Alaska Excursions--post your reviews here!

[poohj80]

Stick to your guns! This was hands-down my favorite excursion, completely worth the money and the time. The scenery is so varied, nothing like what you'd see from the ground, and you're going where there are NO roads anyway.

Thanks Val, but even though I know I would love it, not sure a 5 year old would. We are already ditching her for the glacier helicopter tour in Skagway so trying to only do that once.

PS Used to live in Golden so I know what ya mean about Mouse-less

 

[tksbaskets]

OK, I'm a visual person. We took this excursion on Friday July 8.

First we rode a luxury bus 5 minutes to the small boat dock in Skagway for a beautiful 40-45 minute boat ride to Haines, AK. Here is the boat at the dock in Haines. Many beautiful waterfalls along the way.

We were met and boarded a bus to the place were we got our Kawasaki Mules and were broken into two groups both with guides for our trek up the mountain.

The mules were in excellent condition, well maintained and super comfy! My DH says a blast to drive too. Over 19 switchbacks up and down.

Half way up we had warm cookies out of an outdoor smoker oven and were treated to beautiful scenery the entire time.

Half way back down we enjoyed a very yummy lunch which was all you care to eat.

Haines:

DH and I rode back on the top of the ferry so I could get pics and enjoy the scenery.

Coming back into port:

We saw many eagles on this excursion as well. Haines was in NO way a tourist trap. Not a jewelry store in sight (thank goodness).

Our family gave it four very big thumbs up. It was just what was advertised.

 

[kgsmith]

Beautiful photos! It looks like you had great weather, too.

 

[tksbaskets]

Juneau Saturday July 9.

Our tour ran with the salmon bake first. The 19 adults boarded a yellow Salmon Bake bus to the picnic spot (for lack of what else to call it).

Yes a tourist attraction but very good coho salmon grilled over alderwood and a nice atmosphere. Small walk to a waterfall. Well run. In no way did it seem crowded. We saw more eagles here than just about anywhere while we enjoyed our lunch.

We were picked up by the Dolphin Tour bus that handled the rest of our excursion. We were broken into two groups (our group had our family and a family of 5) for our whale watching experience.

Our 'ship' Big Red:

Captain Ben and our own naturalist Ali guided us through a magical excursion. I'm only sharing a few of the 400 pics I took (thanks to sport mode and a picture addiction)

Our small boat enabled us to maneuver around and it was a nice cozy group. We were so excited to first see a humpback whale and her calf and then we were amazed by a pod of 12-13 humpack whales bubble feeding. WOW. The naturalist was so informative. We enjoyed a smoked salmon and cracker snack on our way back to port.

WAIT we're not done yet. Our entire (19 of us) group boarded the same bus and then went to the Mendenhall Glacier for about an hour visit. This was plenty of time for us. We didn't walk all the way to the glacier (although you could) but enjoyed picture taking and taking advantage of the information in the visitor's center.

Back to the Wonder in time for dinner.

This was an action packed day. Eight big thumbs up (because we used both hands!).

We had absolutely no time to explore Juneau. No worries it had 35 jewelry stores and 2 bars (running joke for our ports). We didn't feel at all bad about not being able to shop there. We did go through town twice on our adventures on the bus...

 

[tksbaskets]

Beautiful photos! It looks like you had great weather, too.

Beautiful weather all week. High of around 70 and sunny. We were very comfortable in layers. Only took our windbreakers for excursions.

 

[tksbaskets]

Ketchikan Sunday July 10, 2011

We didn't get into port until about 1:30 in the afternoon as the Carnival ship had to leave so we could dock. Our excursion left at 3:45 pm so we got off as soon as we could to explore the dock/town. Guess what, 35 jewelry stores, two bars, and a few really excellent shops. We started looking for the 'locally owned and operated' signs to shop there and had a delightful couple of hours.

