Just back - thoughts on excursions

[Duncarob]

Hi, I'm just back from the Carnival Spirit and thought I'd post some brief thoughts about the excursions I took. There seemed to be very little informtion posted about these before my cruise.

 

Juneau: Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and Feast: This was the highlight of my vacation. Just had a wonderful time. Amazing scenery from the plane and the time at the lodge was just as amazing as the flight. This place was very authentic, not "touisty" at all, and the staff made us all feel so welcome. Just an amazing excursion. Pricey at $299, but well worth it in my opinion.

 

Skagway: Yukon Scenic Drive: Another awsome excursion. We just had a great time with a fabulous driver/guide, Thomas Pickerel. We were so glad we chose this trip over the train, as this allowed us to really explore, make numerous stops for photos and we were able to see so much more than we would have been able to see from the train. Lots of wildlife, including 3 bears (2 at very close range to the bus), mountain goats, marmots, ptarmigan, etc. We paid $97 for this excursion, such a bargain!

 

Ketchikan: Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer: This was a our least favorite excursion. The scenery in Misty Fjords was amazing but it is an awfully long boat ride to get there. Then you don't get a whole lot of time in the scenic area. A nice tour, perhaps if it was priced at $99, but way too pricey for what it is at $175.

 

We had an amazing time and I'd be happy to answer any questions!

[PennyAgain]

Glad you enjoyed most of your tours.

 

I don't recommend the Taku tour with salmon due to the price. A $10 hunk of salmon and a flight.

[frugaltravel]

Ketchikan: Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer: This was a our least favorite excursion. The scenery in Misty Fjords was amazing but it is an awfully long boat ride to get there. Then you don't get a whole lot of time in the scenic area. A nice tour, perhaps if it was priced at $99, but way too pricey for what it is at $175.

 

It was actually offered last year independently for $99/person. I didn't check this year.

[DougH]

Glad you enjoyed your trip, that is a pretty early Alaska cruise. Both the Taku Lodge and the Yukon trip are popular excurisons and using the Search function brings up lots of info on them

[Duncarob]

Hmmm, interesting. I did use the search function and was unable to bring up a lot of info on those two excursions.

[Kissyfur19]

Awesome - glad you had a great trip!! Any insight you can give about the ship itself? We are on the last Alaskan trip of the season on the Spirit....and can't wait!

[Duncarob]

Awesome - glad you had a great trip!! Any insight you can give about the ship itself? We are on the last Alaskan trip of the season on the Spirit....and can't wait!

 

I LOVED the ship. If you have checked out any of the polls on the Carnival board, I'm sure you have noticed that Spirit class is many peoples' favorite. Two things I didn't love: The decor of the buffet, which I found to be a rather dated look; and my cabin was a bit worn due to the age of this ship. Nothing major, just drawer pulls and what not. And the TV's are ancient. They really need to upgrade to flat screens. Otherwise, the ship is in great shape and quite elegant for a Carnival vessel, in my opinion.

[lilacbirman]

Thanks for the review. We did the Yukon drive many years ago and really enjoyed the scenery as well. I have had my photo of Emerald lake up in my office for years and still have fond memories.

 

I had originally booked the Misty Fjord wilderness tour in Ketchikan, then I read some reviews that stated it's boring so changed to the Bering Sea Fishermans tour instead. Your review confirms that I did the right thing in changing it. :)

[zertywert]

Did your sailing have the Tracy Arm Explorer Excursion where the boat pulls up to the ship when sailing Tracy Arm. If so, did you hear anything about it.:)

 

Also, about what time did you reach Tracy Arm?

[DougH]

Hmmm, interesting. I did use the search function and was unable to bring up a lot of info on those two excursions.

 

OK maybe not the specific excursion into the Yukon with the vendor you took but after the Yukon and White Pass train trip the second most popular thing to do is the drive from Skagway into the Yukon. Regardless of which vendor you take they all do basically the same thing, almost every other post about Skagway will mention the drive into the Yukon.

 

I did the Taku Lodge flight probably 10 years ago and I'm sure thousands of peiople have written about it since. Putting in "Taku" in the search field it came up with 10 pages of references which I believe is the max that comes up. You just have to read thru them all to find specific info.

[Duncarob]

Did your sailing have the Tracy Arm Explorer Excursion where the boat pulls up to the ship when sailing Tracy Arm. If so, did you hear anything about it.:)

 

Also, about what time did you reach Tracy Arm?

