Alaska Independent Tour Operators and Excursions

[RedSox68]

Is it really a “hike” or more of a walk? I have a bum knee and much of a hike is not possible

My family and I just went to the base of it, which was not far at all -- but the land is very rocky. There are trails that take you up along it and to the falls, but we didn't have time (or energy LOL). The visitor's center does have an elevator and the view from up there is also great.

 

[Dug720]

It would be also be kind of stupid to go hiking without food and water. You know people do back pack for days in bear country and take food with them. They probably don't have a snack bar because they don't want bears hanging around the tourist center looking for handouts.

I did not say don't take water. I always have a water bottle. Bears are not going to go after water bottles.

I went out to the glacier after a good breakfast and was 100% fine walking all over the trails without needing to feed my face until I got back to the ship.

 

[woody64]

Is it really a “hike” or more of a walk? I have a bum knee and much of a hike is not possible

I would call it a walk. I have attached a picture showing what the trail is like the whole way. It is nice crushed gravel and wide enough for probably 3-4 people across.

 

[RedSox68]

I would call it a walk. I have attached a picture showing what the trail is like the whole way. It is nice crushed gravel and wide enough for probably 3-4 people across.

Yes, I should have specified that the beach area was rocky at some points, but the paths are smooth. Great picture!

 

[cruiser21]

I did not say don't take water. I always have a water bottle. Bears are not going to go after water bottles.

I went out to the glacier after a good breakfast and was 100% fine walking all over the trails without needing to feed my face until I got back to the ship.

Bears attack when they feel threatened. They are generally afraid of people. I've never heard of a bear attacking a person over a snicker bar. Do you think hikers don't take food with them?

 

[Dug720]

Bears attack when they feel threatened. They are generally afraid of people. I've never heard of a bear attacking a person over a snicker bar. Do you think hikers don't take food with them?

I HAVE hiked in bear country before - legit hiking, not walking around trails. And yes, they will approach if they smell food.

But it is pointless to discuss with you, so we might as well stop here.

 

[cruiser21]

I HAVE hiked in bear country before - legit hiking, not walking around trails. And yes, they will approach if they smell food.

But it is pointless to discuss with you, so we might as well stop here.

You must have been really hungry on those overnight hikes. Lol . Everytime I've encountered a bear they've taken off running food or no food . Maybe I'm just really scary. Pointless discussion is right.

 

[AzzieMom]

We've booked mostly independent excursions for our June cruise. In Skagway we booked the helicopter to Denver glacier with dog sledding via Alaska Icefield Expeditions (saved $200 pp over DCL PA price).

In Juneau we booked a Glacier Canoe Paddle & Trek with Ice Caves tour via Above and Beyond Alaska (which looks AMAZING!).

In Ketchikan our plan is the Deadliest Catch Bering Sea Crab Fisherman Tour, but to be honest, this one might not make the cut because looking at YouTube videos, it looks like it might not be that exciting. Would love to hear from anyone that has done it.

 

[dcassetta]

We've booked mostly independent excursions for our June cruise. In Skagway we booked the helicopter to Denver glacier with dog sledding via Alaska Icefield Expeditions (saved $200 pp over DCL PA price).

In Juneau we booked a Glacier Canoe Paddle & Trek with Ice Caves tour via Above and Beyond Alaska (which looks AMAZING!).

In Ketchikan our plan is the Deadliest Catch Bering Sea Crab Fisherman Tour, but to be honest, this one might not make the cut because looking at YouTube videos, it looks like it might not be that exciting. Would love to hear from anyone that has done it.

Loved the Deadliest Catch tour. Very fun and informative, beautiful scenery and the crew was great. We especially enjoyed seeing all the eagles.

 

[RedSox68]

Bears attack when they feel threatened. They are generally afraid of people. I've never heard of a bear attacking a person over a snicker bar. Do you think hikers don't take food with them?

When we camped in the Smokey Mountains, the rangers strongly stressed that you could not even keep bottled water in your tent because they can smell it and even THAT will attract them.

 

[cruiser21]

When we camped in the Smokey Mountains, the rangers strongly stressed that you could not even keep bottled water in your tent because they can smell it and even THAT will attract them.

