Disembarking Pearl at Alaska ports

[lmintzer]

Hi,

I am trying to plan excursions for late July Alaska cruise on the Pearl. Because of the late arrival into Juneau (2:00 p.m.), we are somewhat limited on what we can fit in.

 

I am trying to work a trip to Mendenhall Glacier and a Whale Watching cruise on a smaller boat. One of the companies I contacted, Rum Runners, said they could arrange a car service to Mendenhall right after we get off the ship. It's a 25 minute ride to the glacier, and then they would pick us up at 4:15 to take us whale watching for 2.5 hours (from 4:30-7:00).

 

This all sounds good--IF we a.) arrive on time, and b.) can disembark promptly. Is it reasonable to assume that we could be off the ship within about 20-25 minutes? If so, we would wind up with about 1.5 hours at the glacier--maybe a touch less.

 

Is this too risky? I really wanted to be able to take the hike to Nugget Falls, but if we are risking not getting to Mendenhall at all, maybe we shoud go with another company that does a combined trip? The downside of those is that none of them include the Nugget Falls hike.

[misslyss1220]

Hi,

I am trying to plan excursions for late July Alaska cruise on the Pearl. Because of the late arrival into Juneau (2:00 p.m.), we are somewhat limited on what we can fit in.

 

I am trying to work a trip to Mendenhall Glacier and a Whale Watching cruise on a smaller boat. One of the companies I contacted, Rum Runners, said they could arrange a car service to Mendenhall right after we get off the ship. It's a 25 minute ride to the glacier, and then they would pick us up at 4:15 to take us whale watching for 2.5 hours (from 4:30-7:00).

 

This all sounds good--IF we a.) arrive on time, and b.) can disembark promptly. Is it reasonable to assume that we could be off the ship within about 20-25 minutes? If so, we would wind up with about 1.5 hours at the glacier--maybe a touch less.

 

Is this too risky? I really wanted to be able to take the hike to Nugget Falls, but if we are risking not getting to Mendenhall at all, maybe we shoud go with another company that does a combined trip? The downside of those is that none of them include the Nugget Falls hike.

 

The Nugget Falls hike takes about an hour, I believe. We're doing an excursion through NCL that does Mendenhall and the whale watching, but you only stay an hour at the glacier so probably not enough time for the hike unless you speedwalk (which doesn't help you :rolleyes:). I have a feeling that alot of the tour companies operate on a similar schedule. That being said, NCL has the Evening Whale Quest (probably through Allan Marine Tours) starting at 5:45 pm (at least on my sailing in early July). If you can get private transport to/from the glacier and be back in time to take that excursion, that may work (or, contact Allan Marine directly, they're most likely the tour operator and maybe you can go right from the glacier to the tour dock).

[TMC]

Bumping this up for you. We will also be arriving in Juneau at 2:00 and need to meet our tour. On other cruises we have encountered some long lines to disembark in ports, so not sure what time to get in line.

 

T

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I suggest you ask your question on the Alaska Port of Call board. Many experienced Alaska cruisers there who can help you with timing and options.

[Budget Queen]

Hi,

I am trying to plan excursions for late July Alaska cruise on the Pearl. Because of the late arrival into Juneau (2:00 p.m.), we are somewhat limited on what we can fit in.

 

I am trying to work a trip to Mendenhall Glacier and a Whale Watching cruise on a smaller boat. One of the companies I contacted, Rum Runners, said they could arrange a car service to Mendenhall right after we get off the ship. It's a 25 minute ride to the glacier, and then they would pick us up at 4:15 to take us whale watching for 2.5 hours (from 4:30-7:00).

 

This all sounds good--IF we a.) arrive on time, and b.) can disembark promptly. Is it reasonable to assume that we could be off the ship within about 20-25 minutes? If so, we would wind up with about 1.5 hours at the glacier--maybe a touch less.

