Sparling

I’m not sure I recall. I think I googled transportation in Juneau and bought tickets in advance. Hope this helps!!

At times you can get a discount if you book early. I booked a flight seeing excursion in Alaska in February and we just went this last July. But I got 20% off for early bird.

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We stayed at Coast Coal Harbour hotel July 2nd. Very nice. Reasonable price however I booked way in advance (January to be exact). Ate by the waterfront that night at Tap Room I think. Delicious food and wine!! Walked to Canada Place even with our luggage. Fairly easy.

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We just returned from our Alaskan cruise. My mother who is in her 70s did the following. Fished with a very nice gentleman who docked close to the port in Ketchikan. In Juneau we saw Mendenhall Glacier booked through an independent party and in Skagway she made a glassblowing ornament to send home. She tires easily and doesn't always have the best footing but navigated these towns well. Skagway has a smart shuttle that for $5 you can ride all day on from place to place. If you search here on the boards you will find other options for similar experience to the train ride that are not as expensive. I went into Yukon Territory passport required to see beautiful scenery including Emerald lake. Not difficult for people that can manage 2-3 steps into an air conditioned bus. Less expensive as well. Best of luck and safe travels!

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We just completed our trip on the 7th and Dyea Dave was great! We had Sassy as our tour guide and she was very knowledgeable and gave us interesting facts throughout the trip. Beautiful scenery you will thoroughly enjoy!! Well worth the money spent!!

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Dyea Daves was our Skagway shore excursion and it did not disappoint. We had Sassy as our guide and she was awesome with our group. The trip was well worth the money spent. She knew a lot of history to share and fun little facts!!

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Casey took our embarkation photo which was very hurried due to my darling daughter leaving her phone in a bathroom all the way at check in so no photo with the 3 teens☹️She was a busy gal on the Sun. I caught her a few times behind the counter and then taking photos at ports and in the dining rooms! You have a very talented daughter and I can tell in your writing how proud!

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Booked for July 7th! Can't wait to take the tour.

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I booked a private charter for 4 family members through Chasin Tail in Ketchikan. If you google fish.ketchikan it's typically the first link that pops up. The person I talked to was Nick. Very pleasant and knowledgeable. We will fish salmon home in July from our families catch! Good luck!

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We are making the same drive. I found a link on TA to this great driving guide that points out all the highlights.

 

ETA: Well I tried to attach my PDF which I have shortened for just the Anchorage to Seward drive but it didn't work so here is the link of the whole thing.

 

http://www.alaska.org/assets/content/related_items_pdfs/The-Ultimate-Alaska-Road-Map-Book.pdf

This is excellent! Thank you!!

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Awesome to hear a great review!!! My family is touring with them July 7th!! Can't wait to see what I imagine to be beautiful scenery!!!

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Would you mind sharing which ones you booked? I understand that you still need to take them and therefore are not allowed to officially recommend them here, but I would like to know to add to my research :)

In Ketchikan my daughter and I are flying over the Misty Fjords with Family Air. I got a discount paying in February. Fishing trip for 4 through Casin Tail. Cash only at time of service. Did hold a credit card but no bill.

In Juneau we booked Mendenhall Glacier through Juneau Tours online.

In Skagway booked glassblowing for 3 through Jewel gardens directly $98 to make their own ornament vs $245 just doesn't have 24k gold in it. Wasn't a deal breaker. 2 are taking a bus ride to Yukon Territory with Dyea Dave. Nothing in advance pay that day. He runs his business old fashion way with a handshake (online lol)

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UPDATE::: Our Girls are in San Diego! It is 10:30 EST here in South Florida and we are waiting for Casey's first phone call in over two weeks!

 

ljrfrm--with the hubby that WILL smile--I have your M-n-G July 4th 11:00am at LasRamblas ......Sparling are you at that meet and greet?

 

PHEW! Did I miss anyone?

