Bear Spray for an Alaskan Cruise

[Tink3815]

First cruise to Alaska

Should we bring this on our trip The only hiking we might do is a walk around the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center or walking around a town at the ports.

 

[gottalovepluto]

First time? Read this…
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/prohibited-items/

Bear spray is a form of pepper spray. Pepper spray is prohibited from even being brought on the ship.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

You do not need bear spray. We rented a car in Juneau and drove to Eagle beach. We were amongst bears. But once they see you- they head off. Black bears will not confront an adult, generally speaking. Respect them, keep your distance. If they are with young, really keep your distance. We have them here in our yard at home. Once the bear and I ended up face to face. The bear turned around and went in the other direction and so did I. Just give them space.

 

[Disnsyncey]

First cruise to Alaska

Should we bring this on our trip The only hiking we might do is a walk around the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center or walking around a town at the ports.

absolutely not....the bear spray is in general for when you happen to come across/surprise a bear.....there will be so many people around the glacier that if the bears get surprised, that's on them.....they will definitely stay away from areas with a steady stream of people and certainly won't come to visit looking for a fight.....

 

[ironz]

No. You will not be able to fly with it or take it on the ship.
And, as other people said, the areas you will be in will have plenty of people around.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

First cruise to Alaska

Should we bring this on our trip The only hiking we might do is a walk around the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center or walking around a town at the ports.

No. As the old joke goes, you just need to be able to outrun the slowest person there.

Sorry, could not resist as the correct answer (not allowed) has already been given.

 

[European]

The park rangers at Mendenhall Glacier will be there to keep distance between the bears and visitors and have bear spray.

 

[MomOTwins]

We brought bear bells, the kind that jingle and it is supposed to alert the bear you are there so they can move away with no surprised, though they do get mixed reviews on effectiveness. Still, I was a mom taking my three kids on a hike by myself and felt better knowing we had something. Ironically, while we did not see any bears on the hike at mendenhall, there was a black bear wandering around creek street in downtown ketchikan—where I least expected it!

 

[jimmymc]

You won't need it for where you're going. You also can't fly with it or take it on cruises.

 

[imbelle]

We brought bear bells, the kind that jingle and it is supposed to alert the bear you are there so they can move away with no surprised, though they do get mixed reviews on effectiveness. Still, I was a mom taking my three kids on a hike by myself and felt better knowing we had something. Ironically, while we did not see any bears on the hike at mendenhall, there was a black bear wandering around creek street in downtown ketchikan—where I least expected it!

How do you tell the difference between black bear scat and grizzly bear scat?

The grizzly bear scat has bear bells in it.

 

[deanimal]

I'm pretty sure it's also illegal to take bear spray across the border into Canada if you're driving across the border to catch the cruise.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

How do you tell the difference between black bear scat and grizzly bear scat?

The grizzly bear scat has bear bells in it.

First prize for best answer!

 

[princesscinderella]

If a place requires bear spray we have seen it available for rent at the ranger stations/gift shops in our various travels. Especially since it not always something you can pack.

 

[imbelle]

First prize for best answer!

Old backpacker joke!

 

[DCLMP]

If a place requires bear spray we have seen it available for rent at the ranger stations/gift shops in our various travels. Especially since it not always something you can pack.

Makes sense. If you are going to go hiking alone or off the beaten path it would be a good idea to carry some. I'm sure it's readily available for purchase all over Alaska.

 

[pjacobi]

On a DCL cruise to Alaska, you will need mosquito repellant NOT bear spray.


-Paul

 

[Dug720]

If a place requires bear spray we have seen it available for rent at the ranger stations/gift shops in our various travels. Especially since it not always something you can pack.

Yeah, when I went on an excursion (through another line) where the point was to go to a meadow where bears frequently were, the ATVs had bear spray and a bear horn in the glove box on the vehicle. Those of us riding were shown how to use it if necessary.

 

[jimmymc]

On a DCL cruise to Alaska, you will need mosquito repellant NOT bear spray.


-Paul

Very true, the mosquitos in Alaska can be brutal.

 

[tvguy]

I've done two Alaskan cruises and never even thought about bear spray. We did do excursions where bears might be present, and they were, but you just stay away from them. With all the tourists yelling "bears" they didn't hang around long.

 

[jdb in AZ]

We went on a bear-watching excursion. Our guide pointed out bear "scat" to let us know that yes, the bears were really in the area. The guide was also "armed and dangerous." We did see bears from a distance. If they had been up close and personal we would've been guided in a different direction. We never felt the need for bear spray.

Mosquito repellent is easier to find but I've never had the need for it in eight cruises to Alaska. Maybe my skin isn't as tasty as it used to be, but the mossies just leave me alone.