newbie_mke

Yep Karen. Go ahead and book it for Skagway. Dog Sledding gets cancelled more often than Glacier Landing, if you compare the two.

Go with a open mind and dont get sad if it gets cancelled. Alaska is beautiful - with or without glacier landing :)

Cheers!

If they are cancelled, you have enough time to figure out something else. With a 2:45 PM tour it is difficult to predict in the morning. But more often then not they would cancel a 2:45 Tour by Noon latest. Get on the 3$ bus, go to downtown and you should be able to find out available tours in one of the many operator offices.

We had the same dilemma. In Juneau we did not have much time to squeeze in another tour. So we went with TMESCO in Skagway. They are professional. We tool the Dog Sledding but there were people for the Glacier Landing as well.

Now, food for thought. We booked via a booking agent Alaskan Icefield Expeditions for the morning 9 AM Helicopter tour Why? They were 50$ cheaper per pax. Also, they promised to have us rescheduled for later tours if the morning tour was cancelled. And if all tours were cancelled in Skagway, they told that they would accommodate us in Juneau if possible. Well, would they have done it? Not sure; but we wanted to keep our options open. Frankly Alaskan weather changes by the hour; so the advice of not taking morning tours is not at all valid. We did the Harv and Marv successfuly in Juneau at 7:30AM

We just returned from the Southbound Star Princess Alaskan Cruise (June 20-27)

First of all many thanks to everyone who helped me thru CC.

Some quick points to pass along to the first time cruisers before I complete my detailed blog-

Weather:

All days except in Ketchikan was in high 70s. Was sweating in Anchorage, in a tee in Glacier Bay. Rain jacket/pants in Ketchikan was very handy.

Anchorage:

We took the train ride to Seward on the first day. Awesome! Not to miss. On the return we took the Gold Class. Worth it, with dinner and 2 drinks.

Transfer to Whittier - Interesting - Since we had already done the train, did not want to invest on the train anymore. Decided to take a morning transportation and do the PWS Cruise before embarking. Was tough to find one way transportation within a reasonable rate. Most of the Cruise Transfers leave ANC at 3 PM, PWS cruise was at 11 AM. Ultimately, found one- MagikBus had a day tour to Whittier for the tourists especially for the PWS Cruises. They agreed to take us along with our luggages. Of course we paid the complete fare (incl Return) - $50 - was cheap considering we had no other option. MagikBus was great. Great guide, stooped at multiple places along the way; which we could see only from the Train the day earlier.

Vancouver - Took the 4hr Post Cruise by Land Sea and the 1 day Victoria tour by them, as well. Land Sea guys were very very good.

On the ports:

1. Skagway - TMESCO Helicopter Dog Sledding was awesome. Also M&M Tour office is near to where the ship docks. Our ship docked next to TMESCO Helicopters and M&M had a temporary booth next to it. So, you should be good to book last minute excursions.

2. Juneau - Local city bus available right from where the ship docks - $3 for the entire day. You can use it to go to the Tour Operator Offices (a mile away) to book last minute plans.

Harv & Marv was awesome - Experienced 4 bubble net feeds. Myth- Dont book the morning tour. We booked the very 1st at 7:30AM. Enough time for photos at the Glacier too.

3. Ketchikan - Lot of local tour operators in the Port, next to the ship. So you should be good here too for last minute tours.

Float plane excursion was cancelled because of the tragedy the day earlier. Lumberjack show was cool and awesome for $35. Bering Sea Fisherman Crab Tour was okay. Over hyped and pricey for the experience especially for us in our 30s. They feed the bald eagles, about 20 of them at the same time. That was one hell of a experience.

Star Princess:

If you are going via the Princess - dont miss their 'North to Alaska' programs on board. They were awesome! And yes, also don't miss the Alaskan Food Fest by the poolside on the Glacier Bay day. Yum! it was. Every night at 9:45 they had a good show in the theater. Try to make it, everyday after dinner.

More later!

Cheers! Alaska was awesome! For sure, this was the first of many more trips to Alaska!

We (me and my wife) were first timers and just returned back from exactly the same cruise as yours and we are wildlife lovers too :-)

1. Whale Watching in Juneau ( highly recommend Harv and Marv)

2. Kenai Cruise out of Seward (before the big cruise if time permits)

3. Bear watching in Anan Creek ( out of Ketchikan) We were too early for this. Depends on your dates.

4. Helicopter ride along with Dog Sledding out of Skagway or Juneau. We did it out of Skagway because of lack of time in Juneau. Was AWAESOME!

If you are on Princess do not miss their 'North to Alaska' programs on the ship.

Cheers!

I am going to Alaska in the next 4 days...Icy Straight Point is not in my itenary so did not do any research. Seward - I dont think so. For me its Juneau - Harv and Marv, Orca are the leading tour operators

Starry Eyes - I called Princess and swapped to E231. Thanks a lot!

No luck with Upgrades or Upsell.:) Assigned to E521 on Emerald Deck - Star Princess.

Hi,

We are first time cruisers and cruising on June 20th. Have an Obstructed Oceanview Guaranteed. I just looked at the Princess Site, everything except Interior and Suite are Sold Out.

What are chances we get an Upgrade? :-) When can I expect to know?

Cheers!

One of the last few questions before I cruise ;)

Any specific delicacies at any Port (Skagway,Juneau, Ketchikan) + Anchorage + Vancouver or even in the Ship (Star Princess) that must be tried?

Cheers!

Per experience, did you guys see a few vacant seats available during the tours? We would like to keep this as a backup plan and plan to book after reaching the Port. We would be there on June 25th.