Now that the Sun is in more "local" waters we will be able to speak more frequently with our little Rock Star....Please don't forget the "Best Selfie with Casey" contest (That I just made up but I know you all get it!)!! And thanks again so much for saying hello to Casey from mom and dad--it is really nice knowing we can reach out to her through fellow cruisers and put a smile on her face ....and as always, thanks for listening.....

YES!! My clan will be there. Not sure of all 8?? However I'm sure my three teens can get a great selfie with Casey no problem! Challenge accepted!!

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I was perfectly clear! Read from the beginning...We are doing these tours. We are going in June! I described the tours we are taking as I've read about them. I didn't make recommendations...simply stated what we "are doing", "in June!" I stated why I prefer small to large and independent to cruise line. I hardly see how I was unclear. Maybe you should read again!

I understood it as well. I did tons of research before I booked and have all independent tours for our July Alaska cruise. Enjoy Alaska!!!

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Do it require you going at a specific time? Sounds like returns are as you wish, but if pre-booked does it require taking a specific time ?

No I don't believe so. You just show up on the 1/2 hr and take the shuttle to the glacier returning at their last run. I don't recall setting a specific time for arrival.

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Do you know how much this costs? Or where I can find more information on the shuttle? Thank you

$30 rt and it includes the fees to see the glacier and the visitor center. (I just called today to verify) You spend as much time as you like rather than held to an hour through the cruise line. I booked through Juneau Tours online. Enjoy!

Why not use the shuttle that runs from the pier to glacier return every 30 minutes.

My information states this includes the fee as I understand it. Can anyone verify this?

We booked these in March and got a discount since we were over a group of 6. I think it came out to around $28 pp

Sometimes there is a difference and other times there is no difference, best I can tell. I wanted to see certain things so looked for ways to do that slightly cheaper. I booked a flightseeing excursion with an independent company in February and received a discount for early booking since we are not completing it until July. Option to cancel due to weather still remains or if for some reason something happens we can't go on the cruise. All of our excursions are with independent companies. In Juneau we booked a shuttle to the glacier for the entire family and with that it was cheaper, we have longer than an hour (as much time as we want) and we don't get the salmon bake which I hear is wonderful but likely not a deal breaker for my family. Lastly in Skagway we booked a bus trip to Emerald Lake. Way cheaper than the train and I still get some of what I wanted to do such as see the Yukon Territory and other amazing scenery just not a train ride. You have to know what you want to do and then Google as always is your friend to help you find alternative ways. Have you explored Shore Trips? They offered some combined packages at the ports we were visiting that would have been cheaper overall with just a few variations in time maybe difference of 1/2 hour. Good luck and enjoy your cruise and excursions.

I realized that I have very few tees... however I have a ton of cute underarmour style workout shirts in long and short sleeves. Think this would make a good base layer?

 

 

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I would think so. I am planning on something similar as I don't like to be cold.

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Emerald Lake, in my opinion, should only be looked at as a turn around point. :) It is not a "highlight", as the journey is.

 

 

 

It is very common for AVIS to be sold out. I've been picking up cars, with people, trying to get cars and only give the option for a later pick up of no shows, in the past, the hold was only a couple hours. I've had people ask to go with me and go down the line looking to bum rides. It can get desperate with trying get walk up.

It will be a turn around point. By no means am I trying to have it appear as if the journey to Alaska itself won't be beautiful enough. I'm looking forward to the amazing scenery that is different from the amazing scenery of the Midwest!!

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I looked into this as well but ended up going a different route. My goal is to see Emerald Lake. When I last looked at Avis I thought they were low on availability for the day I was traveling.

I booked with Family Air Tours as well. Looking forward to it. Booked early for a discounted price! Better yet!

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We are traveling in July as well. I have read layers is a must. Maybe clothing that can be worn more than once but not look the "same". Good luck. [emoji256]

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There is no need to book this ahead. You can simply and easily just get walk up for the the first available company leaving.

Well new to this whole thing so I did and actually got 20% off because we were a group of 6+. I'm ok with doing it early that way it's done.

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The guide I talked to said he didn't like fishing for halibut because so many regulations tied to them. So we are just fishing salmon.

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