Alaska Cruise

[LTGB]

Hey. We are doing an Alaskan Cruise and I'm curious what are the best excursions for two adults and an 8 year old. Also what type clothing do we need to bring. Thanks

 

[steves100]

If you can or ant to afford it, we LOVED the dog sledding on the glacier. You can save money and do it direct with the company

 

[jdb in AZ]

It really depends on what you like to do. Our favorite thing was a flight seeing adventure on a float plane out of Ketchikan, booked through a local agency we found when we got there. It was so much cheaper than going through the cruise line.

As for clothing, plan on layers and waterproof jackets. If you don't like the weather in Alaska, wait 15 mins and it will change. Unless you're planning to hike on a glacier, you won't need special shoes.

 

[carrielouhoo]

It really depends on what you like to do. Our favorite thing was a flight seeing adventure on a float plane out of Ketchikan, booked through a local agency we found when we got there. It was so much cheaper than going through the cruise line.

As for clothing, plan on layers and waterproof jackets. If you don't like the weather in Alaska, wait 15 mins and it will change. Unless you're planning to hike on a glacier, you won't need special shoes.

Do you remember the name of the agency?

 

[poison ivy]

our favorites were: (in no particular order)

1) whale watching/Mendenhall glacier in Juneau - booked privately with these guys https://www.weatherpermittingalaska.com/ - but due to an emergency with the boat they wound up graciously transferring us over to http://www.harvandmarvs.com/ with Capt. Jeff for a private tour on the "M/V Alaskan" (capacity 12) at no additional cost.

Pics I: http://disboards.com/threads/anyone-back-from-alaska-yet.3414870/page-8#post-53856203
Pics II: http://www.disboards.com/threads/anyone-back-from-alaska-yet.3414870/page-11#post-53929178

2)glacier dog sledding in Skagway - We did the helicopter/dog sled adventure thru Disney in Skagway. It was fantastic.

Pics I: http://www.disboards.com/threads/anyone-back-from-alaska-yet.3414870/page-3#post-53820112
Pics II: http://www.disboards.com/threads/anyone-back-from-alaska-yet.3414870/page-5#post-53829461

3) fishing charter in Ketchikan - private charter booked with Bella Misty http://www.ketchikan-fishing-charters.com/
This was my all time favorite. I had never gone fishing before. (As if there could be anything to beat the other two!) Captain Clayton was the best.

Day 6 - Ketchikan




our son - proudly displaying the catch of the day. Halibut/Cod/Rockfish

 

[xlxo]

Here's some ideas from another cruise line for ideas.... the excursions are about the same.
Juneau.... whale watch and mendenhall
Skagway.... White Pass railway combo

 

[anricat]

This is the ultimate thread of Alaska excursions:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/alaska-excursions-post-your-reviews-here.2723087/

I recommend reading trip reports, particularly from people who have similar aged children.

For our family, we loved everything we did and I wouldn't have changed a thing. My DD is also 8 and we did:
Skagway: Chilkoot Yukon Rail & Bus Excursion w/ Dogcart experience (bus up/train down)

Juneau: In the morning rented a car and drove to Mendenhall Glacier. In the afternoon we went on a private whale watching trip with Rum Runners (sharing the boat with a fellow DISer)

Ketchikan: In the morning we relaxed (well, sort of, I did a spin class, but DH and DD hung out), then in the afternoon we went into town to do some exploring, then at 2:15 we went sea kayaking with Southeast Sea Kayaks for a 2 hour trip.

There are loads of pictures and more detailed descriptions of all of these in my trip report here: http://www.disboards.com/threads/wo...dventure-with-extra-fun-in-vancouver.3537617/