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Very friendly service and great naturalist- Emily. We took the five hour whale watching cruise where they guarantee whale sightings or 50% off your next booking with them. We approached Emily to find out some details about the educational items she had available for viewing. The lunch was buffet style- two types of lasagna, biscuits, honey butter, Caesar salad, red grapes and cookies. It was very tasty. The scenery was gorgeous and it was a nice sunny day. Unfortunately the whales and orcas were playing any and we didn't see any during the entire cruise- we did see a harbour seal when leaving port, a quick glimpse of a harbor porpoise for a split second, harbor seals on rocks from a far distance and two sea lions on a red buoy... so we got cards to book at 50% discount for a future booking with the company. We also got 10% off coupons for the fish and chips place and gift shop inside the Bellingham cruise terminal. There were two bathrooms on board. I have to say if you're looking for an intimate experience with a handful of people this is not the cruise for you. We had a Thursday cruise that had about 60 people on board and felt like there were a lot of people... I was told the boat could have up to 120 passengers in which case it would have been absolutely jammed with people. I was glad we only had the number on board that we had. All in all it was a lovely day on board- you cannot dictate nature and they held up their promise if we didn't see whales. They also had some binoculars available if you gave them collateral- I had a set for the entire cruise.
I had the best time on the whale-watching tour! During the approximately 4-hour experience, guests were treated to a relaxing boat ride where we saw humpback whales and pods of orcas. It was really moving to see these animals in their natural habitat. The Captain and staff offered a wealth of knowledge about the gorgeous islands we passed and the wildlife we observed. Lunch is included with the cruise and it was delicious. Vegetarian options are available, and there is more than enough food for everyone onboard, so no one should leave hungry. I highly recommend San Juan Cruises if you're in the Bellingham area and want to experience a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Crab dinner on the water this evening was just perfect in all the ways! Excellent weather excellent service and food! We could not be happier! Drinks were also great! Perfectly cooked crab and herbed chicken, rice with veggies and a broccoli salad excellent portions of each! Great service all the staff were wonderful set sail exactly at 6 and returned exactly on time! Could not be happier! Recommend this for couples or families!
We took a whale watching cruise in July. The staff were great and the food was really good as the other reviews stated. There was plenty to eat as a vegetarian... limited options if you're gluten free or maybe have other allergies, but perhaps they make arrangements for those guests. We saw plenty of birds, seals and yes - some orcas. We didn't as close as we would have liked, but it was still lovely to see them swim from a distance.
Did the crab lunch cruise to Deception Pass bridge during the Tulip Festival. It was the perfect amount of time to spend out of the water and the views were amazing from start to finish. Captain Michael made it a point to look for wildlife and to make sure we all knew where to look. Also would some "fun facts" along the way. The Dungeness crab lunch was super delicious...cooked right on the boat so everything was freshly prepared. The bar also had a good selection from beet to wine and mixed drinks. Lunch was concluded with a homemade warm blueberry crisp. The boat was comfortable with windows all around so there wasn't a bad view no matter where you chose to sit. Besides Captain Michael the rest of the crew was amazing and couldn't have been friendlier or more helpful throughout. Highly recommend!
Soooo, we had been quite excited to try the unWined on the Bay wine cruise in Bellingham. Sadly, it fell far short of our expectations. There are seating areas inside on two decks, with people closely crammed, and no ventilation. There are 2-3 tables at the aft of the ship, but you'd have to be in line, waiting, a couple of hours early to snag them, and they are really close. There was (at least to start) social distance standing room only at the bow, but it just kept getting more and more crowded. There is no exterior walkway all around the outside. There were three wine tasting stations, and the wines were okay. Problem was, two of them were on the upper deck, reachable only by a very steep, ladder-like staircase that remarkably no one fell from. Food was offered, as long as you were willing to have 30 people crowded around you in a 8'x8' space. The food disappeared in a few minutes. They DID come around with some tiny quiches an hour later. In short, not a pleasant experience. We have been on other whale-watching ships, and while the Victoria Star may have been state-of-the-art in the 50's, it leaves much to be desired now.
I was given this as a birthday present for my 63rd birthday. To tell you the truth my expectations were not very high, considering the cost is so low. But we were totally amazed. It was such a great time that we told over 20 other couples about this great event.
We celebrated our company Annual Employee Appreciation event aboard the Salish Express and had an incredible time! The staff was amazing, took care of all the details, easy to work with, and were attentive and friendly. Captain Jeff was so great to go out of his way to help us spot a whale and stay to get some whale watching in during our cruise. The food was great, the sunset was amazing, and our team had such a great time and will be booking again next year! Thank you for helping us have such s great event!
