Help with shore excursions for Alaska - Ketchikan and Skagway

[Kaseylol]

First time cruiser looking for some guidance from Alaskan vets on which excursions to choose as we won't be able to do a cruise again for quite a while.

 

The ones we chose seem pretty solid but I'm curious if we should try to book second/third excursions for the same port based on the time? Is it normal to book multiple events at one port? And for Skagway and Ketchikan we just aren't sure what is recommended (things like helicopter rides are too expensive and things like lumberjack show are not as scenic or memorable for us to be interested in)

 

SEP 19th Mon Ketchikan, Alaska 07:00 AM 04:00 PM 0 Unknown, Tatoosh Islands Sea Kayak, there's not a lot of reviews for kayaking in Ketchikan so this is tough to pick and knowing my luck this is the worst port to kayak at and I've got this all mixed up

 

SEP 20th Tue Juneau, Alaska 10:00 AM 09:00 PM 0 Harv & Marv 6 person whale watching

 

SEP 21st Wed Skagway, Alaska 07:00 AM 08:15 PM 0 Unknown, has anyone done http://www.hainesskagwayfastferry.com/? and found it worth it?

 

SEP 22nd Thu Icy Strait Point, Alaska 08:00 AM 04:00 PM 0 Guided tour through Hoonah / Zip Rider mountain ascent

 

 

SEP 24th Sat Sitka, Alaska 07:00 AM 04:00 PM 0 Bear sanctuary & raptor center

Edited July 5, 2016 by Kaseylol

[steenie]

In Skagway, I did the river rafting back in 1999, which was not rough water at all and was very scenic.

 

Last week, we took the train to Fraser, then rode with Chilkoot Charters in a shuttle bus up to Emerald Lake and back down to port in Skagway. The bus portion stopped at Caribou Crossing for a short summer dogcart ride, the small town of Carcross, and other scenic lookout points.

[jimsig]

Like the PP we also booked with Chilkoot Charters however we did the train all the way to Carcross with their small (about 20 pass) van back to Skagway called the Bennett Scenic Journey. On the train there is a quick stop in Fraser B.C. for customs and a longer stop at Bennett Lake. The train then continues to Carcross where you transfer to the van. After Carcross we also went up to Emerald Lake with a quick stop at the worlds smallest desert, as well as the Welcome To The Yukon Sign, and a couple other scenic spots. Our tour did not include the Dog Cart ride however. The train ride was amazing.

[NancyIL]

Ketchikan is a fine port for kayaking, and I enjoyed our tour with Southeast Sea Kayaks: http://www.kayakketchikan.com/#_=_

 

Unless you have a specific plan to do something in Haines, I would do a tour from Skagway. I'll be there twice next year on back-to-back cruises, and there are more things I want to do from Skagway than I can fit! You might be interested in the Glacier Point Wilderness Safari from Skagway, as you take a boat to Haines to begin your adventure: https://www.alaskaexcursions.com/glacier-safari-2/;

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60877-d269803-Reviews-Davidson_Glacier-Skagway_Alaska.html. It is pricey ($339 on Royal Caribbean) - but it is very popular.

 

As already mentioned - Chilkoot Charters does a great rail/bus tour to the Yukon: http://www.chilkootcharters.com. Dyea Dave offers a similar bus tour, and you can add a one-way train return from Fraser. (I have done the tour twice with Chilkoot Charters, and plan to go with Dyea Dave next May.)

 

**I'm adding a link to Trip Advisor's "Things to do in Skagway:" https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60877-Activities-Skagway_Alaska.html. Trip Advisor reviews and Forum are a great resource.

Edited July 5, 2016 by NancyIL

[Kaseylol]

Thanks for all the replies! this is super helpful!

 

The reason I wanted some information on the ferry is I really like the look of https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g31005-d1603295-r162176203-Rainbow_Glacier_Adventures_LLC-Haines_Alaska.html this kayak tour that goes from Skagway -> Haines, and then kayaks in Chilkoot lake, and then returns. It seems like a nice all around trip in terms of kayaking. I don't know if we'd make it to the ferry that leaves at 7:45AM from our ship that is scheduled to be at the port at 7AM, though.

 

I like the look of https://www.alaskaexcursions.com/glacier-safari-2/; listed but I was really hoping to be able to kayak myself rather than get on a larger boat.

 

Based on these replies I think I'd rather kayak out of Skagway but NCL only offers a train ride + kayak and I do not want to get on a train, anyone know any good kayakings from Skagway that don't involve a train?

Edited July 5, 2016 by Kaseylol

[NancyIL]

Thanks for all the replies! this is super helpful!

 

The reason I wanted some information on the ferry is I really like the look of https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g31005-d1603295-r162176203-Rainbow_Glacier_Adventures_LLC-Haines_Alaska.html this kayak tour that goes from Skagway -> Haines, and then kayaks in Chilkoot lake, and then returns. It seems like a nice all around trip in terms of kayaking. I don't know if we'd make it to the ferry that leaves at 7:45AM from our ship that is scheduled to be at the port at 7AM, though.

 

I like the look of https://www.alaskaexcursions.com/glacier-safari-2/; listed but I was really hoping to be able to kayak myself rather than get on a larger boat.

 

Based on these replies I think I'd rather kayak out of Skagway but NCL only offers a train ride + kayak and I do not want to get on a train, anyone know any good kayakings from Skagway that don't involve a train?

 

The Glacier Point Wilderness Safari takes a catamaran to Haines - as does the kayak tour you like. The former then travels by bus, on foot, and in large canoes to the Davidson Glacier before reversing the process.

 

If kayaking is most important to you, then do book the tour you like from Skagway. With a 7 a.m. arrival, you shouldn't have a problem making a 7:45 boat, especially if the tour company will pick you up at the ship. (**Edited to add - you may have to get to the ferry on your own.)

 

Do a search for "Skagway Kayak" on Trip Advisor or Google for more non-ship options.

Edited July 5, 2016 by NancyIL

[xlxo]

SEP 20th Tue Juneau, Alaska 10:00 AM 09:00 PM 0 Harv & Marv 6 person whale watching

Thought...

 

what time is the whale watch? The Mendenhall glacier is near the whale watch departure point. You might want to look at some sort of combo excursion since both are West of Juneau.

[Budget Queen]

Frankly, in Haines, you are prime brown bears. Nope- I do not recommend kayaking Chilkoot Lake- dull as dirt. :) There are FAR better areas. BUT with your time frame- you have a lot more foul weather potential. Consider taking a look at Ketchikan when you are arriving and have kayak vendor phone numbers and call that morning. It isn't a great choice, in cold, or pouring rain, in my opinion.

 

IF your Hoonah "tour" is a bear search, you usually are outside a salmon run mid Sept. So, tough to see bears, predictably.

 

My opinion on kayaking, excellent kayaking is out of Ketchkan and also Mendenhall Lake. in Juneau. Consider taking a look at a guided tour with Above and Beyond and see what schedule they can coordinate with your whale watch. And only sea kayaking out of Haines.

[Kaseylol]

Thank you that's super helpful!

[NancyIL]

You might be interested in the Glacier Point Wilderness Safari from Skagway, as you take a boat to Haines to begin your adventure: https://www.alaskaexcursions.com/glacier-safari-2/;

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60877-d269803-Reviews-Davidson_Glacier-Skagway_Alaska.html. It is pricey ($339 on Royal Caribbean) - but it is very popular.

 

Correction: the Glacier Point Wilderness Safari is $249 on Royal Caribbean. The $339 excursion I was confusing it with was the Taku Lodge Flight and Feast from Juneau.