boleynkid

Apologies if the answer is a bit vague but anything within reason is fine ie we don't have to be travelling luxury 5*/6* or whatever. If it helps, as a gauge, our previous cruises have been NCL in the Caribbean, HAL to Alaska & Windstar around the Society Islands.

Many Thanks.  

I have begun to think about our next cruise which I hope will be around the Greek Islands. I am open to ideas but I guess a cruise including Santorini & Mykonos are preferred and although not a necessity a small ship type cruise appeals.

Any suggestions/comments sincerely appreciated.    

We went on our first Alaska cruise on the Ruby Princess last summer and went on some wonderful excursions. All but one were booked privately. We absolutely loved the Chilkoot Charters Yukon Rail & Bus tour. Our tour guide Mike, one of the best we have ever experienced, picked us up at the dock and gave us a 10-minute tour through town on the way to the train station. Chilkoot had reserved the last car, which was perfect for taking pictures. Mike picked us up in Fraser, B.C. at the train station and whisked us off to Emerald Lake. The best part (besides Mike) was that there were just 11 of us on a small bus, which made the logistics of hopping out at scenic spots very easy.

https://chilkootcharters.com

 

For us, taking the train up, and a fascinating mini-bus tour down (including lunch at Caribou Crossing) made for a perfect day.

 

If you are interested, I did a pretty extensive trip review on our trip starting with our pre-Seattle stay, and including detailed information and pictures about our excursions in Juneau (Coastal helicopter sled dog ride with extra landing), Skagway (Chilkoot tour), and Ketchikan (Misty Fyords float plan trip with Island Wings), as well as the Ultimate Ship's Tour. (There also random information about trying to plan excursions, despite my susceptibility to motion sickness and fear of heights!) Just scroll down the review to find the pictures/information on our wonderful day in Skagway.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2533305

 

Here are a few pictures from our Chilkoot train/bus tour.

 

 

The front of our train as viewed from the last car

 

Emerald Lake - our first stop after getting off the train

 

 

One of two bear sightings we had on our mini-bus tour!

 

 

Oops! I just noticed that you said you had already chosen your excursions! We did the helicopter dog sledding in Juneau, and it was the highlight (among many) of our week.

Many thanks for your reply. As you you say we have already booked our excursions now but if you hadn't posted I wouldn't have seen your wonderful photo's.

Having some difficulties choosing a tour in Ketchikan so I would be interested to hear about people's experiences to help us decide. Don't want to miss out if there is a tour out there which comes highly recommended.

The Misty Fjord Floatplane seems to be an obvious choice but, weather permitting, we will be doing a helicopter tour from Skagway so choosing something different may be a good idea. I have seen mentions of a Misty Fjord cruise so that might be a possible alternative.

A bear tour would be great but it appears these start in July so we may just be a little too early.

Thank you in advance for your comments which are much appreciated.

Many thanks for all your comments which were much appreciated. We have decided on the Helicopter/dog sled (morn) and Glacier Point Wilderness Safari (aft) or that's Plan A at least.

Thanks again for all of your very useful tips (interesting one with regards the fog). Just a shame Skagway isn't a two day stop.

If I have read correctly the train/vehicle combo will allow us to see both sides of the canyon but will have to see how long that takes. If we do the helicopter/dog sled tour as well I'm not sure we will have time to go to Bennett and I guess that will mean we also miss out on Emerald Lake which will be a shame. Is there a tour where you can get the train to the top and back again ?

Many thanks for the replies. As always great tours will have to be sacrificed as there just isn't time. Early signs are it is looking the railroad with the helicopter/dog sled or railroad and the wilderness cruise. Not going to be an easy decision.

This will be our first Alaskan cruise and would much appreciate hearing about people's favourite tour excursions in Skagway and names of the tour operators.

Open to most suggestions with the exception of any extreme tours eg rock climbing etc.

I have read about the White Pass railroad so that is one option but it would be interesting to hear about other experiences. Helicopter & dog sled glacier tour is a possible and looks good if anyone has done that. Thank you.

You will enjoy this photo heavy trip report from twins_to_Alaska. They did the small boat excursion to Tracy Arm off the Celebrity. I don't know which cruiseline you're on, but their experience will give you an idea of the timing . ( they also did a lake landing with Misty Fjords)

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2395708&page=3

That's great mapleleaves thanks very much.

