kathyemma

Sounds like the decision might be made with the flip of a coin!

Hello! We were on Explorer of the Seas in September. I originally had the Wilderness Safari booked, and several months before the cruise, I cancelled that and switched to the Skagway ATV Glacier Tour. If seeing wildlife is a priority - know that you might not see a lot. This is always true in Alaska. We did see Dall sheep across the valley. The weather was pretty yucky that day - lots of rain, wind and mist, so that could have affected the wildlife viewing. The excursions are similarly priced (at least I think I remember that), so it will just be the tough decision of which you like more. I will say the ATV as exactly as described. They also provided heavy, waterproof parkas. The only time I got cold was at the top of the mountain where there are no trees to provide a windbreak.

 

We are going back in 2019 on Radiance, and now I have to decide between the Whitehorse train and the Wilderness Glacier Safari. So, I understand the dilemma!

I was going to sign us up for an ATV Tour but then I saw posting about the Glacier Point Wilderness. Now I don't know what to do.

We are a group of three - mildly active. My daughter (19) just had ankle surgery so we can't hike long distances or go rock climbing but we want to be active. We normally travel with my elderly mother so most of tours are kind of low key. Mom isn't coming this trip so we want to do more active stuff.

The reviews for both trips look good.

We LOVE wildlife.

Option 1. https://skagwayshoretours.com/tour/glacier-point-wilderness-safari/

Option 2.

Skagway Glacier ATV Tour

Leave the typical sightseeing tours behind as you travel up to over 5000 feet on a brand-new Kawasaki Mule ATV to experience life on the edge in remote terrain and visit a hidden glacier!

Board the tour bus for a scenic, 1-hour ride up the White Pass Summit, through Tormented Valley, by the shores of Lake Tutshi. At this point of the Skagway tour, you will stop for photos at Bridal Veil Falls where your tour guide will also provide history and background facts about the area.

Once you arrive at the base of the mountain your professional tour guide will secure you and your group in a Kawasaki Mule ATV that seats 6 with seatbelts. They will safely drive you through 6 miles of stunning tundra, alpine forests and pristine lakes where you may witness caribou climbing up snow covered peaks and prairie dogs scampering about for their next meal. After an approximately 45-minute drive, you will have climbed 3 miles uphill with an elevation gain of about 3000 feet. You will have photo stops throughout as you make your way through the thick forest to above the tree line into alpine tundra. This Skagway ATV tour will expose panoramic views abound throughout the several mountain peaks, Tutshi Lake, and the mining activity.

Visit Paddy's Peak where you will discover the hidden glacier deep in the wilderness at the top. You will be overwhelmed with the over-look of a 10,000-year-old glacier and lake, take a short hike over the rocky terrain to the viewing point. While on the ridge line you might be able to see and hear glacial ice cracking and falling into the waters below. In the beginning of this ATV tour, be sure to rent one of the Go Pro cameras at the beginning of the tour and leave the tour with the memory chip so you can relive the experience.

From the glacier you will next drive to Lake Bennett, approximately 15-minutes away. Be provided magnificent views as you look over the alpine tundra bluff. You will have lunch here as you relax 3000 feet above the lake, overlooking the historic train tracks, and viewing a huge portion of this 25-mile long lake nestled in this rocky tundra.

Descend the mountain and stop at an old mining campsite to explore and learn some history of the mining industry in Alaska. It will be an approximately 1-hour drive back to Skagway on the tour bus and a stop will be made at the "Welcome to Alaska" sign.

Please Note: Your 5-hour tour includes a turkey wrap lunch box with chips, cookies and bottled water or coffee and hot chocolate on cold days. Guests must be at least 8 years of age to participate and not have any heart, neck or back issues. Pregnant women are not permitted to participate. No wheelchair access available. Environmental suits for rainy or colder weather are available. Passport required. Professionally trained guides, including maintenance & CPR training. Satellite phone, First Aid Kits, emergency blankets, and bear spray carried on every trip.

OK, different "naturalist" than I was thinking of...

Same!!:D

There is plenty of free parking at Mendenhall - there is handicapped parking too. Where is the whale watching tour originating? If it would make sense you could go there in the rental car instead of going back to the ship and having them pick you up. You'll save time that could be used for something else.

 

FYI, if anyone in your group has one of the Senior Pass (or possibly your daughter with the handicapped parking pass has the lifetime free entrance card) can take themselves and three others into a park for free.

 

Here's a link for info on getting the pass for disabled people: NATIONAL PARK ACCESS PASS INFO

We are doing the whale watch with Jayleen's Alaska. That is a good idea. I should contact her and just meet her at the location instead of heading back to the ship. I will look into the passes.

