travgurl

We are going to be there next summer. Personally, with the amount of time that you are in Ketchikan I would explore the town on my own. Walk all around and explore or go on the duck tour. This what we plan to do. It has been mentioned to make sure you go to Creek Street, the Dolly house perhaps one of the totem pole parks. If you have kids I would do the lumberjack show, if not you may want to skip this. All the ports have shopping available but this town seems to be a favorite shopping port. Check out this web page: http://www.alaskatravelers.com/thingsto.htm

Perhaps it will give you some ideas. Hope this helps.

Please share, does this information mean that the Oosterdam will be in dry dock to get spruced up before next summer? Thanks

I am sorry, but looking what you posted does that mean that the Oosterdam is in dry dock to get spruced up for next summer? Just wondering. Thanks

We have already booked Harv and Marv for next summer. I chose this company from the reviews that I have read and I have full confidence that I have chosen a great company!!!

Thanks for your replies. Holland cruise line was highly recommended and the itinerary was what we really liked. I went back and searched some more and found some positive reviews.

We have booked our first Alaskan cruise tour on the Holland Oosterdam next summer. I have just read some very negative reviews regarding this ship and trip. I am beginning to wondering if it really that bad? Your comments please! Thanks

I am thoroughly enjoying your review. We will be on the Oosterdam southbound next summer. You are doing exactly what we will be doing. I have Harv and Marv booked already and in Skagway we will be going up to the Yukon with Trails of 98, a private van tour. I am so excited. In Ketchikan we plan to explore the town. I booked both tours on my own very easily just by emailing them and calling them. On past cruises I have booked excursions on my own, they turned out to be great. I choose the companies based on past reviews. Without a doubt, I know I have chosen well for next summer. Look forward to the rest of your review.

Oosterdam July 22, 2015 Seward to Vancouver Cruise tour from Fairbanks first time on Holland with 3 other couples Celebrating birthdays and anniversaries

Here is a website I found with some ideas to consider to do with your child in Ketchkian. Hope this helps!

 

 

http://www.familydaysout.com/kids-things-to-do-usa/ketchikan/ak/

Wow, remarkable trip!!! Job well done on the video! Enjoyed watching all of it. We are doing a cruise tour next summer, really looking forward to it!!! Thanks again for sharing your amazing vacation!

DBid777--thanks for your information about TNT. Glad to hear your great reviews about this company! We have booked with them for next summer. I know this trip is a year a way but I have the port excursions booked I am happy that they are confirmed. Now we can just look forward to what is ahead. Thanks again.

Skagway- Trying to decide whether or not to go up to the Yukon with a private van company or jeep tour. I have found a guided jeep company and a company where we rent the jeeps ourselves to tour on our own. Suggestions or comments greatly appreciated!

When will you be there next summer? What ship?

We are on the Holland Ossterdam, July 26th. Just wondering.

Glad you hear you like this company so much!!!

We have decided to go with TNT tours (Trails of 98). They seem to be highly rated and have great reviews. We will just have to take the fast ferry from Haines to Skagway. I look at as an added bonus--additional excursion being on the ferry. I talked with the Skagway visitors center, they were very helpful with sharing information about the area. Actually, I have ordered a travel guide from each of the towns and ports we will be in while in Alaska. Thanks for your comments.

Great review and wonderful to hear. We are booked already for next summer with Harv and Marv and this makes me feel so good I have reserved with them. We are excited and look forward to this amazing excursion!

I hope my excursion pick in Skagway is just as good, I have picked TNT tours Emerald Lake tour. We want to see as much as the territory as possible. They have fantastic reviews so I am going with what I have read here and on trip advisor! Again, thanks for the review.

We made a final decision to book with Trails of 98 http://www.tntours98.com/

on the Emerald Lake 7 hour tour They are rated very highly and have excellent reviews. We dock in Haines, we will take the fast ferry to Skagway. So the port plans for next summer cruise tour are complete. So now I have to wait a whole year for this, something to look forward to!!!

We dock in Haines next summer at 6:30 a.m. We do not leave until 9:00 p.m. We want to do a 7 hour excursion in Skagway that we book independently. Do we have enough time to catch a ferry to Skagway, do the excursion and return? How do we get to the fast ferry in Haines once we get off the ship? Has anyone caught the ferry before, any problems? What do you suggest? Before booking the excursion I want to make sure and feel comfortable with all of the connections I have to make. Thanks!

Skayway Excursion--should we do a rail/bus excursion to Emerald Lake or just take a bus to Emerald Lake and back? Any company recommendations would be appreciated! Trying to decide what is best to do. Thanks!

We will be in Skagway next summer. We are considering doing the Klondike highway, this seems like a good way to see a lot of the area. What are your recommendations to do this? Rent a car or book with a company, if so which one? Thanks!

Thanks for your review! It is very helpful to read about what you did at the different ports. We just booked Harv and Marv for next summer. And I am going to look at booking with Trail of 98. We are considering renting a car and driving it on our own. How did you come to the decision to go with this company? There are so many things to choose from in Skagway, it is hard to choose. But after looking at the excursions I think you see so much by driving to Emerald Lake and back. In Ketchikan I think we are just going to walk around the town and explore the area. So glad you had such a wonderful time!

We will be doing a cruise tour next summer. I am doing a lot of research at the cities and ports we will at doing our tour. There is so much information on these boards. I learn so much from the reviews that people have written about their trips. This will most likely be the one and only time we ever get to this location. So with that in mind we are going to things we will never get to do again and arrive a day early to explore Fairbanks and staying 2 days in Vancouver when our trip ends. In Juneau we will do a whale watch , Mendenhall glacier and try to get to the Alaskan Brewery--what company perhaps Harv and Marv, Weather Permitting or Orca. Still making the decision. In Haines/Skagway well I am considering the Davidson Glacier tour, some may want the train excursion or we may just rent a van and go on our own. We did a tour in Roatan Honduras with a company called Bodden Tours excellent if you ever go. Back then we got our own guide for the entire day took us wherever we wanted to go or where he recommended--$25 per person. Of course we gave a nice tip. So much cheaper than in Alaska. In Ketchikan I think we are going to just going to walk around the town. It looks like such a lovely port to explore. I have made notes about places to eat in each town and port. We will have 8 to 10 people, so I do not expect everyone to choose the same excursion. It is fun reading and planning it out! Good luck with your choices!

Love reading all about your adventures. We will be there next summer Fairbanks to Vancouver cruise tour. Thanks so much for sharing!

Great review! Thanks for sharing. We are going next summer Fairbanks to Vancouver cruise tour. I love reading about the places and get ideas of what to do there! Sounds like you had a fabulous time!

Wondering whether or not to book flights to and from the east coast to Alaska through Holland, the TA or on our own? We embark in Vancouver, should we stay extra post nights at the Holland hotel or pick one on our own? Any thoughts regarding these questions greatly appreciated!

Thanks for sharing your review! Love your pictures! Trying to decide on the excursion you took in Juneau or Harv and Marv? I have a power shot canon 20 zoom. I am wondering if this is enough or should I purchase another camera with more zoom like 50? Opinion appreciated!