Alaska Ports on your Own

[LKFan]

The blue buses just run shuttles to and from Mendenhall. I'm going to guesstimate that it is a 30 minute drive and, during the 30 minutes, the driver will often talk about local history, sites, etc. Some may talk and be more knowledgable than others. You get what you get - it isn't really a tour.

When you get off of the cruise ship, you'll see several kiosks selling tickets for various tours. Look for the kiosk for the Blue Bus Shuttle.

I think (but am not positive) that this is the website http://www.mightygreattrips.com/se_alaska_shore_excursions.htm

 

[LuvEeyore]

I am not on a DCL alaskian cruise however I have been to the ports you are stopping at. We reinted a car(mini-van) at Rent A Wreck. The picked us up when we arrived and took us to get our car for the day. Took lessthan 30 minutes. We had sent all the info so all we had to do was sign the contract and show are licenses. This was in Juneau. We went to Mendenhall Glacier and used our national park passes, went to Salmon hatchery and got a family pass and tour, had lunch at the Red dog saloon, drove around town, shopped and 2 of us (1 adult and 1 child) did the Mount Roberts Tramway. We had plenty of time to explore and shop. The cost including the shopping for 5 adults and 1 12 year old was about 700. Luch 60 dollars, glacier 0, Car less than 60 dollars, hatchery 12 dollars,Tram 45 dollars and the rest was shopping!!

 

[staffieri]

Thinking of doing Grouse Mountain , the skytram and some activities there. Does anyone know how far this is from the ports and then how far this is from the airport? Thinking of doing it the day we get off the boat. Our flight is not until 5pm.

Any thought and help would be great.

Kimberly

 

[mellers]

Thinking of doing Grouse Mountain , the skytram and some activities there. Does anyone know how far this is from the ports and then how far this is from the airport? Thinking of doing it the day we get off the boat. Our flight is not until 5pm.

Any thought and help would be great.

Kimberly

You'll definitely want to keep your eye on your watches, and leave for it just as soon as you get off the boat--that said, I think the SeaBus isn't too far away, and it's a SeaBus and bus ride to get to the tram, as I remember. You might want to check this out:

http://tripplanning.translink.bc.ca/

 

[jlwhitney]

Grouse Mountain is about 45 minutes to the airport, not sure how much traffic there would be. It is about 25 minutes from port.

Personally you would be cutting it close. I would assume we would be off the boat between 9 and 10 like normal (maybe 8). Then you need to either rent a car or find other means of transportation. I would say the earliest you would get there would be between 10-11 and then you would need to leave by 1 at the latest to get to the airport.

I would think you would want to get to the airport 3 hours early to deal with customs and such.

 

[LuvEeyore]

I agree. Of all the airports Ive been through-Vancouver, Atlanta, Richmond, Roanoke, Greensboro, Dulles, Baltimore Washington, Ronald Regan, Raliegh, Burbank, orlando, Miami, Frankfurt Germany, Moscow RussiaMin Vodi Russia, --this is the one that took the longest and least organized. It took us 3 hours, Good thing our flight was delayed 45 minutes!!

 

[mellers]

I agree. Of all the airports Ive been through-Vancouver, Atlanta, Richmond, Roanoke, Greensboro, Dulles, Baltimore Washington, Ronald Regan, Raliegh, Burbank, orlando, Miami, Frankfurt Germany, Moscow RussiaMin Vodi Russia, --this is the one that took the longest and least organized. It took us 3 hours, Good thing our flight was delayed 45 minutes!!

I couldn't agree more. I've gone to Vancouver by flying directly into Vancouver, and also by flying into Seattle and then taking the QuickShuttle into Vancouver. I much preferred the second choice, and now that I live in Seattle, I take the QuickShuttle a lot to visit family in Richmond, BC. At Blaine (the border crossing), they have a special lane for busses, and it rarely takes more than 20-30 minutes to get through customs. The longest I ever had to wait was 45 minutes, on a particularly busy day.

Going through YVR customs is not for the faint of heart.

 

[staffieri]

I can't believe that how long it takes to get through the airport. Wow. I was looking forward to doing some stuff. But now I'm unsure. I HATE getting to an airport so early.

 

[janetbrown]

I can't believe that how long it takes to get through the airport. Wow. I was looking forward to doing some stuff. But now I'm unsure. I HATE getting to an airport so early.

This will be a good advice not to go in the airport too early because you've already experienced on this matter.

 

[jlwhitney]

I can't believe that how long it takes to get through the airport. Wow. I was looking forward to doing some stuff. But now I'm unsure. I HATE getting to an airport so early.

I would consider renting a car (alamo and national both have locations at the cruise ship terminal) and then drive to stanley park and walk around some and then head to the airport area and find a nice lunch outside the airport and then go to the airport between 1:30 and 2.

Grouse mountain would be great but it is opposite direction from the airport. But I dont see a complete need to go right to the airport.

 

[adnil530]

This is our first trip to Alaska and we're doing everything on our own. In Skagway we're renting a car and using Murray's Guide to drive into the Yukon. We plan to stop in Carcross and visit the dog camp on the way back.
In Juneau we'll take a cab to the DIPAC fish hatchery, then go either to the Alaska State Museum or Glacier Gardens (haven't decided yet) followed by an afternoon at Mendenhall Glacier (taking the Big Blue Bus back to the ship).
In Ketchikan we're going on a 2.5 hour kayak tour with Southeast Sea Kayaks and then exploring the town on foot.
It will be myself, my DH and my DD6.

