Need help for excursions

[9th Time]

Hello

 

My wife and I are taking a cruise (Celebrity) to Alaska the end of May for our 35th anniversary and want it to be great as we may never return as there are still many more bucket list things to do. We both are in our mid 50's and can do just about anything physically so there are no restrictions in that department.

 

Our questions are in regards to the excursions in port that interest us but not sure what the experts think are the best of our list. Cost is not a big show stopper but want to make sure what we pick is worth the money over other options.

 

Ketchikan:

 

1. Misty Fjords Boat and Floatplane Wilderness Adventure, 3:45 hours, cost $375.00 per person.

 

2. A Misty Fjords Floatplane Adventure, 2:00 hours, cost $275.00 per person

 

3. Misty Fjords Flightseeing, 2:00 hours, cost $ 275.00 per person

 

Seems like 2 and 3 are the same, we are leaning towards # 1

 

 

 

Juneau:

 

1: Pilots Choice Glacier Explorer, 2:45 hours, cost $469.00 per person

 

2. Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter and Guided Walk, 2:15 hours, cost $325.00 per person

 

3. Dog Sledding on Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter, 2:45 hours, cost $610.00

 

We are leaning towards # 1 but not sure weather it is worth the extra money

 

 

 

Skagway:

 

1. White Pass Train and Klondike Bike Tour, 4:30 hours, cost $210.00

 

2. Glacier Lake Kayak and White Pass Railway Adventure, 5:00 hours, $225.00

 

 

We will just hangout around the towns/cities and take in the local flavor after our excursions so we will be able to see other things.

 

We have only cruised once in our lives and that was to Hawaii, we like to just fly to our destinations and do our thing.

 

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

[Kamloops50]

Hello

 

My wife and I are taking a cruise (Celebrity) to Alaska the end of May for our 35th anniversary and want it to be great as we may never return as there are still many more bucket list things to do. We both are in our mid 50's and can do just about anything physically so there are no restrictions in that department.

 

Our questions are in regards to the excursions in port that interest us but not sure what the experts think are the best of our list. Cost is not a big show stopper but want to make sure what we pick is worth the money over other options.

 

Ketchikan:

 

1. Misty Fjords Boat and Floatplane Wilderness Adventure, 3:45 hours, cost $375.00 per person.

 

2. A Misty Fjords Floatplane Adventure, 2:00 hours, cost $275.00 per person

 

3. Misty Fjords Flightseeing, 2:00 hours, cost $ 275.00 per person

 

Seems like 2 and 3 are the same, we are leaning towards # 1

 

 

 

Juneau:

 

1: Pilots Choice Glacier Explorer, 2:45 hours, cost $469.00 per person

 

2. Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter and Guided Walk, 2:15 hours, cost $325.00 per person

 

3. Dog Sledding on Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter, 2:45 hours, cost $610.00

 

We are leaning towards # 1 but not sure weather it is worth the extra money

 

 

 

Skagway:

 

1. White Pass Train and Klondike Bike Tour, 4:30 hours, cost $210.00

 

2. Glacier Lake Kayak and White Pass Railway Adventure, 5:00 hours, $225.00

 

 

We will just hangout around the towns/cities and take in the local flavor after our excursions so we will be able to see other things.

 

We have only cruised once in our lives and that was to Hawaii, we like to just fly to our destinations and do our thing.

 

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

In Juneau why not go to Misty Fiord by boat . You'll have a good chance of seeing wildlife that you won't see from a plane or helicopter.

Keep in mind that May could be cloudy and wet that will reduce what you'll see from an aircraft.

In Skagway I would take the train all the way to Carcross and return by bus. They usually stop at the Carcross Desert before heading back to Skagway .

On the way back you pass area where astronauts where trained for moon missions.

Edited February 16, 2015 by Kamloops50

[Bruin Steve]

Last time in Alaska...and mostly this next time upcoming in June, we avoided the Celebrity shore excursions and went with private local companies...

 

In Juneau, we used these guys:

 

http://www.coastalhelicopters.com/

 

Their Icefield Tour was EXCELLENT...They picked us up at the ship and gave us an incredible experience...And the cost was less expensive than the pricey shore excursion...They are very, very good...

[Cheryl H]

For Misty Fjords, I think most of the pilots take the same flight path....but a couple of the companies actually land and you can get out and take photos. We used Seawind Aviation and had a great flight. We were amazed. Seawind did land near a rock and we got out to take some photos and take in the scenery for a few minutes.

