balcony is the tits, especially when the boat gets into Glacier Bay. Don't even bother with the bow, it is crazy packed.. can't get pictures for nothing. Just sit on your balcony and enjoy. If you aren't facing the right way at first, no worries, after 30 minutes they turn the boat around and hold for another 30 minutes.
I'm on the fence about the whale watching. We did a more private one (just me and my 5 family members), so it was pricey, and you just never know what you're gonna see. we saw nothing more than a couple of tails and blowholes.. Don't get me wrong it was very serene out on that bay, but the whale spotting was a bit scarce.
taking a hike or other nature adventure, you aren't setting yourself up to be letdown.