Alaska DCL Excursions

[Sakura1017]

Hi,
Looking for input on DCL excursions. I know many like to book private tours on their own but I have family members who do not want to do that. Were not that adventurous so we won't be doing any helicopters of ziplining etc. I have read summaries and had horrible experiences with Hawaii excursions through DCL because it did not match the itinerary of what was listed.

Cruise will by stopping at icy straight, Skagway, Juneau, Hubbard, Ketchikan.
For icy straight, how is gondola ride or is there a combo with gondola and tram ride? Or am I better off doing whale watching and seafood feast combo?

Skagway: Can I do both train ride and the musher camp and sled dog experience? Which is the better experience for musher camp (Skagway or Juneau?) Did anyone do the VIP train ride, did you feel it was a great experience, or better off with just regular?

Juneau: Which excursions did you like for Mendenhall. I was torn between Best of Juneau, Alaska whale and glacier photo safari, deluxe tour of Juneau, dog sledding summer camp, Mendenhall glacier rainforest garden adventure, Mendenhall glacier and whale quest, Mendenhall glacier explorer or Mendenhall glacier explorer and gold belt tram, or sled dog discovery and musher's camp.

Hubbard: At the moment DCL says only 9 am excursions will be available, so for those that did it in past was only 1 offered or did you have 2 times? What times were being offered? What side did it start? Are characters on deck going to be offered for both times and will equally appear?

Ketchikan was probably looking at the misty fjords and wilderness explorer.

Did you feel if you did anything with animal watching was it worth it. I know they had that disclaimer if you don't see anything you get a refund. But I'd rather choose something else than be disappointed and get a refund for all the time lost. Cruise would be in late July and early august so I'm not sure if that will play a huge factor with animal sightings.

Lastly, first time going to Alaska, will all ports have a welcome Alaska sign or only specific ones? Which ports and if you did a DCL excursion which one.

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[msmama]

I can't really answer most of your questions, but I did whale watching in Alaska years ago (not DCL) and, literally, we were like maybe less than 100 yards away from the pier before we saw our first whale. I asked the captain and he said he'd been doing his job for 20 years and had NEVER had to refund anyone for not seeing whales (nor had he heard of any other companies having to do so). Granted this was a long time ago, but of all the things to worry about, I don't think this would be one.

 

[Calantha]

For icy straight, how is gondola ride or is there a combo with gondola and tram ride? Or am I better off doing whale watching and seafood feast combo?

Juneau: Which excursions did you like for Mendenhall. I was torn between Best of Juneau, Alaska whale and glacier photo safari, deluxe tour of Juneau, dog sledding summer camp, Mendenhall glacier rainforest garden adventure, Mendenhall glacier and whale quest, Mendenhall glacier explorer or Mendenhall glacier explorer and gold belt tram, or sled dog discovery and musher's camp.

Check out their main website for all the details that you can't get from Disney: https://icystraitpoint.com/
We rode the Gondola up the mountain - it was amazing and terrifying. Out actual excursion was cancelled (the ropes course) due to a storm that broke a bunch of the lines, so we ended up just doing a nature walk.

We did the Photo Safari in Juneau so didn't see the need to do whale watching at ISP. The Photo Safari was my favorite excursion of the week. Lots of whales and the guide was very good. Up at the park, it was a nice walk. They only give high level photography instructions, but also there were several people who just came along for the experience. Happy to give more details on the excursion if you are interested.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I have only done one DCL excursion in Alaska and that was ziplining in Ketchikan. Otherwise, we have always got our own. The companies in Alaska earn their reputation by being safe and getting you back to the ship on time. I would recommend looking at private excursions for Whale Watching (Juneau), White Pass Train with Yukon (Skagway) and Bear watching (Icy Point Straight). They are often cheaper than through DCL for the same excursion. Also, they have the benefit of doing what you want to do. My trip reports listed below have our experiences with each tour operator.

Alaska is beautiful and you will love anything that you decide to do.

 

[sadiecatie]

As an add-on to what was previously mentioned, a benefit of booking third party for some excursions is having more time or flexibility to do exactly what you want. I was looking at the DCL excursion for whale watching + Mendenhall Glacier and was concerned with how little time you actually get at the glacier. I ended up booking a third-party tour that will do whale watching first then provides a flexible shuttle to/from Mendenhall (running every 30 minutes so we can spend as much time as we want hiking/taking photos/etc - I really didn’t want that to feel rushed and worried it would be through the DCL tour).

