Excursion choices, need help.

[Gaprofitt]

Hi All,

 

We are looking at this itinerary for next Sept. I need some help with excursions, we prefer to do this on a budget and not spend a fortune. So far we know we want to do the whale watching tour in Juneau but are looking for other options/suggestions in the other ports. It seems that the reviews on the white pass railroad are really mixed.

 

Sat, Sep 8 Vancouver 4:30 P

2 Sun, Sep 9 At Sea

3 Mon, Sep 10 Ketchikan 6:30 A 2:00 P

4 Tue, Sep 11 Juneau 8:00 A 9:00 P

5 Wed, Sep 12 Skagway 7:00 A 8:30 P

6 Thu, Sep 13 Glacier Bay 6:00 A 3:00 P

7 Fri, Sep 14 College Fjord 5:30 P 8:30 P

8 Sat, Sep 15 Whittier 12:30 A

 

Thanks,

[irisheileen]

It seems that you have the same port times that we did. It was a great itinerary! If you read my current review, you'll see my choices for each port and what we liked about each. We loved every port and feel that we filled it with tours that would give us lasting memories that we could only do in Alaska. Where else can you go Dog Sledding?

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=406743

 

Eileen

[NancyIL]

For Skagway, I'm planning on getting to the National Park Service Visitor Center when it opens at 8 a.m. I'd like to see the movie and go on the free Park Ranger walk: http://www.nps.gov/archive/klgo/schedule.htm

I'm also thinking of doing a rail/bus combo excursion in the afternoon. If Chilkoot Charters still offers their 3.5 hour train to Fraser/bus back, we'll probably do that (~ $110/pp): http://www.skagwaysbesttour.com/summitrail.htm

 

In Juneau you can take an inexpensive tour around the city ($22/pp): http://www.mightygreattrips.com/juneau_city_tour.htm

I'm also interested in the Taku Lodge Flight and Feast ($225/adult): http://www.wingsairways.com/juneau-floatplane-tours.html

 

In Ketchikan we're doing the Misty Fjords floatplane with Island Wings ($209/adult if reserved now): http://www.islandwings.com

[irisheileen]

For Skagway, I'm planning on getting to the National Park Service Visitor Center when it opens at 8 a.m. I'd like to see the movie and go on the free Park Ranger walk: http://www.nps.gov/archive/klgo/schedule.htm

I'm also thinking of doing a rail/bus combo excursion in the afternoon. If Chilkoot Charters still offers their 3.5 hour train to Fraser/bus back, we'll probably do that (~ $110/pp): http://www.skagwaysbesttour.com/summitrail.htm

 

In Juneau you can take an inexpensive tour around the city ($22/pp): http://www.mightygreattrips.com/juneau_city_tour.htm

I'm also interested in the Taku Lodge Flight and Feast ($225/adult): http://www.wingsairways.com/juneau-floatplane-tours.html

 

In Ketchikan we're doing the Misty Fjords floatplane with Island Wings ($209/adult if reserved now): http://www.islandwings.com

Nancy- You will love the Movie and Park Ranger tour! The movie was interesting and well done. See it first before the ranger tour. Apparently, each tour is different, depending upon the Ranger. We had a retired teacher/Professor who was very interested in the background stories of Skagway. It gives a good "lay of the land" from which you can expand when the tour is over. Boy, what a value=free!

[NancyIL]

Nancy- You will love the Movie and Park Ranger tour! The movie was interesting and well done. See it first before the ranger tour. Apparently, each tour is different, depending upon the Ranger. We had a retired teacher/Professor who was very interested in the background stories of Skagway. It gives a good "lay of the land" from which you can expand when the tour is over. Boy, what a value=free!

 

Sounds great, Eileen! It's also the main reason we probably won't do the WP&YR train to Carcross with bus return, as we would miss all of the in-town activities such as the Park Ranger walking tour.

[oceanlovinmama]

Hello...We have the same itinerary as you do, only we leave September 1st! I know we will do the whale watching tour as well, then probably just head into town. As for the other ports, still doing the research. We are planning on spending 3 or 4 nights after our cruise going up to Denali and such, so I don't want to over-do anything and I need to keep our expenses down a bit. I'm not crazy about dogs at all...they scare me to death, but I think I should see the dog sledding. I hear they have an exhibit in Denali so I don't think I'll do an exscursion from the ship. Good luck!! Keep me posted as to what you plan and I'll let you know if I find any good deals.

[irisheileen]

Hello...We have the same itinerary as you do, only we leave September 1st! I know we will do the whale watching tour as well, then probably just head into town. As for the other ports, still doing the research. We are planning on spending 3 or 4 nights after our cruise going up to Denali and such, so I don't want to over-do anything and I need to keep our expenses down a bit. I'm not crazy about dogs at all...they scare me to death, but I think I should see the dog sledding. I hear they have an exhibit in Denali so I don't think I'll do an exscursion from the ship. Good luck!! Keep me posted as to what you plan and I'll let you know if I find any good deals.

You'll be able to see the Park Rangers and the Sled Dogs in Denali National Park and it's free! You don't have to get up close to the dogs if you don't want to and still have the experience.

Eileen