4 months ago
I have been eyeing San Juan Cruises for at least two years and this year my oldest son wanted to celebrate his birthday exploring by boat. Booking our adventure was extremely easy via the San Juan Cruises website. I greatly appreciate how detailed the reservation information was, and most importantly how courteous the entire team was throughout our time aboard. The team went into great detail about our journey, history on each island we passed, and insights on the protected wildlife we could possibly encounter during our voyage. The vessel was extremely accommodating for all of us on board, ample seating, viewing opportunities, and two restrooms. The team makes an excellent warm lunch was provided; while snacks and beverages were available throughout the entire duration of the voyage (grab a cup of coffee Blue Herron coffee beans based out of Bow, WA makes a great cup!) We managed to encounter eagles, seals, walruses, dolphins, a gray whale, and two different orca pods. Each sighting was absolutely breathtaking and majestic! I could not ever imagine going to a theme park to view these magnificent animals. The voyage takes between 5-6 hours plan, you'll be surprised at how quickly that time goes by. Helpful tip for parents bringing children feel free to pack coloring books, board games, binoculars, and snacks for your littles the San Juan Cruise team welcomes it for the little voyagers. My parents have already had planned to book an excursion during their visit next month, and I highly recommend for anyone who lives in or visiting the area to do so as well! read more
4 months ago
My boyfriend and I booked the afternoon whale watching cruise at San Juan Cruises not knowing what to expect and it ended up being the highlight of the weekend. The crew was very friendly and I loved that it was guided by the Captain and Naturalist onboard. I learned a lot about islands in the Salish Sea and we saw several species of animals. There are several great viewing spots on the boat and it's easy to see from inside if it gets too windy. I learned so much about the Biggs orcas, sea lions, and harbor seals. It's not promised, but we saw two different groups of the orcas right at the beginning of the trip and surprisingly at the end in Bellingham bay. It was so nice to learn about them and get an up close view (within safe distance). They served a lunch onboard which was included in the cost, however we packed our own. They also have beverages and snacks for sale throughout the ride. I didn't bring binoculars on board, but I did see people with them. My iPhone was enough to get close up videos and pictures of the animals! I would definitely recommend this to family and friends! read more
2 months ago
Just got back from an UH-MAZING crab dinner cruise. It was an all girl crew! Capt'n Gene, Jessica and Claire. Not only was the dinner tasty, we got a 2 for 1 with Orcas!! Dinner and a show!! Pod T99 stayed by us the whole cruise. Captain Gene was thoughtful and swung the boat around for both sides to view! The Salish Express was clean and beautiful. The trip was not overbooked, so the experience was very enjoyable. We were on the top deck and they even brought dessert up to us. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! read more
1 year ago
Very friendly service and great naturalist- Emily. We took the five hour whale watching cruise where they guarantee whale sightings or 50% off your next booking with them. We approached Emily to find out some details about the educational items she had available for viewing. The lunch was buffet style- two types of lasagna, biscuits, honey butter, Caesar salad, red grapes and cookies. It was very tasty. The scenery was gorgeous and it was a nice sunny day. Unfortunately the whales and orcas were playing any and we didn't see any during the entire cruise- we did see a harbour seal when leaving port, a quick glimpse of a harbor porpoise for a split second, harbor seals on rocks from a far distance and two sea lions on a red buoy... so we got cards to book at 50% discount for a future booking with the company. We also got 10% off coupons for the fish and chips place and gift shop inside the Bellingham cruise terminal. There were two bathrooms on board. I have to say if you're looking for an intimate experience with a handful of people this is not the cruise for you. We had a Thursday cruise that had about 60 people on board and felt like there were a lot of people... I was told the boat could have up to 120 passengers in which case it would have been absolutely jammed with people. I was glad we only had the number on board that we had. All in all it was a lovely day on board- you cannot dictate nature and they held up their promise if we didn't see whales. They also had some binoculars available if you gave them collateral- I had a set for the entire cruise. read more
I had the best time on the whale-watching tour! During the approximately 4-hour experience, guests were treated to a relaxing boat ride where we saw humpback whales and pods of orcas. It was really moving to see these animals in their natural habitat. The Captain and staff offered a wealth of knowledge about the gorgeous islands we passed and the wildlife we observed. Lunch is included with the cruise and it was delicious. Vegetarian options are available, and there is more than enough food for everyone onboard, so no one should leave hungry. I highly recommend San Juan Cruises if you're in the Bellingham area and want to experience a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience! read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
Our whale cruise was AMAZING!!!!! We saw Orcas and eagle and seals and sea lions, honestly it's been really hard coming back to normal life in Ohio because of how phenomenal this experience was. HIGHLY recommend! read more
