Julie We cruised the Med on the June 8th sailing. Oh the memories! We still want to do that again with the Venice itinerary!
I am in for a fish extender. It does sound like fun and I think the boys would love to see all of the goodies that are left at our door.
I am a planner and have been looking into excursions for quite some time now. We are definitely doing a helicopter with glacier landing in Juneau (crossing fingers for no fog!). My husband and I did this when we went to Alaska before kids and it was one of the most breathtaking experiences I have ever had. I cannot wait to see my boys and my mom's reaction! If I wasn't doing that excursion, I would definitely do a whale watching excursion on a private (non-Disney) boat. They sound wonderful. But, since we are planning to do whale watching in Seattle, we are not going to go in Juneau. In Skagway, we are planning to rent a car and drive into the Yukon. I have read such great reviews about doing this. And to be honest, I am worried that my boys will be bored stiff on the train ride. Our other option was to book an excursion with Beyond Skagway ($120/hr) or Chilkoot Charters ($229/person). In Ketchikan, we are either going to do the Misty Fjords Flightseeing with Island Wings (which was rained out on our previous trip to Alaksa) or the Bering Sea crab fisherman tour. I think the boys would love the crab fisherman tour, so leaning toward that one.
I don't think you will regret booking an excursion. It is fun to walk around the little towns too! I wouldn't plan on sleeping in and relaxing on the boat on days when we are in port. Alaska is sooo beautiful, plus with 3 days at sea, there is plenty of time to relax then!
All of this typing has be so excited! Looking forward to meeting you all!

I am in for a fish extender. It does sound like fun and I think the boys would love to see all of the goodies that are left at our door.
I am a planner and have been looking into excursions for quite some time now. We are definitely doing a helicopter with glacier landing in Juneau (crossing fingers for no fog!). My husband and I did this when we went to Alaska before kids and it was one of the most breathtaking experiences I have ever had. I cannot wait to see my boys and my mom's reaction! If I wasn't doing that excursion, I would definitely do a whale watching excursion on a private (non-Disney) boat. They sound wonderful. But, since we are planning to do whale watching in Seattle, we are not going to go in Juneau. In Skagway, we are planning to rent a car and drive into the Yukon. I have read such great reviews about doing this. And to be honest, I am worried that my boys will be bored stiff on the train ride. Our other option was to book an excursion with Beyond Skagway ($120/hr) or Chilkoot Charters ($229/person). In Ketchikan, we are either going to do the Misty Fjords Flightseeing with Island Wings (which was rained out on our previous trip to Alaksa) or the Bering Sea crab fisherman tour. I think the boys would love the crab fisherman tour, so leaning toward that one.
I don't think you will regret booking an excursion. It is fun to walk around the little towns too! I wouldn't plan on sleeping in and relaxing on the boat on days when we are in port. Alaska is sooo beautiful, plus with 3 days at sea, there is plenty of time to relax then!
All of this typing has be so excited! Looking forward to meeting you all!
