1st time-help planning

[petuniaflower]

Hi all, this will be our first time cruising to Alaska, and I think I have decided on our ship/itinerary.  Just trying to figure out what to do where, as some things are offered in more than one port, so would like to optimize:)  We will be a family of 7, oldest in 40s and youngest 15.  We dont want to do heli/plane.  We do want at least one whale watching experience. We enjoy a tram/hike idea. I have tried to gather some info from the boards and started to jot ideas down but dont want to be duplicating things or not picking the best port to do something.  Do any of these ports have a train excursion I have read about, we may enjoy that?  I havent found much on Sitka at all? And ISP confuses me, is Tracy Arm and ISP the same/do you stay on the ship here and just watch from aboard?  BC is just a few hours, so do people not even get off? We also like to enjoy time on the ship (but that may differ as it likely wont be lay out by the pool weather).  Any help is appreciated!

 

Sitka 11-6pm

Juneau 7-130pm Mendenhall glacier/tramway hike/whales?

Tracy Arm/Endicott arm & ISP 7-3pm

Ketchikan 630-115pm atv?

BC 7pm-1159pm

[AKStafford]

Icy Strait Point is not Tracy Arm. Icy Strait Point is a great spot for a whale watching trip. Here's the local vendors: http://visithoonah.com/experiences/

[Italy52]

We have taken many whale watching excursions with both companies below and always had a good experience.  Both companies have reviews on Cruise Critic and TripAdvisor if interested.

 

Icy Strait:  Glacier Wind Charters  https://www.g-wind.com/

 

Juneau:  Jayleen's Alaska  https://jayleensalaska.com/

 

Tracy Arm:  Some cruise lines offer a small boat experience that off loads from the ship (have done that a few times and it was nice.)  If interested, check your cruise lines' excursion list to see if one is offered.

[petuniaflower]

Thanks, so when they list ISP and Tracy Arm in the same date, same time frame how does that work when they are not the same place? Thank you greatly! 

Edited September 16, 2021 by petuniaflower

[Northern Aurora]

3 hours ago, petuniaflower said:

Thanks, so when they list ISP and Tracy Arm in the same date, same time frame how does that work when they are not the same place? Thank you greatly! 

 

The ship will visit both locations the same day.

[don't-use-real-name]

What cruise ship and sailing date are you on ?

Compares to Holland America ?

The itinerary you posted does not include Icy Strait Point

Is this your itinerary ?

Presume your itinerary is -

Seattle

SEA Day

Sitka

???

Icy Strait Point

???

Juneau - Mendenhall in the am - Tracy or Endicott Arm in the pm

Ketchikan

Victoria BC

Seattle 

 

In a NUT SHELL:

Sitka is located on the Pacific Ocean side of the Inside Passage

Sitka is the former Russian capitol of Alaska - lots of history and cultural heritage

don't be looking for amusement park rides (train trip)

The only train excursion is at Skagway - not appearing in you itinerary

Icy Strait Point - salmon cannery - whale watching - fabulous Zip-Line

Juneau - Alaska State Capitol - Mendenhall glacier - Mt. Roberts Tram

Tracy Arm Sawyer glaciers - Endicott Arm Dawes glacier (one or the other not both)

Ketchikan - salmon capital of the world - whale watching - excursions to Misty Fjord

last chance for Alaska tourist shopping - totem pole exhibits

Victoria BC - required stop to satisfy the PVSA regulation -

people - cruise guests do get off the ship to stretch legs and take in a bit of local fare

there are some shore excursions timed for the short stay

unfortunately the 7-midnite hours are during the hours of dusk and does not show

the best side of this beautiful city and the Butchart Gardens.

[petuniaflower]

Its the NCL Bliss July 2

[SkeeterPilot]

 

Your itenerary shows you going to Juneau Tuesday morning from 7:00am to 1:30pm.  You then travel to the Endicott arm (dawes glacier) in the afternoon/evening.  That is scenic cruising with no port.  Then Wednesday you are in Icy Strait Point from 7:00am-3:00pm.

[petuniaflower]

21 minutes ago, SkeeterPilot said:

 

Your itenerary shows you going to Juneau Tuesday morning from 7:00am to 1:30pm.  You then travel to the Endicott arm (dawes glacier) in the afternoon/evening.  That is scenic cruising with no port.  Then Wednesday you are in Icy Strait Point from 7:00am-3:00pm.

Thanks, this makes more sense, I must have copied it down wrong:)

[oaktreerb]

Sitka is one of the most beautiful of the Alaska ports with lots of good excursions and local shops.  Fortress of the Bears, Raptor Center, and a Sea Otter land and sea excursion may be available.  There is also a lovely Totem Park and visitor center to walk through if you walk out to the Raptor Center.  Fortress of the Bears requires transportation.  There is a bus from the visitor center that visits both the Raptor Center and the Fortress of the Bears.

[geoherb]

We have stayed on the ship in Victoria on our roundtrip cruises from Seattle. We had been there for several days on a previous trip and did not think it was worthwhile to go ashore for such a short time--plus we did not want to miss a meal. But plenty of people do excursions there or just wander off on their own to see the sights and enjoy a beer in a pub. Butchart Gardens is very popular. 

[oaktreerb]

The inner harbor area of Victoria is walkable from the ship and a great way to enjoy a few hours.