 

This time we are using them again, except we are going to see the bears with them. But first we are doing the Bering Sea Fisherman's tour. Seawind was so nice to coordinate with the Bering Sea folks....We are doing the Bering Sea Fisherman tour first since they only have 1 tour per day...then Seawind is picking us up from that dock and taking us to the bears.

 

Have fun planning!

[MHF]

Last time in Alaska...and mostly this next time upcoming in June, we avoided the Celebrity shore excursions and went with private local companies...

 

In Juneau, we used these guys:

 

http://www.coastalhelicopters.com/

 

Their Icefield Tour was EXCELLENT...They picked us up at the ship and gave us an incredible experience...And the cost was less expensive than the pricey shore excursion...They are very, very good...

 

Totally agree about Coastal! It was us and 1 other couple in the helicopter. We flew north and then landed, walked around with our "clamping boots" they provided, looked down a blue hole, saw a waterfall, took a ton of pictures…wow...

[Budget Queen]

In Juneau why not go to Misty Fiord by boat . You'll have a good chance of seeing wildlife that you won't see from a plane or helicopter.

Keep in mind that May could be cloudy and wet that will reduce what you'll see from an aircraft..

 

Tracy Arm

[Budget Queen]

Hello

 

My wife and I are taking a cruise (Celebrity) to Alaska the end of May for our 35th anniversary and want it to be great as we may never return as there are still many more bucket list things to do. We both are in our mid 50's and can do just about anything physically so there are no restrictions in that department.

 

Our questions are in regards to the excursions in port that interest us but not sure what the experts think are the best of our list. Cost is not a big show stopper but want to make sure what we pick is worth the money over other options.

 

Ketchikan:

 

1. Misty Fjords Boat and Floatplane Wilderness Adventure, 3:45 hours, cost $375.00 per person.

 

2. A Misty Fjords Floatplane Adventure, 2:00 hours, cost $275.00 per person

 

3. Misty Fjords Flightseeing, 2:00 hours, cost $ 275.00 per person

 

Seems like 2 and 3 are the same, we are leaning towards # 1

 

 

 

Juneau:

 

1: Pilots Choice Glacier Explorer, 2:45 hours, cost $469.00 per person

 

2. Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter and Guided Walk, 2:15 hours, cost $325.00 per person

 

3. Dog Sledding on Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter, 2:45 hours, cost $610.00

 

We are leaning towards # 1 but not sure weather it is worth the extra money

 

 

 

Skagway:

 

1. White Pass Train and Klondike Bike Tour, 4:30 hours, cost $210.00

 

2. Glacier Lake Kayak and White Pass Railway Adventure, 5:00 hours, $225.00

 

 

We will just hangout around the towns/cities and take in the local flavor after our excursions so we will be able to see other things.

 

We have only cruised once in our lives and that was to Hawaii, we like to just fly to our destinations and do our thing.

 

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

Ketchikan 2 and 3 are probably the same, just using different vendors. It completely depends on you, if you want a boat tour in one direction?

 

Juneau you have different tours listed that are all worthwhile depending on your interests. The glacier dog sledding is the most canceled Alaska tour, so always have back up plans. 1 is a double landing usually with more time which equals seeing more. 2 I will say, there is nothing special about Mendenhall, it's just more known. Any glacier landing in the Juneau icefield is excellent and in a constant state of change. Many of the "walks" are easily done independent at Mendenhall and available for free. Big problems with some of these group inclusions with them going only as fast as the slowest person. Easy to do on your own, to sometimes better locations.

 

Skagway- I did the bike tour, many years ago, when there was far less traffic and do not recommend it. There are no bike paths and now traffic is heavy. You are channeled between two guides, with fixed stops. I much more enjoy biking out to Dyea with an independent bike rental, taking into consideration the day's weather.

[travgurl]

This is what we have booked for July on our first trip to Alaska. Check it out:

Juneau--Harv and Marv whale watch/Mendenhall Glacier, Skagway--Trail of 98 tours (they take us all the way up to Emerald Lake with lots of stops), Ketchikan--Island Wings-tour of Misty Fjords and of course explore the towns. Good luck in planning out your trip.

[bonvoyagie]

Take a look at www.cruiseportinsider.com they have lots of information about the ports, DIY touring, Ship Excursions, and more.

 

I agree that in Skagway the Bennett Lake Scenic tour is the best - train to Carcross (most days) bus return - Chilkoot tours (and others) offer this trip. The tour does not run every day and runs reverse directions some days.

 

ERA and Temsco offer helicopter tours out of Juneau. Temsco also offers tours out of Skagway. Both offer Glacier hikes, dog sled rides, and multi-glacier tours.

 

Ketchikan - the Crab Fisherman's tour is very popular and you can book it direct with them and save $$.