Alaska Excursions: Ketchikan

[jldcherry]

We are going on our first Disney Cruise to Alaska in June and researching excursions. We will have 4 adults and 2 kids(7 and 9). We are active and enjoy being outside.
-Suggestions for excursions in Ketchikan?
-Is the lumberjack show really a must do? We are considering many activities in the rainforest, but we would not be able to do these and the lumberjack show.

 

[KashasMom]

We've done 3 flightseeing excursions with Island Wings - once to Misty Fjords, once to Anan Creek for bears, and once to Traitors Cove for bears (saw bears both times). They were all awesome excursions and I highly recommend Island Wings. We still had time to walk around town to see Creek Street, the Totem Poles, etc.

 

[belle032]

Be prepared for rain. This was the only port where it rained hard and nonstop all day. They have a "liquid sunshine gauge" right on the dock, if that tells you anything!

This is a huge port for fishing, so that's always a good option. Tons of excursions and third party fishing options.

We were there in 2020 so unfortunately, many tours weren't operating, but I've heard really great things about the Bering Sea Fisherman's Tour. If we go back, we would absolutely book it.

The port is very walkable. Lots of shops and the lumberjack show is steps away from the dock. Creek Street is also a fun place to wander through and see. Don't miss the salmon ladder!

 

[HiStitch626]

We did not do the lumberjack show, so cannot comment on that.

2017 we did the Bering Sea Crab Boat. It was a huge hit with everyone, especially 7-year-old niece, and 8, 10, and 13-year-old nephews.

 

[Geomom]

We did the Saxman native village and lumberjack show through Disney. While we enjoyed it (especially as a combo with seeing totem poles), the lumberjack show is NOT a must do, do one of the rainforest ones you're interested in. Also if you end up doing Grouse Mountain in the Vancouver area, in the past they've had a mini version of the lumberjack show there.

 

[jldcherry]

We've done 3 flightseeing excursions with Island Wings - once to Misty Fjords, once to Anan Creek for bears, and once to Traitors Cove for bears (saw bears both times). They were all awesome excursions and I highly recommend Island Wings. We still had time to walk around town to see Creek Street, the Totem Poles, etc.

I keep seeing people recommend the Misty Fjords! We are first time cruisers, so thank you for the advice about times. I am struggling to figure out how much I can realistically fit into a day in port.

 

[lovingeire]

I'd do one of the rainforest ones you want to do. As Geomom said, you can see a version of the lumberjack show on Grouse Mountain in Vancouver if you really want to see one. We plan to do this post-cruise and are doing the Crab Boat tour in Ketchikan. (But that was my husband's must-do because he loves Deadliest Catch...). I chose all of our excursions based on what my family would enjoy most. (Although sometimes that's hard to narrow down!) At dinner one night I literally asked my children (8&11) what they were most excited about for the cruise and wanted to do most and went with what they told me.

 

[tvguy]

We did the Duck tour. Just watching my kids eyes as the "Duck" drove off the road and into the water was worth it. I have never seen so many eagles as we did on the Duck tour.

 

[jldcherry]

I'd also be curious to hear experiences/opinions about the Dawes Glacier excursion for anyone who has done it, is the smaller boat worth it?

 

[anricat]

We are also an active family. You're going to love Alaska! My daughter was 8 at the time and it was a great 8 for Alaska. Now that she's a teen, we'd love to go back for some difference experiences!

We booked a sea kayaking trip. It was a lot of fun. We got to kayak right under the Wonder! It was a totally unique experience. Here's a direct link to that day in my Trip Report. https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...-extra-fun-in-vancouver.3537617/post-56347098

We actually saw a lumberjack show in Vancouver before the cruise, which was a nice compromise since we got to see a show like that, but not take up any port time with it. It was cute, but I don't feel like it's a must do.

 

[lklgoodman]

We did the lumberjack when my dd was 6 yrs old. It was nice, but not a must do.