 

Unfortunately, we did not see Tracy arm or any Glacier areas as this was a 6-day repositioning cruise from Vancouver to Seattle. So we didn't get the "extra" sea day for sightseeing. But it was a wonderful trip nonetheless.

[urdost]

Thanks for the information.

 

We (2 adults) are doing a cruise from Seattle (Carnival Spirit - 6/1; Extended Balcony). How was your experience with Carnival Spirit? This would be our first cruise. Any pointers?

 

Also, we are planning to do the following. Any suggestions are quite welcome! Thanks for your time in advance!

 

 

Skagway 7:00AM - 9:00PM

--------

7.5 Hours, $174, 7:30AM to 3:00PM

http://www.chilkootcharters.com/yukonrail.htm

 

 

 

** TEMSCO Helicopters - Glacier Discovery **

907-983-2900

http://www.temscoair.com/tours/skagway.html

http://www.temscoair.com/booking/form.php

 

--> Would you recommend taking 3.5 hr Yukon bus and rail (instead of 7.5 hr) and that way, we would have enough time to do Helicopter ride!?

 

*************************************************************

 

Juneau (June 5) 7:00AM - 3:00PM

-------

 

** Whale watching **

http://www.harvandmarvs.com/alaskawhalewatching.html

http://www.harvandmarvs.com/2010june.html (June 5)

Tour includes:

Picking you up in our courtesy van near your cruise ship and driving you to the Auke Bay boat harbor and return; a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier.

Tour duration: about 3 3/4 hrs; around 45 min. land transportation round trip, and around 3 hrs. Whale watching - sightseeing cruise, walking on the dock to the boat, bathroom breaks. Sales tax is included in the price:

$149 per person

 

*************************************************************

 

Ketchikan (June 6) 7:00AM - 1:00PM

---------

** Misty Fiords Flightseeing - $239/person

http://www.islandwings.com/sfs.html

Local (907) 225-2444; Toll-free (888) 854-2444

 

** Kayak **

http://www.kayakketchikan.com/

Phone (907) 225-1258; 1-800-287-1607

 

Walk to creek street, duck ride, go up the funicular to Cape Fox Lodge, walk down the Married Man's Trail to Creek Street, then follow the trail up the creek and on to the hatchery, park and Totem Pole Museum.

 

Discovery Center

Salmon ladder.

 

*************************************************************

 

Victoria, Canada 7:30PM-11:59PM

----------------

Buchart Gardens

[Frankie1218]

Glad to hear you had a great trip. I am really glad that you encountered some wildlife along the way! We are renting a car and driving to Emerald lake and I thought it might be too early to see much in wildlife so I am super excited that I might have a chance.

 

Can you tell me the weather conditions in each of your ports? We are visiting the same ones in two weeks so this will give me some idea, though I have heard the weather in Alaska is like the weather here in Nebraska... completely unpredictable!

 

Thanks!

[Duncarob]

Glad to hear you had a great trip. I am really glad that you encountered some wildlife along the way! We are renting a car and driving to Emerald lake and I thought it might be too early to see much in wildlife so I am super excited that I might have a chance.

 

Can you tell me the weather conditions in each of your ports? We are visiting the same ones in two weeks so this will give me some idea, though I have heard the weather in Alaska is like the weather here in Nebraska... completely unpredictable!

 

Thanks!

 

Our weather was gorgeous the entire trip. Especially Skagway. Close to 70 degrees, sunny and not a cloud in the sky. Juneau and Ketchikan were both warm and partly cloudy. The naturalist kept commenting the whole trip, how very lucky we were to have such incredible weather.

 

You are correct though, that the weather in Alaska is very unpredictable, It very well could be cold and rainy during your cruise, so pack accordingly. Although I certainly hope you are as lucky as we were!

[Dancing Shoes]

Thanks for the information.

 

We (2 adults) are doing a cruise from Seattle (Carnival Spirit - 6/1; Extended Balcony). How was your experience with Carnival Spirit? This would be our first cruise. Any pointers?

 

Also, we are planning to do the following. Any suggestions are quite welcome! Thanks for your time in advance!

