Best Mid-May Excursions

[cruiseyguy]

I will be on the Summit West Coast/Alaska cruise 5/6-5/20. We will be in four Alaskan ports in a row, from 5/15-5/18. These are Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Ketchikan. What would be the best excursions for each of these ports (regardless of price) given the time of year (mid-May)? Names of specific, reputable tour operators would also be appreciated. I'm not sure when, if ever, I'll get back to Alaska so I would like to see and do the "best of the best" in each port.

[Host Caroline]

In Ketchikan either flightseeing to Misty Fjords (Island Wings is highly recommended by many) or kayaking with Southeast ( --their Orca Cove trip (http://www.kayakketchikan.com).

 

In Sitka there's an excellen wildlife cruise offered through the ship (a company called Allen Marine runs it) but there is so much to do in this port that personall I'd do whale watching in Juneau). In Sitka there is also excellent kayaking in the Sound area. The town itself will occupy your day: Archangel Dancers, Museum, raptor center.. check out http://www.sitka.org for an overview if you haven't yet done that.. Tendering here takes up part of your port time unfortunately.

 

In Juneau whale watching with Orca Enterprises aka Capt Larry and then glacier flightseeing that they can also arrange --

 

In Skagway some options that come to mind: if you are very "out of doorsy" the Glacier Point Wilderness Safari day trip combines canoeing, hiking etc. Also White Pass RR, rent a car and drive into the Yukon to Emerald Lake - -there is a good horesback riding outfit near there also (Southeast I think it is -- don't worry .. I will be corrected if I'm wrong;) ) .. visit http://www.skagway.org for more information.

 

I know this is the first answer and very general but you didn't really specify what type of activities you enjoy... and of course as always, these are just one person's opinion!

[Lobbylin]

Host Caroline

 

When I read the suggestions you have made - I'm thrilled that so far, I've already booked quite a few of your suggestied excursions - Island Wings floatplane to Misty Fjords, Capt Larry's whalewatching in Juneau, rental car for the drive to Emerald Lake, and Sitka "on our own two feet" exploring...

 

We travel in June. Thanks!

[cruiseyguy]

Many thanks, Host Caroline! Any additional ideas will be much appreciated, even those that might be "over the top" in terms of cost, effort, weirdness, etc.

[Budget Queen]

Look over a shore excursion list and narrow down your interests, there are many great tours in Alaska. My opinion only but the top tour is a glacier helicopter landing, you can combo book this with Orca Enterprises and Coastal Helicopters, saving an hour in shuttle time. http://www.Southeasttours.com for the above reference.