I have only done Tracy Arm with Adventure Bound from Juneau, so I can't verify the return time for excursions from the ship. I will say that our trip to was about 10 hours total, so yours will probably be in the 6 - 8 hour range. That would put you in Juneau between 4 and 6.

 

Depending on how late you are in port, you may have time to do an evening whale watching trip or the Mt Roberts Tram. There should be plenty of daylight that time of year.

 

 

 

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Thanks again JT. We are looking at doing a tour which begins in Juneau at 4.30pm so I know it could be very tight but it would be such a shame to miss out on a trip through Tracy Arm fjord.

Tracy Arm is a long fjord with steep sides with glaciers at the North and South arms at the end. It is very different from Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. All 3 are definitely worth seeing, but unique in their own way.

 

I would recommend researching posts with photos here and on other websites to get an idea of the differences. Then you can make an informed decision on what you would like to see.

 

Also consider that the Tracy Arm trip is generally only an option on Northbound cruises or if you have a long day in Juneau- at least 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM or later, if you use Adventure Bound. If you think you will return to Alaska at some point, my recommendation would be to do Tracy Arm when offered since you can always do Mendenhall and other Juneau sights on another trip.

 

One final thing to consider is that access to all of these could be affected by weather / ice. It is best to book an itinerary with as many glacier viewing opportunities as possible to increase you chances in case one is cancelled.

 

 

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Many thanks for your reply JT which is most helpful. Our ship arrives in Tracy Arm at 10am and leaves at 10.30am so I am assuming they just let passengers disembark for the boat excursion which takes them further into the fjord and up to Sawyer Glacier. Our cruise is in late June so I am hoping ice won't be a problem and I am trying to find out what time the onward transportation will arrive in Juneau as I am hoping to do something else when we get there.

Sorry one more question if I may. Fully accepting the fact that no one can predict when the ice may calve, is there any information on, on average, how often ice tends to calve. I am sure the time of the year makes all the difference (we are going late June) but it would be interesting whether calving tends to be a daily or weekly occurrence etc at that time of the year.

I am pleased to see this thread as I have the same dilemma. There may be the option to do both but there is also a whale watching tour we are interested in and I know we won't be able to do all three.

It would appear our cruise ship stops for half hour at Tracy Arm which I assume is to allow passengers to transfer to another boat for a visit to Sawyer Glacier. Someone has mentioned a "small boat" tour so I will be interested to find out about that. Someone else mentioned Glacier Bay and, without knowing, it did seem to me that the excursion to Sawyer would be similar to the cruise through Glacier Bay. Would that be a fair assumption or are they very different.

Does anyone know please what time the transportation for The Tracy Arm/Sawyer Glacier excursion arrives back in Juneau. We are hoping to do another tour on arrival or take a trip out to the Mendenhall Glacier. Interesting to read that some people were somewhat underwhelmed by Mendenhall.

Totally agree- Tracy Arm all the way. I'd also highly, highly, highly recommend the add-on small-boat tour of Tracy Arm if it's available.

What is the small boat tour you refer to please Peety3. Do you have a link ? Thank you.

Thanks everyone for your replies, much appreciated and most helpful.

I am having trouble re-locating a floatplane tour I saw when doing my research on excursions. It described a lake landing and then being able to stand on a pontoon for a while to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Much appreciated for any suggestions of what tour I may have been looking at.

Problem is I am not sure if it was Juneau, Skagway or Ketchikan.

Depends on when the whale whatch tour ends, but you probably have enough time for both. Whale tours leave from Auke Bay. Reserve a cab to pick you up at auke bsy after the tour and drive you to Mendenhall, which is about 10 minutes away. Then reserve another cab to take you back to the pier, about 20 minutes, 30 in heavy traffic.

Plan on an hr RT to follow the trail to the waterfall.

Many thanks mapleleaves most helpful.

Our ship docks at 13.00 and departs at 22.00. Grateful for people's thoughts please on trying to do a whale watching tour (operator says allow 4 hours) and a visit to Mendenhall Glacier. Research suggests to allow at least 2 hours for Mendenhall so it seems to me time would be tight to do both.

Quick must-do thoughts...

• look for a ship that includes Glacier Bay for the best glacier experience.
  
• need extra days in Vancouver
  
• look for a combo tour that includes the White Pass railway.
  