Crab dinner on the water this evening was just perfect in all the ways! Excellent weather excellent service and food! We could not be happier! Drinks were also great! Perfectly cooked crab and herbed chicken, rice with veggies and a broccoli salad excellent portions of each! Great service all the staff were wonderful set sail exactly at 6 and returned exactly on time! Could not be happier! Recommend this for couples or families! read more
We took a whale watching cruise in July. The staff were great and the food was really good as the other reviews stated. There was plenty to eat as a vegetarian... limited options if you're gluten free or maybe have other allergies, but perhaps they make arrangements for those guests. We saw plenty of birds, seals and yes - some orcas. We didn't as close as we would have liked, but it was still lovely to see them swim from a distance. read more
2 years ago
Did the crab lunch cruise to Deception Pass bridge during the Tulip Festival. It was the perfect amount of time to spend out of the water and the views were amazing from start to finish. Captain Michael made it a point to look for wildlife and to make sure we all knew where to look. Also would some "fun facts" along the way. The Dungeness crab lunch was super delicious...cooked right on the boat so everything was freshly prepared. The bar also had a good selection from beet to wine and mixed drinks. Lunch was concluded with a homemade warm blueberry crisp. The boat was comfortable with windows all around so there wasn't a bad view no matter where you chose to sit. Besides Captain Michael the rest of the crew was amazing and couldn't have been friendlier or more helpful throughout. Highly recommend! read more
4 years ago
1 year ago
4 years ago
Soooo, we had been quite excited to try the unWined on the Bay wine cruise in Bellingham. Sadly, it fell far short of our expectations. There are seating areas inside on two decks, with people closely crammed, and no ventilation. There are 2-3 tables at the aft of the ship, but you'd have to be in line, waiting, a couple of hours early to snag them, and they are really close. There was (at least to start) social distance standing room only at the bow, but it just kept getting more and more crowded. There is no exterior walkway all around the outside. There were three wine tasting stations, and the wines were okay. Problem was, two of them were on the upper deck, reachable only by a very steep, ladder-like staircase that remarkably no one fell from. Food was offered, as long as you were willing to have 30 people crowded around you in a 8'x8' space. The food disappeared in a few minutes. They DID come around with some tiny quiches an hour later. In short, not a pleasant experience. We have been on other whale-watching ships, and while the Victoria Star may have been state-of-the-art in the 50's, it leaves much to be desired now. read more
3 years ago
I was given this as a birthday present for my 63rd birthday. To tell you the truth my expectations were not very high, considering the cost is so low. But we were totally amazed. It was such a great time that we told over 20 other couples about this great event. read more
2 years ago
We celebrated our company Annual Employee Appreciation event aboard the Salish Express and had an incredible time! The staff was amazing, took care of all the details, easy to work with, and were attentive and friendly. Captain Jeff was so great to go out of his way to help us spot a whale and stay to get some whale watching in during our cruise. The food was great, the sunset was amazing, and our team had such a great time and will be booking again next year! Thank you for helping us have such s great event! read more
3 years ago
A small group of us took the day cruise to Friday Harbor and had a great trip. We came upon a pod of Orcas and it seemed like they were following us right into the harbor. The crew were very respectful of the whales and careful not to disturb them. We also enjoyed the hearing history of the area and all about the islands we passed. Two members of our party were in wheelchairs (not large motorized chairs though) and we were apprehensive about how they would manage the ramps and inside the ship. The crew was extremely patient and helpful loading and unloading the wheelchairs. They didn't hesitate to offer us assistance. Even though they were very limited in where they could "park" their chair during the cruise (the aisle is narrow between the long booth seating) most guests onboard squeezed by them and everyone made the best of the situation. One of the restrooms aboard was large enough to accommodate their chairs with easy entrance/exit. I'm glad we were able to enjoy the cruise without and major problems since accessibility can vary so much everywhere. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
I recently went on the Chuckanut Craked Crab Dinner Cruise. There wasn't much to see in terms of animals, but the coastlines were beautful. There is a bar on the boat, which can be a good or bad thing. Some of the guests got pretty loud after having a drink or two. We ended up not being able to hear anything over the speakers. We spent most of the time just talking to each other and others who sat at our table. The seats are first come first served. Some people lined up early at the gate to board so they could get first dibs on the deck seating. For the actual dinner it is a buffet style except for the dessert which they will bring to you individually. The crew dismisses each table one at a time to get their dinner. If you sit upstairs, like us, it was kinda dangerous going up/down the stairs. Menu: Dungeness Crab - good, only one piece per person until everyone is served Baked Chicken - nothing special, just average Our sides on this particular cruise was fingerling potatoes and broccolli. The broccolli seemed to be a hit for our table. I'm not sure it is worth the $59 per person . I think for that price you could have a nice dinner by the waters and still get a beautiful view. I guess it's one of those things you go on once and can cross of your list. read more
