Alaska tour operators

[firstcruise2006]

Does anyone know which tour operators Princess cruises use? Specifically interested in the Ketchikan bear watching trips - to Neets Bay and also Traitors Cove, wanted to find out more.

 

The Anan trip doesn't appear to operate on our cruise but have heard that is the best so wondering if it is worth / safe to book independently. Going at the very end of July,

[Stevesan]

You are quite safe booking independent tours in Alaska. Cruise ships have been visiting the major ports for more than one hundred years. The operators have extensive experience with cruise passengers, we're 90% or more of their business.:)

 

Dolly Vardon, a well established operator, offers an Anan Creek Bear Excursion. It's a four hour tour for only $415 per person!!!:eek:

 

http://www.dollyvardenalaska.com/Anan%20Creek%20Bear%20Excursion.htm

 

It must be a once in a lifetime experience.

[AmazonRocker]

We cruised Alaska with Norwegian about 3 summers ago. We booked 2 tours independently (duck boat in Ketchikan, train in Skagway) and the Anan tour through the cruise ship, as that was the only way to book it. We did not have trouble with either tour. If you book the Skagway train through the cruise lines, you step off the ship & cross the street to the train. If you book it independently, you save some $$$ and have to walk about 1/2 - 1 mile to the train station. We had also booked a plane flight in Juneau, but they did not have enough passengers and the trip was cancelled, and we received a full refund.

 

We left for the Anan Bear trip from Wrangel. It was about $250 each, but it was worth it. If you do this, I would recommend going the middle of August or earlier. We went toward the end of August and only saw one bear at the actual viewing station, and a mother and a cub on the trail on the way back. On the boat to & from Anan, we saw several eagles, an eagle's nest, and a beautiful waterfall.

 

Alaska is beautiful -- enjoy!

[Budget Queen]

Neets Bay is totally cruise contracted with ProMech Air. They will not direct book. I NEVER recommend booking through a booking agent- like Dolly Varden- they are NOT the operator. Book DIRECT with the vender and establish a relationship with them, not play phone tag.

 

As for Anan, you are going peak, I would suggest you consider http://www.islandwings.com or http://www.southeastaviation.com They also run Traitor's Cove trips. Booking direct will give you the option of their expertise for which are having the best sightings in your timeframe.

 

For clairficaiton it is 1/4- 1/2 mile to the downtown Depot from the farthest cruise dock in Skagway. It may seem farther, but isn't. There is a shuttle that runs from the first dock space to the depot if needed.