Alaska cruise shore excursions suggestions

[newcruiser99]

we will be on NCL star 8-14. it is our first time in alaska. we are a family of 4 (two boys ages 15 & 13).

 

here is the itinerary:

 

Starting in Seattle

the Inside Passage

Juneau

Skagway

Cruise Glacier Bay

Ketchikan

Victoria

 

thanks in advance for all your suggestions.

 

-andy

[Mike2131]

we will be on NCL star 8-14. it is our first time in alaska. we are a family of 4 (two boys ages 15 & 13).

 

here is the itinerary:

 

Starting in Seattle

the Inside Passage

Juneau

Skagway

Cruise Glacier Bay

Ketchikan

Victoria

 

thanks in advance for all your suggestions.

 

-andy

 

Hi Andy!

There are so many choices that it is impossible to answer this question without knowing more information:

1) What are the times you will be in port? How long? In Glacier Bay you will be cruising the National Park so you will not get off the ship. In addition, the Inside Passage is the route you will be cruising and not a port. The actual port calls from your list are Seattle (RT?), Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria.

2) What are your interests and what do you want to see? Do you want to see glaciers (and walk on them)? Do you want to go flightseeing or are small planes a problem for part of your party? How about wildlife? Bear watching? Whale watching? How about history? The gold rush? Native culture?

3) What is your budget?

4) Will you book throught the ship or independently? Do you have one of the coupon books that might substantially reduce the cost of independent tours?

5) Will you be taking time in Seattle either before or after your cruise?

6) Will your party split up for tours (one child and one parent going one way and the others another)?

7) Have you consulted with your TA for suggestions? Are the available tours from NCL out yet?

8) Have you researched the ports? Get some travel guides and let everyone start doing a little homework.

9) Review these boards for some terrific info. Then perhaps post specific questions the vets can help you with.

For us, planning a trip is exciting and helps insure we get the most out of it.

Have a great cruise!

[Budget Queen]

Yes- you need to look over a shore excursions list- any cruiseline will do, and narrow down your interests. There are way too many excellent tours to recommend. With more information- you can focus on your priorities. Budget fully you get only half a trip without them.

[Giantfan13]

Yes, as the others have said, your budget will determine what you ultimately do. Sit down with the family and look over the itineraries for the posrt you will be in and see what YOU deem as a MUST do. Do that above all else. If that takes up most of your budget, then you can work around more inexpensive topurs or things to do in other ports. If you have more money to spend, then see what is a MUST #2, and work your way down from there. alaska tours are not cheap, but if this is your 'once in a lifetime' cruise there, sometimes you 'gotta do what you gotta do.'