Alaska cruise with no excursions?

[ChanaC]

This is more of a general cruising question for those of you who have done Alaska. What would the experience be like if you didn't pay for any excursions? Is there enough to do at the ports once you get off? Or stuff that might be an easy taxi/Uber ride away (like in Juneau - I know the smaller towns might not have those options)? I'm starting to consider an Alaska cruise, but of course it adds up when you look at the cost of the cruise plus flights plus a hotel night before the ship leaves. I think if I was to splurge it would be to get a balcony/veranda cabin. The person I'm considering going with (my mom) isn't really into strenuous activities like hiking, and honestly I think I could see us just sitting on deck and looking at the sights, or getting out at the ports of call to look around and maybe do lunch. But I hear about all the amazing excursions out there, and I'm wondering if we will feel like we are missing out or not getting the full experience without doing something else. Thoughts? Experiences?

 

[KashasMom]

I think you can have a very enjoyable time without paying for expensive excursions (although there are some great excursions). We haven't done Mendenhall by public transportation but that might be an option. Or take the tramway up to look over the city/port or...a whale watching trip (you can book that on your own). Ketchikan is very easy to walk and explore without any excursions and it's a great town. In Skagway you might consider taking the White Pass Railroad but you can also walk around the town on your own. Another consideration for Skagway is renting a car and exploring a bit of the Yukon, even as far as Emerald Lake. There's enough to see and a very nice drive. I do think you can be happy to explore the towns on your own, have some lunch and relax on deck or on your balcony - and yes, I highly recommend a balcony for Alaska. You can have early morning coffee and look for whales.

 

[Cheburashka]

This is more of a general cruising question for those of you who have done Alaska. What would the experience be like if you didn't pay for any excursions? Is there enough to do at the ports once you get off? Or stuff that might be an easy taxi/Uber ride away (like in Juneau - I know the smaller towns might not have those options)? I'm starting to consider an Alaska cruise, but of course it adds up when you look at the cost of the cruise plus flights plus a hotel night before the ship leaves. I think if I was to splurge it would be to get a balcony/veranda cabin. The person I'm considering going with (my mom) isn't really into strenuous activities like hiking, and honestly I think I could see us just sitting on deck and looking at the sights, or getting out at the ports of call to look around and maybe do lunch. But I hear about all the amazing excursions out there, and I'm wondering if we will feel like we are missing out or not getting the full experience without doing something else. Thoughts? Experiences?

We didn't book any DCL excursions in Alaska. Here's what we did:

Skagway: We took the town tourist trolley from the ship to Jewell Gardens, with whom we had independently booked a glass blowing experience (1/2 price of booking via DCL, and included a nice lunch in their little cafe). They complimentary mailed our glass blown ornaments we made home so we didn't have to pack them. The small gardens there are pretty, too. We chose to stop at the Gold Rush graveyard and Lower Reid falls on the way back to the ship. The town is small and very walkable, btw. It's the most authentic feeling Alaskan small town of the three.

Juneau: We took the free tram from the ship to the town's main tourist area, from which we paid for a bus ride to and from Mendenhall Glacier National Park, and toured Mendenhall on our own. Then we returned to the main tourist area to eat a delicious lunch at Tracy's Crab Shack. Then we took the Tramway (which is right there) to Mount Roberts, and hiked a bit on the mountain and enjoyed beautiful views, including a great view of the Wonder.

Ketchikan: We independently booked a Misty Fjords flight with Island Wings, which is a great company with a very experienced pilot who is also the owner.

Vancouver: While onboard, we booked a Vancouver city tour for debarkation day. Yes, this was a DCL excursion, but I didn't count it as it was not in Alaska and was reasonably priced, unlike many of their Alaska excursions. I think it could only be booked onboard. A nice coach bus drove us through Chinatown, took us to Stanley Park where we stopped for awhile, and then to the Capilano Suspension Bridge park, where we stayed for a couple of hours and which was fantastic. We toured it on our own and chose to have lunch there, then met back at the bus at the appointed time. The tour ended with them dropping us off at the airport.

None of these excursions broke the bank. You don't need to helicopter to a glacier to have a great Alaska cruise, but I do recommend participating in some activities and seeing the environment.

In Vancouver, I also recommend Fly Over Canada, a Soarin'-type ride right next to the port. Van Dusen Gardens is also extensive and very impressive, and includes a great hedge maze.

