Best Alaska Excursions?

[labdogs42]

I'm starting to panic because I can book my excursions tonight at midnight and now I'm double and triple guessing myself about which ones to pick! Helicopter/dog sled is definitely one of them, but I"m not 100% sure what I want to do in the other ports. Is the White Pass Railway a "must do"? I don't want to do anything too strenuous (this is a vacation!) but I'd love to see some wildlife and so some uniquely Alaskan things. Any suggestions of excursions you really loved would help! I'm leaning toward doing the glacier mushing in Juneau, but if you think Skagway is better, I'll listen to your reasons for that, too! HELP! Thanks!

 

[saxmangeoff]

If you at all like trains, then yes, the White Pass Railway is a must do. I did the steam train, and it was an absolutely wonderful trip.

I would also say to relax a little. You'll almost certainly have a great time, and there are more great excursions than you can possibly do in multiple trips, so pick something and enjoy it!

 

[bcwife76]

There's also a new excursion offered on Tracy Arm day that you might want to look into. I know we're hoping to book that on our Alaskan cruise in 2017.

 

[tink1970]

On my first AK cruise, I didn't go on a whale watching because I was convinced I'd see some out the window...never did My mother who did saw a bunch!

So the next year when DH and I went that was the top of my list (and yes, saw some so was happy happy ).

DD and DF went on the dog sled excursion and liked it.

I went on a bear watching but saw no bears (of course, there are some in the next county over so why I felt the need, I don't have a clue!).

 

[labdogs42]

I booked the helicopter and dog sled tour direct through TEMSCO today for Juneau. Everything through Disney is already sold out and Silver window opens tonight. So, glad I knew how to book that one on my own! My hubby and kid voted no to whale watching, so we will save that for a future trip. Looking at the 4x4 adventure one and maybe a Crab Feast/fishing one. I'm on the East Coast and planning to stay up until midnight to book! Its as bad as booking fastpasses!

 

[MMR]

I booked the helicopter and dog sled tour direct through TEMSCO today for Juneau. Everything through Disney is already sold out and Silver window opens tonight. So, glad I knew how to book that one on my own! My hubby and kid voted no to whale watching, so we will save that for a future trip. Looking at the 4x4 adventure one and maybe a Crab Feast/fishing one. I'm on the East Coast and planning to stay up until midnight to book! Its as bad as booking fastpasses!

How did you book direct with them? Their website said to go thru the Cruiseline (if this is the vendor I think I tried)

 

[labdogs42]

It is TEMSCO. I called and booked it today over the phone.

 

[poison ivy]

Good move on the dogsledding. We were gold and able to book thru dcl, but I would have gone with TEMSCO as well. Same company either way.

As far as what else to book - Alaska is a great cruise to go with private charters if you can't decide on something at midnight and lose an opportunity. It's a small town environment with many locals working together.

We didn't do the crabfeast but I was thinking about it too. Looked like fun.
We chose whale watching and Mendenhall glacier in the morning and feasted on an Alaskan kingcrab lunch at Tracy's Crab Shack in Juneau.

Wish I could be more help but you can always hold a few things for now and finalize your plans later..

 

[xlxo]

fyi.... the White Pass offers several variations and combo's. I recommend combo's to maximize your valuable port time.

 

[hamm1207]

I booked the helicopter and dog sled tour direct through TEMSCO today for Juneau. Everything through Disney is already sold out and Silver window opens tonight. So, glad I knew how to book that one on my own! My hubby and kid voted no to whale watching, so we will save that for a future trip. Looking at the 4x4 adventure one and maybe a Crab Feast/fishing one. I'm on the East Coast and planning to stay up until midnight to book! Its as bad as booking fastpasses!

I suggest hunting around and considering doing some excursions on your own as well. The prices for AK excursions are going to be expensive anyways, but they are worth it (everything in AK is more expensive). Don't be afraid to spend money on once in a life time excursions! We lived in Alaska for 5 years (just recently moved to the lower 48 and plan to move back to AK in 15 or so years), and we still did excursions. In Juneau, we did the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Trek and it was a blast. We did the train ride in Skagway (very relaxing and wonderful scenery). We have an uncle in Ketchikan, so we went to a park near his house and away from all of the touristy stuff--it was a great opportunity to just check out Ketchikan. Our cruise went to Sitka, and we did a private charter there (ended up being cheaper than any of the DCL excursions and it was more personal). Enjoy your cruise!!

 

[xlxo]

NCL operates excursions similar to DCL. Have a look at these vids for ideas....

 

[dcassetta]

Enjoyed the White Pass railroad, whale watching and kayaking on previous trips. Have not down dog-sledding, but it sounds fun. My sister loved her float plane trip and walk on the glacier.

 

[labdogs42]

Stupid Disney was updating their site so I stayed up until midnight for NOTHING! Got back up at 5:30 this morning and got all the ones I wanted. Doing the 4x4 tour in Skagway and the Crab Feast one in Ketchikan.

I think we will have to go back to Alaska some other time to squeeze in the White Pass Railway. My hubby likes trains, but we all voted that the 4x4's were our first choice.

There's also a new excursion offered on Tracy Arm day that you might want to look into. I know we're hoping to book that on our Alaskan cruise in 2017.

I snagged that Tracy Arm one, too! Thanks for mentioning it!

NCL operates excursions similar to DCL. Have a look at these vids for ideas....
/QUOTE]

Awesome -- thanks!

 

[76Disney]

Has anyone participated in the Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Explorer Excursion? If so, what are your thoughts? And is it kid-appropriate for ages 11 and 9? Thank you!

 

[jenpink]

It is a new excursion for Disney this year. I have it booked early June, so I'll report on it then

 

[76Disney]

That would be great! Thank you!