Thank you

We arrive in Juneau at 10am. We have a whale watching trip booked at 4pm. We were just going to take the shuttle over to Mendenhall Glacier in the morning and hang there. I keep seeing posts about people renting cars for the day. Is it just to save money on the shuttle? Are there other things near Juneau that we will want to see? If we rent a car is there parking at the Glacier? I understand cabs drop you off a bit from the glacier - would this be where we would have to park? My daughter has a handicap parking pass. Is there handicap parking in the area?

Just booked a rental car for 270 for three full days! I have to go to the airport to pick it up - but since we will be leaving from the airport it will make for a convenient return.

I am going to start researching day trips for anchorage.

Any suggestions are welcome. Wildlife is key.

Personally, I'd go to Denali, but seeing the bears, moose, caribou, wolves, lynx in their natural setting is the highest priority for me...

We will be coming from Denali! We are spending two nights there with HAL.

What activities are you doing with HAL? I don't want to recommend a "must see" if you are already doing it on your tour.

Rental car: have you checked with picking up off-airport? And are you a Costco, AAA or USAA member? We've gotten discounts through their travel departments.

I am a member of all those groups! Prices were from Avis, downtown.

We are actually doing nothing with HAL in Anchorage. We get in the night of the 5th. I guess the tour technically end the morning of the 6th when they would be taking us to the airport. So we have three full days in Anchorage.

Kathy

We are on a sea/land tour. We arrive with HAL to Anchorage on 6/5. Our tour with HAL ends on 6/6. We are staying until almost midnight on 6/8. Should we rent a car? It comes to about $400 with taxes and fees. Or can we easily get where we want to go with uber and cabs? Are there things an hour away that we must see? (Must see items for us are wildlife and bars.)

TIA

Kathy

OMG. Keith those pictures are amazing! What time of year did you go? We will sailing the last week of May and first week of June.

Kathy

Thank you!!!

Do you guys feel the 150 is a fair price for the raft trip?

Timing sounds doable. 2 hours is a nice gap between the two to allow for the first one running late. Personally, I would grab something quick on the ship for lunch. Then use any extra time to walk around and enjoy the town. There is a visitors center with a movie about the gold rush (i enjoy the history aspect of understanding what I'm seeing) We didn't eat on shore, but did go the the brewery at the end of the main street. Lines were long, but you have plenty of time for dinner.

 

Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app

I don't suppose you remember the name of the brewery? We love Breweries but my daughter and I are both vegetarian. So I like to check out menus before hand.

Thanks

The times are listed so you know when to be awake and viewing the majestic beauty outside. Not that any of the views on an Alaska cruise are bad, but these are what these cruises are all about. Whales are sometimes visible from the ship as you head into and out of the entrance to GBNP, so if you like to see whales, be ready to get up early.

Thank you!!! Whales and wildlife are the entire reason for this trip!! We will be up early!!

Glacier Bay is a scenic day on board. There are no excursions.

Ah!!! Well that explains it. The fact that it gave Times for when we were in Port confused me!!

I am just starting to research Glacier Bay. Three of us will be there June 1st - 7am to 4pm. What are some fun excursions or things to do on our own. I am booking excursions thru Costo and they list NOTHING for this stop!

TIA

I love animals. Animals are the entire reason I am going to Alaska. I looked into the wildlife center but decided to pass because of the time it would take to get there and back.

We will be in Skayway from 7am to 9pm.

We are thinking of booking the Skagway Glacier ATV tour that leaves at 8 am and returns to the ship at 1pm. We would then walk into town to grab lunch. (or should we eat on the ship?) At 3pm we would have to be back at the ship to meet the next tour - Ocean Raft Wildlife Adventure Shore Tour. This tour is only two hours. That would put us back at the ship at 5pm. Once again we would walk into town for dinner and drinks. Is this doable? Second question - the raft tour with the cost? It is 152 per person (there are three of us) - description below.

Ocean Raft Wildlife Adventure Shore Tour

We will start this Skagway shore excursion by outfitting you in the same gear worn by US Coast Guard rescue teams. Everyone will wear a one-piece exposure suit to keep you warm and dry throughout the trip. This suit fits right over your regular clothing. You will also have Oakley goggles, gloves and balaclavas (head covering) provided to enhance the experience.

After you are outfitted for this Skagway shore trip, we will board the vessel in the Skagway boat harbor, right next to the cruise ship docks. After a brief safety orientation aboard the boat, we will race out into Tayia Inlet and begin our tour of North America's longest and deepest Fjord.

