Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Just so you know, you only have about a 30% chance of seeing Denali. It’s such a huge landmass that it tends to manufacture its own weather. A lot of folks are disappointed when they don’t get to see “The Mountain.” Even if the weather is severely clear and sunny, Denali can be obscured. Just a heads up.

rcarol

Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island is a must-see. It is spectacular. If she can hike a mile, she'll have no issues here. Enjoy you're trip.

lhardister Loc: Brownsville, TN

[quote=fourlocks]Next July, my wife and I are doing a "Land/Sea" vacation (Princess Cruises) in Alaska....

Hi,

Alaska is so amazing that there are great photo ops almost everywhere. In the interest of brevity, I have undertaken to choose five which I consider to be most memorable for me:
1. Bear viewing at Brooks Falls in Kat-Mai National Park. I understand that day-trips can be made by flights out of Anchorage. It is somewhat expensive, but absolutely unforgettable.
2. Viewing Mt. Denali by motor vehicle trip to, or toward Kantishna. You get great views of Denali (if weather cooperates), plus other scenery, and other wildlife, perhaps including bears and moose, along the way. If you don't want to go all the way to Kantishna, go at least as far as the Eilson Visitor Center, which is about half-way.
3. Doing a glacier landing via small aircraft on the side of Mt. Denali. It is a bit of a thrill and you get great views of Denali (again, provided the weather cooperates). Many flights go out of the small landing field at Talkeetna.
4. Doing a combined railroad tour along Cook Inlet followed by a marine tour out of Seward into the Kenai Fjords National Marine Park. One can catch the train out of Anchorage in the early morning, proceed to Seward, take a marine tour of 2.5-3 hours, and return to Anchorage on the train in the late afternoon/evening. The scenery along Cook Inlet is spectacular, and the marine tour will include at least one glacier, many birds, seals and other marine life, and very possibly whales and bears.
5. See Glacier Bay National Park. Your cruise ship may go there. It will surely take you to see at least one glacier somewhere--however, Glacier Bay is especially spectacular, and well worth a dedicated tour if you can manage it. You will probably see whales and other wildlife as well as glaciers.
These are simply the sights that I recall off the top of my head as being most memorable. Almost everyone would have their own separate opinions.
You asked about a botanical garden in Vancouver--I am not familiar with that one, but Vancouver is a beautiful place. The Farmers Market there would probably yield some colorful photo ops. But if you are really into botanical gardens, the Butchart Gardens over at Victoria on Vancouver Island are world famous. It is possible to take a day trip via ferry out of Vancouver (the city) over to Victoria and back, but it makes for a long day. And, if your wife has trouble walking, that could be a problem in Butchart Gardens.
In any event, have a great trip.

lhardister

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I liked the zip line, Zodiac ride, helicopter to top of glacier, rail to Canada (white pass) on Wilderness, Express, 4X4 motorcycle trail ride in Denali and wild river trip in Talkeetna .

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I liked your Juneau suggestion of driving North Douglas and walking to a beach. That will take them past my house and to my favorite dog walking spot.
...Cam

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

I am a whale watching guide in Juneau. Whales don’t mind the sun. I have hundreds of great whale shots from beautiful sunny days. Also, you can’t really schedule your own weather.
...Cam

MikeFast

In Skagway we took the White pass railroad. I stood on the platform between the cars and had many opportunities for great shots but you have to work quick. In Ketchikan we did the zip line and got many great landscapes and even saw a bear. What ever you do you will have a great trip. Have fun!

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ski Loc: West Coast, USA

First of all, at each port DON'T sign up for a canned excursion aboard ship. Hire a local taxi driver to take you to the places you want to see/photograph..A hell of a lot cheaper and more informative since you will be traveling with a local. Second: Instead of lugging around 50# of Canon or NIkon equipment, get yourself a Sony a6000 or other model. They are mirrorless and have great pixels for huge enlargements. I carry one with the standard 28-55 lens and a tele 55-200. A ND4 and Polorizer, light weight/compact tripod. All fit into my carry on luggage. You're going in July, don't take winter clothing. Casual light clothing including rain gear and water proof footwear and head cover. That's it!!!! Have fun and wave to my house at Mt. Point in Ketchikan....

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Better to take the train/bus ride.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

I recommend Harv and Marv for whale watch in Juneau. Six pack boat if available. They pick you up at boat and take you by Mendenhal on your way back. Much nicer than large boats cruise line uses.

Friendly

Wife and I were in Denali August, 2018. If you have an opportunity for an airplane trip around the mountain, take it (weather permitting, we got lucky). Planes are 4 seaters, so no long lenses (I used a Light 16 camera). Sit in the back to shoot from the side window, else you get blurry (or sharp) photos of the propeller. Guides at the camp were excellent. Guest could choose strenuous hike, moderate hike or forage to the various terrains in the park. We chose forage which came with naturalists familiar with the areas - rain forest, alpine meadow and tundra. Here you can use your long lens. I had a Nikon D600 with a 70-200 zoom, the Light 16 and an iPhone 7s. Be prepared for rain.

Esko

At Denali Park you'll probably take the bus tour into the park. A wide angle lens is good for many vista pics but you definitely want a moderate zoom out to 300/400 mm. A good chance you will see grizzlies feeding along the roadside but sometimes a bit away. You'll be glad you brought the longer lens. This goes for other possible wildlife sightings like moose, caribou, etc...

pilot64 Loc: Atlanta, GA

See the huskies in Denali. Your wife will make it the highlight of her trip.

Benji74

My wife and I visited Alaska in mid July 2018 and took a cruise ship back to Vancouver. To begin with take the long, all day, bus tour into Denali National Park, I think it's about mile 92. We saw most of the wild life in the latter half of the trip. I brought my 24-120mm lens (my go to lens) and my 80-200mm lens with me to Alaska. Only brought my 24-120mm lens with me into park. We are in the 30% club, got to see the whole mountain. Would have had an even greater shot of a bull moose in Wonder Lake, eating fresh lake greens with Denali Mt. in the background, if I had my 80-200mm lens. Not much time to change lenses while on the bus tour so choose wisely. Glad I brought the one I did. If you are going to have time in Anchorage check google for best places to view moose. There is a great location near the Anchorage airport, yes, we saw a HUGE bull moose there. We took a science research boat for a whale watching tour out of Juneau, we missed signing up for the one on the cruise ship. FANTASTIC !!! Saw many whales and learned how to identify them along with their names.
I am by no means a professional photographer. I took what I have and enjoy my 2 lenses. What I can tell you is that I am not disappointed with my shots.
One more thing, not a bad idea to get some nature photography info or lessons if you are an amateur like me. You won't regret it when you look back at your pictures.
Enjoy. It was a trip of a life time for us.

Delta1502

North of Juneau is the Mendenhall glacier and just to the left of the parking area is a walking bridge which will take you over a stream where bears constantly feed. There were a lot of eagles there too. Oh by the way the bears can get up on that bridge too so don’t carry cookies. They love those. My son took this shot and it’s a little dark. These girls are my granddaughters and we are in front of the Mendenhall glacier just before Thanksgiving