Alaska Excursions--post your reviews here!

[quinnc19]

I am interested in this also, and wondering how much a 6 year old (who loves nature) would like it.

Anyone do the Best of Juneau which includes the whale watching, Mendenhall Glacier and Otter Point Lodge?

 

[Chilly]

I've just read the whole thread and now my head hurts but our booking window is in 2 weeks so must decide if we want to go through Disney or not!

Thanks to everyone who posted reviews.

We enjoyed all our excursions we went on even in the on/off rain we had some days. (August 23 - 30).
In Skagway we booked theYukon Bus & Rail Excursion with 15-Minute Dogcart Ride through Chilkoot Charters & Tours. This was such a wonderful excursion. The tour company was great.

Could I ask how much this was?

We just wanted to add our quick reviews for those who travel next year.

Skagway--Glacier Lake Kayak and White Pass Rail Adventure
This was our favorite of the three excursions. In our case, we took a bus over to Fraser, Canada, which is the turnaround point for most the White Pass RR trips. There is a lake right there (Lake Bernard) with some gorgeous views. The guides (we had three for about 13 people) already have the kayaks ready. There is a short orientation on how to use the spray skirt, rudder, and basic paddling techniques. We had brought our own raingear, but they provide that (along with hats) if you don't have it. The paddling was fairly easy over the lake (we did not have much wind) and lasted about an hour. The lake was beautiful with a couple of streams coming in and some nice coves. They challenged us to stand up in the kayak and the most fun part was watching my 9 year old daughter pull that off. At the end of the paddling, we were offered light snack and warm drinks. The ride back on the RR was the scenic trip, with the added advantage of being in a private car that the outfitter (Packer Expeditions) had on the train. No rushing for the seats on the "good side" since we had the car to ourselves for most of the trip. The conductor even opened up the cupola on top so some people could sit up there.

Packer Expeditions - is that who you booked this through?

 

[mrp4352]

You can not take a backpack on the floatplane. You will need to leave it in the office and will get it back upon return. Those planes are really tight and there is no where to put it.

Good to know! So, I need to plan on my camera around my neck while ID and money are on a lanyard and that's about it... Thanks!

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

We are going on the 5/28 cruise and are totally indecisive about which excursions to do. We are interested in ALL of the following (though we know we won't be able to do it all): whale watching (Orcas specifically), zip lining, non intense glacier walk, float/rapids trip, dog sledding, and white pass rail.

We cannot decide because so many of the excursions seem awesome! I will say I am not into bugs (last time I went to Skagway I got eaten alive by "no-see-ums"...as they were called by our guide...during our horseback ride and still have a scar near my eye. It was miserable and I would prefer to avoid areas like that lol.

Any and all suggestions based on the above interests would be greatly appreciated!

 

[poohj80]

We are going on the 5/28 cruise and are totally indecisive about which excursions to do. We are interested in ALL of the following (though we know we won't be able to do it all): whale watching (Orcas specifically), zip lining, non intense glacier walk, float/rapids trip, dog sledding, and white pass rail.

We cannot decide because so many of the excursions seem awesome! I will say I am not into bugs (last time I went to Skagway I got eaten alive by "no-see-ums"...as they were called by our guide...during our horseback ride and still have a scar near my eye. It was miserable and I would prefer to avoid areas like that lol.

Any and all suggestions based on the above interests would be greatly appreciated!

We went whale watching in Juneau and this was the only time we booked excursions outside of DCL and we were SO glad we did. We booked through Rum Runner Charters (check Trip Advisor for my review and pix). Captain Chris and his first mate, er dog, Moon has a boat which carries 6 people max but it meant that we were not fighting with 30-100 other people for a spot on the rail to take photos. His smaller boats could also get closer to the whales than the bigger boats. We found a pod of Orcas including babies who were young enough that their bellies were still pink and 4 humpback whales. We were close enough to the humpbacks that we could have reached out and petted one. We cruised last year in August so it may be a bit early in the season for Orcas, but Chris worked with a group of other Captains to help find the whales. I highly recommend him and our daughter (5) loved looking for whales with Moon Doggie!