• Juneau's whale watches and Mendenhall are popular.
  

glad to you hear you are looking at June/July when the weather is dryer

Many thanks xlxo. I might only have a limited time to research before booking so it is good to have an idea of what are the popular tours.

Is this a RT cruise or one-way with some land travel pre/post cruise ?

 

I encourage you to read thru trip reports posted in STICKYs near the top of the page. There are some wonderful photo journals that will give you a good look at the ships interior and public areas, even the meals, plus info on on-board activities, excursions, etc.

 

You'll find that the major cruiselines are more alike than different when it comes to Alaska. More important is to look CLOSELY at the itinerary; ensure that you're in port long enough and at the right time of day for any planned activities. If glacier viewing is important to you try to include Glacier Bay plus another if you're doing a OW cruise.

 

As for 'must do's" , we all have different interests. No point suggesting fishing vendors, or heli dog sledding if you don't have the interest (or budget). Look at the trip reports to see what other people experienced. Borrow an Alaska travel book from the library. Every port has a web site to support tourism and local vendors and they have a Visitor Guide. This one is for Ketchikan and has a link to download the Visitor Guide. http://www.experienceketchikan.com

Look down the page and you'll find a thread called HELPFUL RESOURCES .... It has many web sites with info on Alaska travel.

Many thanks mapleleaves very useful.

To help me with my research, I would be most grateful for some ideas with regards "must do" tours. This is our first and will possibly be our only Alaska cruise so I am hoping to make the most of our vacation next June/July. We are in our 50's so age is not a problem.

With regards cruise lines, the choice appears to be between Princess or HAL with Princess seemingly offering more in the way of evening entertainment. Would be interested to hear people's thoughts with regards to the quality of ships for these lines.

Thank you

As CruiserBruce has said, it is hard to know when the big surf will be on display. In fact, the 2016 Pipeline Masters had 3 lay days because the surf was too small. There are websites where you can keep track of the big surf on the islands, Maui also has some really big waves.

 

Waimea can be like a lake in the winter, but if you pack a pic nic, and take the bus you can enjoy a really nice beach day. Both Waimea and Ehukai have restrooms and showers. I think the best spot for looking for big waves is Ehukai Beach Park. This is where the Pipeline Masters is held and there are some great breaks within easy walking distance, including Backyards and Sunset. Sometimes there are lunch trucks where you can purchase food, but I would not depend on it. The bus takes a long time so you really need to plan on a day and not getting back to Honolulu at a specific time. And, if the waves are big the traffic will be more intense. A car is the best way to see this area but I understand your not wanting to drive. Have a great trip, Cherie

Thanks for your reply and useful comments Cherie. I think this will be a case of watching weather reports etc and then seeing if we can get something arranged if surf's up. I drove before when we vacationed on Oahu for a couple of weeks but we will only be staying for a couple of days so I am looking to be as relaxed as possible this time.

Though the Le Moana is one of my favorites it doesn't have the classic view of the Mount Otemanu. The thumbnail is the view of the mountain from the Le Moana.

 

The large picture is taken from the Thalasso .......

 

If the view is the most important send me an email and I'll send you a PDF of the views from all the major resorts. tahitianbigkahuna@gmail.com

 

Thank you again Tahitianbigkahuna, that is too good an offer to turn down and a n e-mail is on its way to you.

We rented a car and then bought a app from Gypsy Guide for iPhone (there is one for Droid). The app was terrific it provided turn by turn driving directions and narration along the way.

 

Along the route the narration pointed out key spots that we might want to pull over. At one point it told us to pull over and park then cross the road and walk up he beach as there might be sea turtle on the beach in the sun. Sure enough there it was just laying there. Another time the app pointed out a fruit stand that sold fresh fruit already cut and placed in plastic baggies.

 

It was like having a tour guide in the car and we were even able to listen to it through the car speakers using a Bluetooth connection.

 

Take care,

Vinnie

 

 

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Thanks CruzVinnieCruz. Have to say that does sound very impressive but I don't think I will be up for driving this time.

You can rent a car, which would be my choice. You can take TheBus.

 

Of course, there is no way to predict when the big surf will be there..although that area is the location for the big surf, so it is more likely.

Thanks Cruiser Bruce. I did think a local bus might just be the best option so something to bear in mind.