PittsburghNative

19 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Every port is covered, with the recommended vendors, just down the board. Not sure how we can tell you whether or not you should DIY or private tour in any ports...that would depend on what you want to do. We DIY a lot in ports, its usually even less expensive than private tours. All it takes is some research. 

I was researching different third party vendors and several come up at each port...it’s hard to choose between vendors when you know nothing about them.

I’m trying to save some money by doing most of my excursions through a vendor. I’m visiting Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, ISP and Victoria.

Im already set for Skagway, as I booked directly through Temsco for a heli/dogsledding tour.

Any recommendations of companies you have dealt with? I also don’t know if I should explore on my own both Ketchikan and ISP. I will say I’m not interested in flight seeing, fishing, and whale watching.

Any advice will be much appreciated!

Thank you so much for your replies! Very informative!

5 hours ago, jakers said:

Remember that flying out of Canada into the United States is an international flight. The three hour rule applies. You will have to wait in two our three, possibly long lines to get to the boarding area. The first line, after you drop off your luggage is for them to check your passport and boarding pass. The second line is to go through security, and the third line is for US Customs. It is at least 30 minutes to get from the dock to the airport. Plan your time accordingly.

Oh I know we’ll need to arrive at the airport several hours beforehand. I did google “post cruise tours” and found several companies that will hold your luggage, provide a tour that is 2-8 hours long, and transfer you to the airport.

I asked this under the Alaska forum and was suggested to ask my question here...

I have a little dilemma. My flight home is leaving at 11pm the day I get off my cruise. There are earlier options, but it would make my airline ticket $$$$$. I know cruises have excursions for the last day to explore the city and they will store your luggage. Is there a better alternative?

36 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Perhaps some research on the Canada (Pacific) board, here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/23-canada-alaskapacific-coastal/

 

would be more appropriate.

That would be better....thanks for the link!

I have a little dilemma. My flight home is leaving at 11pm the day I get off my cruise. There are earlier options, but it would make my airline ticket $$$$$. I know cruises have excursions for the last day to explore the city and they will store your luggage. Is there a better alternative?

13 hours ago, Suzanne123 said:

Since you’re from Pittsburgh, imagine the Duquesne incline only 4 times higher.  It’s fun, but I wouldn’t spend the money if it’s all you’re going to do.  If money is tight, take one of the cheap whale watches, or take a bus out to the Mendenhall Glacier.  

Go PITT!

The Pittsburgh comparison helped me realize how tall the Ziprider is! Thanks for the info! And GO PITT! 🙂 Also thanks for those who responded to my question!

Is this activity worth the $$$$? It looks like so much fun but it’s over in a minute. Is there a better excursion to put my money toward?

4 hours ago, timf2001 said:

Is there any way to do dog sledding on actual snow/ice without taking a helicopter?

All the tours Ive seen in all the major ports require a helicopter ride if you want to dogsled on a glacier.

Is there? Is Mt Roberts Tram worth seeing? I would be doing this type of tour on my own.

On 12/29/2018 at 6:43 PM, tampagirl2 said:

Thanks so much for this.  I’ll try to book the helicopter soon.  We actually do Juneau 1st and I’ve been going back and forth on which port to book the helicopter.  We are doing land portion on our own after the cruise, so thought a back up plan for the helicopter would be to book at Knik River near Anchorage.

 

We were thinking maybe doing Mendenhall and Nugget Falls walk in Juneau and possibly a whale watching tour.  But maybe we can do whale watching in Vancouver instead? We are there 2 days precruise.

 

In Skagway, if we don’t do helicopter maybe we’ll rent a car?

 

 

I have the same thought process as you. Since the excursion is one of the most cancelled, I’m booked to do it in Skagway, and if it gets cancelled, I’ll try and get on it in Juneau. I’d rather go out to Juneau since it would be on Mendenhall Glacier, but I do not want to take any chance.

Also, look into whale watching in Vancouver. I’ve done it and I saw otters, seals, pods of orcas, and a humpback whale.

14 hours ago, Budget Queen said:

In my option  going on a cart dog sledding around Skagway is going to similar with vendors.   I'd suggest-   http://www.tagishlakekennel.com/tutshi-sled-dog-summer-tours/    with a rental car,   Dyea Dave.     Adds so much more than just dog sledding.  🙂  

 

 

This is very cool! Thank you for this suggestion!

3 hours ago, dyeadave said:

Around which coast?

I was thinking Sitka or Ketchikan. However, I may want to somehow see Misty Fjords in Ketchikan and the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, either by bus or boat.

10 hours ago, Budget Queen said:

Of course there are numerous  that "should be "   taken-   depends on YOUR interests.   

 

Not sure what you are looking for with your post?    Your selections are worthwhile tour options,   which I'll assume are what YOU want to include and do?    

I guess I’m looking to do an excursion or something on my own that won’t kill my bank account, as the heli/dogsledding tour is outrageous. I think in Ketchikan I’ll be able to do those activities on my own. I’ve heard Victoria can be done on your own. I will say I’m not interested in the Butchart Gardens. I have looked on TripAdvisor and selected my choices based on reviews.

I don’t need to do anything extravagant in port. No need for fishing, flight seeing, whale watching (I’ve done that in the past). I was thinking of maybe doing a wildlife cruise around the coast.

Also, I will be in Juneau from 8am to 930pm to answer mskaufman.

I am already booked with Temsco to do a heli/dogsledding tour, however, my mom needs a dogsledding excursion not on a glacier. Any suggestions on what company to go through who has a mushers camp and dogsled experience in the forest?

The following is what I have planned so far. Any suggestions/recommendations of what not to miss? Should I take any activity out and replace with something else?

Ketchikan: SE Alaska Discovery Center and Totem Bight State Historical Park

Sitka: Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka National Historical Park, Fortress of the Bear

Skagway: Helicopter and Glacier Dogsledding (already booked)

Icy Strait Point: ZipRider

Juneau: Mount Roberts Tramway

Victoria, BC: ?

I'm a little overwhelmed with all the choices. I am wanting to do a kayak tour in Icy Straight Point, Sitka, or Ketchikan. Does anyone have any advice for which port to do this activity? I will be visiting Juneau and Skagway, but I am doing a heli/dogsledding tour in Skagway and want to keep my time open in Juneau in case the tour is canceled in Skagway.

3 hours ago, wolfie11 said:

Also, not all the camps are set up early in May.  You might want to book early in case spots are limited.

I got lucky and the camps that are in Juneau and Skagway open the same week of my cruise.

I know this is one of the most canceled excursions. I’ll be in Alaska from 5/9 - 5/19. I’m going to Skagway and Juneau, and they both offer this excursion. I really want to do the tour in Juneau, however, I don’t know if I should plan to do the tour in Skagway and if it does get cancelled, I can possibly try to do it in Juneau. Thoughts?