Alaska with no excursions

[adSimba]

has anyone here done it? what was it like? do you regret it? would you do it again?

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

My honest opinion, Alaska is about the adventure and therefore the excursions. I'm not advocating you need to spend a ton on excursions and our last cruise to Alaska this past August, I'd estimate we paid about $1100 for all three of us and we did something in every port, including private whale watching with another lovely family. We booked an oceanview cabin which saved us over $2500 from a verandah cabin and that paid for our excursions, fun in Vancouver two days before the cruise (can't recommend Vancouver enough), etc. It was our 2nd Alaska cruise and our first one in 2013 we also didn't spend too much on excursions. I'd honestly go in an inside in Alaska in order to be able to do some excursions! I highly recommend looking at independent tour operators as they can save a bunch and most are highly recommended and rated. We loved Chilkoot Charters in Skagway, had a great time doing the Bering Sea Crab Fishermans Tour (we booked direct and saved money but this was our most expensive and it's a one and done for us) and then the private whale watching with Rum Runner Charters.

Now in the Caribbean and Bahamas, absolutely we've done many cruises with no excursions.

I realize you asked for feedback from folks who haven't done excursions in Alaska but I highly encourage you TO DO them, if you can!

Just my two cents!
Heather

 

[Quellman]

I agree with Heather above. Alaska sounds less appealing without any excursion. We originally didn't book one and once we got off the ship, did, and was so glad too. The coast of Alaska is neat, but the whale watching, sled dogs, train rides, are all great opportunities to see and do things you probably cannot do at home. We booked on Carnival when we did ours since it was less about the ship and more about the trip. Exact opposite of our carribean cruises, we only got off at Castaway on our last Eastbound, no regrets there.

 

[Pens Fan]

I can't think of much to add to Heather's response, as I agree with everything she said. I can really only add a couple of suggestions:

- Check out Cruise Critic's Alaska board for independent excursion ideas. Trip Advisor is great for that as well. You can also scan through the Disboards trip reports for Alaska cruises and look for excursion ideas. You can save quite a bit by foregoing DCL (our any cruise line's) mark up. Join your cruise meet to get other ideas or possibly team up with another family on a private tour.
- If it came down to choosing between a Disney cruise in Alaska and no excursions or taking a less expensive cruise line and doing excursions, I'd go with another cruise line. Disney is a VERY expensive way to see Alaska. For example, we are sailing NCL to Alaska next summer due to Disney not offering the itinerary we were looking for. The price difference was eye opening, to say the least. We booked an aft penthouse suite with a separate bedroom and living room area (includes free booze, 4 nights of specialty dining, free internet and some discounts on NCL shore excursions that we won't use as we are going strictly private) for LESS money than Disney wanted for a standard balcony cabin (which included free soda - woo hoo!). Had we stuck with a balcony or even a mini suite on NCL, we would have saved several thousand dollars, enough to do even the most elaborate excursions. However, if Disney is a make it or break it factor for you, as Heather suggested, book an OV or inside cabin to save money.

 

[Geomom]

I would definitely plan to do something, but you can do Alaska 'cheaply'.

Skagway: We did the Chilkoot Charters Yukon Bus/Train/dog cart/bbq excursion ($816 for 3 adults and 1 child)--so I don't have direct knowledge on the other things--but there are supposed to be hiking trails 'nearby' in Skagway. There are some free (or $5/person) walking tours with the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park--it looks like you can reserve spots online ahead of time.

Juneau: I would at least go visit Mendenhall Glacier which is a 1/2 hour ride from downtown Juneau. Some people have rented a car for $60 for the day. We did one of the Glacier shuttles for $30/person roundtrip. There is also supposed to be a town bus that can drop you off 1 1/2 miles from the entrance for only a few dollars/person each way (with lots of stops along the way). At the Mendenhall Glacier you can do the Tongass National Forest Junior Ranger badge activities, and there are hiking trails there as well.

Ketchikan: Creek Street is in walking distance, a historic area. You can see a couple of totem poles within walking distance of the port. There are some Totem pole places to visit that require some form of transportation, you can research how other people have gone to Totem Bight. Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is also very close to the dock--if you book tickets yourself they'd be under $45/adult, $22/child. We did the DCL excursion of Saxman Native Village and Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show for $105/person--it would be cheaper for a Disney child.