 

[auntlynne]

 

[Flossbolna]

I found this thread recently and found it helpful:
Thread 'Alaska Excursions--post your reviews here!'
https://www.disboards.com/threads/alaska-excursions-post-your-reviews-here.2723087/
It’s a bit older but it seems that most excursions haven’t changed much over the years.

Also using the search function has helped me find people talking about the specific excursion I was considering. They all have numbers and many people use those numbers or you can search for the official name.

 

[soniam]

We have booked some short private ones for our June cruise. I was worried the ones I wanted would be sold out by silver booking. These start early and return hours before the ship departs. The DIS did some reviews of their excursions last summer. I know it was in podcasts but probably videos too. I do remember Craig and Ryno did the train in Skagway. I thought they said it was a little boring. They did the VIP one.

 

[Sakura1017]

Check out their main website for all the details that you can't get from Disney: https://icystraitpoint.com/
We rode the Gondola up the mountain - it was amazing and terrifying. Out actual excursion was cancelled (the ropes course) due to a storm that broke a bunch of the lines, so we ended up just doing a nature walk.

We did the Photo Safari in Juneau so didn't see the need to do whale watching at ISP. The Photo Safari was my favorite excursion of the week. Lots of whales and the guide was very good. Up at the park, it was a nice walk. They only give high level photography instructions, but also there were several people who just came along for the experience. Happy to give more details on the excursion if you are interested.

I heard from the gondola ride there are 2 types. When you went up to the top, did you book the gondola ride privately or through DCL. I just saw some videos and read reviews so I'm probably going to pass ons the tram ride since I heard if it's raining you're gonna get soaked so much on that.

 

[Sakura1017]

We did mainly ship excursions when we started cruising, too. And still do in many places.

Icy Strait Point : Visited there in Sep 2021. Beautiful area for whale watching. It seemed prettier than the bay near Juneau. Could have just been the weather. I did an excursion from NCL that did a combo with the ZipRider. Our boat was smaller with fewer guests than the ones only doing a whale watch. I can’t say whale watching here is better than Juneau. It depends on the day. The whale watch operators communicate with each other on locations of whales. If one ship sees whales, pretty much everyone does.

I don’t know what riding the gondola would offer. Other than now being a faster route to the ZipRider - used to be a long bus ride. (And a stunning view of the mountains and water). I may be wrong or just different thinking, but I think of it as transportation (tram or gondola). That said, I consider the Skyliner and Monorail at WDW as additional rides - go figure! But I don’t pay extra for them.

I am only slightly adventurous. But that whales + ZipRider tour is probably one of my favorite cruise activities of all time. It was ziplining - but sitting in a seat. No hanging by your arms or harness up your groin.

Hubbard Glacier: I have seen it and the glacier at the end of Tracy Arm (Sawyer) and Glacier Bay only from a cruise ship. Still spectacular. I imagine getting closer (and lower to the water) pretty amazing.

Juneau: Whale watching on two cruises, two cruise lines, did a ship’s tour on each. The first (DCL) was Whale Watch + Mendenhall. Nice first visit. The next year, on Princess, it was the Whale Watch + Mendenhall Hike with photography tips (not the actual name). The second was better for one principal reason: the actual boat and limited passenger capacity. the first boat head 40+ people. The photography people held ~ 12 and was low to the water with large windows. Being close to water seems to make you more a part of the experience. Five trips to Juneau and I always go to Mendenhall. It is not the most spectacular glacier, but it is fairly relaxing few hours.

(I have seen whales on every whale watching tour I have done - AK, Hawaii, Cape Cod.)

Skagway - I rode the train. Regular, not VIP. I wonder what you get for the extra money. That was a one and done excursion for us. It met our needs of that year in our lives. Then we got off and had hours left in port. So we did a helicopter ride to land- and walk- on a glacier.

We also rented a car one year and drove into Yukon, Canada to see Emerald Lake, eventually going to White Horse, the capital. Fun scenery along the way , including a desert and a suspension bridge. Some people visit dog sled camps along this way. Skagway is quite often a long port day in which you can do several activities And not feel rushed.

I think I might change my mind now and do a zip line at icy straight. Now that I know that it's one where you get to sit down I might be more comfortable with that. Of course that would be my first time zip lining. How is the landing. I was trying to watch videos and it seems like it was a little rough. Is it really bad if someone in the past had neck issues?

