SweetPease Posted January 15, 2017 #1 Share Posted January 15, 2017 We are cruising to Alaska in June on Regatta. 2 years ago when we took a 17 day cruise on the Marina to the South Pacific, we did several excursions arranged personally either by us, or others on the same cruise. We found these excursions to be quite a bit cheaper than those offered by Oceania and just as good (if not better in some instances). Has anyone ever arranged any excursions in Alaska and, if so, will you kindly share which ones and the experience? Thanks for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted January 15, 2017 #2 Share Posted January 15, 2017 First, I suggest you find the roll call for your cruise and see if others are setting up independent tours. Most of the time, at least a few are. Then you could also consult the Ports of Call for Alaska. Here is the link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55 Good luck. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPease Posted January 15, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted January 15, 2017 First, I suggest you find the roll call for your cruise and see if others are setting up independent tours. Most of the time, at least a few are. Then you could also consult the Ports of Call for Alaska. Here is the link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55 Good luck. Mura Thank you Mura. There is a roll call, but so far, no one has talked about independent excursions. Will check out the link your provided. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted January 15, 2017 #4 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Another think you can do is check out past roll calls for your itinerary. I've done that in the past and have gotten good information. It can at least give you an idea of what is available where. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPease Posted January 15, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Another think you can do is check out past roll calls for your itinerary. I've done that in the past and have gotten good information. It can at least give you an idea of what is available where. That's a great idea! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andee Posted January 15, 2017 #6 Share Posted January 15, 2017 If you list your ports, it will be easier for posters to make recommendations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPease Posted January 15, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted January 15, 2017 If you list your ports, it will be easier for posters to make recommendations. Good point :o! Ports: Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Icy Straight Point (Hoonah), Skagway & Victoria. Thanks for pointing this out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitob Posted January 15, 2017 #8 Share Posted January 15, 2017 ALaska is different in that you do not need to have a group. The tour operator forms the group so don't worry about the roll call participation Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted January 15, 2017 #9 Share Posted January 15, 2017 We arranged our excursions independent when on the Regatta in Alaska last year. The Alaska board is a good place to get excursion ideas. We always go whale watching in Ice Strait Point or Juneau. Of 9 Alaska cruises one of the best excursions we’ve taken was out of Sitka with Gallant Adventures last year. We saw a more diverse selection of wildlife than we had ever seen before on one excursion. When we’re unfamiliar with ports and excursions we go to the line’s excursion page, pick a few that we’d like, and start search for the vendor and reviews to book independent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPease Posted January 15, 2017 Author #10 Share Posted January 15, 2017 We arranged our excursions independent when on the Regatta in Alaska last year. The Alaska board is a good place to get excursion ideas. We always go whale watching in Ice Strait Point or Juneau. Of 9 Alaska cruises one of the best excursions we’ve taken was out of Sitka with Gallant Adventures last year. We saw a more diverse selection of wildlife than we had ever seen before on one excursion. When we’re unfamiliar with ports and excursions we go to the line’s excursion page, pick a few that we’d like, and start search for the vendor and reviews to book independent. Thanks for the suggestions and ideas! We knew we would want to do the whale watching and Hubbard Glacier in Juneau. Had not thought about Sitka yet. Will look into the Gallant Adventures. Again, many thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted January 15, 2017 #11 Share Posted January 15, 2017 We were in Sitka in June 1990 on a Princess cruise ... in Sitka we thoroughly enjoyed just walking around ... (I'm going by memory since I evidently didn't keep a diary on that trip!) Of course, back then we walked for longer distances than we do these days! I also recall that we used a ship's tour for a flight to Tracy Arm from Juneau. Back in those days we used ship's tours if we did any official tours. At any rate, this was a small seaplane -- maybe 6 passengers, if that. It was delightful. Mura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted January 16, 2017 #12 Share Posted January 16, 2017 We were in Sitka in June 1990 on a Princess cruise ... in Sitka we thoroughly enjoyed just walking around ... (I'm going by memory since I evidently didn't keep a diary on that trip!) Yes, Sitka is also a very good walking port. Fewer cruise ships visit there so it's retained some of that Southeast Alaska charm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marseydotes Posted January 16, 2017 #13 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Check the ports on Trip Advisor under "things to do" and also Fodor's. Look for Recent blogs about the ports, too. Much can be done just walking around, but I would not miss the train out of Skagway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mura Posted January 16, 2017 #14 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Another information source is Trip Advisor. You select your destination and then can view reviews of various tour agents. I've had good luck here for the most part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chalkies Posted January 16, 2017 #15 Share Posted January 16, 2017 In Hoonah (2015) we used Glacier Wind Charters & had a wonderful whale-watching tour! Would use them again in a heartbeat. Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPease Posted January 16, 2017 Author #16 Share Posted January 16, 2017 In Hoonah (2015) we used Glacier Wind Charters & had a wonderful whale-watching tour! Would use them again in a heartbeat. Laurie Laurie, Did you arrange this on your own? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chalkies Posted January 17, 2017 #17 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Yes, we did. Turns out 2 other couples on the same cruise did the same thing! There were just the 6 of us for the afternoon. Google Glacier Wind Charters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponstad Posted January 17, 2017 #18 Share Posted January 17, 2017 We got a lot of good ideas from the Alaska Forum. In Juneau, we booked a private walking tour of the city - and very much enjoyed it. Your excursions should be based on your interests, and what you enjoy doing. It really does help to do a little research - and figure out what excursions you might want to book through the cruise line and which ones to book independently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPease Posted January 17, 2017 Author #19 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Yes, we did. Turns out 2 other couples on the same cruise did the same thing! There were just the 6 of us for the afternoon. Google Glacier Wind Charters. Great! Will do that. Thanks again for the information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetPease Posted January 17, 2017 Author #20 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Just booked our Whale Watching Excursion with Glacier Wind Charters! TripAdvisor reviews were fabulous! Thanks again! Can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chalkies Posted January 17, 2017 #21 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Hope you have a great day in Hoonah! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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