I was looking up at the Extended Forecast for the month in Accuweather.com for ANC, Juneau, Skagway during the time period 19th - 15th and it changes everyday. It changes from Sunny to Thunderstorms within a day. Is there a best cut-off time when it gets reliable? May be a week in advance?

I have used it once and found their tour to be highly recommendable. It was not in Alaska though. Was a Grand Canyon Tour. Excellent service!

Thanks! Celestron Outland seems to have good wide-angle. If I need to choose between the Celestron Outland and the Weaver, which would be a better choice? I have read good reviews for both.

Experts please provide feedback on the below 3 I have narrowed down to,

http://www.amazon.com/Weaver-10x42-mm-Binoculars/dp/B005N7E81M/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=APCD325Q5U7IK

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Powerview-Roof-Prism-Binocular/dp/B00192GS04/ref=sr_1_29?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1433111554&sr=1-29&keywords=10x42+binoculars+waterproof

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004P1IMFA/ref=psdc_297842_t3_B00192GS04

Thanks

I have my dog sledding+Helicopter tour booked for 9:15 AM. I wanted to look for backup options or at least something to do post Noon.

Particularly interested in the Yukon Discovery (Emerald Lake) Tour - 6 hours total. I am looking for something around Noon.

But looks like all the Tours depart by 10 AM. Dave departs as early as 8 AM.

My ship leaves Skagway at 8 PM.

Can i get to book Tours near the Pier for Emerald Lake? What are my options at the Pier?

I see some Tour Operator Offices near 3rd and Broadway.

Please share your experiences.

Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

Which of these is the best at Whittier provided I am looking for pure Glacier sight-seeing?

Philips' 26 glacier or MMT Surprise Glacier / Blackstone Bay?

@BudgetQueen

1. My train reaches Whittier at 12:05. So, I wont be able to take the Suprise Glacier Cruise by MMT. My Options are 26 Glaciers from PhilipCruises or Blackstone Bay by MMT. Which one do you suggest?

2. Yes, we are not going to Denali. But Whale watching in Juneau. Still makes sense to take the Kenai Fjords National Park Tour Cruise? Perhaps I will.

@Glaciers - Matanuska Glacier sounds interesting. I will check. Thanks1

I have one day (Friday) in anchorage before I head to Whittier for my cruise, the next day (Saturday).

I plan to take the rail to Whittier and then the 26 glacier cruise, my cruise leaves at 8 PM.

Now, for Friday I was thinking to do the Round Trip Day Tour to Seward via Rail Railroad. The Railroad package provides the Kenai Fjords National Park Tour Cruise at discounted Price. The reason behind this was the beautiful scenic journey plus the cruise.

Now, I am wondering, if that would be a good idea since I am anyways taking the train + cruise on Saturday. I know there is a difference in the Kenai Fjords National Park Tour Cruise and the 26 glacier cruise at whittier, but also account for the fact that my Princess cruise will also take me to Hubbard and Glacier Bay and I have wildlife viewing excursions in Juneau.

1. Would there be a significant difference in terms of experience on Friday and Saturday? Which is a more scenic route Anc to Seward or Anc to Whittier?

2. Is there somewhere else I can go on Friday? Suggestions please?

Thanks!

This is not based on theory, only. I am banking on him because although he is not based out of Ketchikan, he organizes tours to Anan Creek but his package doesn't apply to a Cruise Passenger. He is doing this for 30 years. This is what I meant by separate business - sorry for the confusion.

As you rightly said, I am posting in the Roll Call to see if it works out. Thanks!

@BudgetQueen - He has a separate business in Alaska and is not based out of Ketchikan. Unfortunately, we are a party of 2 and need atleast 2 /3 more passengers to have a tour operator ready for the excursion.

As per one of the Captains from Alaska who has 30 years experience - "In fact the 25th of June is about the start of pinks up Anan creek so it might be great timing."

But it seems all the tour companies (per websites) are starting their tours from July 1.

Is there any local way (apart from the famous tour operators) to have a trip to Anan Creek?

Hi Everyone,

We would be on the Star Princess Alaskan Cruise this late June.

We are interested in watching Bears catching the salmons!

From what I could find out Ketchikan offers the best bet.

Anan Creek Tours seem are not available until July 1. Is that true?

The next option I see is Neet's Bay. Is anyone aware of any other better way to book rather than through the cruise line?

Is late June a good time to see Bears catching the salmons?

Thanks in advance!

The reason I used booking agent was because direct booking with TMESCO is possible only through Princess and the difference in $$$ is 50$ per person.

Can someone please list the reliable vendors in the pier at least at Juneau please.

I am all set for my late June Alaskan Cruise!

Helicopter Ride and Dog Sledding is at the top of my List. I have already booked through Icefield Excursions for the morning Trip at Skagway.

Next is Whale Watching - I would like to book through Harv and Marv; but I want to keep it open and book after reaching Juneau. My thought process is - If the helicopter+dog sledding is cancelled at Skagway due to bad weather, I can have a shot at it at Juneau (as adviced by Alaska Icefield Exc). So in that scenerio - I would like to be flexible with the Whale Watching Excursion. May be take one early one in the morning or late afternoon.

1. Having said that, assuming Harv and Marv is full and apart from Orca, what are the other reliable options of Whale Watching in Juneau which I can book at the pier?

2. Star Princess reaches Juneau as early as 6:30 AM. Will there be Whale Watching Tours starting as early as 7:30?

3. The Ship leaves Juneau at 4 PM. By what time I need to be back for boarding?

4. What are the best excursions that we can book at the pier in Ketchikan?