Jugglerladym

I haven't cruised in May, but every month has its advantages. I'm so excited for you, going for the first time.  Be sure to spend plenty of time on deck enjoying the scenery and watching for animals.  

Here are some of my favorite things to do in port:

https://cruisingalaskaonabudget.wordpress.com/2017/06/14/10-inexpensive-things-to-do-in-alaskan-ports/

On one of my Alaskan cruises we found cheap tickets from Bellingham home, so we took the train from Vancouver to Bellingham, then rented a car and explored the North Cascades for a few days and then flew home.  It was great.  I can't remember what airline we flew. 

Skagway is one of my very favorite ports, but Haines is awesome because it doesn't feel so touristy.  I think you'll be happy either way.  

The historic walking tour is free. So is the gold rush museum and the film there.

Also consider walking/hiking the short distance to Yakutania Point. Very pretty walk, not strenuous. If you're more serious about hiking, you could do the Lower Dewey Lake trail in 4 hours easily. It's very pretty.

I've been on the Deer Mountain Trail twice from different cruises. It's fantastic: mysterious in the mist and rain, full of moss and waterfalls and bits of boardwalk, with good views on a clear day. It breaks above the treeline after a couple of steep miles, and I saw deer in the fog last time. I highly recommend it.

As for getting there, you can certainly take a taxi, but I'm a shoestringer, so here's what I recommend

Take the free downtown shuttle toward the Totem Heritage Center. Tell the driver you're going to the Deer Mountain Trail head and hopefully he'll drop you off at the closest point, just before the Totem Heritage Center on Deermount. Follow Deermount until it ends in a T intersection. Turn right and follow that. It's only about half a mile to the trail head (a parking lot at a four-way intersection). And yes it's uphill, but it's a good warm-up for the REALLY uphill of the trail.

I hike in all the ports in Alaska, and I love it. Glad to find kindred spirits.

I hike in all the ports on my Alaskan cruises, and I've just been researching bear safety. Likelihood of even seeing a bear on a hike: small. Likelihood of it attacking you: tiny. Likelihood of it eating you: much, much, much, much less than the likelihood of you getting in a car accident on the way to the airport.

Instead of bear spray, I recommend hiking loudly. Talk, sing, clap your hands, and in brushy areas or blind curves, don't feel silly about yelling, "Hey bear!" to alert any potential bear to your presence. Trouble usually only occurs when you startle one.

If you do meet one, stand tall, talk in a loud monotone, and very slowly back away. Never run.

Oh, and for good ideas, Lonely Planet's guide is the best for cheap and free and off-beat stuff.

I'm a budget traveler and have cruised Alaska a total of 5 weeks over 3 years. I've taken exactly one excursion: whale watching. While the excursions are awesome, from all I've heard and read, I've had a blast without them.

Of course, I love hiking and do it in nearly every port. It's a free or inexpensive way to get out into the beautiful nature of Alaska, and it's surprising how fast you can get into the wilderness and away from civilization, even if you're on foot.

There are LOTS of other free or inexpensive things to do in the ports, or nearby by public transportation. I can recommend some if you tell me your ports.

My main advice: bring several layers (including hat and gloves) in case you spend the entire day outside on glacier day. Also seriously consider binoculars. And if you like hiking, take at least one good hike. There are spectacular trails right from the ports.

I'm so excited for you. You'll love it.

I've been on Holland America and Princess, and on Glacier days (Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm, Hubbard) they usually have special food out on deck by the pool--salmon bakes or whatnot. Holland does their famous dutch pea soup. Sometimes servers carry around hot chocolate.

My question: if you've sailed on a different line, what is your experience with this? Thanks so much.

They're all walkable, some more so than others. And if you like to hike, there are trails you can get to from every port, most of them fantastic. I'm a budget traveler and it's my favorite way to get out in the wilderness on Alaska cruises. Wear layers and good shoes and rain gear, and you'll love it. Some of my favorites: Deer Mountain in Ketchikan, Perseverance Trail out of Juneau, Portage Glacier in Whittier, Exit Glacier in Seward, Totem Park in Sitka (not a hike, but a beautiful walk), Lower Dewey Lake in Skagway (and the easy, family-friendly trail to Yakutania Point)

I've never had a balcony, but I've been to Alaska 3 times in inside cabins, and spent a ton of time on the outside decks and by public windows I've been perfectly happy.

I really enjoyed Totem Bight, and it's easy to get to on the public bus. It's a very cheap DIY excursion, which gives you as much time as you want at the park to study the totems and enjoy the forest and water. At the entrance, be sure to pick up the pamphlet with interpretive info on the totems.

Layers: a must. I take several light layers and wear them all on glacier days, when I'm outside for hours. Last time I had a wool sweater, and I loved it. But it's not necessary. Also, knit hat and gloves are important.

Dress code: On Princess and Holland America, on formal night, as long as women have a skirt and blouse, dress, or nice pant suit, it's fine. Men can usually get away with dress slacks and a dress shirt. You will see people in tuxedos and evening gowns, but it's not necessary. NCL is even less formal than that, I've heard.

On casual days on Princess and Holland, I've gone in nice jeans and blouse and had no problem, though you might want to pack slacks to be on the safe side. Swimming suits and bathrobes won't make the cut. :)

As others have said, the weather's just a gamble, whenever you go. I've been twice in early/mid July and once in late August/early September. The main difference was that the salmon were running in August/September, and there was less snow on my hikes.

If glaciers are your priority, try to book a cruise that goes to Hubbard. (It would have to be a northbound or southboud cruise) That was my favorite. Also, you can check out Mendenhall out of Juneau. If you take a northbound or southboud cruise that ends in Seward, go to Exit Glacier and--if you're physcally able--do the Harding Ice Field trail. Amazing.

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone knows how much the bus between Hoonah and Icy Strait Point costs. Thanks.