allisons Posted January 21, 2009 #1 Share Posted January 21, 2009 We've never cruised Alaska before. We've done several Caribbean cruises. We always rent a jeep, hire a driver, or book with a private tour operator, but we try to never take ship excursions. Are there private tour operators in Alaska (Icy Straight Point, Skagway, and Juneau), or just ship excursions? Thank you in advance for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted January 21, 2009 #2 Share Posted January 21, 2009 There are plenty of independent tour operators in Alaska. Do a search of the ports to see what is available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 21, 2009 Author #3 Share Posted January 21, 2009 NancyIL, Thank you so much for the quick response! That is just the information I needed! Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhannah Posted January 21, 2009 #4 Share Posted January 21, 2009 There are advantages each way. As you know, private operators will often have a smaller group ... depending on the tour and arrangements. And they often go places the ship tours don't go. Ship tours are more seamless. You choose online without having to make calls or send e-mails, and the cost is added to your shipboard account (so you don't need as much cash on your trip.) Whichever way you go, have a great cruise and enjoy all the beauty that Alaska has to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 21, 2009 Author #5 Share Posted January 21, 2009 jhannah, Thank you! Yes, we know the pros and cons! I don't mind doing the work! We just prefer the lower cost, smaller group, longer tour, increased flexibility, etc. of using a private tour operator (as opposed to the higher cost, larger group, shorter tour, rigid itinerary, etc. of taking a ship excursion)! Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAWS Posted January 22, 2009 #6 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I had the same dilemma and finally wound up with a mix of cruise excursions and private. First I took a look at the cruise excursions to see what was being offered. If I saw something I liked I tried to find it independently. If I couldn't then I booked it through the cruise line. Here's what we finally came up with: Juneau – Whale Watching, Mendenhall Glacier & Salmon Bake (all independent) Skagway – Glacial Point Wilderness Safari (Princess Tours) Ketchikan – Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour (independent) Victoria – Butchart Gardens (Princess Tours) I'm pleased with the final outcome of our excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 22, 2009 Author #7 Share Posted January 22, 2009 KAWS, Thank you so much for sharing that information! That's exactly what I was looking for! Would you be willing to share the name of the company or individual that you booked in Juneau? I'm looking for all the recommendations that I can get! Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAWS Posted January 22, 2009 #8 Share Posted January 22, 2009 KAWS, Thank you so much for sharing that information! That's exactly what I was looking for! Would you be willing to share the name of the company or individual that you booked in Juneau? I'm looking for all the recommendations that I can get! Thanks, Allison Absolutely. For whale watching we're using Scania (Adventures in Alaska). Google Scania and you'll find them but their email is scaniaww@aol.com They will pick us up at the pier and then take us whale watching and drop us off at Mendenhall Glacier where we'll do our thing for an hour and then they will drop us at Salmon Bake where we can buy our tickets directly from them. Pricing works out to about the same as the "Best of Juneau" excursion on Princess that includes all of these excursions but we'll be getting a more personal touch. Scania is really good about emails and phoning you and giving you answers to any and all questions you may have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 22, 2009 Author #9 Share Posted January 22, 2009 KAWS, Thanks again! That is great information! That sounds perfect! That sounds exactly like what we want to do! Can you take a helicopter on top of that glacier? Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyIL Posted January 22, 2009 #10 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Can you take a helicopter on top of that glacier? Coastal is an independent company in Juneau that many here have used: http://www.coastalhelicopters.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knorrisb07 Posted January 23, 2009 #11 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Orca enterprise, Harv and Marv are both independent whale watching tour companies in Juneau. They got a lot of good reviews and feedbacks on this board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 23, 2009 Author #12 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Coastal is an independent company in Juneau that many here have used: http://www.coastalhelicopters.com/ NancyIL, Thanks! That's perfect! We really want to do this! But the cruiseline charges a fortune! Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 23, 2009 Author #13 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Orca enterprise, Harv and Marv are both independent whale watching tour companies in Juneau. They got a lot of good reviews and feedbacks on this board. knorrisb07, Thank you! This is just the kind of information I need! We really want to do whale watching! In fact, my husband is mad that we're doing the Mexican Riviera in June instead of January because he won't be able to do whale watching, so he insists on doing it in Alaska! Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare tetleytea Posted January 23, 2009 #14 Share Posted January 23, 2009 We did a private rafting tour in Haines, and boy am I glad we went private. Since we were only one raft, we were able to change our plans. Turns out there was an eaglet in one of the eagles' nests we floated by, and he was about to fly away. I understand that once they fly out of their nest, that's it. We didn't quite catch that, but we caught him trying to. One of the ship-sponsored tours was in front of us, and they had 5 rafts. They couldn't stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 28, 2009 Author #15 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I think we've narrowed down what we want to do in each port. Now I'd love some recommendations of private tour operators for each excursion. Icy Straight Point: - whale watching cruise - brown bear search Juneau: - Mendenhall Glacier via helicopter - salmon bake Skagway: - Klondike Summit - White Pass Railway Does anyone have any suggestions of private tour operators for these excursions? Thank you so much for any help that you can give me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old As Dirt Mom Posted January 28, 2009 #16 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I think we've narrowed down what we want to do in each port. Now I'd love some recommendations of private tour operators for each excursion. Juneau: - Mendenhall Glacier via helicopter We did a ship's excursion on Holland America via Temsco Helicopters, but you can also book with them directly. They operate out of several different Alaskan ports. - Skagway: - Klondike Summit - White Pass Railway Chilkoot Charters Skagway Does anyone have any suggestions of private tour operators for these excursions? Thank you so much for any help that you can give me! Here are the links: http://www.temscoair.com/ http://chilkootcharters.