Alaska Ports on your Own

[LKFan]

We were thinking of using Dyea Dave, - can I ask why you would not recommend him?

We booked far in advance and were told (when I spoke to him on the phone) that we would have him as our guide. When we arrived, someone else showed up to give us the tour. It was a nice drive but not the details, history and humor that I had read about Dave. It bothered me that he had someone else give us the tour when we specifically booked with him.

ETA: Our guide's name was Howard.

 

[NWmom]

Thanks for letting me know. Now off to make decisions.

 

[stampinshauna]

We cruised Alaska on Princess a few years ago. In Ketchican we did a floatplane excursion to the Misty Fjords. We flew with a company called Carlin Air, which had been recommended by a friend and we really enjoyed it.

 

[seamour]

Thanks for starting this thread! We booked through DCL for Juneau and Ketchikan, but I'm not sure what we want to do in Skagway, yet... there are so many options!

Plus our excursion in Juneau is shorter, so I want to spend some of the day exploring too

'

so many options is my problem! LOL. We have DH, a friend and DD booked on a private fishing excursion in Juneau. I know I want to see Mendenhall and maybe do a whale watching in Juneau but keep changing my mind.

 

[seamour]

I highly recommend the White Pass & Yukon RailRoad in Skagway. You can easily book it yourself if you want, rather than through the ship.
The hiking trails above the Mendenhall glacier in Juneau are really lovely, and you end up with some great views of the glacier.

If we do the railway on our own, should we book it ahead of time or do it when we get there? Does anyone happen to know which if any of the trains are steam trains as opposed to deisel? Is there just one company doing that train ride? So if i go on their website that's the one?

And hiking trails ABOVE Mendenhall? Do tell!

TIA

 

[smb6]

If we do the railway on our own, should we book it ahead of time or do it when we get there? Does anyone happen to know which if any of the trains are steam trains as opposed to deisel? Is there just one company doing that train ride? So if i go on their website that's the one?

And hiking trails ABOVE Mendenhall? Do tell!

TIA

Definately book in advance as it could fill up otherwise....

 

[mellers]

If we do the railway on our own, should we book it ahead of time or do it when we get there? Does anyone happen to know which if any of the trains are steam trains as opposed to deisel? Is there just one company doing that train ride? So if i go on their website that's the one?

And hiking trails ABOVE Mendenhall? Do tell!

TIA

Definitely book ahead of time--they've already filled up most of the steam train excursions. Go to http://www.wpyr.com/

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

Okay, we've got most of our excursions booked now for our August 2nd cruise - WAHOO!!!

Since we are lowly 1st time DCL cruisers, I had no faith that we'd get anything we wanted at the times we wanted if we went through DCL (can you say "control freak"?)

So, in Skagway, MIL, FIL, DS and I are going directly with Chilkoot Charters' excursion on the White Pass train with the BBQ lunch at Caribou Crossing, summer dog-sled ride and bus ride down with photo op stops - they even offer a vegetarian lunch for me!! This is the SAME tour as ShoreTrips offers as Chilkoot is their local operator. So, I advise not bothering to book with ShoreTrips and just book directly with Chilkoot and save the middle-man charges (www.chilkootcharters.com).

SIL and DH want to do the White Pass train up and the bike ride down. Cycle Alaska is the operator, but they won't let me book direct (despite giving them my sob story of having no chance to book with DCL's priority system...sigh). So, this is the one excusion that we'll just have to chance it and try to book it with DCL when the option opens up for us on May 19th.

In Juneau, I booked ShoreTrips' helo/dog-sledding trip on a glacier for my SIL and me (https://secure.shoretrips.com/common/search4.asp?tcode=001393). I called like 15 companies to try to compare and they are all basically the same trip & same price with the exception that Temsco trips go to Mendenhall Glacier, ERA trips go to Norris Glacier and Coastal trips go to Herbert Glacier. I figure a glacier, is a glacier, is a glacier afterall. ShoreTrips uses Coastal and they have a good flight record (important since hubby is a pilot and he checks that sort of thing) and they let me pick a specific time and a back-up time, which I wanted to be able to do. Also, they only put 1 helo with 6 passengers on the glacier per hour, so it is a little less crowded than the Temsco trips.