 

 

Skagway 7:00AM - 9:00PM

--------

7.5 Hours, $174, 7:30AM to 3:00PM

http://www.chilkootcharters.com/yukonrail.htm

 

 

 

** TEMSCO Helicopters - Glacier Discovery **

907-983-2900

http://www.temscoair.com/tours/skagway.html

http://www.temscoair.com/booking/form.php

 

--> Would you recommend taking 3.5 hr Yukon bus and rail (instead of 7.5 hr) and that way, we would have enough time to do Helicopter ride!?

 

*************************************************************

 

Juneau (June 5) 7:00AM - 3:00PM

-------

 

** Whale watching **

http://www.harvandmarvs.com/alaskawhalewatching.html

http://www.harvandmarvs.com/2010june.html (June 5)

Tour includes:

Picking you up in our courtesy van near your cruise ship and driving you to the Auke Bay boat harbor and return; a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier.

Tour duration: about 3 3/4 hrs; around 45 min. land transportation round trip, and around 3 hrs. Whale watching - sightseeing cruise, walking on the dock to the boat, bathroom breaks. Sales tax is included in the price:

$149 per person

 

*************************************************************

 

Ketchikan (June 6) 7:00AM - 1:00PM

---------

** Misty Fiords Flightseeing - $239/person

http://www.islandwings.com/sfs.html

Local (907) 225-2444; Toll-free (888) 854-2444

 

** Kayak **

http://www.kayakketchikan.com/

Phone (907) 225-1258; 1-800-287-1607

 

Walk to creek street, duck ride, go up the funicular to Cape Fox Lodge, walk down the Married Man's Trail to Creek Street, then follow the trail up the creek and on to the hatchery, park and Totem Pole Museum.

 

Discovery Center

Salmon ladder.

 

*************************************************************

 

Victoria, Canada 7:30PM-11:59PM

----------------

Buchart Gardens

Hi....I am looking at the 2.5 hour kayak trip with these guys next year. Would love to hear back on how your excursion went. Have fun.

[Duncarob]

Thanks for the information.

 

We (2 adults) are doing a cruise from Seattle (Carnival Spirit - 6/1; Extended Balcony). How was your experience with Carnival Spirit? This would be our first cruise. Any pointers?

 

Also, we are planning to do the following. Any suggestions are quite welcome! Thanks for your time in advance!

 

 

Skagway 7:00AM - 9:00PM

--------

7.5 Hours, $174, 7:30AM to 3:00PM

http://www.chilkootcharters.com/yukonrail.htm

 

 

 

** TEMSCO Helicopters - Glacier Discovery **

907-983-2900

http://www.temscoair.com/tours/skagway.html

http://www.temscoair.com/booking/form.php

 

--> Would you recommend taking 3.5 hr Yukon bus and rail (instead of 7.5 hr) and that way, we would have enough time to do Helicopter ride!?

 

*************************************************************

 

Juneau (June 5) 7:00AM - 3:00PM

-------

 

** Whale watching **

http://www.harvandmarvs.com/alaskawhalewatching.html

http://www.harvandmarvs.com/2010june.html (June 5)

Tour includes:

Picking you up in our courtesy van near your cruise ship and driving you to the Auke Bay boat harbor and return; a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier.

Tour duration: about 3 3/4 hrs; around 45 min. land transportation round trip, and around 3 hrs. Whale watching - sightseeing cruise, walking on the dock to the boat, bathroom breaks. Sales tax is included in the price:

$149 per person

 

*************************************************************

 

Ketchikan (June 6) 7:00AM - 1:00PM

---------

** Misty Fiords Flightseeing - $239/person

http://www.islandwings.com/sfs.html

Local (907) 225-2444; Toll-free (888) 854-2444

 

** Kayak **

http://www.kayakketchikan.com/

Phone (907) 225-1258; 1-800-287-1607

 

Walk to creek street, duck ride, go up the funicular to Cape Fox Lodge, walk down the Married Man's Trail to Creek Street, then follow the trail up the creek and on to the hatchery, park and Totem Pole Museum.

 

Discovery Center

Salmon ladder.

 

*************************************************************

 

Victoria, Canada 7:30PM-11:59PM

----------------

Buchart Gardens

 

I think a 3.5 hour rail/bus trip may seem a bit "rushed". If it were me, I'd pick either the helicopter or the train/bus trip, not both. Harv & Marv whale watching has got great reviews in these boards. I think the Misty Fjords flightseeing would be awsome, unless you'd prefer a more physically active excursion; in that case I'd do the kayaking. Or do both if time allows!