Of course there are ways to secure your campsite and food shouldn't be in your tent. As far as taking snacks when you hike I think it's ridiculous argument, but to each their own. Bear attacks are extremely rare.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

Our excursions have been mentioned by others - Skagway - Chilkoot tours - train up, bus down, Juneau - Harv and Marvs, and Ketchikan - Island Wings. I would recommend all and would do them again given the chance.

 

[KashasMom]

We've always booked independently but even still most excursions in Alaska are not inexpensive. What we've done:

Juneau: Orca Enterprises (twice), Tramway/Red Dog Saloon, Temsco Helicopters Pilot's Choice Double Glacier Landing, coming up we are doing a whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier photo tour
Ketchikan: Island Wings to Misty Fjords, Island Wings to Anan Creek (for bears), and coming up again with Island Wings to Traitor's Cove (for bears)
Skagway: Temsco Helicopters Dog Sledding on Glacier, Rented a car and drove to Emerald Lake using Murray's Guide (made lots of stops along the way), and coming up will be renting a car again

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We booked zip lining in skagway through skagwayshoretours. It was really great! We booked a helicopter tour in ketchikan through ketchikanhelicopters. Both were awesome. Didn't have any issues with anything at all.

We tried the dog cart thing last time and really regretted it. I didn't enjoy it at all and wouldn't do it again, but that was just me.

 

[Duffy2008]

Do you book outside of Disney because Disney books up fast? On our upcoming cruise Disney is all booked so Im looking at booking outside Disney.

 

[mmmears]

Do you book outside of Disney because Disney books up fast? On our upcoming cruise Disney is all booked so Im looking at booking outside Disney.

There are multiple reasons. I booked DCL where it lined up with what we wanted and booked outside when I thought there were better options out there that Disney wasn't offering. I almost booked the Skagway train direct since DCL was all booked but as we got closer and closer to the cruise more and more people canceled some excursions and lots of things opened up. For my upcoming trip (not Alaska) I booked private outside tours since we can do exactly what we want, when we want to, but also because my cruise is so full of platinum and gold members that I didn't want to risk things I want to do being full by the time I had the chance to register.

 

[Duffy2008]

There are multiple reasons. I booked DCL where it lined up with what we wanted and booked outside when I thought there were better options out there that Disney wasn't offering. I almost booked the Skagway train direct since DCL was all booked but as we got closer and closer to the cruise more and more people canceled some excursions and lots of things opened up. For my upcoming trip (not Alaska) I booked private outside tours since we can do exactly what we want, when we want to, but also because my cruise is so full of platinum and gold members that I didn't want to risk things I want to do being full by the time I had the chance to register.

Thank you. Good to know to keep checking DCL page to see if people cancel. I hear you on things getting booked up with Platinum and Gold members. That is what I think is happening on our trip. Which is fine, it is what it is. We have never cruised before, as this is our first trip ever. So we will just see what we can see.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Do you book outside of Disney because Disney books up fast? On our upcoming cruise Disney is all booked so Im looking at booking outside Disney.

We’re doing Alaska and excursions are quite expensive. Booking independently will save us quite a bit of money

 

[TestingH2O]

Do you book outside of Disney because Disney books up fast? On our upcoming cruise Disney is all booked so Im looking at booking outside Disney.

We booked independently for a couple reasons. First, wet could go on a smaller boat for whale watching with my 5 year old. Disney had age restrictions. In Skagway, we could do an independent tour that had several spots along the way rather than just a long train/bus ride. It was perfect and so much fun.

And yes, we saved money.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

We've booked mostly independent excursions for our June cruise. In Skagway we booked the helicopter to Denver glacier with dog sledding via Alaska Icefield Expeditions (saved $200 pp over DCL PA price.

Is that savings inclusive of taxes? I’ve heard that you seem to save that much until taxes is added on, where it’s already added in the DCL quote. This is the one excursion I’m tempted to book through DCL in case we can’t get back to the ship in time (I know that’s rare but since it’s the first real port it makes me a bit nervous). But if we could save $800 booking independently I might roll the dice!

Our other excursions we booked independently because DCL doesn’t offer what we want in those ports. (Small boat whale watching in Juneau with small kids, Float Plane to early-season bear location in Ketchikan).