Vancouver: We spent 3 nights in Vancouver precruise, and a full day excursion post cruise that dropped us off at the airport/handled our luggage. Vancouver--we did Stanley park one day with the Aquarium (around $120 CAD for the 4 of us) and the Miniature Train ride ($20 CAD for the 4 of us). The next day we bought the 'Translink' Daypass for $10 CAD/person that got us all the trains/seabus/bus that we wanted that 1 day. We used it to take the Seabus over to North Vancouver, then a bus to Lynn Canyon State Park to go to the FREE suspension bridge--so that day cost us about $40CAD for entertainment. Our post cruise full day excursion (our flight was at 10:30PM) was with Landsea tours, the Sea to Sky all day tour--they picked us and our luggage up from the port, then at the end of the tour dropped us off at the airport--$400 CAD for the 4 of us.

Try to figure out what YOU want to see in Alaska--it doesn't have to be float planes or dogsledding on a glacier. For us, I wanted to do something Native (Ketchikan), see glaciers (Juneau and 'Tracy Arm' day), go to the Yukon Territory because we were just so close to it--as well as ride a historic train back AND get pulled by dogs on a dirt track (Skagway).

 

[wombat_5606]

I have to reiterate and emphasize, if you can't afford a Disney cruise and excursions in Alaska, pick another cruise line.

I don't know how many times you plan to cruise the Inside Passage of Alaska, but for me, it's very far and very expensive to even get there for a cruise, so I'm going to make every minute count. I'm not repeating this cruise, like I would a Caribbean cruise.

Sure, the view is beautiful, but Alaska is too unique to just see it from a cruise ship deck.

That said, my advice is go with another line that doesn't just do a round trip in the southern part of Alaska. I recommend people go on a cruise that takes them to Glacier Bay and then takes them to Seward or Whittier. From there you can get into Denali National Park. But then, I've been there, and I know what you'll be missing if you just do a Disney cruise.

 

[adSimba]

My honest opinion, Alaska is about the adventure and therefore the excursions. I'm not advocating you need to spend a ton on excursions and our last cruise to Alaska this past August, I'd estimate we paid about $1100 for all three of us and we did something in every port, including private whale watching with another lovely family. We booked an oceanview cabin which saved us over $2500 from a verandah cabin and that paid for our excursions, fun in Vancouver two days before the cruise (can't recommend Vancouver enough), etc. It was our 2nd Alaska cruise and our first one in 2013 we also didn't spend too much on excursions. I'd honestly go in an inside in Alaska in order to be able to do some excursions! I highly recommend looking at independent tour operators as they can save a bunch and most are highly recommended and rated. We loved Chilkoot Charters in Skagway, had a great time doing the Bering Sea Crab Fishermans Tour (we booked direct and saved money but this was our most expensive and it's a one and done for us) and then the private whale watching with Rum Runner Charters.

Now in the Caribbean and Bahamas, absolutely we've done many cruises with no excursions.

I realize you asked for feedback from folks who haven't done excursions in Alaska but I highly encourage you TO DO them, if you can!

Just my two cents!
Heather

I agree with Heather above. Alaska sounds less appealing without any excursion. We originally didn't book one and once we got off the ship, did, and was so glad too. The coast of Alaska is neat, but the whale watching, sled dogs, train rides, are all great opportunities to see and do things you probably cannot do at home. We booked on Carnival when we did ours since it was less about the ship and more about the trip. Exact opposite of our carribean cruises, we only got off at Castaway on our last Eastbound, no regrets there.