[ronmaca]

Yukon Drive with Thomas P. I am wondering if it is mountainous, curvy and a bit scarey because of S curves and no road railings :eek:...or more flat with just hills (not mountains).:p Thanks

[Boozgr8]

Deep into excursion planning now, and wondering if anyone has any info on the following:

 

9/3 Skagway- Eagle Preserve Float and Scenic Cruise

 

9/4 Juneau- Harv & Marv's Outback Alaska

 

9/5 Ketchikan- Either Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour or George Inlet Lodge Crabbibg Adventure9Really curious to find out what is the difference)

 

9/6 Victoria- Probably on our own. Any local knowledge would be helpful.

 

Thanks to everyone for the information already provided.

[Assateague Island Princes]

Highly recommend Harv and Marv's for whale watching. They've got three six pack boats and new this year, a 12 passenger boat as well. Small family owned and operated company started by two longtime friends who were born and raised in Juneau. Excellent personalized service, such enthusiasm these guys have! They love their whales. We saw loads back in 2008, and enjoyed the excursion so much we've booked with them again in early June of this year (we leave just a week from tomorrow - woo-hoo!). Check out their website at harvandmarvs.com, look at the photos on their website, and do a search on the Alaska boards for Harv and Marv's and you will get plenty of favorable reports. Enjoy!

[Ohio-C-Luver]

Hi, I'm just back from the Carnival Spirit and thought I'd post some brief thoughts about the excursions I took. There seemed to be very little informtion posted about these before my cruise.

 

Juneau: Taku Glacier Lodge Flight and Feast: This was the highlight of my vacation. Just had a wonderful time. Amazing scenery from the plane and the time at the lodge was just as amazing as the flight. This place was very authentic, not "touisty" at all, and the staff made us all feel so welcome. Just an amazing excursion. Pricey at $299, but well worth it in my opinion.

 

Skagway: Yukon Scenic Drive: Another awsome excursion. We just had a great time with a fabulous driver/guide, Thomas Pickerel. We were so glad we chose this trip over the train, as this allowed us to really explore, make numerous stops for photos and we were able to see so much more than we would have been able to see from the train. Lots of wildlife, including 3 bears (2 at very close range to the bus), mountain goats, marmots, ptarmigan, etc. We paid $97 for this excursion, such a bargain!

 

Ketchikan: Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer: This was a our least favorite excursion. The scenery in Misty Fjords was amazing but it is an awfully long boat ride to get there. Then you don't get a whole lot of time in the scenic area. A nice tour, perhaps if it was priced at $99, but way too pricey for what it is at $175.

 

We had an amazing time and I'd be happy to answer any questions!

Thanks so much for your review of the excursions. We did sign up for the Float Plane and Feast in Juneau and are feeling much better about our decision after your comments about it! Thanks so much for taking the time to write about it!

[bbiggar]

Highly recommend Harv and Marv's for whale watching. They've got three six pack boats and new this year, a 12 passenger boat as well. Small family owned and operated company started by two longtime friends who were born and raised in Juneau. Excellent personalized service, such enthusiasm these guys have! They love their whales. We saw loads back in 2008, and enjoyed the excursion so much we've booked with them again in early June of this year (we leave just a week from tomorrow - woo-hoo!). Check out their website at harvandmarvs.com, look at the photos on their website, and do a search on the Alaska boards for Harv and Marv's and you will get plenty of favorable reports. Enjoy!

 

What kind of whales are these that you see?

[luvlake]

What kind of whales are these that you see?

 

In 2007 we followed a pod of orcas and in 2009 we saw a tremendous amount of hump backs bubble net feeding! Both were great!:)

[sweetNshort]

We just returned from Alaska on Celebrity Mercury and we took Harv and Marv's tour. We cannot praise them enough! We saw 6 whales with Jay and this was very early in the season. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the wild is so inspiring. His wife, Eileen, drove the van and she took us to the glacier and all through Juneau. There were only 5 of us in our group so we payed less than a ship excursion cost and got a personalized tour. Great binoculars on the boat for everyone. Wonderful people, too!

[Snookum]

How did you find your driver for this trip? How many people was his van able to hold? Where did he take you? Thanks we have been on the train trip twice, once with the train/van trip and they were both nice but looking for something a little different. Thanks:)

[Snookum]

Luvlake great video. what exactly was your itinerary, your trip looked awsome. :)