You say you will be on the Coral Princess, if you want to hear announcements in your room there is a channel on the TV that will give you the announcements if you wish. We have used that when we care to hear announcements otherwise you can prop the door open. Most announcements while in Alaska will be when near the glaciers or if some wildlife may be spotted.
You will see a lot of waterfalls from snow melt during the time period you will be gone. Your temperatures will be on average mid 60's to mid 70's. Keep in mind it is Alaska and you will still need layered clothing because it can get cooler and it also can get warmer. When near the glaciers it will be 5 to 10 degrees colder than away from the glaciers.
When near the glaciers if you want the best chance to see calving, the ice breaking off, watch the water where the glacier enters the water. If you see small splashes like little pebbles falling in look at the face of the glacier above those small splashes because that is where the next big calving will be.
Take a lot of film or memory for whatever type of camera you have. You WILL take more pictures than normal.
When watching for whales look for the spray from their blow hole. The spray will go 30 to 40 feet in the air so you will be able to see it. Once you spot that keep watching for the dorcel fin or the roll of the fluke. If you see water bubbles in a circle on the water keep watching because the humpbacks will be bubble net feeding and it is an awesome sight to witness.
Watch for the white heads in the air and in the trees these will be the eagles. Bear will be out so watch for movement on the shoreline or on the ground. Mountain goats will be the white animals moving high up on the landscape. The sea otters will be caually floating by in the water.
If you want an absolute must do I would suggest a helicopter ride onto a glacier, keep in mind it is pricey. I would also suggest a whale watch in Juneau with Captain Larry.
Ketchikan is known for totem parks, fishing, flight tours and kayaking.
Juneau is known for whale watching, Mendenhal Glacier, flight tours, river rafting and tours of panning for gold and old gold mines.
Skagway is known for White Pass Railway, trips to the Yukon and flight tours. You can also take trips to Haines from Skagway.