I can't think of much to add to Heather's response, as I agree with everything she said. I can really only add a couple of suggestions:

- Check out Cruise Critic's Alaska board for independent excursion ideas. Trip Advisor is great for that as well. You can also scan through the Disboards trip reports for Alaska cruises and look for excursion ideas. You can save quite a bit by foregoing DCL (our any cruise line's) mark up. Join your cruise meet to get other ideas or possibly team up with another family on a private tour.
- If it came down to choosing between a Disney cruise in Alaska and no excursions or taking a less expensive cruise line and doing excursions, I'd go with another cruise line. Disney is a VERY expensive way to see Alaska. For example, we are sailing NCL to Alaska next summer due to Disney not offering the itinerary we were looking for. The price difference was eye opening, to say the least. We booked an aft penthouse suite with a separate bedroom and living room area (includes free booze, 4 nights of specialty dining, free internet and some discounts on NCL shore excursions that we won't use as we are going strictly private) for LESS money than Disney wanted for a standard balcony cabin (which included free soda - woo hoo!). Had we stuck with a balcony or even a mini suite on NCL, we would have saved several thousand dollars, enough to do even the most elaborate excursions. However, if Disney is a make it or break it factor for you, as Heather suggested, book an OV or inside cabin to save money.

I would definitely plan to do something, but you can do Alaska 'cheaply'.

Skagway: We did the Chilkoot Charters Yukon Bus/Train/dog cart/bbq excursion ($816 for 3 adults and 1 child)--so I don't have direct knowledge on the other things--but there are supposed to be hiking trails 'nearby' in Skagway. There are some free (or $5/person) walking tours with the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park--it looks like you can reserve spots online ahead of time.

Juneau: I would at least go visit Mendenhall Glacier which is a 1/2 hour ride from downtown Juneau. Some people have rented a car for $60 for the day. We did one of the Glacier shuttles for $30/person roundtrip. There is also supposed to be a town bus that can drop you off 1 1/2 miles from the entrance for only a few dollars/person each way (with lots of stops along the way). At the Mendenhall Glacier you can do the Tongass National Forest Junior Ranger badge activities, and there are hiking trails there as well.

Ketchikan: Creek Street is in walking distance, a historic area. You can see a couple of totem poles within walking distance of the port. There are some Totem pole places to visit that require some form of transportation, you can research how other people have gone to Totem Bight. Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show is also very close to the dock--if you book tickets yourself they'd be under $45/adult, $22/child. We did the DCL excursion of Saxman Native Village and Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show for $105/person--it would be cheaper for a Disney child.

Vancouver: We spent 3 nights in Vancouver precruise, and a full day excursion post cruise that dropped us off at the airport/handled our luggage. Vancouver--we did Stanley park one day with the Aquarium (around $120 CAD for the 4 of us) and the Miniature Train ride ($20 CAD for the 4 of us). The next day we bought the 'Translink' Daypass for $10 CAD/person that got us all the trains/seabus/bus that we wanted that 1 day. We used it to take the Seabus over to North Vancouver, then a bus to Lynn Canyon State Park to go to the FREE suspension bridge--so that day cost us about $40CAD for entertainment. Our post cruise full day excursion (our flight was at 10:30PM) was with Landsea tours, the Sea to Sky all day tour--they picked us and our luggage up from the port, then at the end of the tour dropped us off at the airport--$400 CAD for the 4 of us.

Try to figure out what YOU want to see in Alaska--it doesn't have to be float planes or dogsledding on a glacier. For us, I wanted to do something Native (Ketchikan), see glaciers (Juneau and 'Tracy Arm' day), go to the Yukon Territory because we were just so close to it--as well as ride a historic train back AND get pulled by dogs on a dirt track (Skagway).

I have to reiterate and emphasize, if you can't afford a Disney cruise and excursions in Alaska, pick another cruise line.

I don't know how many times you plan to cruise the Inside Passage of Alaska, but for me, it's very far and very expensive to even get there for a cruise, so I'm going to make every minute count. I'm not repeating this cruise, like I would a Caribbean cruise.

Sure, the view is beautiful, but Alaska is too unique to just see it from a cruise ship deck.

That said, my advice is go with another line that doesn't just do a round trip in the southern part of Alaska. I recommend people go on a cruise that takes them to Glacier Bay and then takes them to Seward or Whittier. From there you can get into Denali National Park. But then, I've been there, and I know what you'll be missing if you just do a Disney cruise.

Honestly I'm really disappointed in the responses, what if I said money is not the motivating factor?

I realize that my reasons are different than everyone else, suffice it to say, I am eventually going on a Disney Cruise to Alaska, and for Alaska will never consider another cruise line. My family and I are interested in views from the ship, the culture and towns we visit, not thrills, or bragging rights (though I suppose we'd still have enough our way)

I wasn't including Vancouver in the mix, that's precruise, and I am, theoretically, planning on visiting Mendenhall glacier, and the little discussed hatchery in Juneau, on our own but looking through all of the excursions from Disney and others, there is little else to interest us outside of the towns that we cannot see from the boat.

