Alaska excursions independent of the cruise ship?

[mcgelmo]

We are sailing on the Zaandam this July 11th through Alaska's Inside Passage. We are hoping to book great excursions at decent prices independent of the ship. What tours/companies do you recommend fro Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan? We are in our late fifties/early sixties but very physically fit and adventurous:)

 

Any info would be extremely helpful.

 

Thanks

M&R

[mapleleaves]

Independent vendors aren't necessarily cheaper, but usually go out with a smaller group of people so you get a more intimate outing and maybe for a longer period of time. ie 10 people on a small boat instead of 200 !

 

There are hundreds of activities and excursions available at each port. If you want suggestions on vendors, you need to tell people what you want to do!

Or do a little research to determine what you want to see and do ..... you'll find MANY suggestions and first-hand recommendations in trip reports. There's a 2014 list with only a handful of reports so far , but if you look at the STICKY above "2013 Alaska cruise review list', you'll find MANY MANYreports. Go to reply #45 where the reports are sorted by cruiseline and ship.

Edited June 4, 2014 by mapleleaves

[karatemom2]

Some of the independent tour operators we have used in those ports include:

 

Skagway: Chilkoot Charters

Juneau: Orca Enterprises, Weather Permitting and Adventure Bound

Ketchikan: Ketchikan Taxicab Tours

 

In addition, we have rented cars in each of the ports which is an excellent and very cost effective way of touring.

 

Really, the best idea is to decide what exactly you want to do or see in each port and then look for tours that match your preferences.

[Paula_MacFan]

We were on the Golden last week and did independent tours. In Juneau we rented a car from Avis which is in the Goldbelt Hotel and a short walk from the pier. We went to Mendenhall Glacier and other local sites. Total rental expense plus gas $68.

 

In Skagway we rented from Alaska Green Jeeps. Drove the scenic route up to the Yukon, making many stops along the way up and back. Cost for jeep plus gas $200.

 

In Ketchikan we used our National Parks Pass to tour the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, then took the $4 funicular up to Cape Fox Lodge to view the totems, then walked down the Married Man's Trail to Creek Street. Did a bit of shopping and ate some local seafood.

 

We weren't really that worried about saving money on this trip (we have done ship's excursions on all our previous cruises) but we are just more independent people, who wanted to get away from the crowds and do our own thing.

 

I would recommend you do some reading here for trip reports and excursion reviews, as well as check out Tripadvisor, which has great info on each port and detailed reviews of many of the same excursions/attractions the ships offer.

 

Good luck in your planning, whatever you decide to do!

Edited June 5, 2014 by Paula_MacFan

[At_Sea]

Try these links:

 

http://www.alaskatours.com/

http://skagwayshoretours.com/

http://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/Ketchikan-Shore-Excursions-s/104.htm

 

I found them helpful for price comparisons.

[sjmbruce]

In Juneau, we went whale watching with Harv and Marv, then used the blue bus for transportation in order to hike around the Mendenhall Glacier. We also booked with Coastal Helicopters. Unfortunately our flight and glacier walk was cancelled due to weather.

In Skagway, we rented a car through Avis and drove to Emerald Lake and back.

[donaldsc]

Checking on TripAdvisor will give you a lot of useful information.

 

DON

[mal088]

My mom and I just returned from our cruise on the Golden Princess. We booked last minute so the independent operators mentioned earlier were full. However we were pleased with the companies we ended up using. In Juneau we took the blue bus to Mendenhall and whale watching with Juneau Whale Watch. There were only 14 people on the boat and everyone had a great view.

 

In Skagway we went with Dyea Dave to Emerald Lake; 12 people on the bus. In Ketchikan we walked around ourselves and took advantage of the free shuttle around town.

 

The independent companies weren't that much cheaper than the ship's excursions but we were more comfortable with the smaller group size.

[mcgelmo]

Thank you everyone for the wonderful suggestions. I will definitely put them to use. Wishing you all Fun Travels:-)

 

M

[Snaaby1]

We were on the Golden last week and did independent tours. In Juneau we rented a car from Avis which is in the Goldbelt Hotel and a short walk from the pier. We went to Mendenhall Glacier and other local sites. Total rental expense plus gas $68.

 

In Skagway we rented from Alaska Green Jeeps. Drove the scenic route up to the Yukon, making many stops along the way up and back. Cost for jeep plus gas $200.

 

In Ketchikan we used our National Parks Pass to tour the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, then took the $4 funicular up to Cape Fox Lodge to view the totems, then walked down the Married Man's Trail to Creek Street. Did a bit of shopping and ate some local seafood.

 

We weren't really that worried about saving money on this trip (we have done ship's excursions on all our previous cruises) but we are just more independent people, who wanted to get away from the crowds and do our own thing.

 

I would recommend you do some reading here for trip reports and excursion reviews, as well as check out Tripadvisor, which has great info on each port and detailed reviews of many of the same excursions/attractions the ships offer.

 

Good luck in your planning, whatever you decide to do!

How was the Alaska Green Jeeps? I've heard good things but I havent heard back from them yet...

 

Seems better than using the Cruiseline for their jeep excursion at half the price

[tracyktn]

When we travel I always book independently of the ship. You usually have much smaller groups and get local knowledgeable guides. I have found we get a more personal experience and I love to help out smaller local businesses. Try the following:

 

Ketchikan - Wild Wolf Tours Rainforest Walk and Totem Park

http://wildwolftours.com/

 

Juneau - Harv and Marv's Whale Watching

http://www.harvandmarvs.com/

 

Skagway - Chilkoot Charters & Tours

http://www.chilkootcharters.com/cruisepax.htm

 

Skagway - Float Tours

http://skagwayfloat.com/

[rjeffler]

Just back last Friday.

 

In Skagway, our group of 8 rented 2 cars and drove to Emerald Lake. Spent the $5 on Murray's Guide and had a great time. Stopped whenever we wanted and spent as much time as needed. Had lunch in Carcross on the way. Total cost $165 for each car w/gas.

 

In Juneau, we did a Helicopter Tour to Glacier with Dog Sledding. The original tour was cancelled (10:30) but they ended up getting us in at 2:30. It did rain, but we still were able to make it. Went with ERA.

 

Ketchikan is fun to just walk around. We walked to Creek Street. Did the Funicular for $4 and ate lunch at the top. Then looked at the totems and walked down Married Man's Trail. Also did the Lumberjack show. Everyone in our group really enjoyed it.

 

Info on the rest of our cruise is in the link in my signature.

[dkl222]

Just returned from Northbound on the Crown Princess. Ketchikan we booked the Mountain Point Snorkel through the ship. Wonderful experience!

 

Juneau we booked a whale watching tour (they also offer fishing excursions) through Rum Runner Charters. We saw a large pod of Orcas and our captain Josh stopped and called up a flock of 12 to 14 bald eagles feeding them raw meat. What a sight to see these beauties swooping in and grabbing food.

RumRunnerCharters.net