 

Is this too risky? I really wanted to be able to take the hike to Nugget Falls, but if we are risking not getting to Mendenhall at all, maybe we shoud go with another company that does a combined trip? The downside of those is that none of them include the Nugget Falls hike.

 

With the Pearl, you need to be ready to go earlier and in line. EVERYBODY wants off the ship. You also have to take a shuttle bus to the tram parking lot, if you don't have pick up at the AJ dock.

 

Since the boat tour will pick you up at Mendenhall, why don't you just get a cab to Mendenhall? There is a cab line at the dock. Again- Essential you are ready to go early.

 

Ships usually are close to the schedule. With a cab- IF you don't end up going, you can then just call the vendor and have pick up on the dock. Gives a lot more flexibility.

[TMC]

Thanks BQ. Do you estimate that being in line "earlier" means more like 20 minutes or an hour? Does the line move quickly and is there only one exit door used?

 

Thanks,

T

[lmintzer]

Thanks to all who have responded. I have posted on the Alaska ports board, but this question is more focused on how long it will take to get off the Pearl. It sounds like it could be pretty slow going getting off. : ( I believe the vendor offered transportation--using what he called a "tour taxi" so that we could fit all 6 of us in one vehicle. It would cost less than a cab. He said it could be waiting for us for $35 plus a required $7 fee.

 

With this, would we still have to wait for a shuttle bus to get to where this would be waiting?

 

We would be willing to stand in line early--like the previous poster mentioned, how early?

 

We chose this tour company because it allows a full 2.5 hours on the water plus it is essentially a private tour--boat holds only 6. I will be bummed if there isn't time for the Nugget Falls hike, though.

[bonvoyagie]

BQ is spot on - Juneau is the first port of call for the Pearl. If you are on a ship sponsored excursion, you will have a given meeting place onboard and will be escorted off first. If not, then the line is long. We were on an NCL excursion last time so we got the escort even so it seemed to take forever. However the Atrium area was jam-packed with other tour folks and people looking to get out on their own.

 

There is also the Jewel factor - both ship share the same dock, so if the Jewell is running late, the Pearl will be delayed docking.

[lmintzer]

BQ and bonvoyagie have me convinced--

 

With the late arrival in Juneau and it being the first port, I think we need to book through the cruise line, given that we want to do both Mendenhall and a whale watch. If it were just on or the other, we could solve the problem by booking for 4:00 or later, but since it's both, I think we want to be on the safe side.

 

I contacted Gastineau Guiding (woman who e-mailed was so sweet--and gave a very detailed answer to my questions), and it sounds like we can book the 2:30 Whale Watching and Glacier Photo Safari through the cruise ship. The Whale Watch is first. Then the Trail of Time. She said we can make the decision then if we want to stay on for an additional hour and hike to Nugget Falls. She seemed to think we'd have no problem getting back on our own--there would still be shuttles at 8:00 p.m. (this is contrary to what I read in the Alaska ports) or we could get a taxi that could hold 6. I am guessing that my family will let hunger win out, and they won't want to stay, but here's to hoping! : )

 

Now, also here's to hoping there are 6 slots left (of 12) on the tour we want.

[richard k]

We were on the Pearl last Sept. took the same tour with NCL saw over 100 whales and got back on time. It was the best tour on the cruise.

[CalLuvsCrusingToo]

With tight Time constraints, wouldn't it be better to Book a Tour

thru NCL? Aren't those Tours usually let off First?

[lmintzer]

Yes, that is what I have concluded, too. For Juneau at least (where the timing seems the toughest). Going to shoot for the NCL tour called "Whales and Photo Glacier Safari" that's run by Gastineau Guiding.

[TMC]

We are going with Harv & Marv. I mentioned to the reservationist that I was concerned about making our meeting time. She said that people usually get to their pickup within about 20 minutes. Hope their experience proves to be correct. Still need to figure out when to queue for disembarkation...

 

T