DH, MIL, FIL & DS are just going to rent a car in Juneau (rent-a-wreck sets up a pick-up site downtown in the summer) and go to all the things they want to see on their own schedule instead of taking tours. That way they can drive out to the Shrine of St Terese, go to the Glacier Visitor Center and DH and DS can hike while MIL & FIL relax.

Our hope is that then they can pick up SIL and me from the airport after our glacier dog-sledding (~11:30) and we'll join them for the tour at the Glacier Gardens and then we'll head back to town to fit in the Salmon Hatchery and Mt Roberts Tram if there is time before turning our car back in.

In Ketchikan, SIL, DH, DS and I are going to take the Bering Sea Crab boat trip (www.56degreesnorth.com) together while MIL and FIL take a Misty Fjords floatplane trip. MIL gets seasick on smaller boats and they REALLY want to take a floatplane trip, so this seemed like the best time for them to do so. We booked MIL and FIL's flight through Seawind Aviation (www.seawindaviation.com) and have had a GREAT experience working with them thus far.

Well, we're dropping about $1,500 in excursion costs for DH, DS and I and my SIL is spending another $840 while my ILs are spending about $890 together. I guess we're doing our part to stimulate the Alaska economy if nothing else (sigh). However, it is all total about 15% less than if we booked the same trips through DCL.

 

[jlwhitney]

Okay, we've got most of our excursions booked now for our August 2nd cruise - WAHOO!!!

Since we are lowly 1st time DCL cruisers, I had no faith that we'd get anything we wanted at the times we wanted if we went through DCL (can you say "control freak"?)

So, in Skagway, MIL, FIL, DS and I are going directly with Chilkoot Charters' excursion on the White Pass train with the BBQ lunch at Caribou Crossing, summer dog-sled ride and bus ride down with photo op stops - they even offer a vegetarian lunch for me!! This is the SAME tour as ShoreTrips offers as Chilkoot is their local operator. So, I advise not bothering to book with ShoreTrips and just book directly with Chilkoot and save the middle-man charges (www.chilkootcharters.com).

SIL and DH want to do the White Pass train up and the bike ride down. Cycle Alaska is the operator, but they won't let me book direct (despite giving them my sob story of having no chance to book with DCL's priority system...sigh). So, this is the one excusion that we'll just have to chance it and try to book it with DCL when the option opens up for us on May 19th.

In Juneau, I booked ShoreTrips' helo/dog-sledding trip on a glacier for my SIL and me (https://secure.shoretrips.com/common/search4.asp?tcode=001393). I called like 15 companies to try to compare and they are all basically the same trip & same price with the exception that Temsco trips go to Mendenhall Glacier, ERA trips go to Norris Glacier and Coastal trips go to Herbert Glacier. I figure a glacier, is a glacier, is a glacier afterall. ShoreTrips uses Coastal and they have a good flight record (important since hubby is a pilot and he checks that sort of thing) and they let me pick a specific time and a back-up time, which I wanted to be able to do. Also, they only put 1 helo with 6 passengers on the glacier per hour, so it is a little less crowded than the Temsco trips.

DH, MIL, FIL & DS are just going to rent a car in Juneau (rent-a-wreck sets up a pick-up site downtown in the summer) and go to all the things they want to see on their own schedule instead of taking tours. That way they can drive out to the Shrine of St Terese, go to the Glacier Visitor Center and DH and DS can hike while MIL & FIL relax.

Our hope is that then they can pick up SIL and me from the airport after our glacier dog-sledding (~11:30) and we'll join them for the tour at the Glacier Gardens and then we'll head back to town to fit in the Salmon Hatchery and Mt Roberts Tram if there is time before turning our car back in.