 

[jilljill]

We are going on the 5/28 cruise and are totally indecisive about which excursions to do. We are interested in ALL of the following (though we know we won't be able to do it all): whale watching (Orcas specifically), zip lining, non intense glacier walk, float/rapids trip, dog sledding, and white pass rail.

We cannot decide because so many of the excursions seem awesome! I will say I am not into bugs (last time I went to Skagway I got eaten alive by "no-see-ums"...as they were called by our guide...during our horseback ride and still have a scar near my eye. It was miserable and I would prefer to avoid areas like that lol.

Any and all suggestions based on the above interests would be greatly appreciated!

If it's in the budget and you are looking at dog sledding on the glacier I say go for that one. That was the highlight of our cruise. The helicopter ride was undescribable and mushing was so much fun.

We also did the White Pass Rail and that was pretty interesting.

 

[Meagan_4]

Hi all! Getting ready to book excursions for my upcoming 5-21 cruise. I just read through some great information on this thread (all of it! -WHEW!!!) and I'm not sure if anyone posted on the Exclusive Flight Seeing & Crab Feast in Ketchikan. I'm also looking for any information on the Glacier View Bike & Brew in Juneau and the Yukon Expedition in Skagway. Anything would be helpful! Thanks so much.

 

[Pooh667]

If it's in the budget and you are looking at dog sledding on the glacier I say go for that one. That was the highlight of our cruise. The helicopter ride was undescribable and mushing was so much fun.

We also did the White Pass Rail and that was pretty interesting.

I agree. Dog sledding on the glacier was so amazing. The helicopter ride, being on the glacier, riding the dog sled, mushing etc. Just so much fun and what an experience! We went last August and still talk about it and get that happy feeling when we do.

 

[TinkTatoo]

If it's in the budget and you are looking at dog sledding on the glacier I say go for that one. That was the highlight of our cruise. The helicopter ride was undescribable and mushing was so much fun.....

This is one we really want to do, does anyone know if it sells out to Platinum / Gold CC members before Silver get a chance to book?

 

[LeslieG]

We went whale watching in Juneau and this was the only time we booked excursions outside of DCL and we were SO glad we did. We booked through Rum Runner Charters (check Trip Advisor for my review and pix). Captain Chris and his first mate, er dog, Moon has a boat which carries 6 people max but it meant that we were not fighting with 30-100 other people for a spot on the rail to take photos. His smaller boats could also get closer to the whales than the bigger boats. We found a pod of Orcas including babies who were young enough that their bellies were still pink and 4 humpback whales. We were close enough to the humpbacks that we could have reached out and petted one. We cruised last year in August so it may be a bit early in the season for Orcas, but Chris worked with a group of other Captains to help find the whales. I highly recommend him and our daughter (5) loved looking for whales with Moon Doggie!

This is the one we're leaning towards. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.

 

[USUKMama]

I have been very remiss in posting on this thread. We were on one of the August cruises last year. Here's what we did:

Skagway. We did the White Pass Railroad through Chilkoot instead of Disney. The weather wasn't so great so this wasn't really a hit. But I think it would be amazing if the weather cooperated. In the afternoon we did a helicopter ride to a glacier through Disney. This was amazing (and DH was very jealous - I got to ride in the front both ways).

When we got back we walked up the stream close to the boat dock and watched the salmon swimming upsteam. Very cool!

Juneau. We went to the Mendenhall Glacier in the morning. We did this by ourselves - just took one of the buses you can get in Juneau. The hike was gorgeous and the views along the way were well worth it.

We got the bus back to Juneau and had lunch at Tracy's crab shack (fabulous crab legs!) Then we went back to the boat for our afternoon excursion - gold panning. This one was a Disney excursion. I've read a lot of bad things about gold panning in Skagway. If you want to try gold panning this is the place to do it. There really is gold in the surrounding hills and there were locals there trying their luck at it too. They do seed the pans so everyone will find some, but you are panning in a proper river, not barrels of water. The glorious weather we had didn't hurt either.

