Alaska DCL Excursions

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Yeah I noticed DCL only has excursions in the morning to Mendenhall glacier. I was gonna do the combo of whale watching and glacier with them but then learned that it might have a lot of passengers on the ship combined with other tour groups. So I was thinking of maybe doing a a whale watch with Juneau tours since they have max of 50. But if I do a private tour with a company it would be max of 6 possibility, and it would be for 4 hours. So I was trying to see if I can do Mendenhall in the afternoon once I know what the weather is like. If it's not feasible then maybe I can have the private whale tour do pictures near the glacier.

Also how far is the Robert's tram to the cruise port? Certain excursions say to meet at that location.

Thanks

What about a tour that combines whale watching with Mendehall glacier visit? I saw a few like this…
The tram is supposed to be right near the pier.

 

[sadiecatie]

Yeah I noticed DCL only has excursions in the morning to Mendenhall glacier. I was gonna do the combo of whale watching and glacier with them but then learned that it might have a lot of passengers on the ship combined with other tour groups. So I was thinking of maybe doing a a whale watch with Juneau tours since they have max of 50. But if I do a private tour with a company it would be max of 6 possibility, and it would be for 4 hours. So I was trying to see if I can do Mendenhall in the afternoon once I know what the weather is like. If it's not feasible then maybe I can have the private whale tour do pictures near the glacier.

Also how far is the Robert's tram to the cruise port? Certain excursions say to meet at that location.

Thanks

Just so you know, the whale watching tours do not go close to Mendenhall Glacier. The boats go into Auke Bay, while the glacier is a bit further inland (I’m not sure if that’s what you meant, but your private whale tour will not take you close to the glacier).

 

[Sakura1017]

What about a tour that combines whale watching with Mendehall glacier visit? I saw a few like this…
The tram is supposed to be right near the pier.

Im worried if its gonna be too crowded. Then we wouldn't be able to move around onboard. I saw some reviews where they did combos.

 

[Sakura1017]

Just so you know, the whale watching tours do not go close to Mendenhall Glacier. The boats go into Auke Bay, while the glacier is a bit further inland (I’m not sure if that’s what you meant, but your private whale tour will not take you close to the glacier).

Yeah i saw some pics where its further out but you can still see it in the distance. If i have time i will try to get out there but even then i probably can only do the photo trail due to short time. So thats why i was debating if i should even make the attempt or explore downtown. I have a family member wants to try Tracy's to and that can be long lines..

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Yeah i saw some pics where its further out but you can still see it in the distance. If i have time i will try to get out there but even then i probably can only do the photo trail due to short time. So thats why i was debating if i should even make the attempt or explore downtown. I have a family member wants to try Tracy's to and that can be long lines..

I heard they move at a good pace though m.
We also want to try it. Well I don’t but people with me do

 

[TBLaube]

What about a tour that combines whale watching with Mendehall glacier visit? I saw a few like this…
The tram is supposed to be right near the pier.

They do have a combo tour where you go to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center area for about an hour or so. Definitely use that time to do the Nugget Falls trail (about a mile each way, but easy and sure doesn't seem that far). The you take the bus back (and get a little guided tour while on the tour through town). Plus do a whale watching tour on a boat. You might do the boat first, then the glacier, but you do both. It is a good tour and is convenient to do through DCL. You can also find private tours with the same itinerary or do each individually.

 

[Sakura1017]

If u are at Mendenhall glacier to get back to the port, can u pay for shuttles at the glacier center? Or do u have to buy passes from Roberts tram?

 

[sadiecatie]

If u are at Mendenhall glacier to get back to the port, can u pay for shuttles at the glacier center? Or do u have to buy passes from Roberts tram?

I believe you either need to arrange with one of the tour companies or get a cab - the visitor center itself does not offer any sort of transportation.

 

[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.

Do they drop you back off right in front of the wonder where you boarded for the excursion? Or was it at a different dock?

 

[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.