We walked as a group (kind of a large but never seemed overly crowded group) to our ship The Aleutian Ballad. It was the actual fishing vessel from Season 2 of the deadliest Catch.

Off we went through beautiful waters to our first fishing stop. Along the way we saw eagles, seals, and traveled the sovereign waters of a First Nation People who had a deal with our tour operators. We were also treated to great fishing stories and information that kept adults and kids interested.

OK, I'm sure this isn't what the ship looked like TOTALLY when it was an active fishing boat. What do you think?

Plenty of time to snap wildlife photos!

Brian hauling in the days' catch. OK, kind of the magic of Disney as the crab go back in the water....

Everyone kids and adults alike got many photo ops with the crew and catch!

We each received a little snack (granola bar or some goldfish crackers). We were free to move about the vessel but when the action was happening the crew asked that everyone sit down so all could see.

Great PA and microphone system so it was very easy to hear what was being said.

Our 20 yo sons loved this excursion. DH and I also enjoyed the stories and information that was given in such a great way you didn't really know you were learning about fishing quotas and the fishing industry. The crew was very nice and professional. Although souvenirs were for sale on the ship it was VERY low key.

Hope this helps someone with their own decisions. We were very happy with all three of our choices!

 

[poohmomof5]

Beautiful weather all week. High of around 70 and sunny. We were very comfortable in layers. Only took our windbreakers for excursions.

Great pictures and very helpful to our decision making process! We are still completely undecided...we are on the Aug. 16th cruise and have 4 teenagers and a 6 year old. Just not sure what to do. We have 3 excursions booked, but when I read, I change some of them!

The one for sure is the Juneau Harv and Marvs whale watching private charter! EXCITING!!! See your pictures makes me even more excited! I am a nature, wildlife, waterfall, mountain FREAK! We are spending 3 days in Whistler too before the cruise! AND WE HAVE THE ROY!!!

Can you tell I am getting excited!

Nicole

 

[tksbaskets]

Great pictures and very helpful to our decision making process! We are still completely undecided...we are on the Aug. 16th cruise and have 4 teenagers and a 6 year old. Just not sure what to do. We have 3 excursions booked, but when I read, I change some of them!

The one for sure is the Juneau Harv and Marvs whale watching private charter! EXCITING!!! See your pictures makes me even more excited! I am a nature, wildlife, waterfall, mountain FREAK! We are spending 3 days in Whistler too before the cruise! AND WE HAVE THE ROY!!!

Can you tell I am getting excited!

Nicole

You will love your Whale Watching in Juneau. As I understand Harv and Marv are small boats too. So much better, IMO, than trying to get pics with 100 people around you. You will be amazed at the number of waterfalls.

I think your entire family would enjoy the 4 x 4 if you haven't anything scheduled yet for Skagway. The trip to and from Haines was just breathtaking and the little ones sitting in the back seat of the mules seemed to enjoy themselves.

So much to choose from!

TK

 

[GrumpyBelle]

Great pictures and very helpful to our decision making process! We are still completely undecided...we are on the Aug. 16th cruise and have 4 teenagers and a 6 year old. Just not sure what to do. We have 3 excursions booked, but when I read, I change some of them!

The one for sure is the Juneau Harv and Marvs whale watching private charter! EXCITING!!! See your pictures makes me even more excited! I am a nature, wildlife, waterfall, mountain FREAK! We are spending 3 days in Whistler too before the cruise! AND WE HAVE THE ROY!!!

Can you tell I am getting excited!

Nicole

You sound like me. The only 1 we have for sure is Harv and Marv's in Juneau as well. Planning to do Mendenhall glacier on our own the morning before.

Now we are trying to decide between the train/Yukon suspension bridge combo and the Takshanuk excursion in Skagway. I keep looking at pictures and reading reviews and changing my mind.

 

[poohmomof5]

You sound like me. The only 1 we have for sure is Harv and Marv's in Juneau as well. Planning to do Mendenhall glacier on our own the morning before.

