Non Disney Excursions on Alaska Cruise

[bakalorber]

Hi all,

Anybody every used the non disney excursions on their Alaska disney cruise. A whale watching tour is WAY cheaper through a third party company (at least online) vs the disney cost. I know all about the disney magic and consequences if the non-disney approved trip is late etc... so we don't need to discuss that. Just looking for experiences recommendations etc...

Thanks

 

[Cibahwewah]

We had a great experience with Alaska Galore Tours 3 yrs ago. Review tour operators on Trip Advisor. Don't worry, they are very careful to get you to the ship with time to spare.

 

[jtba]

agree with previous poster. the private tour operators will not want to risk a bad review and will do everything in their power to get you back on time.

we went last July and, after reading the disboards and trip advisor, used chilkoot tours for a train trip in Skagway and harv and marv's for whalewatching in juneau. had a wonderful time with both. you can read the details in my trip report.

 

[jtba]

[deleted]

 

[sharksfinatic17]

All three of our excursions were non-Disney. I read so many trip reports of people who used non-Disney operators that I wasn't worried at all.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

agree with previous poster. the private tour operators will not want to risk a bad review and will do everything in their power to get you back on time.

we went last July and, after reading the disboards and trip advisor, used chilkoot tours for a train trip in Skagway and harv and marv's for whalewatching in juneau. had a wonderful time with both. you can read the details in my trip report.

This is what we did too. In Ketchikan, we used Island Wings for our float plane.

 

[Keyser]

Agreed - we used Chilkoot in Skagway and Alaska Galore in Juneau, and would easily recommend them.

In Juneau, I found that several of the companies actually cooperate and even share boats/captains, so the particular company might not matter quite as much as you'd think. Our captain from Alaska Galore sometimes worked for Harv and Marv, and sometimes for another one. Then, they cooperated by radio to try to help each other spot whales.

 

[jtba]

In Juneau, I found that several of the companies actually cooperate and even share boats/captains, so the particular company might not matter quite as much as you'd think. Our captain from Alaska Galore sometimes worked for Harv and Marv, and sometimes for another one. Then, they cooperated by radio to try to help each other spot whales.

yes, we witnessed the sharing of info via radio during our whalewatching trip as well. they really do help each other out, as it's in their interest to do so, to give their customers the best experience possible so we can spread the word when we get home (exactly what i'm doing right now).

and we saw the DCL-sponsored ship went by, crammed full of sardines, er i meant people.

 

[tink too]

In 2013, we booked directly with Chilkoot in Skagway for train up/bus down trip and in Juneau we booked a whale watching trip with Rum Runner - both got the thumps up from our family.

The only tours we booked through Disney were for Ketchikan as DH wanted to go fishing, and as a single person couldn't charter a boat. This way, Disney put folks in groups of 4-6 to share the small boats. DD and I took a Totem & Lumberjack combination tour through Disney for convenience the same day.

 

[Rambler5678]

As anyone every did the whale Watching/Fishing excursion with Rum Runner in Juneau?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

All but one of our excursions were done on our own through third parties. They were all wonderful. You can check them out in my trip report below. We used Weather Permitting for while watching in Juneau. It was a phenomenal excursion.

 

[tink too]

As anyone every did the whale Watching/Fishing excursion with Rum Runner in Juneau?

We booked with them in 2013 for our whale watching trip. We were met on the ship's dock and taken to their boat and once our morning trip was over, we were taken by taxi - either back to the ship or to Mendenhall Glacier if we wanted. Our family really enjoyed our trip and would book with them again if we ever return to Alaska. If you have any specific questions, please let me know and I'll try to answer if I can.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

this is a thread I gotta keep my eyes on. I'm STALKING this board for when the Alaskan cruises get announced.

 

[mollyclairesmom]

We had such an AMAZING experience with Weather Permitting for whale watching. Super duper easy, low stress, and great customer service.
We used Chilkoot for the White Pass train up/van down in Skagway and Southeast Sea Kayaks in Ketchikan. I would also highly recommend both of these.

 

[Rambler5678]

Saw this on cruise critic. The deadliest catch tour gets great reviews.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2320620

 

[Lunarias]

Personally in Alaska we used all 3rd party tour operators, smaller groups, more personalized attention and cheaper. Did lots of research into reputable companies, and was very happy with all of our tour groups. Those companies stay afloat from cruises, it is what pays the bills, they will do whatever they can to keep cruise goers happy, and get them back on time is #1 on that list.

 

[Imedley200]

We had amazing experiences with Harv and Marv for whale watching and Island Wings for our float plane. We've recommended them to many people and would book them again in a heartbeat.

 

[Jess_S]

The only Disney excursion we did in Alaska was gold panning in Skagway because they offered a character experience that was perfect from my son who was almost 2 at the time. For all other ports, we booked independently. I am a worrier, so I just made sure all our returns were scheduled to arrive at least an hour before all aboard time. With all of the info here and on cruise websites, I felt pretty comfortable booking on my own and I would recommend it.

 

[cruisehopeful]

In Skagway, I used M and M tours. They are located right next to the dock and are also much less expensive than booking via DCL. If you take the train, you'll be on the same train as the people who booked through DCL.

There are lots of other tour operators at each port. Several of them have a guarantee to get back to the ship on time. They say they will pay for the costs you incur if you miss the ship and they've had to pay for anyone.

 

[richkaryn]

This is what we did too. In Ketchikan, we used Island Wings for our float plane.

We were looking at them but DH found Family Air tours....still waiting to hear back from them. If I don't I may go with Island Wings.....at the time I was researching I couldn't find any mention of people using either. Glad to see a mention here!