In Ketchikan, SIL, DH, DS and I are going to take the Bering Sea Crab boat trip (www.56degreesnorth.com) together while MIL and FIL take a Misty Fjords floatplane trip. MIL gets seasick on smaller boats and they REALLY want to take a floatplane trip, so this seemed like the best time for them to do so. We booked MIL and FIL's flight through Seawind Aviation (www.seawindaviation.com) and have had a GREAT experience working with them thus far.

Well, we're dropping about $1,500 in excursion costs for DH, DS and I and my SIL is spending another $840 while my ILs are spending about $890 together. I guess we're doing our part to stimulate the Alaska economy if nothing else (sigh). However, it is all total about 15% less than if we booked the same trips through DCL.

Sounds like some great choices! We are also using Chillkoot CHarters and Tours and doing the same tour (minus summer dog sled) and doing the tour in reverse.

Disney offers the exact same tour we are doing through chilkoot and we are paying about 30 dollars less a person.

We are also booked through Coastal Helicopters (through them directly).

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

We are also booked through Coastal Helicopters (through them directly).

Really?!? I initially tried to book with Coastal directly and they couldn't take my reservation. Perhaps I'll try again as I'm sure it will be at least a little bit cheaper than using ShoreTrips as the middleman.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[jlwhitney]

Really?!? I initially tried to book with Coastal directly and they couldn't take my reservation. Perhaps I'll try again as I'm sure it will be at least a little bit cheaper than using ShoreTrips as the middleman.

Thanks for the feedback!

I have not paid yet, but been in contact with them and have a time and questions answered. I just confirmed to them we would take the slots. They have been great at communicating. Why couldn't they take your reservation?

 

[sayhello]

If we do the railway on our own, should we book it ahead of time or do it when we get there? Does anyone happen to know which if any of the trains are steam trains as opposed to deisel? Is there just one company doing that train ride? So if i go on their website that's the one?

And hiking trails ABOVE Mendenhall? Do tell!

TIA

I would definitely book the railway ahead of time. The White Pass & Yukon Railway is *very* popular, and I'd expect it to sell out. I don't know if all of the trains are steam, but the one I took definitely was, and it was great!

As far as the hiking trails above the Mendenhall glacier, I went with a company called Gastineau Guiding (booked through the ship) and we hiked some great trails up through the mountainous area to the side & above the glacier (it is very tropical/rainforest-y). We ended up walking down along a path that took us down to the visitor's center. It was a gorgeous hike. Parts of it actually reminded me of Hawaii!

Oh, and the company I booked the Misty Fjords flightseeing with was Taquan Air. They were really great!

Sayhello

 

[jackieinJuneau]

This is going to be my first trip, and I have the White Pass Railroad booked, and the Duck Tour in Ketchikan. I'm planning to take a taxi to the Glacier Gardens in Juneau if the weather's good, or roll (I'm in a wheelchair) to the Alaska Museum if it's not.

I don't know if this would be helpful, but I posted a shore excursion comparison on my cruise group, and since then, other people have added some information, and I've added references--you'll find the original lists in messages 180, 187, and 195--and there are references to other posters on the thread who have added experiences:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291067&page=12

Just so you know, Glacier Gardens tour is done in a nicely covered vehicle and many of the viewing areas are covered as well. Plus the waiting area is the green house that has tons of hanging plants in it. So it is a good trip in anything short of a down poor My mother loved it, she has recreated some of the types of displays back in MI. Hope you have a good time.

A Juneau City Tour was about $30 and included is a trip out to the glacier last summer. If you buy any kind of knives, all of our stores sell them, most of our stores ship. Also there is a post office right down town so you can pop them in a flat rate box and not worry about checking them. All the hiking trails out at the Glacier are labeled and they have free maps. Also the guided hiking tours are great because out trail system is large and interconnected. We have more miles of hiking trail then road!

