watches too much Fox News." Except he had the microphone. For EIGHT HOURS. It's unfortunate, because the boat itself is lovely, the views are incredible, and the experience would have been perfect. But Captain Fred's non-stop conservative opinions ruined the day. Run, do not walk, away from the business. Spend your money elsewhere. read more

During our trip we saw whale, seals, sea lions, otters and seagulls. Highlight of the day was COLUMBIA glacier, one of the most fastest moving glaciers in the world. Nice boat with very high experienced Captain. Clam Chowder in a Sourdough Bread Bowl was SO GOOD! Thank you for a wonderful experience. read more

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The rv park we are staying at highly recommend lu-lu belle glacier tours. be prepared for an educational day and more. The boat is smaller the other tours and because they are you get to go into places see more things than the other tours can only dream about. The captain was awesome he educated us about the history of Valdez and more I cannot believe home much I learned. Captain Fred and his crew are top notch!!! We saw humpback whales, orcas, otters, sea lions, puffins and other birds and more and GLACIERS AND ICEBERGS!!! Food is home cooked on the boat and is out of this world! There clam chowder and brownies were over the top. I am so glad my wife and took the tour read more

If you're ever visiting Valdez and want to go on a glacier/whale watching tour then I highly recommend the Lu-Lu Belle. Captain Fred and his crew did an outstanding job making this a great experience. Last year when I was visiting Valdez, I knew I wanted to go out on one of these type of tours so I gave Captain Fred and the Lu-Lu Belle a chance. I'm glad I did so because it was well worth it. Although it was a very long day and was very tired at the end of the trip, he did a great job explaining the history about the area and what we were seeing. He tried to show us as much of the wildlife in the area before heading out to the Columbia Glacier. We had the opportunity to see whales, otters, sea lions, and other wildlife. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see puffins but he did his best navigating into caves and other tight rocky areas to try and see them. I plan on going again with my family this spring. read more

I have rode and used Lu-lu Belle glacier and wildlife cruises tours for the past 10 years when ever Im in Valdez, Alaska . Aways nice to see a different part of the world besides the city and traffic jams. We always see an array of sea life including whales, otters, puffins, and other sea life. Every cruise is something different. The Lulu Belle is an amazing vessel. Always nice to see it. Hope the photos provided gives you a sense of the old school and rustic look that it provides. Keep in mind the photos are straight from my cell phone to give you a sense of what you will see and experience. Fred does an awesome job at the helm and narration of the cruise. Megan is always nice to see and hear when booking. The tour prices are fair and the tours easily last 8 to 9 hours. Still amazes me how captian Fred still has his intense level of enthusium and energy. I sincerely hope i can look as good and happy when i get to his age. He is an inspiration to dedication and living life to fullest. read more

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We really enjoyed the tour. Had perfect weather and calm seas. Saw otters, puffins, sea lions, humpback whales, dall porpoises and lots of sea birds. There was food for purchase at a reasonable price, but we brought our own lunch, snacks and drinks. While being close enough to the glacier to hear the cracks and see some small glacial calving, we spent way too long just waiting at the glacier. Added a good 45-60 minutes to the tour. I would give the overall tour a rating of 4, However, Captain Fred drones on and on, the entire cruise. You can't hear him most of the time, and when you could, he would talk about things totally irrelevant to the cruise. Sexist jokes and comments with political undertones should be left at the dock. This reduces my overall rating to a 3. read more

This was one of the coolest things I've ever done. And I've been known to do some things. I attribute much of this trip's awesomeness to Captain Fred. You can tell he loves driving the boat and sharing his knowledge of the area. And he's VERY good at driving that boat, trust me, you'll see. Also his voice and mannerisms could be put to use narrating a Christmas movie or something. Anyways, we saw birds, fish, dolphins, a humpback whale, sea lions, seals and a seagull. The highlight though was getting to the glacier face and watching the huge pieces of ice fracture and fall into the bay. The water was pretty densely packed with ice but Captain Fred took the time to navigate us close so we could see and even hear the amazing phenomenon. We wouldn't have been able to get as close in one of those bigger tour boats. It's cold. Pack warm clothes. So in closing, 5-stars. read more

This is a great small company, staffed by people who really care about you, and their amazing environment. The captain runs an almost nonstop commentary on the way in and out. The ship is beautiful, and immaculate. Seating is comfortable. Snacks are reasonably priced, and the salmon chowder was a huge surprise... Some of the best I've ever had, including my own. The captain takes you so close to the glacier, picking his way thru the bergies and bits, that you get amazing views. This is one Alaska tourist activity that is well worth the money. In fact, it's a great value. read more

Lu-Lu Belle Glacier Wildlife Cruises - Photos from the lulubelle - Boat Tours Near Me - Valdez, Alaska

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Don't miss this boat and tour! The boat is beautiful, hand crafted wood by none others than the captain and owner captain Fred. Wipe your feet orental carpets inside! No kidding for real. 40 year old 75 foot fiberglass boat with twin 650 HP! There is no schedule, leaving at 11 and get back??? Whenever 6,7,8 ??? Great tour don't miss it. Food on board is good also, or bring your own. read more