On this tour, you will be riding on the same type of boat used by U.S. Navy Seals and Coast Guard rescue teams. With its deep V hull surrounded by inflatable tubes, this boat is designed to deliver a comfortable ride in any ocean condition. Its special design allows us to get extra-close to the shore while exploring hidden coves, waterfalls, beaches and wildlife. You will straddle our custom shock-absorbing seats as we race by the steep rock walls of this spectacular fjord. On this fun filled two hour adventure tour, your Captain will make multiple stops for photo opportunities and wildlife sightings are abundant. Eagles seem to be everywhere and keep your eyes open looking for seals, mountain goats and the occasional whale.

Our US Coast Guard certified Captains will provide a colorful narrative while under way, sharing their extensive knowledge of local animals, plants, history and geology. On occasion, the captain will turn the engines off, allowing you to soak in the sights and sounds of this pristine Alaskan wilderness.

Renting from Downtown for a day is a good option!! I just thought since it was so $$ from the airport, that it would be the same for downtown - not true - hurray!

 

SO - I have wheels and a full day - bring on the ideas!

 

THANKS

What company and location are you using for the car rental?

I booked with Jayleen. I love the idea of a smaller boat. I don't want to fight a bunch of people on a large boat for a good view.

I was just reading some posts and saw people talk about Kroschel Wildlife Center. I got really excited, but now I am sad because I don't see it offered on our sailing. This is not something I would attempt to do on my own. I see other tours going to Haines but none visit Kroschel. Do you guys know of any tour companies that will pick us up in Skagway and take us to Kroschel and then back to the ship? We are there from 7am to 9pm. If not, can you suggest some other wildlife tours - our other ports are Ketchikan, Juneau (we have a whale watching tour booked at 4pm - but have all morning open), Skagway, Glacier Bay and then we going the land tour to Denali but I don't think we really have any free time there. We are staying in Anchorage for a few days at the end.

My daughter would love a good zip line - which location is best for zip lines/canopy tours?

TIA

Kathy

Go to the glacier first like you were thinking before. You don't want to rush to get back for the whale watch. If you did the whale watch first, make sure you have enough time to catch the last shuttle bus back @ 6:30 or cab it. Depending on how many people, a cab could be cheaper. The shuttle bus R/T is $40-45, and includes the entrance fee. The city bus drops you off 1 mile away, and takes forever to get there. Let us know how long your whale watch is. Yes, you can book this on your own.

The whale watch is 4 hours total - including transportation to and from the pier. Sounds like the shuttle bus is the way to go (i don't want to walk a mile - i think I will walking enough as it is). There will be 3, possibly 5 of us. I am booking the tour thru Jayleen. A few reviews have mentioned she will drop us off at the glacier. I will have to verify. Maybe she can pick us up there too? Is the sun still up at 7pm? Will I be able to see whales? If so, I might do the glacier first (we dock at 10am), then hit the whale watching tour from 4 to 8 and then grab some food close to the ship and hop back on board at 930 and pass out.

Thank you so much for all this wonderful info!

Kathy

My dd is going to be in Heaven - she loves all types of seafood. I checked the menu for Tracy's - we may or may not go - I am a vegetarian so the only thing on the menu for me is rice. I can't believe they don't even have salads! I will check out the other restaurants listed. And the take out option sounds perfect for when we are staying at a hotel! Thank you for the suggestions!

kathy

Okay - so I am going to pass on Tracy Arm - too long of a trip. I am going to book a whale watching trip - my options are noon and 4pm. Which one? Before or after I want to go see Mendenthal Glacier. My daughter wants to hit a local restaurant for crabs that night for dinner. Our ship is there until 10pm. What should my timing be????

Thanks

Kathy

I think I would have throw up and peed in my pants. Amazing and terrifying all at the same time. In July we went to Hawaii. We were in a small boat sailing the Napali Coast and we were surrounded by dolphins. That was just amazing and beautiful - not terrifying.

There are public buses that go to Mendenthal Glacier from the city. It takes about 15-20 minutes to get there. We did that and spent as much time as we wanted there. It was an easy walk to the Falls and the Glacier. I think the buses run every 20-30 minutes as well to return.

 

We saw lots of whales from the ship--some views were better than others. Our best was when we were kayaking out of Ketchikan. A humpback came up behind us, and then a few minutes later we saw its tail very close to the kayaks. For me, this was better than chasing them in motor boats. There is something truly spectacular about seeing them when they want to be seen.