Alaska Port Adventures

[KashasMom]

In Ketchikan we'll be going with Island Wings for the 3rd time (Anan Creek, Misty Fjords, and Traitor's Cove). We also walked around town, saw the totem poles, etc.

In Skagway we've gone dog-sledding on a glacier with Temsco Helicopters and rented a car and using Murray's Guide to the South Klondike Highway we drove to the Yukon/Emerald Lake. Made several stops - loved it! Doing it again in August.

In Juneau we did a Pilot's Choice Double Glacier Landing with Temsco Helicopters. We've also gone whale watching with Orca Enterprises twice. We were going to go with them again but the reviews are not as good as they used to be. So we tried to book with Harv and Marv but because we're traveling with a 9 yr old we'd have to book a "private" boat. We found a photography whale watching excursion that combines walking near Mendenhall Glacier. It's a small group and sounds really good. It's the ONLY Alaskan excursion we booked with a cruise line (NCL). We also went on Mt. Roberts Tramway and had lunch at Red Dog Saloon on another visit.

There isn't anything we did in Alaska that we didn't love. It's so beautiful. I always recommend getting up in the air if you can - floatplane or helicopter - to see how amazing it is.

 

[WishUponAStarryNight]

This is so hard!! There are so many awesome choices. Just when I think I've got it figured out, I find other excursions that sound just as amazing or better. We'll be 3 generations and, usually, we're somewhat limited in what we can do together. Alaska is a whole different ballgame. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - you've given me lots of ideas to research. As overwhelming as it seems now, I'm sure our trip next May will be amazing!

 

[ACQUADUCK]

This is so hard!! There are so many awesome choices. Just when I think I've got it figured out, I find other excursions that sound just as amazing or better. We'll be 3 generations and, usually, we're somewhat limited in what we can do together. Alaska is a whole different ballgame. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - you've given me lots of ideas to research. As overwhelming as it seems now, I'm sure our trip next May will be amazing!

You have plenty of time, however note, as I booked a year in advance a couple of companies like Ketichan float plane and Costal copters gave be a discount, I recall the float plane for 4 came under DCL for the sane thing but with others, i.e. Non exclusive.
Also I got a big discount at Pan Pacific Vancouver above the cruise terminal as I booked a long time in advance.

 

[Geomom]

This is what we did for our 8/2016 Alaskan cruise:

Skagway: private excursion with Chilkoot Charters: https://chilkootcharters.com/package/yukon-rail-bus-w-dogcart-experience/
We did the Yukon rail/bus with dogcart experience in August 2016. We did bus up to the Yukon, train down. It ticked off lots of 'musts' for us...a chance to go to the Yukon, doing a dogcart ride, holding puppies, scenic train ride, and multiple scenic bus stops. It was the highlight of our trip! Pics/details are in my trip report in my signature.

Juneau: We did one of the Glacier Express buses to Mendenhall Glacier, $30/person roundtrip. We bought it in advance through Juneautours, but could've just done it that day. They drop off/pick up on the hour/half hour. Our kids did the Junior Ranger workbook for Tongass National Forest while at Mendenhall. We walked to the waterfall and back. Spent more time there than I thought we would, and they don't allow you to walk around with food due to the bears...so my kids were starving when we left! When we got back to town, we did some souvenir shopping. Juneau is very easy to do on your own--lots of tour companies right where the Disney shuttle drops you off, and it's right near the entrance to Mt Roberts Tramway if you're interested in that--I'd wait until that day to decide as you'd want a nicer day vs. fog/rain! Also, if you're interested in whale watching--this seems to be the port to do it from.

Ketchikan: This was our 1 DCL excursion--the Saxman Native Village and Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Lumberjack show is close to the ship--easy to do on your own! We did like the combo of 'native' culture and kitschy lumberjack show. Overpriced...but still enjoyable!

 

[Disneyfriend]

This is what we did for our 8/2016 Alaskan cruise:

Skagway: private excursion with Chilkoot Charters: https://chilkootcharters.com/package/yukon-rail-bus-w-dogcart-experience/
We did the Yukon rail/bus with dogcart experience in August 2016. We did bus up to the Yukon, train down. It ticked off lots of 'musts' for us...a chance to go to the Yukon, doing a dogcart ride, holding puppies, scenic train ride, and multiple scenic bus stops. It was the highlight of our trip! Pics/details are in my trip report in my signature.

Juneau: We did one of the Glacier Express buses to Mendenhall Glacier, $30/person roundtrip. We bought it in advance through Juneautours, but could've just done it that day. They drop off/pick up on the hour/half hour. Our kids did the Junior Ranger workbook for Tongass National Forest while at Mendenhall. We walked to the waterfall and back. Spent more time there than I thought we would, and they don't allow you to walk around with food due to the bears...so my kids were starving when we left! When we got back to town, we did some souvenir shopping. Juneau is very easy to do on your own--lots of tour companies right where the Disney shuttle drops you off, and it's right near the entrance to Mt Roberts Tramway if you're interested in that--I'd wait until that day to decide as you'd want a nicer day vs. fog/rain! Also, if you're interested in whale watching--this seems to be the port to do it from.

Ketchikan: This was our 1 DCL excursion--the Saxman Native Village and Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Lumberjack show is close to the ship--easy to do on your own! We did like the combo of 'native' culture and kitschy lumberjack show. Overpriced...but still enjoyable!

We did the exact Skagway excursion that Geomom references above. A truly lovely day, with a great mix of gorgeous scenery, history (of the Gold Rush, in particular), and fun. Doing the bus one way and the train one way maximizes the different scenery and is a great combo. The dogcart ride was surprisingly fun, too! We had a full day excursion and still had an hour or so to walk around the town and shop at in the late afternoon.

 

[Gg loves cruising]

Hit me with your favorite Alaska excursions! Doesn’t have to be through Disney. Our party consists of myself, hubby, 8 year old girl, 12 year old boy, and my 71 year old parents who are in excellent health.

Thank you!!

The whale watching in Juneau was great for all ages. We went through Disney. Our family of all ages loved it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

For anyone interested, there's been a rock slide in Skagway, causing the port to change dock assignments and affecting the train excursions.

http://skagwaynews.com/2018/05/24/rockfall-leads-to-tentative-closure-at-railroad-dock/

EDIT: But there's good news, also:
https://www.ktoo.org/2018/05/30/rock-strike-suspends-white-pass-train-service/

 

[DisneyPrincess]

Thank you all so much!! Such great information!!!