I have a friend whose family owns a whale watching excursion group at one of the ports, so I could probably do it for free, but I've been whale watching in the pacific northwest multiple times, it always seems to make my wife and I sick no matter what we do. I see no value in going to a food oriented excursion on this trip because the ship food (which is already paid for) includes everything at the extra cost meals, and more. My wife is very uncomfortable with small aircraft and for the prices that are being asked we see no reason to try to over come that fear just to see similar things to what can be seen on the boat from a different angle.

I really would just like if someone could answer my question as posted:

Alaska with no excursions: what was it like? do you regret it? would you do it again?

please quit telling me I am wrong to feel the way I do.

 

[wombat_5606]

My opinion is that you will regret it, but you won't know that if you don't go to the most majestic state I've ever seen. You just don't see it from the Inside Passage. If you're from the northwest, it's not going to be much different than you can drive to for a weekend.

If you're from the northwest, perhaps you'll go again and then you can see some more of Alaska.

But, I'm confused. If you are going to do those things in your post, what are you asking. Those are excursions.

 

[wombat_5606]

Do you like Disney cruises? Then if you don't get off the ship, you'll be happy.

I do that in the Caribbean because I've been there so many times.

I wouldn't be happy going to somewhere like Alaska and not getting off the ship and seeing some of the unique areas of that state. Just my opinion.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Honestly I'm really disappointed in the responses, what if I said money is not the motivating factor?

I realize that my reasons are different than everyone else, suffice it to say, I am eventually going on a Disney Cruise to Alaska, and for Alaska will never consider another cruise line. My family and I are interested in views from the ship, the culture and towns we visit, not thrills, or bragging rights (though I suppose we'd still have enough our way)

I wasn't including Vancouver in the mix, that's precruise, and I am, theoretically, planning on visiting Mendenhall glacier, and the little discussed hatchery in Juneau, on our own but looking through all of the excursions from Disney and others, there is little else to interest us outside of the towns that we cannot see from the boat.

I have a friend whose family owns a whale watching excursion group at one of the ports, so I could probably do it for free, but I've been whale watching in the pacific northwest multiple times, it always seems to make my wife and I sick no matter what we do. I see no value in going to a food oriented excursion on this trip because the ship food (which is already paid for) includes everything at the extra cost meals, and more. My wife is very uncomfortable with small aircraft and for the prices that are being asked we see no reason to try to over come that fear just to see similar things to what can be seen on the boat from a different angle.

I really would just like if someone could answer my question as posted:

Alaska with no excursions: what was it like? do you regret it? would you do it again?

please quit telling me I am wrong to feel the way I do.

I haven't done it, so maybe I'm not the one to give advice, but it sounds like you've thought this through, done your research and know what you want. You're good to go, as far as I'm concerned. This is your vacation. Spend it how you like. While most people want to take advantage of the excursion options, if that's not your thing, no one says you have to do it.

Enjoy what you want from your vacation. If you decide you're feeling like you're missing something, I expect you can see about getting on to an excursion while you are on the ship.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Honestly I'm really disappointed in the responses, what if I said money is not the motivating factor?

I realize that my reasons are different than everyone else, suffice it to say, I am eventually going on a Disney Cruise to Alaska, and for Alaska will never consider another cruise line. My family and I are interested in views from the ship, the culture and towns we visit, not thrills, or bragging rights (though I suppose we'd still have enough our way)

I wasn't including Vancouver in the mix, that's precruise, and I am, theoretically, planning on visiting Mendenhall glacier, and the little discussed hatchery in Juneau, on our own but looking through all of the excursions from Disney and others, there is little else to interest us outside of the towns that we cannot see from the boat.

I have a friend whose family owns a whale watching excursion group at one of the ports, so I could probably do it for free, but I've been whale watching in the pacific northwest multiple times, it always seems to make my wife and I sick no matter what we do. I see no value in going to a food oriented excursion on this trip because the ship food (which is already paid for) includes everything at the extra cost meals, and more. My wife is very uncomfortable with small aircraft and for the prices that are being asked we see no reason to try to over come that fear just to see similar things to what can be seen on the boat from a different angle.