My husband and I went on their "Un-Wined on the Bay" wine cruise with some friends last night (6/30/22). We were scoping it out to see if it would be a good thing to do with a wine social group our friends lead. Our unanimous opinion was an emphatic "nope!" But I will lead with the positives. It was a beautiful night, and the views from out in the bay were spectacular. There were representatives from four wineries there sharing their wines, which were decent, and guests could have all the wine they wanted. Now for the downsides. Honestly we were filled with kind of a sense of dread standing in the extremely long line looking at the boat. We couldn't imagine how it was going to be comfortable or Covid-safe, as the outside areas were small. They packed 149 people in to that rather worn out old boat. We hung out on the stern, which initially felt pretty open, but when people realized how claustrophobic it was inside, many joined us and it became quite crowded. There were three wine stations - one downstairs and two upstairs. These areas were extremely crowded, as you might imagine, as 149 people lined up for wine refills. They only would give you about a 2 ounce pour, so people were coming back repeatedly. I think the worst thing about this cruise, however, it was the food situation. The offerings were crackers, hummus, cheese, veggies and dip, pita, and some sort of bay shrimp dip. At least that's what we think it was, because by the time we got to the food, about 10 minutes into the two-hour cruise, it was pretty much gone. The people who got on first cleared it out, and they never did replenish it. The photos tell the story pretty clearly. The deckhands were relatively friendly, but there was no service that we could see. We were stuck juggling multiple glasses, and no one ever came by to take them from us. The boat definitely showed its age and didn't really seem up to par with virtually every other boat tour we have experienced. Someone else here compared it to an old city bus, and I would concur, as the inside was extremely unpleasant and claustrophobic. All in all, I just can't recommend this. I know we will definitely never do it again. I don't feel good about posting such a negative review, but the reason Yelp is helpful is because hopefully, the majority of reviews are honest. read more
7 years ago
I went on two cruises recently, the Deluxe Whale Watching Cruise to Friday Harbor on September 10 and the Cracked Crab Dinner Cruise on September 20. I had a wonderful time on both. We saw humpback whales both times. The captain and crew were warm and friendly and went out of their way to make sure we had a great time. Beer, wine, and snacks were available for a reasonable price. Both meals were great. The cracked crab on the latter cruise was excellent and tasted very good! The captain shared the interesting history of the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea. He also had a good knowledge of the resident orcas, humpbacks, other whales and sea life. I can't wait to go on another cruise! read more
7 years ago
6 years ago
We have done several cruises through San Juans Cruises including whale watching with and without stops in Friday Harbor and most recently for. Cracked crab dinner cruise. They are always fun excursions and a great thing to do for a celebration or when friends and family visit from out of state! They have limited their guest numbers and are handling the covid situation very well with masks, separate tables for party groups, serving meals by the table to avoid crowds and everyone must wear a mask when inside and not at the table as well as outside if you cannot be 6 feet apart. In normal times it is very popular and can be a little crowded so it is actually a nice change right now as a guest to have a little more intimacy and able to spread out. Highly recommend! read more
3 years ago
6 years ago
We had an amazing time! Not only did we see plenty of transient orcas but the route our captain chose that day was absolutely gorgeous. His commentary was very informative and the crew was very friendly and helpful especially as they are adjusting to Covid 19 guidelines. The boat was comfortable and the lunch was good quality. Definitely worth the price. I recommend you do this cruise on a week day, like we did, and you will feel you have the boat to yourselves! read more
4 years ago
10 years ago
6 years ago
Wonderful sunset dinner cruise. Handling COVID well. Good space between tables and limited passengers. Really a nice experience not having so many people on the craft. Not great for them though I'm sure. Dinner was good and portioned well. The broccoli salad was a big surprise and the dessert was fabulous too. Hopefully I can add the sunset photo Just stunning. read more
5 years ago
We booked a cruise from Bellingham to Friday Harbor and back over Memorial Day Weekend with a few friends. We ran a little late boarding, but the staff was courteous and understanding. While en route to Friday Harbor, the captain shared some interesting stories and facts about the islands and state parks. We arrived at Friday Harbor with two hours to explore. Then, back on board, lunch was prepared and waiting for us. Buffet style, they had BBQ chicken, seasoned baked salmon, rice pilaf, biscuits, brownies, and beverages. They also had an open bar with wine, beer, and spirits. On the way back from Friday Harbor, we were guided through an Orca pod who swam under the boat and provided wonderful photo opportunities! They had two restrooms on board, both clean. We were free to roam the boat while different views became available and the staff was very nice as well. read more
6 years ago
4 years ago
10 years ago
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