Dog sledding glacier vs dog sledding camp

[Sakura1017]

I've been debating if I should book an Alaska cruise for next year. I know dog sledding on glacier is a popular excursion and it's hit or miss based on the weather and booking it at certain ports leads to a better chance.
1. What ports are the better chance for it to occur at, and what times to book?
2. For the helicopter ride, you can't control where you sit since it's based on weight. For those that did not sit by the windows, how were the views?
3. If you did dog sledding on glacier through DCL did you have the opportunity to have turns to be both a musher and an observer? Did you have a chance to interact with the dogs?
4. If you did just regular dog sledding at camp via DCL, did you have the opportunity to be both musher on the road and observer? Did you have a chance to interact with the dogs?

I just got back from Hawaii and some of the the dcl excursions were kinda disappointing and didn't match the itinerary of what was described. So I'm kinda hesitant to book something.

Thanks

 

[CBEB]

I've been debating if I should book an Alaska cruise for next year. I know dog sledding on glacier is a popular excursion and it's hit or miss based on the weather and booking it at certain ports leads to a better chance.
1. What ports are the better chance for it to occur at, and what times to book?
2. For the helicopter ride, you can't control where you sit since it's based on weight. For those that did not sit by the windows, how were the views?
3. If you did dog sledding on glacier through DCL did you have the opportunity to have turns to be both a musher and an observer? Did you have a chance to interact with the dogs?
4. If you did just regular dog sledding at camp via DCL, did you have the opportunity to be both musher on the road and observer? Did you have a chance to interact with the dogs?

I just got back from Hawaii and some of the the dcl excursions were kinda disappointing and didn't match the itinerary of what was described. So I'm kinda hesitant to book something.

Thanks

We did dog sledding on the glacier and LOVED IT! The helicopter isn’t that big so no problem seeing the stunning views for everyone. About midway thru the sled ride they stopped for a few minutes and we could switch positions if we wanted to. After the ride we got to play with the dogs, very friendly! You are correct though about the weather. The helo’s won’t fly if it’s windy or foggy.

 

[poohj80]

I am just starting to research a summer 2023 Alaska cruise and wondering what cruise dates have the dog sledding and helicopter tours to glaciers typically been available? We cruised Alaska during DCL's inaugural year in 2011 and remember that many of the excursions were not available on the early cruises so don't want to pick one where we won't get to do the things we are hoping to do.

 

[erionm]

I am just starting to research a summer 2023 Alaska cruise and wondering what cruise dates have the dog sledding and helicopter tours to glaciers typically been available? We cruised Alaska during DCL's inaugural year in 2011 and remember that many of the excursions were not available on the early cruises so don't want to pick one where we won't get to do the things we are hoping to do.

Back in 2007 (May 21st) during our stop in Juneau, we did dog sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier. That cruise was on Princess.

 

[MomOTwins]

I've been debating if I should book an Alaska cruise for next year. I know dog sledding on glacier is a popular excursion and it's hit or miss based on the weather and booking it at certain ports leads to a better chance.
1. What ports are the better chance for it to occur at, and what times to book?
2. For the helicopter ride, you can't control where you sit since it's based on weight. For those that did not sit by the windows, how were the views?
3. If you did dog sledding on glacier through DCL did you have the opportunity to have turns to be both a musher and an observer? Did you have a chance to interact with the dogs?
4. If you did just regular dog sledding at camp via DCL, did you have the opportunity to be both musher on the road and observer? Did you have a chance to interact with the dogs?

I just got back from Hawaii and some of the the dcl excursions were kinda disappointing and didn't match the itinerary of what was described. So I'm kinda hesitant to book something.

Thanks

I can't speak to a lot of this but I will say we we cruised on another line this summer to Alaska and the dog sled glacier helipcopter trip was offered in both Juneau and Skagway. My friends chose Juneau, and booked the first excursion of the day and it was cancelled due to fog. They had bad luck because the fog cleared about a half hour later and all the other helicopter trips (including my husband's) went without a hitch, but of course everything was fully booked so my friends couldn't be rescheduled. So based on that experience, I'd recommend not booking the first few flight times per day, just in case you do get morning fog again.

I am just starting to research a summer 2023 Alaska cruise and wondering what cruise dates have the dog sledding and helicopter tours to glaciers typically been available? We cruised Alaska during DCL's inaugural year in 2011 and remember that many of the excursions were not available on the early cruises so don't want to pick one where we won't get to do the things we are hoping to do.

May/early June and September are the "shoulder season" when sometimes vendors don't have staffing up and running yet. If you go mid-June through August it is peak season. Basically, you can usually tell just by looking at the price when the peak season is, and that is when the most excursions are running.

 

[pjacobi]

Note that before boarding, you will be required to step on a scale in the hanger before boarding the Helicopter.

Helicopter tours are often cancelled due to weather, so book your first opportunity. If it is cancelled, you still might have another chance the next day.


-Paul