 

[Geomom]

Low cost on your own port adventures:
Skagway: The free Klondike Gold Rush national historical park right in town, an easy walk from the ship. Lots of historic buildings, museums, free ranger led tours, etc. https://www.nps.gov/klgo/index.htm
We stopped there after our Chilkoot charters bus up to the Yukon/train down tour...we had filled out the junior ranger activities at home and got the kids badges in person. I wish we'd had more time to explore the park in town.

Juneau: lots of tour companies right where the free Disney shuttle drops you off at the start of town. We did one of the glacier shuttles (prebooked, but could buy same day), takes you to Mendenhall glacier...maybe $40 roundtrip now? Includes the cost of admission. It runs on the 1/2 hr. If you want to do the Mt Roberts Tram, the entrance is near where the shuttle drops you off, buy tix same day as it's really a weather dependent adventure. Lots of shops right there.

Ketchikan:. Lots of shops, check out historic Creek St. There are historic brothel tours... didn't do it, but passed by it on Creek St. The lumberjack show is near the ship, cheaper tix if you buy on your own. We did the Disney Saxman native village and lumberjack show, but I know there are multiple totem poles in the area, some should be cheaper to visit.

Vancouver: we got a public transit day pass, took the ferry over to Londsdale Quay, and a bus near Lynn Canyon State park with it's free (or a donation) suspension bridge. The other day we went to Stanley park ,walked around, went to the aquarium, etc. There is supposed to be a nice botanical park in Vancouver as well.

 

[auntlynne]

One can do AK without expensive excursions. Each family is unique in their travel personality. Some people don’t get off the ship ever. (I am sure that is a very small group of cruisers).

The combination of ocean and the trees of the Tongass Forest create a beautiful view when sailing the Inner Passage and docked at the ports. Get out on your balcony or the upper deck or Deck 4 outdoor walking deck.

A Disney AK cruise is expensive. We cruised in the lowest price cabin in order to do the expensive excursions - helicopter, float plane, whale watch; and less expensive - kayak, train. I thought it would be a once in a lifetime cruise, so did most of the things we wanted to do. Fast forward 11 years - Next month is my sixth AK cruise, so that theory is blown (but never sailed DCL to AK after the first one).

In most ports, you are docked in town and can walk around. Others have shuttle buses to get you to downtown.

For me, a trip to AK is not complete without seeing whales and / or glaciers. Usually, one day on DCL is dedicated to cruising in a fjord with a glacier view.

Bald eagles are free to see hanging out in some of the ports, wherever fish are present.

 

[babyruth]

awesome recommendations here! thanks DisFam

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

This might be outdated, but there is a DisBoards poster called @Conorama who did a great trip report in 2015 after going to Alaska on DCL where they did a lot of on-your-own port adventures. I know it's been a long time, but there could be some good suggestions in that thread! Here is a link.

 

[babyruth]

This might be outdated, but there is a DisBoards poster called @Conorama who did a great trip report in 2015 after going to Alaska on DCL where they did a lot of on-your-own port adventures. I know it's been a long time, but there could be some good suggestions in that thread! Here is a link.

awesome! thanks!

 

[IAmMerida]

This is more of a general cruising question for those of you who have done Alaska. What would the experience be like if you didn't pay for any excursions? Is there enough to do at the ports once you get off? Or stuff that might be an easy taxi/Uber ride away (like in Juneau - I know the smaller towns might not have those options)? I'm starting to consider an Alaska cruise, but of course it adds up when you look at the cost of the cruise plus flights plus a hotel night before the ship leaves. I think if I was to splurge it would be to get a balcony/veranda cabin. The person I'm considering going with (my mom) isn't really into strenuous activities like hiking, and honestly I think I could see us just sitting on deck and looking at the sights, or getting out at the ports of call to look around and maybe do lunch. But I hear about all the amazing excursions out there, and I'm wondering if we will feel like we are missing out or not getting the full experience without doing something else. Thoughts? Experiences?

I think it is just personal preference. I have cruised Alaska 3 times so far (about to book our 4th) and much prefer NOT having an excursion! But in general, I’m not a “tour group” person. We love having the freedom to explore the ports and towns on our own. We can come and go on our own schedule, find cool places for lunch, maybe light shopping and just relax and enjoy everything. I’ve even chosen to stay on the ship before!

My kids really loved the kids clubs when they were of that age and seemed to have more fun there than on excursions. Excursion activities are always a mix of traveling out to the destination (not fun for some), lots of lectures about the activity (kids get bored) and then the fun activities themselves are cool but way shorter than one would expect and it’s time to regroup then travel back to the ship. By the end of the day it feels rushed, anticlimactic, and everyone is tired at dinner.