We are renting a car and doing the same thing in Skagway. You said that you are going to visit the dog farm, will they allow you to visit without doing one of their "tours"? I know there are other things to do in Carcross, but it would be neat if could stop by and visit the farm without having to do the tour. I'll look into the Glacier Gardens. Juneau was a port that we had a hard time deciding what to do.

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

We will be going to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center also. Do they have trail maps available at the visitor center? I love your pics and would like to get some pics of my own.

In Ketchican, we booked the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's excursion directly through the company. It saved us a few $'s on the adult admission and on our DD 10's ticket. Disney charges adult prices for the 10 year old on this. Booking directly, they charged the child rate.

Linda

 

[wendy151950]

Some good info on this board.

Has anyone done a trip from the airport to Victoria and back? Am trying to decide if it is best to rent a car at the airport and take it to Victoria or bus it from the airport to the ferry. We're flying in from Toronto early and plan to go to Victoria Saturday-Monday then back to Vancouver for Monday before the cruise leaves on Tuesday.

 

[lpham]

Just to share our plans:

Juneau: we plan to rent a car through Rent a Wreck which is 3 blocks from where ship docks. There is only 42 miles of road, so we plan to drive all- first to Mendenhall Glacier for hiking, then to Auke Bay & Lake for wildlife viewing. If time, probably a raft in Mendenhall, or visit Macaulay Salmon Hatchery or Alaska State Museum.

Skagway: Planning to cover both Eagle preserve in Haines and 3 hour train excursion. Anyone has done this before and if there would be enough time??

Thanks!

 

[poohj80]

We found some good reviews on Trip Advisor and Cruise Critic for Whale Watching charter boats in Juneau so have booked that separately so we won't be fighting with 50 of our closest friends to get a good view.

 

[catislander]

We are renting a car and doing the same thing in Skagway. You said that you are going to visit the dog farm, will they allow you to visit without doing one of their "tours"? I know there are other things to do in Carcross, but it would be neat if could stop by and visit the farm without having to do the tour. I'll look into the Glacier Gardens. Juneau was a port that we had a hard time deciding what to do.



We will be going to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center also. Do they have trail maps available at the visitor center? I love your pics and would like to get some pics of my own.

In Ketchican, we booked the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's excursion directly through the company. It saved us a few $'s on the adult admission and on our DD 10's ticket. Disney charges adult prices for the 10 year old on this. Booking directly, they charged the child rate.

Linda

Hi Linda, it's Sherri from Catalina. That's a good question. We were planning on the dog cart rides and the wildlife museum. They recommend not being there during lunch when most of the tour busses are there.

 

[nanaguide]

Ok - all of you are way ahead of me. I've decided I'd better get it into high gear and start working on our excursions. Thanks to all who have shared their plans and ideas and what sites to use - very helpful!!! I have a question. In Ketchikan on the itineraries page it says the Wonder will dock between 12:10 and 1:40 and depart at 7:30. As far as you know is that correct? It is sure limiting me in booking the Bering Sea Tour on my own - has anyone else had this problem. Thanks in advance for any info you can give me.

 

[jlwhitney]

Ok - all of you are way ahead of me. I've decided I'd better get it into high gear and start working on our excursions. Thanks to all who have shared their plans and ideas and what sites to use - very helpful!!! I have a question. In Ketchikan on the itineraries page it says the Wonder will dock between 12:10 and 1:40 and depart at 7:30. As far as you know is that correct? It is sure limiting me in booking the Bering Sea Tour on my own - has anyone else had this problem. Thanks in advance for any info you can give me.

www.claalaska.com then click on complete list of schedules and then Ketchikan. That may help. I know we are coming in at noon on for our cruise so we are booked on the 12:30 tour (booked on our own)

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

All this makes even me want an Alaskan Cruise! I live in Whitehorse Yukon which is about a 2 hour drive from Skagway. I am not sure on the cruise dates they have for Alaska but one thing to consider is road conditions. You have to keep in mind there can be ice on the roads as late as June. As well as avalanche that can close the road between Skagway and Carcross.
Just past Carcross(coming from the Skagway port) is a beautiful spot called Emerald Lake that is worth checking out if you have time.
If you are cruising during the end of the summer season you can get great deals as some of the shops pack up completely and leave for the winter. For them it is cheaper and easier to sell everything that pack it store it.

 

[jackieinJuneau]

Okay the Blue buses are run by MGT, Mighty Great Trips and here is the link
to all their tours. http://mightygreattrips.com/se_alaska_shore_excursions.htm
The blue buses run every half an hour and are 14 dollars each way, it only stops down town and at the glacier. They are like clock work super reliable. Just confirming what had been previously posted.

Rent a wreck is not close to down town but they come in and pick people up. All the car rental companies are out at the airport. Also the rental cars tend to book up so I would make a reservation. Also we have 90 miles of road the 40 some mile trip is what us locals call going out the road, its a beautiful drive but we have more then just that

You can get trail maps at the information booths by the cruise ship docks and at the glacier visitor center.

Its warming up here and melting its starting to feel like we might be ready for you all soon!

 

[poohj80]

www.claalaska.com then click on complete list of schedules and then Ketchikan. That may help. I know we are coming in at noon on for our cruise so we are booked on the 12:30 tour (booked on our own)

Very cool site. Thanks for sharing!

Okay the Blue buses are run by MGT, Mighty Great Trips and here is the link
to all their tours. http://mightygreattrips.com/se_alaska_shore_excursions.htm
The blue buses run every half an hour and are 14 dollars each way, it only stops down town and at the glacier. They are like clock work super reliable. Just confirming what had been previously posted.

How far is the downtown stop from the pier? We will have one elderly person in our group so not sure how far she will want to walk.

Thanks!