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Alaskan cruise port suggestions
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:44 am
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:44 am
We will be doing a 7 day from Seattle next week. Does anyone know of any "must sees" at any of the ports? Skagway, Ketchikan, Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord.
Thanks
Thanks
8
Posted on 5/23/17 at 9:42 am to Sir Drinksalot
Did this trip about 20 years ago. It is really cool. Although we went in the middle of winter and things probably looked a lot different.
Glacier Bay National Park is the only can't miss. The towns themselves aren't much to talk about. The tours are ok (todem pole place, salmon hatchery) i don't remember which places offered which to be honest. Just enjoy being in God's country for a little while, and try not to get mauled by a bear
if i went back now i would rent a kayak. maybe try and find a half day fishing charter of some kind. be careful on a kayak up there, you will see lots of whales and orca's do not frick around
Glacier Bay National Park is the only can't miss. The towns themselves aren't much to talk about. The tours are ok (todem pole place, salmon hatchery) i don't remember which places offered which to be honest. Just enjoy being in God's country for a little while, and try not to get mauled by a bear
if i went back now i would rent a kayak. maybe try and find a half day fishing charter of some kind. be careful on a kayak up there, you will see lots of whales and orca's do not frick around
This post was edited on 5/23/17 at 9:44 am
Posted on 5/23/17 at 10:14 am to Sir Drinksalot
In Skagway we did the White Pass Summit Rail & Bus excursion. I booked this with CHILKOOT CHARTERS & TOURS
SKAGWAY, ALASKA (907) 983-3400.
I did some research on this excursion through Princess and the local outfitters. This outfitter was highly recommended.
It was a great outing. We had a great guide (Mike) and we had the last car on the train. It was great for photographing the panoramic vistas. The bus was a small bus and we were able to stop at Bridal Veil falls which I don't think the big buses can do.
When I get a chance, I'll come back to tell you about our other excursions.
It's a wonderful trip!
SKAGWAY, ALASKA (907) 983-3400.
I did some research on this excursion through Princess and the local outfitters. This outfitter was highly recommended.
It was a great outing. We had a great guide (Mike) and we had the last car on the train. It was great for photographing the panoramic vistas. The bus was a small bus and we were able to stop at Bridal Veil falls which I don't think the big buses can do.
When I get a chance, I'll come back to tell you about our other excursions.
It's a wonderful trip!
Posted on 5/23/17 at 10:30 am to Sir Drinksalot
What kind of stuff are you interested in?
Posted on 5/23/17 at 10:35 am to ProudLSUMom
We did the train ride in Skagway as well. Absolutely gorgeous views and highly recommended if you like to take pictures. Bring a good camera.
In Juneau we got off on the catamaran at the glacier. You will probably not get into Tracey Arm but they will take you down to Endicott Glacier. Highly recommend this. We did whale watching in Juneau in the evening and loved it but we saw so many whales coming back from the glacier that it wasn't really necessary to do both. I say do the glacier if you don't want to do both, you get the best of both with that trip.
We are going back on June 4th but going out of Vancouver. I think this trip we will take it easy on excursions since we saw so much last time. One thing we are doing out of Juneau is the trip to Taku Lodge. It is supposed to amazing. Plane ride there over glaciers then a few hours at the lodge with a salmon bake. They have a bear that comes around. I hope it doesn't fill up because I am waiting to book on board since we have a good $600 in OBC.
In Juneau we got off on the catamaran at the glacier. You will probably not get into Tracey Arm but they will take you down to Endicott Glacier. Highly recommend this. We did whale watching in Juneau in the evening and loved it but we saw so many whales coming back from the glacier that it wasn't really necessary to do both. I say do the glacier if you don't want to do both, you get the best of both with that trip.
We are going back on June 4th but going out of Vancouver. I think this trip we will take it easy on excursions since we saw so much last time. One thing we are doing out of Juneau is the trip to Taku Lodge. It is supposed to amazing. Plane ride there over glaciers then a few hours at the lodge with a salmon bake. They have a bear that comes around. I hope it doesn't fill up because I am waiting to book on board since we have a good $600 in OBC.
This post was edited on 5/23/17 at 11:10 am
Posted on 5/23/17 at 3:32 pm to BigB0882
I did the train in Skagway and really enjoyed it. However, my wife did the 8 hour bus tour that goes much deeper along the same route and into Canada, and based on her photos, I really missed out.
Either way u will see some beautiful scenery, but I'd definitely recommend the bus tour.
Either way u will see some beautiful scenery, but I'd definitely recommend the bus tour.
Posted on 5/23/17 at 4:24 pm to Sir Drinksalot
I'd recommend getting the book "The White Pass" by Roy Minter before you go and read it. Will make your stop un Skagway much more memorable.