We had a fantastic time on our 9 hour tour and this was a highlight of our short vacation from the Interior down to Southcentral AK. The boat was super clean and comfortable. The captain, Fred, was a fantastic captain and super knowledgeable of the area and did an excellent job narrating. I learned so much! It was sometimes hard to hear him depending on your particular location on the boat. However, you are free to move about as much as you want. He spent time searching for wildlife and we were not disappointed. We enjoyed watching eagles, sea otters with their babies, whales, sea lions as well as other boats out fishing. We also cruised amongst the ice and came very close to the glacier. Listening to the crackle of the ice in the water was super cool. Bring warm clothes as it gets quite cold once you reach the icy waters and begin the trek in towards the glacier. The scenery along the journey is beyond breathtaking and it feels as though you have been dropped into storybook pages. There is a snack bar on board for items you can purchase. Also feel free to bring your own drinks/ snacks on board. In fact, I encourage given how long the day is. This is well worth the money and I highly recommend. read more

This little company does pretty good job. They are taking their time trying to show you as much wildlife as they can while you are in the tour. I got this tour last year and was very impressed. The tour is little bit long, like 10 hours, but I got to see orcas, whale tail, sea lions ( we got very close to them) bunch of otters and of course Columbia glacier, we got pretty close to that one too. Overall the best experience. If you really wanna see as much as possible this company is what you need! read more

Lu-Lu Belle Glacier Wildlife Cruises - Boat Tours Near Me - Valdez, Alaska

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In addition to running more than two hours over schedule the captain talked nonstop passing a lot of incorrect or extemporaneous information. He clearly hates millennials, does not believe in climate change and thinks the government of Valdez is corrupt. The scenery of Prince William Sound was incredible or else this would be a 1 star review. I do not recommend this tour. Call Stan Stephens for your tour needs in Valdez. read more

One of the best tours I've ever had. They truly go above and beyond. The capital is a wealth of knowledge.

Captain Fred is a phenomenal Captain who kept us thoroughly entertained while providing a lot of interesting and informative tidbits about Valdez, its history, and the surrounding glaciers. Tasha, who apparently is well on her way to becoming a Captain, was pleasant and eager to ensure we were all well fed and comfortable. Snacks were simple but satisfying and reasonably priced. The Lu-Lu Belle may not be as large as other ships, but bigger isn't always better. She is in fantastic shape and is more than capable of getting you close to wildlife and glaciers while keeping you safe and warm. The glacier is breathtaking (we stayed for over an hour) and the wildlife is plentiful. This was worth every cent! read more

Captain Fred has been showing tourists the glories of Prince William Sound and the Columbia Glacier for 38 years and he's good! An excellent navigator (he will put the bow of the boat inside a cave and hold it there), Fred also keeps up a near constant narration of the history, features and fun-filled facts about Valdez, the Sound and the glaciers. He pilots Lu-Lu Belle, an impeccably maintained 75 foot fiberglass-hulled vessel with twin 650 HP diesels, through ice choked waters to within a quarter mile of the face of Columbia Glacier. We saw whales, otters and sea lions galore, and even a mountain goat. A two girl crew staffs the snack counter and backs-up Fred on the helm. I cannot recommend this tour more highly. read more

My family and in-laws were aboard the Lu-Lu Belle yesterday and had a wonderful time! Captain Fred's anecdotes and history of the area, and Alaska, were stellar and made the trip as informative as it was fun. The crew was friendly and efficient, and very helpful. Our pursuit of the Humpback makes me want to dig out Moby Dick! Thanks for the memories! We'll be back! read more

Captain Fred entertains all aboard while traversing the ice field up to the Columbia glacier. He was able to get us within a quarter mile from the glacier face where we were able to watch massive calving! We also saw otters, sea lions, and whales galore. read more

Lu-Lu Belle Glacier Wildlife Cruises - Navigating our way through the ice field to the Columbia glacier. - Boat Tours Near Me - Valdez, Alaska

Bigger isn't always better. Captain Fred and his crew of two made this one of the most pleasurable parts of our stay in Alaska. We were treated to lots of information about the area and sea life we were seeing. The Lu-Lu Belle is a comfortable, clean and very well-maintained craft. Glacial views were gorgeous and we got up close and personal with the Columbia Glacier and watched several areas of the glacier calve. Captain Fred made sure we saw whales and puffins as well as sea otters and sea lions. A wonderful experience I would recommend to anyone who visits Valdez. read more

This cruise truly is unforgettable!! It's a small business run by Capt Fred and his wife Meg and you can tell they put their heart and soul into bringing the best service and experience into anyone that takes a cruise with them. Meg handles all reservations with nothing but helpfulness and friendliness! And Captain Fred is talented beyond belief when it comes to finding wildlife and navigating the ice waters up to Columbia Glacier! The LuLu Belle boat itself is full of personality and stories and allows visitors to get much closer and intimate with the wildlife and scenery of Prince William sound. And Capt Fred TAKES HIS TIME when it comes to exploring what the sound has to offer that day! read more

Captain Fred gives a fantastic tour of the Columbia Glacier. I thought it would be 5 hours or so but we were out on the water over 7 hours tracking down wildlife, getting super close to the glaciers, and just observing sealions, puffins, doll porpoises... it was amazing! I'm glad I brought extra memory cards for my camera. I couldn't believe how close we were able to get to the caves. What an experience. read more

Lu-Lu Belle Glacier Wildlife Cruises - Boat Tours Near Me - Valdez, Alaska

Incredible experience. Small boat operation that stays out just a little longer, goes places larger boats can't go, and tries to accomodate personal requests as much as possible. We fell in love with the owner and his wife. Very warm and gracious couple who do everything they can to make their cruise the very best. We enjoyed it so much, blew our budget and went back for 2 additional cruises while we were there. read more