SightCRR

Not sure what you consider high priced. With the exception of walking around the cities on your own and a couple trails just about every tour recommended above will be more than $100-200 per person. You can skip the unforgettable $500-1000 flights and save those for your next trip to AK and I am guessing there will be a next trip.

Type your "(port name) hiking" into youtube search and watch some videos. Pick the ones by individuals and not the ad ones. Port Monkeys do lots of walking. Juneau walk to whale statute a good one to start with. Nov 03 (youtube.com) You will see eagles and maybe salmon but likely no other wildlife without excursions. Whales will be long way off and fleeting glimpses. Forget Victoria as it is likely late night just to do Canada.

fyi. Typical Cruise Ship Route in Glacier Bay - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

here is one youtube to give you a start. G/B at 7:00. I didn't bother with audio so I don't know if it is any good. Keep looking for good ones but don't go to old. One area said cost extra & didn't look that great so make sure you factor that in. 11 things I loved and hated about my first Princess cruise (youtube.com) sighcrr

You can check youtube to see what the people saw this year going to P/R.

Use the first sea day to take your equipment and hard copy of the deck plan to scout the best areas. You need to find first and second choice and think about weather. Clear viewing with overhead for rain. Then think about crowds and try to find spots that other people don't find. Spend some time on youtube viewing your ship from drones or overhead to spot areas that look like they will work. Don't leave any spot without considering it. I was able to find one spot on a different line that had access door through the gym. Likely tripods won't work because of the crowds. You should know 2-3 hours before you get to prime photo spots but you are also in prime areas for wildlife. The ship won't slow down for wildlife so be ready with fast shutter. Also look into small boat tours to get you closer to the glaciers. Offen fill up fast and likely gone now for 2024. Make sure your cold weather clothes are up to the task.

If going to Skagway by car don't forget the passports. Cross into Canada about 1/2 up road. If you want one that will never be forgotten do helo glacier landing in Skagway or Juneau. Very weather dependent so check cancelation policies. Maybe book tour in both ports in case first one gets cancelled then if it goes cancel the second one. Check all the tours on youtube and show them your favorites and let them choose. Skagway has nice dog sled tour pulling a cart on dirt road. sightcrr

I say to late for 24 and start planning for 2025 when you have a chance to figure things out. Just cruise in 24 and plan for longer stay with cruise tour or at least use their info for guidance in 25 when Denali has a chance to be open further into park. Palmer is out of the way. Couple state parks on the way to DNP worth a stop for views. Check youtubes.

If you are NCL at Ward Cove in Ketch watch timing and think about all NCL tour. Your NCL Cruise to Alaska: 5 Pro Tips for Ward Cove (Ketchikan) · Prof. Cruise, Ship Tour, Cruise Vacation, Cruise Travel, Cruise Menus (profcruise.com) sightcrr

Lots of totems in Ketch (check if docked at Ward Cove), wild bear road tour in ISP, animals at wildlife center (viewing like zoo). Whales in Juneau. Time to start eliminating things because of time and money. Forget about Denali. Forget about Palmer & Homer. Flights to see anything all out of budget. Flight arrival at midnight jet lag big time. Boat glacier tour near ship departure possible. Because of glacier receding Juneau viewing not that great unless from Helo. Check if tours will work with wheelchair. Check youtube for videos of tours you think you are interested in and will work.

Thanks to all who added comments. Because of special diets and allergies we want the same servers each night so we don't have to explain everything when we order dinners the night before. Only late available now so plan to try to get early when we board.

Any diagrams of Westerdam fixed early dining seating chart with table numbers to try to get early reservations? TIA.

Make sure you read all the reviews that you can find and check youtube. Here is a great review that is in the process of being posted. You can skip over the first part that has the flight info since it is likely not to apply. They were some of the lucky 1/3 of the people who got to see the mt without clouds. Live (well, not so) and Life from a combo land and sea Alaskan tour - Holland America Line - Cruise Critic Community

Tenders sometimes required in Skagway because of earlier rock slides on nearby cliffs. Not sure why K-dam folks could walk off unless it was early and people walked before barriers were set up and were required to tender later.

Homer and Kodiak is easier to find info about than Dutch Harbor. Here is interesting youtube on Dutch. Catching 1200 lbs (544 kg) of Fish and Exploring a WWII Battlefield!!! - YouTube Have fun. sightcrr.

Gold creek in Juneau is one spot that has public area. diy is not easy since you need pan, small shovel, vinyl gloves and some ebay gold if you want to find any. Up fairly steep hill to get to and not that close.

We flew with Rust's from ANC to Brook falls for one day w/ bears you can inquire about but takes some good weather. As a backup Coastal in Juneau has always been good for us to glaciers.

That is great news. Especially if the shuttle is not full and you get a seat.

New to me info so never mind my comments. Sorry for bad info.

I thought the $50 was only one per cabin per port not per excursion. I was thinking there is something better for you and hopefully the weather is nice for you.

If you can you should cancel this tram ticket and wait until you get to Juneau to see if you can see the top of the Mt after you check the hours to make sure you know when to go. Lots of openings if the tram is running. Here are some nice webcams of Juneau and ISP and don't forget to check youtube for videos of personal tour and skip the ones that are just ads. TheSnowCloud Juneau area Webcams

My tip would be to make sure you have a good to great camera before the binocs. Practice with either or both at home to get used to them.

Spend a couple hours on the first sea day to scout out where to go for best viewing. Plan for areas that work in sun and wind/rain. Don't just plan for viewing from room because you are missing 1/2 of the sights. Look for hidden spots that many people wont find. Bow may be open for G/B but often crowed. Try to find spots that have easy access to opposite side of the ship. Take and study the deck plans. Up high but also down low good for the whales/glaciers.

Here is a good video of Girdwood area. They hiked to the tram and rode it down. Few hours up, 7 min down. Kenai Penninsula Travel Guide | Girdwood & Whitter | Where to hike, eat & more! - YouTube

The main attraction of the gondolas is the view. Depends on what you want. Junuea mostly city harbor and mts. ISP mostly water and mts. Alyeska mountains all around. Alyeska has new walkway over 600' valley and walks are $150 p/p. Alyeska not easy to get to like the other two. Here is the view from Juneau and ISP. TheSnowCloud Juneau area Webcams. Check youtube for tram rides to get more info. Try for the newest personal ones and not the ad ones.