I really would just like if someone could answer my question as posted:

Alaska with no excursions: what was it like? do you regret it? would you do it again?

please quit telling me I am wrong to feel the way I do.

Yikes! Seems like those that had good intentions to help you wasn't received well. I'll speak for myself, I never suggested you take another cruise line. Both of our cruises to Alaska have been with DCL and I'm a huge supporter of anyone cruising with who you want to whatever your reason for doing so is. Our Alaska cruises with DCL have been cheaper than a 7 night Fantasy sailing and when I compared to another lines, DCL was either cheaper or too close in price that I wouldn't consider the other lines, but clearly you've already decided to sail with DCL. I didn't have the information you just shared with us to make a different response to you.

Just know I and others had your best intentions in mind and sorry it didn't come across that way or you didn't feel that.

Heather

 

[Pens Fan]

please quit telling me I am wrong to feel the way I do.

Wow! So much for giving someone some honest, good intentioned advice. You asked for an opinion but obviously don't want to hear any advice to the contrary of what you already have planned. Whatever you decide, I truly hope you have a wonderful cruise.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

[Dug720]

Alaska with no excursions: what was it like? do you regret it? would you do it again?

I have done Alaska twice - both with the Great Alaskan Running Cruise, so I did have activities off-ship, but the runs were included in the price i paid ergo I don't consider them excursions.

The first was on HAL and I did a whale watching excursion in Juneau through the cruise line and loved it. Just walked around on my own in Ketchikan and Victoria and especially in Victoria regretted it as for me that was the worst port because I was clueless as to what to do.

The second was on RCCL, and I opted not to do any excursions because "I've been there". Well, I ended up taking a bus out to the Mendenhall in Juneau (I struck up a conversation with the guy in one of the booths as his wife had helped organize the run - and he gave me a great deal) where i was able to actually see a bear so that was good. Again, I had no other excursions - I hiked in Skagway and again just wandered in Ketchikan which was ok, but I was really sad I hadn't booked an excursion in Icy Strait Point as there was NOTHING to do there.

So yes. I regret that I didn't do more excursions. If I do Alaska again, I will definitely budget for excursions because I don't want to be trapped in the Hades of delSol and Diamonds International again when I'm surrounded by such beautiful scenery.

Does that answer your question "in the way it was asked"? (even if it's not what you want to hear...)

 

[Luv2Diz]

Yes, we did a DCL Alaska cruise without excursions. We lucked out and had beautiful, sunny t-shirt weather during all of our port visits, so that added to our enjoyment. In Skagway we walked through the town and out to the old cemetery. Because we got off the ship early and walked straight there, we got there before the excursion busses started arriving in droves. It was fantastic to experience it by ourselves for awhile and then hike up behind the cemetery to the waterfalls.

In Juneau we walked around and enjoyed the city. Walked up past the Governor's mansion and through several small, scenic parks.

In Ketchikan, since we were there in early September and the salmon were running, we went to the river and watched hundreds of salmon swim by. We also went to the salmon ladder and watched them jump. It was great to move along as we felt and not have time constraints as dictated by a tour.

Our table mates for this cruise did the same. We frequently saw each other as we enjoyed the ports on foot. I would definitely do it again.

 

[adSimba]

Yes, we did a DCL Alaska cruise without excursions. We lucked out and had beautiful, sunny t-shirt weather during all of our port visits, so that added to our enjoyment. In Skagway we walked through the town and out to the old cemetery. Because we got off the ship early and walked straight there, we got there before the excursion busses started arriving in droves. It was fantastic to experience it by ourselves for awhile and then hike up behind the cemetery to the waterfalls.

In Juneau we walked around and enjoyed the city. Walked up past the Governor's mansion and through several small, scenic parks.

In Ketchikan, since we were there in early September and the salmon were running, we went to the river and watched hundreds of salmon swim by. We also went to the salmon ladder and watched them jump. It was great to move along as we felt and not have time constraints as dictated by a tour.

Our table mates for this cruise did the same. We frequently saw each other as we enjoyed the ports on foot. I would definitely do it again.

