Tracy Arm, Hubbard, Sitka, 2nd Alaska cruise

[aggiemom0409]

Can anyone recommend a cruise for a 2nd time Alaska Cruise? Our first sailed south from Whittier and visited College Fjord, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. We loved it, but would like to see something different this time. Your ideas are appreciated!

[agabbymama]

I'd look at HAL. They do Sitka while a lot of other lines don't. Sitka is my favorite port. Smaller, not as commercialized as the other ports.

 

While I don't think Tracy Arm compares to Glacier Bay, it is pretty scenery. Not sure if you will get all sites in your wish list on the same cruise.

[kittercat85]

I agree with the above poster. Sitka is wonderful.

 

My first Alaskan cruise was Juneau, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Ketchikan. This summer, the cruise we went on was Tracy Arm, Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan.

 

Tracy Arm was beautiful. A totally different experience from Glacier Bay, but breathtaking in it's own right. Sitka was probably my favorite port of all that I've been to in Alaska. I would love to go back and see even more of it someday.

[kitegirl]

Our last cruise included Hubbard Glacier and Icy Straight Point. ISP was the highlight of our cruise. Tours run by the locals and really has not been touched by the commercialism of having tourists. You will enjoy this port for sure....

[bonvoyagie]

I would suggest Tracy Arm and choose a cruise line that also offers a small boat tour as an add on. This is the only way to really see the fjord.

 

I have found that there is usually enough things to do in these ports that you can visit them twice (or more) and still find new things to see and do.

 

If you really want to see something different then look for cruises that visit Haines, Icy Strait Point, or Sitka instead of Skagway.

 

Since the last cruise you did was a one way - are you looking for the same or a RT out of either Vancouver or Seattle?

[donaldsc]

See if you can find a ship that stops at Wrangle and then take any of the tours offered by Eric Yancy of Breakaway Adventures. We have done 3 of his tours and the Anan tour twice. He does a great trip.

 

DON

[mapleleaves]

if you want to see different sights, why not do a land only trip? Fly into Anchorage, rent a car and explore for 2 weeks, or, fly into Anchorage then use Alaska Railroad and/or Alaska Motorcoach to get around.

 

Another 'different' travel option would be to fly into Juneau and use the Alaska ferry system to explore SE Alaska. Spend a few days at Gustavus to see Glacier Bay, then visit Sitka and other ports for a day or 2.

[aggiemom0409]

Thanks for all the suggestions! We are going with another group of friends who haven't been to Alaska before. I think we have decided on the HAL Westerdam round trip from Seattle, which does include Sitka, so that will be new for us. Cruising is such a great value and such a great way for groups to travel! I plan to see if we can see any additional sights like Tracy Arm, ISP, Hubbard, etc. as add ons. :)