FishersFrogs

Can anyone recommend an approach to Free at Sea for a family of 5? We have selected gratuities and upgraded meals, but as I've been reading reviews I'm unsure if the meals is much of a perk? The NCL agent describe it as a waived cover charge for the upgraded restaurants, but some of the cruise critic/trip advisor reviews seemed to suggest that is is more of a discount and not even available for all restaurants. Can anyone clarify that?

Also does the gratuity cover everything?

If you believe another option is a better deal please let me know.

Thanks so much!

You can email Snorkel Alaska if your little one is close to but not quite 80lbs. He said there is an extra vest that helps children who are 70 lbs fit the wet suits. Our trip isn't here yet, but we plan on trying with our child who is currently 75 lbs.

Thank you lundnak! He did agree to our daughter - so we're booked to snorkel!!

We should return at 1030a and our ship departs at 130p. What else could we do and not cut it too close. Are the totems an option?

Thanks everyone!!

Thanks everyone!!!

The deadliest catch gets great reviews. One I read said all the catches are "staged" does anyone who has been on it know if that is true?

If you've been on a float plane - how long are you off the plane at the lake?

If you've done the canoe - is it very similar or different to the wilderness safari in Skagway (we're booked for that)

Awesome tip on snorkeling - that could solve all of our problems!!! 🤣 Will call today!

So many good things to try - so little time. We're a family of 5 (2 adults, 3 kids ages 10, 10, 12) cruising in June. Everything is once in a lifetime for us, so we're really struggling. Snorkling was our top pick - but not sure we'll meet the 80lb weight minimum for one daughter. So we've "narrowed" it down to...

Fjords Floatplane - Top of Dad and one daughter's list. Only main con is that we have a helicopter trip in Juneau - so if the weather is bad they could both be scrapped??

Deadliest Catch - Second daughter's top pick

Ketchikan Kayak Co - Just looks cool

Would love to have a bit of time left over to explore town. If we could get to totems even better, but thinking that is not in the cards. We're only there from 6a - 1p :(

Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions!!

We're looking at booking an extended glacier/dog sled tour with Coastal Helicopters in June. Can anyone give reviews (good/bad) of this trip and this company? Thanks so much!

We'd like to do the Wilderness Safari and the White Pass trip in Skagway - in theory the times should work and we may book thru the cruiseline just to play it safe - but curious if anyone has done both of these in one day and if so any feedback?

We've narrowed down our top excursions based on feedback from cruisecritic (Thank you). We're getting ready to book at helicopter dog sled tour in Juneau and are specifically looking at the extended landing from Coastal. They mention viewing crevasses and I'm curious if others have feedback on safety? We're taking our three girls ages 10, 10, 12. They are well behaved, but adventurous. I don't want to ruin my time there worried they are "too close" to the edge.

Also - if you have vendor recommendations let me know. Only leaning toward Coastal because of the extended option. Open to others.

Thanks so much!

Thank you! It sounds like the 14ish size boat might be right for us then. I was leaning toward a "private" tour for our 5, but we are taking two other highly cancelled trips (helicopter and floatplane) so I'm thinking the mid size would be best bet.

Does anyone know if there is a good port or vendor for seeing orcas? We went whale watching on the east coast and saw lots of dolphins, but no whales.

Any recommendations for small boat whale or wildlife watching for family of five (three girls ages 10, 10, 12). Any port or vendor that has more "luck" finding whales?

Thank you all!

How do you handle "back up" plans. Do you just assume they will have last minute openings or do you actually book the plans and either cancel or try to get to both activities?

Thank you so much! If there are certain vendors you used let me know. I'm hoping to get some booked this week. Especially which dogsled. And has anyone been on the snorkling excursion? I'm afraid our daughter isn't large enough (weight wise).

We are a family of five (three daughters ages 10, 10, 12) heading to Alaska next June. I've read dozens of pages and threads here - but having trouble narrowing down excursions.

We are up for adventure and activity level is good with the entire family. No one is picky - except one daughter is not a zipline fan. Wildlife is of special interest. If you have recommendations on which stops are better for which activity that is very much appreciated - we're heading to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Victoria.

Our top choices would be:

1. A flight option - helicopter or plane. BUT I've heard these are often cancelled?

2. Dog Sled

3. Wildlife or whale watch

4. Snorkling (if our petite 10 year old can go). If not maybe something active like canoe?

We also love history and tour guide tips of the area. Open to either cruise or independent.

Links to more research or vendors appreciated! Also any excursions or vendors we should steer clear of?

Thanks in advance!

Thank you both - I will definitely read up on the Alaska pages.

The Glacier Safari is an interest for us too. We'd like to do a flight option, but have heard those get canceled often. Also hoping to snorkle - but have to make sure our petite 10 year old can go.

We are a family of five (three daughters ages 10, 10, 12) heading to Alaska next June. I'd love to hear any recommendations on excursions (or those to avoid). Especially any can't miss. We are up for adventure and activity level is good with the entire family. No one is picky - except one daughter is not a zipline fan. Wildlife is of special interest. If you have recommendations on which stops are better for which activity that is very much appreciated - we're heading to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Victoria.

So far the helicopter/dog sled and the fjord plane are high on our list. We'd like to do a wildlife/whale watch too and maybe something active like canoe??

Open to either cruise or independent.

I've searched through the forums and read quite a bit, but happy to link to others that have already provided feedback on other threads.

Thanks in advance!

Thanks everyone - we selected the NCL Pearl. If we dock at 8a. What time do you think is safe to get a flight out of Seattle home?

Also, will look through all the threads - but any suggestions on what to do in Seattle for a couple of days or excursions are welcome. My husband and I have been - but not with the girls.

This is great! We are spending a few days in Seattle, so thank you for those tips. And the excursions too - will check that link. We skipped HAL based on the age recommendation, but can reconsider. RC doesn't go to glacier bay (I don't think). Thank you all!!!

Thanks for the great info!

As I'm looking more into the two ships - I noticed that NCL Pearl doesn't have many excursions currently listed (I couldn't find any for Juneau for example). I'm guessing that is timing or weird glitch and that they offer more or less the same as Ruby Princess? Is that true?

Thanks Crew News - we eliminated HAL because of advice it doesn't cater to kids/families. I did know they had a kids club but really don't plan on leaving the girls. Hoping to find a ship with family activities.

It's looking like we'll have about three "full" days at sea plus times between ports.

We're first time cruisers heading to Alaska next summer. We are a family of 5 (kids ages 10, 10, 12). We've prioritized Glacier Bay and likely round trip out of Seattle (for cost savings) which narrowed it down to ruby princess, Norwegian pearl, and a possible alternative carnival legend. We were leaning princess, but I've been reading lots of concerns with lack of on board activities during days at sea.

About the family - we don't drink so don't need a huge party ship, but are very active. We're game for any activities dance class, cheesy games, sciencey stuff, cooking, trivia, anything. Shows are great too - girls like Broadway or magic, etc. we are not likely to park them in a kids club much or at all, but want to do things together.

The princess partnership with discovery was a big draw but when I pulled up the daily schedules it seemed the advertise that more than they actually offered. We're super excited about Alaska itself - the sights and excursions. But want are having a hard time finalizing the ship.