Will 2 port adventures be too much in Juneau? Whale watching AND Taku Lodge

[Drbaw5]

As it stands right now we are booked with Rum Runner for the 4 hour whale watching from 7-11am. The plan was to be dropped off at the Mendenhall Glacier and spend some time there and then grab some lunch in Juneau. However I am having second thoughts that what we are doing will not be enough "fun" for my adventure loving husband. I really want him to have the BEST time, which I know that he will, but I don't want him to be bored with the excursions I have booked. I am way more chill and relax type of vacationer. His idea of fun and my idea of fun are way different. We do have 3 kids ages 10, 7 and 4. So I am thinking about adding an additional port adventure: Enchanted Taku Glacier Lodge and 5-Glacier Seaplane Discovery. My options to make this work will be a.) leaving our Rum Runner booking as is-finishing up at 11 and beginning the next adventure at 1 OR b.) changing our Rum Runner booking to the 2 1/2 hour tour-finishing up at 9:30 and beginning the next adventure at 11.

What do you all think? Stick with my original plan? Or changing to scenario a.) or b.)

I especially love to hear from anyone who has done Taku Lodge.

 

[Disneyfriend]

Oooh, I can help you here!!

We just got off the Wonder this past Monday and did the exact combo you're talking about. Rum Runners from 7-10, and then the Enchanted Taku Lodge excursion from 12:15-3:30. (Times approximate but pretty close.)

This was a FANTASTIC combo and probably our favorite day of the entire cruise.

I would add the lunch at Taku Lodge; the food was simple but delicious, and there is a lovely, restful vibe to the location that feels very relaxing. Plus good odds of spotting a bear!

To answer your specific question, if you are going to do this combo, I would suggest you switch the whale watch to the 2.5 hour. We had just enough time to go to the ship, sit for a minute or two, use the bathroom, and maybe get a drink. I wouldn't have wanted to cut it any closer.

FYI - we were a family of 4, with kids ages 10 and 11.5

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[Drbaw5]

Oooh, I can help you here!!

We just got off the Wonder this past Monday and did the exact combo you're talking about. Rum Runners from 7-10, and then the Enchanted Taku Lodge excursion from 12:15-3:30. (Times approximate but pretty close.)

This was a FANTASTIC combo and probably our favorite day of the entire cruise.

I would add the lunch at Taku Lodge; the food was simple but delicious, and there is a lovely, restful vibe to the location that feels very relaxing. Plus good odds of spotting a bear!

To answer your specific question, if you are going to do this combo, I would suggest you switch the whale watch to the 2.5 hour. We had just enough time to go to the ship, sit for a minute or two, use the bathroom, and maybe get a drink. I wouldn't have wanted to cut it any closer.

FYI - we were a family of 4, with kids ages 10 and 11.5

Let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you SO much! We will definitely include the lunch! One of the most important parts for me We are booking both excursions independently so maybe that's why the times are a little off. Thank you so much for the advice!!

 

[Drbaw5]

Oooh, I can help you here!!

We just got off the Wonder this past Monday and did the exact combo you're talking about. Rum Runners from 7-10, and then the Enchanted Taku Lodge excursion from 12:15-3:30. (Times approximate but pretty close.)

This was a FANTASTIC combo and probably our favorite day of the entire cruise.

I would add the lunch at Taku Lodge; the food was simple but delicious, and there is a lovely, restful vibe to the location that feels very relaxing. Plus good odds of spotting a bear!

To answer your specific question, if you are going to do this combo, I would suggest you switch the whale watch to the 2.5 hour. We had just enough time to go to the ship, sit for a minute or two, use the bathroom, and maybe get a drink. I wouldn't have wanted to cut it any closer.

FYI - we were a family of 4, with kids ages 10 and 11.5

Let me know if you have any questions!

Forgot to ask.. are you doing a trip report?

 

[Disneyfriend]

I always do a family trip report, but have never published them here on the DIS. I'm very tempted to do it for this trip! When are you going? You're going to have a blast. I think I left a piece of my heart back in Alaska!

 

[Drbaw5]

I always do a family trip report, but have never published them here on the DIS. I'm very tempted to do it for this trip! When are you going? You're going to have a blast. I think I left a piece of my heart back in Alaska!

I would love to read it! We are going 9-4. I can't wait and am even more excited now!

 

[Disneyfriend]

I would love to read it! We are going 9-4. I can't wait and am even more excited now!

Well, I wish you a fantastic trip! If I could figure out a way to go right back, I would. Let me know if you think of any more questions. I know I had a tough time finding many people who had done the Taku Lodge excursion, much less the combo.

 

[GPaLarry]

We did this cruise a month ago, made it to Endicott Glacier, saw loads of seals along the way and would go again in a heartbeat. Be sure to take, as everyone says, layers of rainproof clothing. Also, add binoculars (a must) and sun screen...crazy combination, but you never know. You will be there when the salmon are running (better chance of seeing bears), I believe, but the seals will be done birthing babies. We got the latter on the way to Endicott.
Just as our small boat (science & whale watching) excursion was leaving the dock in Juneau we saw a bald eagle swoop down into the bay maybe 50 feet ahead of us and snag a large fish. Up he went and landed on a dock support post. Just as his buddy joined him, he dropped the fish. It was funny to watch both of them looking down into the water dreaming of what might have been...lunch.

 

[gotomu212]

We went a few years ago, but Taku was one of the best vacation experiences. We still talk about that place and the pictures of the 5 glaciers are amazing. I would highly recommend it.

 

[saxmangeoff]

You're going to have a blast. I think I left a piece of my heart back in Alaska!

I went in 2014, and have been trying to get back ever since!

I'm on the August 7 sailing this year.

 

[Disneyfriend]

I went in 2014, and have been trying to get back ever since!

I'm on the August 7 sailing this year.

How glorious! You can hit all your favorite spots and try a few new ones. Have a great trip!

 

[ludari]

I was a little ambitious when I cruised to Alaska and did two port adventures at every port and a few times I was actually running from one excursion to the next but it was worth it. However I'm a solo cruiser so it was easier for me to do so.