Alaska Excursions--post your reviews here!

[schmity]

Ketchikan ~ I had prebooked the Orca's Cove Kayaking trip with "Southeast Sea Kayaks" for everyone in my family/brother EXCEPT my son. We didn't feel he was mature enough to go on this excursion.

After disembarking we located the "Southeast Sea Kayaks" White van and we were on our way to the excursion location (it was less than a 5 minute drive - we probably could have walked it but it was nice that they picked you up). After getting outfitted with our Kayaking gear minus kayak and paddle we hopped onboard a little scuttle boat. After a 20 minute trip out to the cove we transferred to the bigger boat which had the guides aboard and kayak's attached.

My brother and the guide ended up in one kayak and DH, DD and I ended up in another kayak. The guide took us to the various inlets of the cove and we saw an abudance of undersea creatures - tons of starfish, jellyfish, etc. At one point, in a cove that during low tide has no water but during the high tide were were there (was 15 feet of water) a seal popped his head up a few times.

After our several hour kayak adventure we ended up back a the larger boat for a snack. They had salmon, crackers, cheese, fruit and water. We got to snack for about 20 minutes before the little transfer boat came back for us. After another 20 minute ride back to the kayaking location back near the dock, and another transfer by van, we were back at the dock.

This was a pretty neat excursion that we all enjoyed. You could go at an agressive pace if you wanted to our a leisurely pace. The tour guide was AWESOME!!!



If anyone has any questions let me know.

Thank you for posting! We will be going with this company in May. Although i think it may be a different route.

Thanks again.

 

[FREEZIN]

about 480 per person on average

ouch!!!! X4

 

[meajuly5]

ouch!!!! X4

No kidding!

 

[zandlmom]

Hi - I am looking for some advice on whale watching. I want our girls, 6 and 8, to come away with memories of seeing whales. But now that its crunch time with excursions, I'm not sure spending hours on a boat would be interesting to them after the first, say, 30 minutes. For those who have been, is it one of those things that is more interesting to adults who have the patience to wait for the next moment? And for those who didn't whale watch, were you able to see some from the ship to get that "I've seen a whale" feeling? Thanks in advance!

 

[Aby]

Sadly almost all the excursions in Juneau were cancelled on our cruise due to high winds and rough waters, so I missed the one excursion I really wanted to do - whale watching. We did "see" a pod of orcas way off the aft of the ship on our last day, and while it was cool to see, I just didn't get that great feeling I know I'll have when I really get to see one on a tour. I know some other people saw more whales then us, but most of them were pretty far off from the ship and to me that's just not the same.

I can't comment too much on whether or not it would be entertaining enough for the kids, but I think it would depend on the child. I was totally into nature when I was young (still am!), and I would sit for more than an hour in the tree in my backyard with my hands held out full of seeds hoping one would land, so I was very patient! If your kids are really into seeing some wildlife, I think the excitement each time they even catch a glimpse will keep them going

We are going back to Alaska this summer with Disney and really, really hope that we get to do the whale watching this time. In fact, it's the only excursion we plan to do this time, so I hope the weather cooperates!

Aby

 

[cleophus12]

Our whale watching experience was amazing. Humpbacks were in abundance and we saw one breach every minute or so. No one would have been bored on that trip. However we weren't on dcl so we were in a different port from where you will be. Whale watching is as unpredictable as the whales themselves so its impossible to know if your children will see any or not. They might enjoy the boat ride though especially if you are on a smaller excursion. We only saw a whale once from the ship so if you were in the wrong place you missed it.

 

[buddywesley]

Hi - I am looking for some advice on whale watching. I want our girls, 6 and 8, to come away with memories of seeing whales. But now that its crunch time with excursions, I'm not sure spending hours on a boat would be interesting to them after the first, say, 30 minutes. For those who have been, is it one of those things that is more interesting to adults who have the patience to wait for the next moment? And for those who didn't whale watch, were you able to see some from the ship to get that "I've seen a whale" feeling? Thanks in advance!

