Alaska Port Adventures

[DisneyPrincess]

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!!

 

[AussieNSW]

In Skagway Alaska we went to Jewell Gardens for glass blowing.
You could choose it as a Disney excursion but it included some extras such as a sit down meal that we didn’t want.
We did it independently and selected the glass blowing from the web site not as a cruise ship passengers. It was so much cheaper. We loved it. My children were a bit this is a boring idea mum but as soon as they watched the demonstration they were hooked. They each made either a paper weight or a Christmas bauble.
We went on a Disney train excursion in the morning which was nice and then had something to eat quickly in town and then caught a local bus to glass blowing.

 

[GPaLarry]

Liarsville in Skagway, research bus/boat rides to find whales & smaller critters in Juneau, and duck ride around Ketchikan on ground & water...all great!!

 

[woody64]

Harv and Marv's Whale Watching in Juneau.

 

[TestingH2O]

Skagway - Beyond Skagway tours
Juneau - Rum Runners for whale watching
Ketchikan - crab feast (catchcrab.com or something like that)

 

[jdb in AZ]

This is Tracy's King Crab Shack in Juneau. It's just a few yards from the base of the Mt. Roberts tram. It's pricey like a shore excursion, but so good!

 

[Disneyfriend]

Our very favorite excursion/experience on last year's Alaska cruise was the Enchanted Taku Lodge floatplane excursion. I think it might be perfect for your mixed-age group. It has a lovely, smooth floatplane ride over glaciers that will have some of the prettiest scenery you are ever likely to see. Then you visit a secluded, peaceful lodge that will serve you a simple but truly delicious salmon meal. (With a decent shot of bear sightings, depending on the time of year.) You can also explore the area around the lodge, including an easy rainforest hike to a waterfall. This was a magical few hours for us!

 

[tvguy]

Whale excursion for sure.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Whale excursion for sure.

Which one did you do? In which port? Thanks.

 

[tvguy]

Which one did you do? In which port? Thanks.

It was called Juneau Whale Watch Tour and yes, it was in Juneau.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

I didn't do DCL Port adventures there, we booked private tours in each port, in fact 2 in each port.
Skagway- private plane from nearby airport to and over glacier bay, AM then a coach up white pass and train back- chilcoot charters.
Juneau- Main one- Costal copters up onto a glacier and a walk on glacier.
Booked Mount Roberts, went up twice, before and after helicopter ride.
Ketichan - private charter float plane to Misty fjords and the duck boat both direct.

Benefits
Choose my own time. Not DCL times and maybe best slots on activities booking gone.
Did my schedule.
Booked in advance got big discounts, my Misty fjords for my family only was cheaper than a DCL charter.
Personalised service.
The White pass coach whilst not booked as exclusive was in fact just us, as we went the opposite way to the typical port adventures and went in the afternoon so she was picking up, we had an almost empty rail car.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

It was called Juneau Whale Watch Tour and yes, it was in Juneau.

ok thanks will look that up.

We saw a lot from the Wonder close up so wanted to do other things.

Did you see many whales? How long did it last?

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I didn't do DCL Port adventures there, we booked private tours in each port, in fact 2 in each port.
Skagway- private plane from nearby airport to and over glacier bay, AM then a coach up white pass and train back- chilcoot charters.
Juneau- Main one- Costal copters up onto a glacier and a walk on glacier.
Booked Mount Roberts, went up twice, before and after helicopter ride.
Ketichan - private charter float plane to Misty fjords and the duck boat both direct.

Benefits
Choose my own time. Not DCL times and maybe best slots on activities booking gone.
Did my schedule.
Booked in advance got big discounts, my Misty fjords for my family only was cheaper than a DCL charter.
Personalised service.
The White pass coach whilst not booked as exclusive was in fact just us, as we went the opposite way to the typical port adventures and went in the afternoon so she was picking up, we had an almost empty rail car.

Do you recall which companies you used? We are planning all private excursions, so looking for recommendations

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Do you recall which companies you used? We are planning all private excursions, so looking for recommendations

Costal copters Juneau Really good!
Seawing aviation Ketchikan - also great.
Chillkoot charters for both in Skagway.
Duck tour- direct.
Mount Roberts direct.

 

[Aby]

We loved the Tracey Arm Glacier Explorer, Alaska Whales and Glaciers Photo Safari, All Aboard Steam Train, Mountain Point Snorkeling, Neets Bay Bear Watch by Float Plane and the Bering Sea Fisherman’s Tour. They were all excellent!

Aby

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Juneau


Skagway



Ketichan.



Skagway.

Costal copters Juneau Really good!
Seawing aviation Ketchikan - also great.
Chillkoot charters for both in Skagway.
Duck tour- direct.
Mount Roberts direct.

 

[dvcdisney]

Skagway - we did the White Pass Train/Yukon Suspension Bridge - we enjoyed it although the train ride was quite long.
Juneau - we rented a car and drove to Mendenhall Glacier and enjoyed it...we also walk the bath beside it and saw salmon swimming
Ketchikan - we did the Exclusive Lumberjack Show for DCL guests and enjoyed it as well. We also rented an Electric car which was very cute and silly, but we really enjoyed ourselves.

 

[mmmears]

There are so many things to choose from in Alaska. Read up on all of them and see what appeals the most to your family. Ours ranged from the popular White Pass Railway to the lesser known Snorkel Alaska (amazing!!!) and a private kayak trip to Mendenhall Glacier where we were able to climb onto the glacier without having to take a helicopter (none of us had any desire to do that). We also tried to balance the active days vs. the more passive ones (like the railway). And you can easily walk from the ship and tour the little towns of Skagway and Ketchikan if you leave a bit of time while in port.

 

[DVC Doc]

I just highly recommend getting up in the air over Alaska at least once during your trip! Flying over mountains and glaciers is absolutely breathtaking! We did the Neets Bay Floatplane and Bear Watching in Ketchikan and the Glacier Dog Sledding by Helicopter in Juneau and both were fantastic. Lots of options to choose from....pick what interests you! Have a great trip!

 

[dcassetta]

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!!

Several trips to Alaska and the best whale watching experience I've had was with Capt. Alan on the Scania - http://www.whalewatchingjuneau.com/

The ship is very comfortable, and he never takes more than 10 guests. There's an upper deck viewing area, a main deck, and an inside heated viewing area with big windows. We saw a many humpbacks, porpoises, several species of seals, and Eagles. Just an amazing trip. If your schedule allows it, they will pick up or drop off at Mendenhall.

Renting a car in Skagway allows you to do things at you own pace.

We really enjoyed the Bering Sea tour last summer in Ketchikan.