lisabdh1

We are thinking of renting a car from the pier, can we return it at the airport?

https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/southeast/totembigshp.htm

According to the website, yes. I was there in 2016, its lovely, paved walkways except down at the very edge by the water. You can always call them as well.

What may work is if you take a taxi in the morning and ask for your driver's number to call when you need to return back, it might work, but of course also depends on how many other ships are in port that day. You could also take the public bus which lets off across the highway but it is a bit of a walk downhill to the dock, so depends on your mobility.

I know that the owner at tlingittours at gmail dot com has a sister who is a taxi driver, if you want to email them maybe?

So, this was very surprising and odd to me last spring on our cruise. Public toilets, including in restaurants, very few actual have toilet seats, like we are used to in the US. At least 4-5 places, including a nice restaurant the toilets are just toilets, no seats. Very odd. Bring tissues, public toilets usually ran out especially with large tour groups.

Highly recommend Spain Day Tours, took a similar cruise last year and we used them for 3 tours, fabulous communication, great drivers and guides, excellent prices/policies. For Gibraltar, definitely use Inside Out Rock Tours and tell Carl Lisa H from NJ says hello, my BEST tour ever, in the pouring rain!!

For car rentals, definitely check how many ships are in port that day - and call early to ask about how likely they are to be booked up closer to the date in port.

Any info on the Sun?

17 hours ago, Joesantos said:

Going back on Gem sooon! Any information especially cruise director?

Enjoyed Jeff Hernandez a few years ago. Wonderful guy.

Oh we met him in November on the Escape, he is awesome, so much energy!

Juneau - All Tours - Juneau Tours and Excursions - Juneau, AK

 - you could also do the tram up to the top of mountain, beautiful views

Skagway - YUKON RAIL & BUS | Chilkoot Charters & Tours  Walking tour

- highly recommend one of their tours and there is a great walking tour of the town

Ketchikan - Totem Bight State Park

- best thing in my opinion, but if you are docked downtown there is also the free shuttle loop with museums, Creek Street, and shopping

Skagway walking tour of downtown https://uploads.alaska.org/maps/skagway-walking-tour-map.pdf

Skagway you must do the Yukon Pass - Chilkoot Tours.

Another vote for Glacier Wind, we used them in 2016 and are using them again this July.

Juneau - we are going with Juneau Tours for whale watching and glacier combo tour.

Ketchikan just doing Totem Bight ourselves.

We are using Juneau Tours, whale watching and glacier combo tour, great customer service!

https://www.juneautours.com/all-tours/

Another thing to consider is how many other ships will be in town that day. There's a lot of information over at Trip Advisor about how there is no infrastructure, steep hike, busy highway to cross, unmarked bus stop etc etc. It's generally advised to not walk to get the Silver Line bus. We are coming in on a day when there is only one other ship docked downtown about 4 hours after we dock, so we should be able to get a taxi quite easily to go to Totem Bight.

Agreed about White Pass & Yukon, definitely book asap. We are going in July 2024 and Tour Option A 7:30 train departure was sold out already as of last week.

I booked them for this tour in July. Had a lovely conversation with one of the owners. Very sweet!

On 1/24/2024 at 3:00 PM, Nomeslee said:

My parents and I are taking our first cruise to Alaska May 10-20 and I'm looking for suggestions on excursions or fun things to do on our own. Our ports are: 

Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Haines, Sitka, Ketchikan. We have been dog sledding and walked on a glacier before, so looking for something different to do. We enjoy hiking and seeing nature.

Juneau - All Tours - Juneau Tours and Excursions - Juneau, AK

ISP - Glacier Wind Charters

Haines - Kroschel Wildlife Center, The Experience - Takshanuk Mountain Trai

Sitka - https://visitsitka.org/ - you can totally do it yourself or take a tour, I'm working on this port now. Big things are Fortress of Bears, Raptor Center and Totems at Nat'l Park/Forest

Ketchikan - working on it now, very easy to do Totem Bight Park via public bus

18 hours ago, RENEEG said:

We are on the Zaandam in early June. What are the best excursions in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway? We are interested in whale watching and dog sledding, actually all wildlife.

 

Juneau - Juneau Tours -whale watching/glacier combo tour

Skagway - Chilkoot Yukon train/bus tours

Ketchikan - DYI totem bight park and local town

10 hours ago, Parissa said:

•  My husband and I will be in Skagway on July 4th. 1st time in AK.  Tryring to decide besides the 6.5 hr Chilkoot tour or renting a car?  Renting a car would be cheaper, but am trying not to base my decision  just on price-  I Would really appreciate your opinions. Thanks 

Go with Chilkoot, they are amazing. Much easier, they stop everywhere you would want to stop. We will be there in July as well and taking them for a second time - the Lake Bennett scenic tour. Amazing customer service, smaller groups, lots of fun.

2 minutes ago, Anoynmous Phoenix said:

@lisabdh1

 

Hannah is on the Spirit.

Thank you! She's awesome, sorry to miss her this summer!

Anyone have update on the Sun? Anyone know where Hannah Han went?

While I'm not Sapphire yet, I did get chosen to have dinner with an officer one night on the Sun this past March. It was lovely, included wine and a group picture of table for no charge. We sat with the Senior Linens Keeper and after a lovely conversation with him, I am now the proud owner of a size 2xl NCL bathrobe!!!

1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

You are supposed to use coins, tokens or transportation passes. The coins and tokens go into a fare box.  They are not supposed to take paper currency of any denomination. You might find a driver who will take pity on tourists and accept a five but I would not count on it. The government rule is exact change or tokens. They will take fives for the ferry. I always buy the tokens for buses and ferries as they are easier than exact change and a discounted price of $4.50. 

Thank you very much Charles! Where can I purchase tokens at St. George? I will be there in November, taking the NCL Shuttle to St. George to catch the bus to the Caves. Or is it easier to purchase at Dockyard? Thank you for all your help, your posts have been very informative! Edited to add, found my answer! Thanks!

Can someone confirm if the bus drivers can accept five dollar bills or is it coins only? I read the gov.bm page and it says no dollar bills accepted, exact change so just want to confirm if I can bring fives. Thanks.

17 minutes ago, SpainAlien said:

Thank you for coming back to me.

 

My understanding is that the shuttle was about $15 return trip but that was 5 years ago apparently.

 

Were taxis allowed in to the port or if not is it far to walk to get out of the dock and are there taxis there?  Are Best Ride Tour allowed on to the pier? 

 

Many thanks 

I did not see any taxis, only cars with signs of peoples names so I would guess they were all booked and so had permission to enter the port.  Yes, you can walk out of the port I did see people doing that, but it would seem to be maybe 15-20 min walk. Taxis were outside the main gate. Best Ride Tours met us at the dock yes. I would say try to look at dock/port area on google maps to see the distance maybe?