 

[auntlynne]

I went to the Lumberjack Show. Yes, the lumber -jacks and -jills are good at what they do, but on the cheesy side. Find one on the internet and decide if that’s what you want to do with family’s time.

 

[BruinEd03]

We loved the Deadliest Catch tour. You can save some money if you book directly by yourself: https://alaskacrabtour.com/ It's the same tour that Disney offers.

 

[jldcherry]

Thank you! We are quite nervous since this our first cruise and it's a long one. It's encouraging to know your 8 year old enjoyed it.

 

[DisneyConvert]

There is SO much to do in Ketchikan. Suggest you check out TripAdvisor and other web sites. Yes, YouTube too.
Do some emailing, review & compare . . . all these businesses need good ratings and referrals; we've rarely been disappointed.

I booked a Salmon Fishing trip independently of Disney (the other passengers were mostly Wonder guests as well) and it was terrific. Saw plenty of whales, caught salmon, saved $$'s.
Got back in plenty of time to tour the tourist district.

We generally do NOT do the DCL excursions, although there are reasons one might.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Skagway pretty much closes down when the cruise ships are not there. Juneau is full of bars, liquor stores and cheesy tourist shops within walking distance of the port. You'll want to schedule excursions at both of those. We really enjoyed just getting off the boat and exploring the town in Ketchikan though - it's a real town with a lot to see right by the port. There's an easy walking trail up the river where you can see the Salmon spawn too.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Juneau is full of bars, liquor stores and cheesy tourist shops within walking distance of the port. You'll want to schedule excursions at both of those.

The town also has some decent Alaska-oriented musuems -- it IS the state capitol after all.

One could also take a taxi or Lyft to an interesting state-run salmon hatchery:
DIPAC Macaulay Salmon Hatchery
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8H1Jig5D2WF3jYaXA. . . which is right across the hiway from the cheesy, not-particularly-inexpensive, but entertaining "Gold Creek Salmon Bake".

In any case, all 3 stops have lots to see/do. There's a good reason Alaska (used to) gets >1M cruise visitors each year.

 

[Cheburashka]

We are going on our first Disney Cruise to Alaska in June and researching excursions. We will have 4 adults and 2 kids(7 and 9). We are active and enjoy being outside.
-Suggestions for excursions in Ketchikan?
-Is the lumberjack show really a must do? We are considering many activities in the rainforest, but we would not be able to do these and the lumberjack show.

We were graced with a warm, crystal clear day in Ketchikan. Very lucky, I know. We independently booked an excursion with Island Wings to fly over the Misty Fjords in a seaplane, and it was fantastic. Vintage prop plane was pretty loud, but that goes with the territory- they did give us headphones with a speaker system so we could hear the pilot's narration. It was more affordable than a DCL seaplane excursion, and the pilot was very experienced and the owner of the company.

 

[jldcherry]

I'd do one of the rainforest ones you want to do. As Geomom said, you can see a version of the lumberjack show on Grouse Mountain in Vancouver if you really want to see one. We plan to do this post-cruise and are doing the Crab Boat tour in Ketchikan. (But that was my husband's must-do because he loves Deadliest Catch...). I chose all of our excursions based on what my family would enjoy most. (Although sometimes that's hard to narrow down!) At dinner one night I literally asked my children (8&11) what they were most excited about for the cruise and wanted to do most and went with what they told me.

My kids seem excited about the Crab boat tour or sea kayaking I should've asked them sooner!! For Disney World we all make a list of our must dos, so it makes sense to do it for this too. Thanks!

 

[lovingeire]

My kids seem excited about the Crab boat tour or sea kayaking I should've asked them sooner!! For Disney World we all make a list of our must dos, so it makes sense to do it for this too. Thanks!

I'm so glad that helped narrow it down! It really is a great tactic. Helps alleviate fights about what to do too! We do the same thing for Disney World/Land as well.