In Ketchikan we spent the morning just walking around the tour (you can pick up a walking tour map at the tourist office) and then went to the Disney Lumberjack show in the afternoon (I booked this directly rather than through Disney, but it was the Disney exclusive show). My daughter was chosen to take part in the show which made it extra special!

It was the most fabulous vacation we have ever been on. I am so jealous of everyone going this summer - you will have a wonderful time!!

Sophia

 

[staffieri]

Good to know! So, I need to plan on my camera around my neck while ID and money are on a lanyard and that's about it... Thanks!

We too did a float plane in Ketichan. We went to a private place to see bears and nature. Its was great!!! I was allowed to bring my backpack. Our floatplane was huge and lots of room.

 

[staffieri]

Here our show photos from our Bear/Floatplane adventure with Seawind. We booked this on our own. It was an amazing day. We saw four bears, salmon, eagels. The nature hike was very easy and so beautiful. Our guide was great and wonderful with the kids.

 

[pudinhd]

Thanks to everyone for all of the fabulous information! We are super excited about the reservation we made with Harv & Marv thanks for the great reviews!!

I know there have been some reviews about the Bear Country and Wildlife Expedition... I would love to hear more specifics about the suspension bridges and platforms. My husband really wants to do this shore excursion, but I have a fear of heights so I'm gathering more information to figure out if I can do it.

Again, thanks so much!!!

 

[staffieri]

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i378/staffieri3/Alaska%202011/IMG_3221.jpg

 

[staffieri]

It was an amazing day. The bears were great to see, but we also loved the walk with the guide. She was great and gave so much info. We picked and ate bears, watched the salmon, explored nature. I just was in awe at how beautiful Alaska is. We also go t to try fresh crab when we landed. Locals on this private dock gave it to us.

 

[USUKMama]

It was an amazing day. The bears were great to see, but we also loved the walk with the guide. She was great and gave so much info. We picked and ate bears, watched the salmon, explored nature. I just was in awe at how beautiful Alaska is. We also go t to try fresh crab when we landed. Locals on this private dock gave it to us.

Those pictures are amazing! My one regret is that we didn't see any bears. More than made up for by the amazing stuff we did see, but still. Maybe another trip is in order

 

[Pooh667]

This is one we really want to do, does anyone know if it sells out to Platinum / Gold CC members before Silver get a chance to book?

I was a Silver and it was not sold out when I went to book it. Also it was my cousin's first Disney Cruise and it wasn't sold out when he went to book it too but it was booked up a couple days after that. Good luck!!

 

[tink1963]

Thanks to everyone for all of the fabulous information! We are super excited about the reservation we made with Harv & Marv thanks for the great reviews!!

I know there have been some reviews about the Bear Country and Wildlife Expedition... I would love to hear more specifics about the suspension bridges and platforms. My husband really wants to do this shore excursion, but I have a fear of heights so I'm gathering more information to figure out if I can do it.

Again, thanks so much!!!

Hi, we did the Bear Country and Wildlife Expedition. My DH and I both LOVED this excursion. The first part of the hike into the rain forest was on trails. Then the suspension bridges and Platforms. I did not think that they are extremely high. It does put you above the creek where the bears are feeding, but still close enough to be right above the bears. We saw 20+ bears including quite a few cubs)The platforms are large and your group is very small. I think it was 8 people total which included our guide, Matt, who was a really fun guide. Since this is offered only late in the season, we did have rain (we were after all in a rainforest ) so bring a rain jacket. You really wont need much else except your camera and $$ if you shop at the gift shop at the end of the tour. You also get to see a totom pole carver, feed the reindeer visit the Eagle and Owl, and tour the old lumber mill. I really really recommend this tour. We did the one offered at the latest time.
Oh....And do not bring food with you. they will make you throw it out before you start your hike.

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

jilljill-I was actually thinking about the dog sledding on the glacier, it sounds so fun. I did have 1 question/concern about it....do they whip the dogs to make them run? I am assuming not but just wanted to make sure!

Has anyone here done the bear creek zipline adventure or the Alaska Coastal Expedition in Ketchikan. I am trying to decide between the 2 and am just stuck! Thanks so much!