 

[auntlynne]

 

[auntlynne]

 

[Pixie Dust Believer]

We did the VIP train ride and loved it. We were on the last car of the train and I want to say there were 10 or maybe 12 of us. Every seat was an oversized leather window seat and they swiveled. There were also outside platforms on both the front and back of the car that we were able to go out to as desired.

The car had a dedicated tour guide/server/bar tender. We had a bento style box filled with food from the Red Onion saloon. It was also all you care to drink.

We thought the length of excursion was great. We were able to get some great tips for the tour guide about what to do that afternoon in town. The recommendations were spot on and we had a chance to visit some of the places he mentioned before our afternoon tour (something good time gals, which was a riot). The views were great and some of my favorite photos came from the back platform with nothing blocking my camera’s view. I’d highly recommend the tour.

 

[Sakura1017]

How is whale watching in Juneau? Did you feel like you needed an excursion for that or were you able to see it from the boat if you had a verandah? How was Mendenhall glacier, is an hour to an hour and 15 minutes sufficient time? is the Mendenhall adventure garden worth it or is it a tourist trap? Lastly, would you see the salmon bake at golden creek?

What are some things to do in Sitka that you all enjoyed.

 

[Sakura1017]

We did the VIP train ride and loved it. We were on the last car of the train and I want to say there were 10 or maybe 12 of us. Every seat was an oversized leather window seat and they swiveled. There were also outside platforms on both the front and back of the car that we were able to go out to as desired.

The car had a dedicated tour guide/server/bar tender. We had a bento style box filled with food from the Red Onion saloon. It was also all you care to drink.

We thought the length of excursion was great. We were able to get some great tips for the tour guide about what to do that afternoon in town. The recommendations were spot on and we had a chance to visit some of the places he mentioned before our afternoon tour (something good time gals, which was a riot). The views were great and some of my favorite photos came from the back platform with nothing blocking my camera’s view. I’d highly recommend the tour.

Thank you for sharing, I did see a video on the Internet. Unfortunately the vip train tour is only offered one time on the day were there. That clashes with another excursion I was trying to do. I was going to do the Musher's camp and sled dog experience since my family isn't going on any helicopters for glacier.

 

[JoeFromSeoul]

On our one and only Alaska cruise (so far) we went horseback riding (fun, not super adventurous), gold mine tour with panning for gold, and a very unique one In Juneau…we went to Costco to redeem our rebate checks. We live overseas and, at the time, had to go to a stateside store to redeem them.

That is the only excursion I have ever planned that paid me!

 

[jdb in AZ]

We really liked taking a float plane to Misty Fjords. Just booked it locally. Alaska ports have lots of kiosks set up for spur-of-the-moment shore excursions.

since you're going the end of July, the salmon hatchery near the Mendenhall Glacier should be open. The salmon are "running" and leap up the ladders. Fascinating to watch.

In Juneau we always make a pilgrimage to Tracy's Crab Shack. It's quite pricey but I'm a crabby person. (I "borrowed" the pic from Facebook. Have no idea who the guy is.)

 

[jimmymc]

Icy Strait Point: The tram ride includes the gondola, since you have to take it up the hill to the start of the tram ride. Also the gondola isn't really a sightseeing experience, it just moves you from point A to B. Icy Strait is an amazing place to do whale watching and visits the same waters you do in Juneau. I would recommend the whales and crab feast here.

Skagway: yes you can do both the train ride and musher's camp. The VIP car is a nice treat if you have the money but the views and navigation are the same as the normal ride. I've heard reviews that the adults-only car is nice because it's easier to hear the guide. The two dog camps are different, and I heard one is better but I can't remember which one. I will update if I find out.

Juneau: My favorite Juneau excursion is the Alaska Whales and Rainforest Trails. It's a flat, 1 mile walk that ends with a great view of the glacier, and you do the whale watching on a smaller boat where the windows can open up on all sides. Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching if you don't do it at Icy Strait, and exploring downtown Juneau are the 3 things you should schedule for here. If the weather is clear you can also do the tram to the top of the mountain, but do not book this in advance. You save so much money by just buying a ticket at the tram.

Hubbard: The characters only appear on deck in the morning, meaning if you book the morning cruise you will miss them. They typically offer 2 or 3 times, but they may have fewer boats available this year.

Ketchikan: Misty Fjords will be fun. If you have time, I also recommend Rainforest Sanctuary and Totem Park. This is the most likely place to see bears on the entire cruise, since they tend to stick around the area.

 

[auntlynne]

 

[auntlynne]