 

[mellers]

Just so you know, Glacier Gardens tour is done in a nicely covered vehicle and many of the viewing areas are covered as well. Plus the waiting area is the green house that has tons of hanging plants in it. So it is a good trip in anything short of a down poor My mother loved it, she has recreated some of the types of displays back in MI. Hope you have a good time.

Thanks

 

[Scoobydoo76]

When we sailed to Alaska on NCL, we didn't do any excurisions through the ship.

We took the blue bus to Mendenhall Glacier and then hiked to the waterfall. After a few hours there, we returned to town and did some shopping. I posted it on another thread but I this soap. http://www.glaciersmoothie.com/

In Skagway, we did a private tour (Dyea Dave). I wouldn't recommend him but it was nice to have a private tour and be on our own schedule. We spent some time walking around the town before returning to the ship.

In Ketchikan, we went sea kayaking which my husband loved. The rest of us.... well, we were glad that dad had a good time.

We are considering taking the blue bus to Mendenhall Glacier. Can you please tell me if they run on time? Are they reliable? Mendenhall Glacier will be our last stop of the day and I am try figure out how much time to allow for the return trip to the ship. Do they make many stops returning to town? Do they drop you off near the dock at the port?

Thanks for your input!

 

[LKFan]

We are considering taking the blue bus to Mendenhall Glacier. Can you please tell me if they run on time? Are they reliable? Mendenhall Glacier will be our last stop of the day and I am try figure out how much time to allow for the return trip to the ship. Do they make many stops returning to town? Do they drop you off near the dock at the port?

Thanks for your input!

There were several blue buses and it seemed like the majority of people going to Mendenhall took the bus. The buses left frequently when the cruise ships arrived. They let you know when the last pick up is and exactly where to meet them before you get off at Mendenhall. It has been a couple of years but I'm thinking pick up was every 15-20 minutes or something in that range. The buses back do fill up to the point of standing room only.

There is only one stop at Mendenhall and one stop in town. The towns in Alaska aren't very big. Just remember that you are in a rain forest so even if the sky is blue when you disembark, be prepared for rain.

 

[Scoobydoo76]

There were several blue buses and it seemed like the majority of people going to Mendenhall took the bus. The buses left frequently when the cruise ships arrived. They let you know when the last pick up is and exactly where to meet them before you get off at Mendenhall. It has been a couple of years but I'm thinking pick up was every 15-20 minutes or something in that range. The buses back do fill up to the point of standing room only.

There is only one stop at Mendenhall and one stop in town. The towns in Alaska aren't very big. Just remember that you are in a rain forest so even if the sky is blue when you disembark, be prepared for rain.

Thanks for sharing your information.

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

I have not paid yet, but been in contact with them and have a time and questions answered. I just confirmed to them we would take the slots. They have been great at communicating. Why couldn't they take your reservation?

When I first inquired of them in late Feb/early March, they said I weren't taking individual reservations - had to book through ShoeTrips, our ship or the like. Sounds like I may have just got a "bad" rep answer the phone that day. I'll give them a call tomorrow and see if I can still book our same date/time. If so, I can just cancel my ShoreTrips reservation since there is no penalty up to 14 days out.

Much appreciate your info!!

 

[mmmears]

And hiking trails ABOVE Mendenhall? Do tell!

TIA

Above & Beyond Alaska offers hiking treks on the glacier itself.

www.beyondak.com

Also kayaking trips to the glacier. We booked with them after several friends did and told us that it was their "best day ever" in Alaska.

 

[poohj80]

We are considering taking the blue bus to Mendenhall Glacier. Can you please tell me if they run on time? Are they reliable? Mendenhall Glacier will be our last stop of the day and I am try figure out how much time to allow for the return trip to the ship. Do they make many stops returning to town? Do they drop you off near the dock at the port?

Thanks for your input!

Can someone tell us more about the blue bus or maybe post a link to the website please? Are they the tours offered through DCL or booked on your own?

Thanks!