reserving Alaska port tours pre:sail

[LilMsFoodie]

I've been trying to reserve a couple of activities online, namely the helicopter/dog sled tour on Mendenhall glacier for a couple of weeks and a zip line, rappelling adventure. Never seem to be able to get beyond the most basic opening screen. Today it says that I must wait until on board. The tour is going to cost $1200 for a 2+ hr trip....I thought that I could wait until 5 to 6 wks out. Have I made a big mistake? Any thoughts. We are on Solstice leaving June 6th.

Edited May 4, 2014 by LilMsFoodie

[SPacificbound]

Google is your friend. :) Look up the type of tour in the port that you want and read reviews, then see about booking direct with the company by phone or email.

[iHeartGlaciers]

I did the helicopter/dog sled through Costal Helicopters in Juneau. It was an amazing tour! Book in advance though, because space is very limited.

[ghstudio]

That's a must do tour....although expensive.

 

If you have a clear day, the sights from the helicopter are fantastic, the dog camp is absolutely authentic and you do ride in a real dogsled on the glacier (not a dogsled with wheels on the ground which is also generally offered).

 

I would book this excursion with a local company (we did...we were on princess for our alaska cruise). It will be (a little) less expensive and you will get exactly the same experience and you may get the exact same helicopters that Celebrity uses....the helicopters keep bringing people up and back from the glacier. Once on the glacier, everything is run by the dog camp folks so everyone gets the same experience.

 

a quick search on the internet will find a few companies you can book with. Even though expensive, those tours fill up quickly so book well in advance.

Edited May 5, 2014 by ghstudio