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 28, 2009 Author #17 Share Posted January 28, 2009 Here are the links: http://www.temscoair.com/ http://chilkootcharters.com/ middle-aged mom, Thank you so much! This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for! Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 29, 2009 Author #18 Share Posted January 29, 2009 Here are the private tour operators that I have found so far on these boards. Is this all of them for these excursions? Or am I missing any? Please let me know of any others. Icy Straight Point - Whale Watching Cruise: - Glacier Wind Charters - F.I.S.H.E.S. Floyd's Icy Straights Highliner Enterprising Services Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier via Helicopter: - TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc. - North Star Trekking - Coastal Helicopters Skagway - White Pass Railway: - Chilkoot Charters & Tours Also, please give me any recommendations for the best place for Salmon Bake. Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 30, 2009 Author #19 Share Posted January 30, 2009 What if we want to visit Mendenhall Glacier, but not via helicopter? Does anyone have a recommendation of a private tour operator? And does anyone have a suggestion for a salmon bake in Juneau? Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old As Dirt Mom Posted January 30, 2009 #20 Share Posted January 30, 2009 What if we want to visit Mendenhall Glacier, but not via helicopter? Does anyone have a recommendation of a private tour operator? And does anyone have a suggestion for a salmon bake in Juneau? Thank you! I've never been to an Alaskan salmon bake, because we eat a lot of great salmon here in Washington State, but one that comes recommended is the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, owned by Goldbelt, Inc. an Alaska Native Corporation. Here's a link: http://www.goldbelttours.com/travel/day_trips/juneau/other.html MGT (Mighty Great Trips) runs a shuttle and tour service to Mendenhall: http://www.mgttours.com/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 30, 2009 Author #21 Share Posted January 30, 2009 I've never been to an Alaskan salmon bake, because we eat a lot of great salmon here in Washington State, but one that comes recommended is the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, owned by Goldbelt, Inc. an Alaska Native Corporation. Here's a link: http://www.goldbelttours.com/travel/day_trips/juneau/other.html MGT (Mighty Great Trips) runs a shuttle and tour service to Mendenhall: http://www.mgttours.com/index.htm middle-aged mom, Thanks again! This is perfect information! Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it! Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 31, 2009 #22 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier via Helicopter: - TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc. - North Star Trekking - Coastal Helicopters Skagway - White Pass Railway: - Chilkoot Charters & Tours Also, please give me any recommendations for the best place for Salmon Bake. For clairfication the ONLY operator to have permits for Mendenhall is TEMSCO. I have flown with three Juneau helicopter operators, and do not find Mendenhall any better/worse than others of the Juneau icefield, just more known. ERA is another operator, big company with ship contracts, and uses many seasonal pilots. I found them to be the most "shuttle like" . I would suggest you look at your salmon bake as a filler, get your other touring plans in place first, then fit the salmon in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 31, 2009 #23 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I've never been to an Alaskan salmon bake, because we eat a lot of great salmon here in Washington State, but one that comes recommended is the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, owned by Goldbelt, Inc. an Alaska Native Corporation. Here's a link: http://www.goldbelttours.com/travel/day_trips/juneau/other.html QUOTE] On the "bake" scale, Gold Creek is a big mass market production operation. In my opinion, Thane Ore House is far superior. Both of these are out of Juneau. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 31, 2009 Author #24 Share Posted January 31, 2009 For clairfication the ONLY operator to have permits for Mendenhall is TEMSCO. I have flown with three Juneau helicopter operators, and do not find Mendenhall any better/worse than others of the Juneau icefield, just more known. ERA is another operator, big company with ship contracts, and uses many seasonal pilots. I found them to be the most "shuttle like" . I would suggest you look at your salmon bake as a filler, get your other touring plans in place first, then fit the salmon in. Budget Queen, Thank you so much! We were wondering about Mendenhall vs. other glaciers. That's helpful information. By "shuttle like," do you mean less expensive?! Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allisons Posted January 31, 2009 Author #25 Share Posted January 31, 2009 I've never been to an Alaskan salmon bake, because we eat a lot of great salmon here in Washington State, but one that comes recommended is the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, owned by Goldbelt, Inc. an Alaska Native Corporation. Here's a link: http://www.goldbelttours.com/travel/day_trips/juneau/other.html QUOTE] On the "bake" scale, Gold Creek is a big mass market production operation. In my opinion, Thane Ore House is far superior. Both of these are out of Juneau. Budget Queen, Thanks again! That is good information. We LOVE fish! We want to find the right spot. Thanks, Allison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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