Ketchikan Tours

[luv-to-cruz]

Which excursions would be the best use of time while in Ketchikan, Creek Street and Duck Tour or Back Country Jeep and Canoe excursion?

[zqvol]

I all depends on what you want to see. The town or the forest?

[BirdTravels]

53 minutes ago, luv-to-cruz said:

Which excursions would be the best use of time while in Ketchikan, Creek Street and Duck Tour or Back Country Jeep and Canoe excursion?

Really depends on what kinds of things you want to do. If it is Creek Street, you can catch the port shuttle to town and just walk around. 

[luv-to-cruz]

Very true.  Still hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced both and will share their comments.  Our time in Ketchikan is very limited and we are so very excited to be able to take this cruise. 

 

 

[1025cruise]

You might wish to ask on the Alaska board.

[lisabdh1]

Ketchikan the best thing in my opinion is Totem Bight Park, or Saxman Village. Creek Street is nice but if you are short on time, go for what they are known for, the history, the totem poles.

[julig22]

Neets Bay Bear Encounter was my favorite- but it's not always offered, might not be available depending on the season and length of time in port.

[kochleffel]

My first choice would be a Misty Fjords flight with Island Wings. A Herring Cove bear tour would be next: on a boardwalk above the bears, and they use two guides, one to escort you and another to look for bears.

 

 

[Panhandle Couple]

4 hours ago, luv-to-cruz said:

Which excursions would be the best use of time while in Ketchikan, Creek Street and Duck Tour or Back Country Jeep and Canoe excursion?

We have done our own walking tour of Creek Street (2019), and also the Jeep tour (2022).

 

We LOVED the Jeep tour.  (We own a Jeep)

(assuming it is the same company)

They take you to a glacier formed lake.  The "canoe" (20 person) trip is quite short.  They have a 1/2 mile hiking trail in the woods, and the guide tells you about the local plants and the experience of growing up in Alaska.  Then a quick bite of crab stew, and canoe trip back to the bus.

A short drive, and you get into the Jeeps.  After that...like 90 minutes or so of a Jeep commercial.  They have several private trails, I wouldn't call them roads, that you splash around in the mud and rough rocks.  Only a Jeep could make it. (sorry Bronco owners)

 

Since you are 4 per Jeep, find a couple to team up with, maybe use the cruise roll call.  You share driving, it works better with 2 drivers, although there are enough stops for 3.

Everyone should appreciate off roading, or be ready to experience it.

 

Everything was north of Ward Cove (we did this on a Princess cruise leaving from town) so it is likely you won't even see the town of Ketchikan except when sailing past it.  Sadly you probably don't have enough time to do both.  It appears that more vendors are in the Ward Cove main building if you want some souvenirs. 

 

  

[luv-to-cruz]

Thanks to all for your suggestions! 

[luv-to-cruz]

Thanks so much Panhandle Couple.  Your post was really helpful!.

[Panhandle Couple]

4 minutes ago, luv-to-cruz said:

Thanks so much Panhandle Couple.  Your post was really helpful!.

I realized my pictures are on my old computer, so I have to relocate them on this one in order to show some.

[ChiefMateJRK]

The ladies like the lumberjacks.  Yes, I'll admit it, I enjoyed the lumberjack show as well.  A lot of fun.

[The Traveling Man]

On 6/7/2024 at 11:21 AM, luv-to-cruz said:

Which excursions would be the best use of time while in Ketchikan, Creek Street and Duck Tour or Back Country Jeep and Canoe excursion?

You didn't mention how much time your cruise will be docked.  Note that for the last couple of years, NCL ships dock at Ward Cove, several miles north of the Ketchikan city center.  If you're pressed for time, I would suggest a tour to Totem Bight Park.  It's north of Ward Cove, so you'll miss out on things like Creek Street and the Lumberjack Show. 

[LatinaInTexas]

We just recently did the Lumberjack show with a visit to Totem Bight Park excursion thru NCL. Loved this excursion but the only downside was there was absolutely no time to shop in Ketchikan where it looked like the best shopping compared to Juneau and Skagway. But there was a nice extensive variety gift shop at Totem Bight.

[luv-to-cruz]

I appreciate all your suggestions!  I may be overthinking this one!  🙃

[ChiefMateJRK]

True story.  I thought I had the lyrics correct, but did my homework with about five minutes of precious on board internet prior to disembark.  On the bus, on the way to the lumberjacks and while waiting after getting off the bus, I quietly sang at a low level "I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay...."  Was hoping to get a crowd movement going.  It didn't work.😒

 

Will I try it again next time?  Heck yes!!! 🥳

 

These people just don't start drinking early enough.  Or, has the world just lost it?😒

[The Traveling Man]

23 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

True story.  I thought I had the lyrics correct, but did my homework with about five minutes of precious on board internet prior to disembark.  On the bus, on the way to the lumberjacks and while waiting after getting off the bus, I quietly sang at a low level "I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay...."  Was hoping to get a crowd movement going.  It didn't work.😒

 

Will I try it again next time?  Heck yes!!! 🥳

 

These people just don't start drinking early enough.  Or, has the world just lost it?😒

I like to press wildflowers.

[Panhandle Couple]

Ketchikan is actually on an island.

 

Some pics from our Jeep tour.

 

Glacial Lake

 

 

 

View into the woods

 

 

View from woods to lake

 

 

Scenic outlook for Jeep turn around and driver change.

 

 

 

[mthayer295]

On 6/7/2024 at 4:10 PM, kochleffel said:

My first choice would be a Misty Fjords flight with Island Wings. A Herring Cove bear tour would be next: on a boardwalk above the bears, and they use two guides, one to escort you and another to look for bears.

 

 

can you explain how you get to the pickup spot for Island Wings when docking on the Encore.  THe company said we need to take a Ward Cove shuttle... is that something NCL provides or is that a private thing we need to arrange

[aquidneck1]

We did the Alaska Lodge and Seafest Adventure.  I highly recommend this.  Combines a boat trip, with a short rain forest hike and a delicious crab and shrimp boil.  Our 9 year old grandson declared it the best meal of the trip.  

[Saint Greg]

On 6/7/2024 at 2:52 PM, julig22 said:

Neets Bay Bear Encounter was my favorite- but it's not always offered, might not be available depending on the season and length of time in port.

That gets my vote. I have only done two excursions in Ketchikan but I can’t imagine a better one than Neets Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[zqvol]

21 minutes ago, mthayer295 said:

can you explain how you get to the pickup spot for Island Wings when docking on the Encore.  THe company said we need to take a Ward Cove shuttle... is that something NCL provides or is that a private thing we need to arrange

You have to get from Ward Cove where NCL docks to Island Wings. NCL has a shuttle to town, but when I look at a map that doesn’t look like it will work so you will need to arrange private transportation. 

[mthayer295]

Thanks - we just changed our mind and decided to book thru NCL despite the increased price as I didn't want to risk missing the plane especially given the remarks about how long the shuttle line is first thing in the morning.  Thanks for your advice

[TYTY]

If you like Deadliest Catch - we did the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour and would highly recommend it.