Alaska Travel Forum

Must See, Must Do Shore Excursions?
Posted: Wed May 6, 2009 09:42 AM UTC

We're going on a 7 day cruise via Holland America and we got the shore excursion brochure. Most of them are very inviting but if we do all those excursions, we might end up broke because they are very expensive. Can somebody give me a tip/suggestion which shore excursions should we take in Haines, Juneau, and Ketchikan that is also value for money? We're interested in water rafting, glaciers, wild life sightseeing, hiking and biking with spectacular views of snow capped mountains, beautiful lakes, glaciers and wildlife.

Timmychanga

7 replies

[Reply]

Re: Must See, Must Do Shore Excursions?
Posted: Wed May 6, 2009 10:41 AM UTC

WE did a cruise in 2007 and I guess the shore excursions are much the same now.

Ours went to Skagway not Haines. In Skagway we did the Ultimate Yukon and Whitepass Rail but you may not have that option though we had the option of going to Haines.

In Juneau (2 1/2 hours only )there was a sled dog adventure And a Guides Choice Adventure hike that those that went really enjoyed.(4 1/2hrs)

As for Ketchikan the Neets bear watch gave you floatplane, wild animals and hiking.

Cost may make the tours with helicopters and floatplanes expensive but maybe do one and choose one of the around town tours . I no longer have the prices and they would be different anyway.

We were on Holland America and loved it. Marg

Was this reply helpful?

yes

wise23girl

[Reply]

Re: Must See, Must Do Shore Excursions?
Posted: Wed May 6, 2009 11:54 AM UTC

To save some money at Juneau, you need not take a tour to Mendenhall Glacier if you just want to see it and walk around. A bus goes there, leaves by the Cruise terminal, I think about $15 return. Also at Juneau, go up the Mt. Roberts Tramway for spectacular views and there are quite a few hikes you can do as well. Friends of ours did the ocean kayaking at Ketchikan and saw the Whales, they said that was a great trip, we did the Misty Fjords floatplane trip which was fantastic, but quite expensive.

Was this reply helpful?

yes

balhannah

[Reply]

Re: Must See, Must Do Shore Excursions?
Posted: Wed May 6, 2009 12:17 PM UTC

If one of your choices is the Eagle Preserve rafting trip near Haines, I'd definitely recommend that one. We loved it. I think in Juneau, my husband did some sort of bike trip, and I went to a rainforest, and that was very interesting.
It's a fantastic part of the world. Enjoy the trip!

Was this reply helpful?

yes

zuriga

[Reply]

Re: Must See, Must Do Shore Excursions?
Posted: Wed May 6, 2009 12:24 PM UTC

Hi - in Juneau, I'd recommend whale watching with Orca Enterprises - www.alaskawhalewatching.com/. Went twice with them, saw lots of whales. Also did the Mt. Roberts Tramway. Did a pilot's choice (helicopter) 2 glacier landing with Temsco - www.temscoair.com/ - which, although expensive, was spectacular.

In Ketchikan went with Island Wings - www.islandwings.com/ - floatplane trip - once to Anan Creek for bears and once to Misty Fjords. Expensive but fantastic!

If you can do one helicopter or floatplane trip, I would. Alaska from the air is quite spectacular and you get a better perspective of just how huge and beautiful it is from the air.

If you haven't already done so, check www.cruisecritic.com for other suggestions. The site is a good source of info for cruisers. Also don't book through the cruiseline - you can book everything yourself - but I would do so as soon as you decide what you want to do since the Alsaka excursions book up very quickly.

Have a great cruise!!

Was this reply helpful?

yes

Donna_in_India

[Reply]

Re: Must See, Must Do Shore Excursions?
Posted: Wed May 6, 2009 09:07 PM UTC

I was going to recommend cruisecritic.com as well.

Rafting down the Chilkat River in Haines is great fun. haven't done a structured rafting trip, just some friends and some beer on a sunny afternoon. Very scenic.

Whale watching best out of Juneau.

Was this reply helpful?

yes

RickinDutch

[Reply]

Re: Must See, Must Do Shore Excursions?
Posted: Thu May 7, 2009 05:14 PM UTC

Definitely do the whale watching boat in Juneau. Also, the earlier advice to take the public bus to Mendenhall Glacier was correct. It is cheap and easy.

When planning activities, beware that it rains a lot in southeastern Alaska and that anything involving planes or helicopters has a decent chance of getting canaceled due to bad weather. Always have a backup plan.

Was this reply helpful?

yes

mikelisaanna

[Reply]

Re: Must See, Must Do Shore Excursions?
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 04:28 PM UTC

I just got back from a cruise, where I partook in shore activities at all three stops. I took a Yukon Pass Bike Ride in Skagway (worth the money, but COLD!!!! We started at the top of a mountain and mountain biked all the way down), the Helicopter/Dog Sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau (a great once-in-a-lifetime experience, but VERY expensive (almost too expensive), so only do it if it's on your must-do-list and/or if you have the money to spare), and then I Kayaked through the Tattoosh Islands in Ketichican (the was the best excursion overall - great scenery, a real sense of accomplishment after kayaking for three hours, and the best deal for my money)

Was this reply helpful?

yes