SJSMOM

Going late July/early August on Norwegian Pearl. Have whale watch in Juneau and Island Wings Ketchikan booked. I didn't even think to have a backup plan available until started reading some posts that made mention of it. But if you have excursions planned you really can't book a backup one - if cancelled for weather reasons would find out when get to port and then just have it wing it when get off ship, right? I guess that leaves sightseeing tours etc that you could get from the vendors at the ports?

Thanks everyone. Decided to go with a private charter (Rum Runner Charters) and then get over to Mendenhall. Can't wait!

Coral - of all the port times we have I like Juneau's the least!

I like the idea of the private charter (money wise it is about the same since we are 4 people) but shied away because I heard the boats are smaller and therefore more risk of getting cancelled if waters are rough. But maybe I will reach out to Jayleen's and Rum Runner Charters. Anyone have specific comments to those if you have used them?

Thanks everyone!

Hi all. My family of 4 is going to Alaska on the Norwegian Pearl in late July. Have been lurking here for months, taking notes and getting some great information. I have all my excursions booked except Juneau. I want to do a whale watch and do the Nugget Falls trail at Mendenhall (based on what everyone has said about it here). I am now overloaded with info on whale watch companies to the point where I cannot make a decision as to which one to use. And we don't get in to port till 2pm (so that rules out Harv and Marvs since their latest tour is 2:30 and I am afraid we won't get off ship in time). I looked into Gastineau Guiding combo but that has a walk on trail other than the one to Nugget Falls. I have narrowed it down to the combo excursion offered through NCL which gives us 3 hours on the boat and I believe enough time at Mendenhall to walk to Nugget Falls (but will there be a too many people on the boat to make this enjoyable?); Juneauwhalewatch com but only 2 hrs on the boat; and Adventures in Alaska. Can anyone help me make a decision here? Thanks so much.