Now we are trying to decide between the train/Yukon suspension bridge combo and the Takshanuk excursion in Skagway. I keep looking at pictures and reading reviews and changing my mind.

Just like us! We want the train for sure, but we don't know what else to do with it...like Liarsville or the bridge...

What are you doing in Ketchican?

 

[Shanny145]

We are doing train and trail camp....can't wait!

 

[Pooh667]

We are doing the dogsledding in Juneau too and I asked the same question. I was told that no daybags/camera bags are allowed (I have a Sony NEX5 but can use the pancake lens I guess) We have to have cameras...right?? I booked directly through the company, so had to call when I got the reservations and asked them then. You can carry it around your neck was their suggestion.

Thanks for your response!! I guess I will wear it around my neck.

 

[poohj80]

Now we are trying to decide between the train/Yukon suspension bridge combo and the Takshanuk excursion in Skagway. I keep looking at pictures and reading reviews and changing my mind.

We are doing the train/suspension bridge excursion as well...for now...also keep waffling, but haven't found many reviews. What have you read/heard?

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great photos TK. All of your photos are very bright and clear. The weather looked very clear during your three day trip. You and your family looked good in the pictures. The Alaskan King Crab that you & your DH looked very nice.

 

[tksbaskets]

Great photos TK. All of your photos are very bright and clear. The weather looked very clear during your three day trip. You and your family looked good in the pictures. The Alaskan King Crab that you & your DH looked very nice.

Thanks Bret! I'm think I'll have some time to start my trip report tonight. It was just spectacular weather and a wonderful trip.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

Just like us! We want the train for sure, but we don't know what else to do with it...like Liarsville or the bridge...

What are you doing in Ketchican?

Originally I booked the train/trail camp but after discovering it only gets average reviews I started to consider other options. The Takshanuk 4x4 gets excellent reviews and I think would be more interactive with nature but I still think the train will offer better views overall. For now we are booked on the train/suspension bridge as some of the pics I have found (through google) look amazing. Who knows though, I still have 31 days to change my mind.

In Ketchikan we are doing Totem Bight and Potlatch Park on our own and the exclusive lumberjack through DCL. However I keep looking at the Misty Fjord & Wilderness explorer (mom said no helicopters so I assume float planes also) or the Rainforest Adventure. I worry after the nature trips in Skagway and Juneau adding another nature adventure may bore the kids. Plus I think it will be interesting to see some of the culture as well as the nature.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

We are doing the train/suspension bridge excursion as well...for now...also keep waffling, but haven't found many reviews. What have you read/heard?

I agree that reviews have been hard to find. I think maybe because it just opened in May. The reviews I have found have been mostly positive. Some say Capilano in Vancouver is better and some say they would just skip it as it is just a bridge with an overlook-- no trails to walk. I want the train with something and initially booked with the trail camp but it only gets average reviews and I wanted the scenery.

 

[poohj80]

I agree that reviews have been hard to find. I think maybe because it just opened in May. The reviews I have found have been mostly positive. Some say Capilano in Vancouver is better and some say they would just skip it as it is just a bridge with an overlook-- no trails to walk. I want the train with something and initially booked with the trail camp but it only gets average reviews and I wanted the scenery.

Thanks! We want the train with something as well, but something open to a 5 yr old as well so our options are limited.

 

[Bookworm Belle]

This was an action packed day. Eight big thumbs up (because we used both hands!).

Thanks for your review of the Salmon Bake, Whale Watching and Glacier Adults only tour. Dave and I are doing this and your review and pictures are getting us more and more excited!

 

[poohj80]

For anyone interested in seeing videos from some of the excursions plus the cruise in general, Andi from the Disney Mom's Panel has posted a series of videos from her family's experience:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zSxsfG255U&feature=youtu.be

Please understand, I am assuming they had some private excursions since they were filming and were able to do more excursions in a port than we will be allowed based on schedules, but it is nice to see some footage of the excursions we can book.