Skagway:
The train
Go to Dyea
Hike up to Lower Dewey Lakes & Hike to Yakatania Pount
Visit the Cemetary
Go to Dyea
Some folks rent a car and drive up the pass instead of doing the train trip. You could also drive to dyea
Juneau:
Need to know your preferences. Too much to do
Tracy Arm isnt a port so you'll just cruise through
Skagway:
The train
Go to Dyea
Hike up to Lower Dewey Lakes & Hike to Yakatania Pount
Visit the Cemetary
Go to Dyea
Some folks rent a car and drive up the pass instead of doing the train trip. You could also drive to dyea
Juneau:
Need to know your preferences. Too much to do
Tracy Arm isnt a port so you'll just cruise through
This post was edited on 5/23/17 at 4:38 pm
Posted on 5/23/17 at 6:48 pm to BigB0882
quote:
In Juneau we got off on the catamaran at the glacier. You will probably not get into Tracey Arm but they will take you down to Endicott Glacier. Highly recommend this. We did whale watching in Juneau in the evening and loved it but we saw so many whales coming back from the glacier that it wasn't really necessary to do both. I say do the glacier if you don't want to do both, you get the best of both with that trip.
Got a vessel tracker at work, looks like all vessels are doing Endicott Arm. Tracy Arm must have too much ice at the present time near the glacier.
quote:
We are going back on June 4th but going out of Vancouver. I think this trip we will take it easy on excursions since we saw so much last time. One thing we are doing out of Juneau is the trip to Taku Lodge. It is supposed to amazing. Plane ride there over glaciers then a few hours at the lodge with a salmon bake. They have a bear that comes around. I hope it doesn't fill up because I am waiting to book on board since we have a good $600 in OBC.
My kids used to spend weeks at a time at the lodge. They knew the owners kids and he flew them down and back. It's an incredible location in the Taku River Valley. Several glaciers, be sure to hike around a bit. Lots of bears, they're more interested in cooked salmon than people. The Taku Glacier is huge.
Posted on 5/24/17 at 5:51 am to RogerTheShrubber
(no message)
This post was edited on 1/13/21 at 7:07 am
Posted on 5/24/17 at 11:11 am to LCTigerr
Company i used to work for does that tour. Its a good tour, depending on your interests. If youre interested in scenery there are better options.
Posted on 5/24/17 at 1:36 pm to LCTigerr
i remember just walking through ketchikan, it was a neat little town. In Juneau, we went to see Mendenhall Glacier.
Glacier Bay and Skagway were definitely the highlights of the trip.
Glacier Bay and Skagway were definitely the highlights of the trip.
Posted on 5/24/17 at 2:43 pm to 632627
quote:
Juneau, we went to see Mendenhall Glacier.
Standard bus tours don't spend enough time. I'd recommend the ice caves if you're a bit adventurous
Posted on 5/24/17 at 9:05 pm to RogerTheShrubber
(no message)
This post was edited on 1/13/21 at 7:06 am
Posted on 5/24/17 at 9:16 pm to LCTigerr
quote:
What about a combo whale watching/Mendehall Glacier tour? We are heading out one 6/10 on a cruise and trying to finalize our excursions. We have tentatively the whale watching/glacier combo for Juneau, Jeep/canoe for ketchikan, and train in skagway. Anything you'd recommend other than that? Trying to keep a modest budget.
The combo for Juneau isn't bad, just keep in mind you don't get a lot of time at the glacier and a hike to the waterfall and back is about an hour. If you do want to see the glacier and visitors center but don't want to hike, the combo is a good choice. Bears are present and can be seen, particularly late July on.
The jeep/canoe is a good choice if you want some adventure and you don't want to spend a lot of money
This post was edited on 5/24/17 at 11:49 pm
Posted on 5/24/17 at 10:48 pm to Sir Drinksalot
I have been on two Alaskan cruises, both on Holland America. I don't remember Tracy Arm but I have been to the other ports. The must see in Juneau is Mendenhall Glacier. If it is not the most impressive glacier in the world, it has to be the most impressive one you can drive to. We also took a whale watching excursion that circled Shelter Island. We saw more whales than we could count. In Skagway we took the long, all day trip to the Yukon Territory, part of the way on the bus and part of the way on the scenic White Pass Railroad. We did not find much to do in Ketchikan other than just stroll around town. The boardwalk used to be the red light district. There is a house of ill repute there, but let me caution you. Before you pay good money to go in please be advised that it is now a museum and is no longer a functioning whore house.
Posted on 5/25/17 at 1:59 am to 632627
I rented a car out of Skagway and took the same route but much deeper, went all the up the Yukon Territory, beautiful drive.
Posted on 5/25/17 at 11:02 am to showtiger
If you can find a car in Skagway, that's what I would recommend. Be careful though, the border agents on both sides there are absolute assholes.
This post was edited on 5/26/17 at 11:38 am
Posted on 5/26/17 at 9:53 am to Sir Drinksalot
Pay some more in Skagway to take a helicopter ride to the top of a glacier so you get to walk on one. In ketchikan explore the town, grab some food, and watch the lumberjack show hammered.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 11:11 am to showtiger
quote:
I rented a car out of Skagway and took the same route but much deeper, went all the up the Yukon Territory, beautiful drive.
i really regret only doing the train in skagway.
Posted on 5/26/17 at 12:20 pm to mmonro3
Where would you recommend eating in Ketchikan? We walked what felt like not even a tenth of a mile and the town seemed to end. There was just nothing there to see and I don't recall seeing more than a small little cafe type place to eat. Is there somewhere secret?
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