Thank you for responding! I've felt like this would be reasonable, but so many people saying Alaska is all about the excursions, I was worried I would be missing out, even though almost none of them sound like what my family would want, or would require more endurance than we want to put out (like a multi hour drive).

 

[adSimba]

Wow! So much for giving someone some honest, good intentioned advice. You asked for an opinion but obviously don't want to hear any advice to the contrary of what you already have planned. Whatever you decide, I truly hope you have a wonderful cruise.

Happy Thanksgiving

I asked for advice on a plan, and I felt slightly attacked and very much that frustrated that in 5 detailed responses none were about what I was hoping to know, and all seemed to be about how I should rethink my entire plan

also, thank you, I sincerely hope you also have a happy Thanksgiving

 

[adSimba]

Yikes! Seems like those that had good intentions to help you wasn't received well. I'll speak for myself, I never suggested you take another cruise line. Both of our cruises to Alaska have been with DCL and I'm a huge supporter of anyone cruising with who you want to whatever your reason for doing so is. Our Alaska cruises with DCL have been cheaper than a 7 night Fantasy sailing and when I compared to another lines, DCL was either cheaper or too close in price that I wouldn't consider the other lines, but clearly you've already decided to sail with DCL. I didn't have the information you just shared with us to make a different response to you.

Just know I and others had your best intentions in mind and sorry it didn't come across that way or you didn't feel that.

Heather

I'm sorry that I came of confrontationaly, It just frustrated me that it seems necessary to go into a lot of detail to have people accept my questions at face value, and not assume that I am simply uninformed. (This has happened to me on the Disneyland boards too, but for obviously different reasons)

 

[coloradocutie]

We have done Disney in Alaska with no excursions and WE LOVED IT!

We were in a concierge room with a 1 year old and a 4 year old and no, I don't regret it. It was a wonderful vacation. We absolutely loved the ship. We loved the views from the ship. We loved the towns- in each one we walked around, met locals, ate delicious local food (we did not shop) and saw amazing sights like the salmon ladder. (the concierge staff was amazing at telling us what the locals really love about each port... it was not hard to find activities). I do not regret it one bit as it came back to the question of "why were we on vacation?" . Our vacation completely met our needs, which may be different than other families. We will go again, and honestly, we may or may not do excursions. I would say if you know yourself and your travel/cruising style enough to ask the question, you will have a blast no matter what you do

Enjoy the cruise!!

 

[piccolopat]

It might have been helpful if you phrased your question a little differently. When I first read it I thought you were planning to stay on the ship the whole time. I haven't been to Alaska yet but when I get there I will definitely be getting off the ship and doing things. It now sounds like you plan to get off the ship and just do some things on your own at each port. If the organized excursions don't interest you or are not suitable in any way, you can research each port of call and see if there are things that interest you that can be done on your own. That should give you an idea whether you'll have enough to do to really experience Alaska without an organized tour off the ship. You might find that for some ports, getting off and walking around will be enough for you but for other ports an excursion might be better. The more you know about each port and what is available, the better chance you have at determining if you would be sorry for skipping the excursions or will have a grand old time doing things on your own.

 

[adSimba]

We have done Disney in Alaska with no excursions and WE LOVED IT!

We were in a concierge room with a 1 year old and a 4 year old and no, I don't regret it. It was a wonderful vacation. We absolutely loved the ship. We loved the views from the ship. We loved the towns- in each one we walked around, met locals, ate delicious local food (we did not shop) and saw amazing sights like the salmon ladder. (the concierge staff was amazing at telling us what the locals really love about each port... it was not hard to find activities). I do not regret it one bit as it came back to the question of "why were we on vacation?" . Our vacation completely met our needs, which may be different than other families. We will go again, and honestly, we may or may not do excursions. I would say if you know yourself and your travel/cruising style enough to ask the question, you will have a blast no matter what you do

Enjoy the cruise!!

The thing is, I only think I know what I like, I grew up in a poor family, and have been on disability for the last 10 years having become disabled in my early 20's. This will be my families second real vacation (not going out of town to spend time with family) our first we went to Disneyland, and while we love Disney, we don't want to feel rushed and don't care about thrills.