Norwegian Sun Alaska Cruise

[Litd]

Is it necessary to book excursions at each port BEFORE sailing? we don't know what to choose! We are visiting these ports: Icy Straits, Juneau , Skagway, Ketchikan . Any suggestions?

Thank you!

[Kamloops50]

Is it necessary to book excursions at each port BEFORE sailing? we don't know what to choose! We are visiting these ports: Icy Straits, Juneau , Skagway, Ketchikan . Any suggestions?

Thank you!

 

You don't have to book in advance but highly recommend if your first trip to Alaska . Most of the ships tours are avaiable on the pier . The only issue would that they don't have a time that suitable with time in port. You shouls decide what you really want to see & do.

[bonvoyagie]

Even though there are lots of tour options, the most popular tend to sell out weeks or even months in advance - so I would start looking now.

 

Here is website that might help you with your choices www.cruiseportinsider.com

 

This is AK and it is in the US the independent tour operators are very good and usually a bit cheaper than the ships offerings. Sometimes you can get things through them that are not available through NCL. - In Skagway for example you can get the Bennett Scenic Tour through Chilkoot - NCL does not offer it at all.

 

If you can't find things about Icy Strait Point - try Hoonah. This port is relatively new so the touristy items are not there - yet. This year with all of the whales hanging around the entrance to Glacier Bay (near IPS) here would be a good time to do some whale watching. Juneau is the second area for whales. As you leave Juneau you will be heading to Tracy Arm - see if NCL offers the same small boat tour that they do for the Jewel.

 

You can take helicopter rides to the tops of the glaciers in either Skagway or Juneau - Temsco offers them in both locations.

 

Ketchikan is the last AK stop it is also the entrance to Misty Fjords - this time of year there are lots of bears here. It is also the port for the Crab Fisherman's tour which is also quite popular.

 

In short there is so much to do and so little time so pick what interests you the most and save the rest for your second trip.:D

[rachelfran]

FYI - glacier nps posted:

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Superintendent Susan L. Boudreau announced today the 10 knot speed limit for cruise ships in current “whale waters” will be lifted effective 5 AM Saturday July 27. For cruise ships and all other motorized vessels, the 13 knot speed limit and course restrictions already in place will continue to be in effect

[NoobCruise]

We had a tough time deciding too. I finally printed out all the options we were interested in for each port - one excursion for each page. I went through them and removed the ones I was least interested in. Then DH went through them and removed the ones he wasn't interested in. We kept going back and forth until we had the one we were most interested in for that port, and a backup plan in case we got rained out, which we did in Juneau. Our first choice in Juneau was cancelled due to weather, so we quickly changed plans and hopped on a different tour. Anyway, we did that for each port and it really helped us whittle the options down quickly to just what we were both interested in.

[AlaskaAtLast]

We're doing Alaska on the Sun Northbound in 2 weeks and haven't booked excursions either. Our main concern with the excursions we want to do is rain. For example, my husband and daughter want to do a bike and brew tour in Juneau but neither one will want to go in the rain. Can you cancel because of weather and get your money back?

We're thinking of just waiting until we're on the ship and close to getting there to see what the weather is like and then booking.

 

Ann

[sherryf]

We're doing Alaska on the Sun Northbound in 2 weeks and haven't booked excursions either. Our main concern with the excursions we want to do is rain. For example, my husband and daughter want to do a bike and brew tour in Juneau but neither one will want to go in the rain. Can you cancel because of weather and get your money back?

We're thinking of just waiting until we're on the ship and close to getting there to see what the weather is like and then booking.

 

If the tour is cancelled due to weather, you will get a refund. If you cancel because you don't like the weather at the last minute, you won't get a refund. Generally if you want to cancel with a refund, you need to do it at least 24 hours in advance, and you won't know the weather then.

 

Do not go to Alaska expecting perfect weather and/or base your touring plans around the weather. It rains in Alaska; be prepared with proper attire and have fun anyway!

[Budget Queen]

We're doing Alaska on the Sun Northbound in 2 weeks and haven't booked excursions either. Our main concern with the excursions we want to do is rain. For example, my husband and daughter want to do a bike and brew tour in Juneau but neither one will want to go in the rain. Can you cancel because of weather and get your money back?

We're thinking of just waiting until we're on the ship and close to getting there to see what the weather is like and then booking.

 

Ann

 

Nope, you loose your money, if YOU cancel. AND these tours do go in the rain. If there isn't anything you really want to do, then wait. Plenty of people purchase tours when there. BUT, if there are any tours you have a priority for, book in advance.