Sorry! My phone app made this post twice! I guess the excursion is twice the fun

 

[buddywesley]

Hi - I am looking for some advice on whale watching. I want our girls, 6 and 8, to come away with memories of seeing whales. But now that its crunch time with excursions, I'm not sure spending hours on a boat would be interesting to them after the first, say, 30 minutes. For those who have been, is it one of those things that is more interesting to adults who have the patience to wait for the next moment? And for those who didn't whale watch, were you able to see some from the ship to get that "I've seen a whale" feeling? Thanks in advance!

We did the whale watching with DCL with our kids DD 4.5 and DS almost 9 at the time. We went end of June/ beg of July and saw a mom and baby humpback and a school of whales. We sat there for quite a while to watch (i think we took 100+ pix) and my son was into it the whole time. My DD wasnt but they had coloring pages for the kids and she made a friend and they colored the whole time LOL! I think you will all have fun! We also saw eagles and sea lions...

 

[CruznLexi]

The last time we went we had my 6 yr old cousin with us and we did not do it through DCL we did it through an Orca Enterprises who is like the Jack Hanna of whales . Much smaller boat only takes 25. We had whales breach, lots of whales and seals. The tried to keep the kids interactive. The one that we did in another port was lousy big huge catamaran. I have done one more in Mexico and same thing the one in Juneau is amazing.

 

[schmity]

Ketchikan: I will be sea kayaking tatoosh island.

How did this go? We are signed up to do the same I believe.

 

[Fellzie]

Wow! So many reviews! This has been very helpful to me in choosing what I will participate in

 

[zandlmom]

Thanks everyone for the whale watching advice. We need about 3 days in each port! It sounds like its not to be missed. Thanks so much for the expertise.

 

[jenna7394]

Thank you for the suggestion of Shore Trips. I found a couple leads on one of those sites for fishing excursions!

 

[jenna7394]

Has anyone used Alaska Anglers Adventures & Outfitters for fishing excursions?

 

[OrcaPotter]

For folks who did their own thing in Ketchikan, where are the cool things to see/do that are cheap and/or locally owned? I want to support the local shops, not cruise line owned ones.

 

[jenna7394]

We just booked a special helicopter tour through Coastal Helicopters for the Juneau stop on 6/7. This tour is a 3-1/2 tour that consists of a helicopter ride to have an hour long dogsled experience AND a 20 minute landing on an icefield. Normally, companies only offer one or the other. In order for us to be guaranteed the icefield landing, all riders in the helicopter have to agree. There are only 4 in our family (my DH and I plus our 2 very well behaved boys, 12 & 14) and the helicopter seats 6. The total cost per person would be $545. If you or someone you know would be interested in joining our family for this tour, please PM me and I can give you more information. We would love to know we are guaranteed both landings! Without finding others on our own we are only guaranteed to do the dogsled.

 

[TwingleMomFl]

We just booked a special helicopter tour through Coastal Helicopters for the Juneau stop on 6/7. This tour is a 3-1/2 tour that consists of a helicopter ride to have an hour long dogsled experience AND a 20 minute landing on an icefield. Normally, companies only offer one or the other. In order for us to be guaranteed the icefield landing, all riders in the helicopter have to agree. There are only 4 in our family (my DH and I plus our 2 very well behaved boys, 12 & 14) and the helicopter seats 6. The total cost per person would be $545. If you or someone you know would be interested in joining our family for this tour, please PM me and I can give you more information. We would love to know we are guaranteed both landings! Without finding others on our own we are only guaranteed to do the dogsled.

We also booked with them and are doing the same tour. If you get a group of 12 together they will give you a discount. Luckily,we have enough to get the discount and a private tour!

 

[jenna7394]

Thanks for the info. I would love to get 12 together for a discount but at this point I am just hoping for 2 more to fill the helicopter! Maybe we will see you up there!

 

[TwingleMomFl]

Thanks for the info. I would love to get 12 together for a discount but at this point I am just hoping for 2 more to fill the helicopter! Maybe we will see you up there!

Let me know how it is when you come back! We go in July. I can't wait to hear your review!

 

[jenna7394]

I will definitely let you know!