Mallefiscent Posted February 10, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 10, 2018 My son is going to Embry Riddle to become a helicopter pilot. Our family reunion trip in 2020 will be an Alaskan cruise, and I thought he would enjoy doing a shore excursion that involved taking a helicopter somewhere. Which one would you guys recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcoy Posted February 12, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 12, 2018 It will help to know where you plan on cruising as many ports offer helicopter rides. Just to let you know, last year during our cruise, the helicopters were grounded due to the weather the morning we were in Skagway. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallefiscent Posted February 15, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted February 15, 2018 We leave from Vancouver and have stops in Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, and end in Seward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallefiscent Posted February 15, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted February 15, 2018 It will help to know where you plan on cruising as many ports offer helicopter rides. Just to let you know, last year during our cruise, the helicopters were grounded due to the weather the morning we were in Skagway. Don Did they refund your money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted February 15, 2018 #5 Share Posted February 15, 2018 My son is going to Embry Riddle to become a helicopter pilot. Our family reunion trip in 2020 will be an Alaskan cruise, and I thought he would enjoy doing a shore excursion that involved taking a helicopter somewhere. Which one would you guys recommend? If you want the best, hold off until you someday get to Hawaii and do your helicopter ride along the NaPali Coast of Kauai. For Alaska, do a float plane and make sure it's a classic "dehaviland beaver." Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcoy Posted February 15, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 15, 2018 Did they refund your money? We did not have a helicopter tour booked. I just saw all of them parked in a row at the airport as our tour bus drove by. I’m sure any of them booked through the cruise line would have been refunded. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallefiscent Posted February 16, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted February 16, 2018 If you want the best, hold off until you someday get to Hawaii and do your helicopter ride along the NaPali Coast of Kauai.[ATTACH]414503[/ATTACH][ATTACH]414504[/ATTACH]For Alaska, do a float plane and make sure it's a classic "dehaviland beaver." Sent from my iPhone using Forums Those are beautiful. Maybe we should do Hawaii instead of Alaska. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanNSteH Posted February 17, 2018 #8 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Those are beautiful. Maybe we should do Hawaii instead of Alaska. ;) I agree with Flatbush Flyer. We did a helicopter tour on the Big Island and a Small Prop Plane in Kauai. The Napali Coast is stunning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted February 17, 2018 #9 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Mendenhall Glacier Walk in Juneau via helicopter was a good excursion for me: Dog sledding in Skagway was my favorite helicopter excursion: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuervosar Posted February 17, 2018 #10 Share Posted February 17, 2018 My son is going to Embry Riddle to become a helicopter pilot. Our family reunion trip in 2020 will be an Alaskan cruise, and I thought he would enjoy doing a shore excursion that involved taking a helicopter somewhere. Which one would you guys recommend? Bobs. They were awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallefiscent Posted February 18, 2018 Author #11 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Bobs. They were awesome. Who is Bob? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallefiscent Posted February 18, 2018 Author #12 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Mendenhall Glacier Walk in Juneau via helicopter was a good excursion for me: Dog sledding in Skagway was my favorite helicopter excursion: The last time we took an Alaskan cruise, we did the Ididaride dog sledding in Seward. Is it better to do it on a glacier? I have been going back and forth between returning to the one we enjoyed before and trying it on the glacier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted February 18, 2018 #13 Share Posted February 18, 2018 The last time we took an Alaskan cruise, we did the Ididaride dog sledding in Seward. Is it better to do it on a glacier? I have been going back and forth between returning to the one we enjoyed before and trying it on the glacier. Nothing beats a dog sled ride in the snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khkc Posted February 19, 2018 #14 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Not sure which thread to put this in, didn't want to start a new one so here it is again. We are doing land and sea. Fairbanks to Denali 2 nights then anchorage 1 night onto Seward for ship. Aug/Sept. We are 2 60 year olds in decent shape. Looking for 1 flight and glacier walk. Not sure which is best stop to do this in; any other excursion suggestions appreciated. Fairbanks - Riverboat through cruiseDenali - 2 nights only excursion for sure is -AM Tundra Wilderness Tour through cruise line.Anchorage- 1 night - visiting friendsAnchorage to Seward - sad to say only 2 hours in Seward mostly spent boarding cruiseGlacier BayHaines - 14 hours Thinking of renting car and driving any suggestions for Haines?Juneau - 10 hoursKetchikan - 8 hoursthen onto Vancouver where we spend 2 days and nightsNeed help on best place for the glacier flight and walk and any other suggestions. Cost is not a main issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reney313 Posted February 20, 2018 #15 Share Posted February 20, 2018 We booked our helicopter/sled ride in Juneau our first trip, but it was cancelled due to low clouds/fog. We booked independent through ERA. They refunded due to the cancellation. The two main ports (from what I can tell) for helicopter rides to the glacier or dog mush is Skagway and Juneau. If that is a priority, often cruisers will book for the first port they arrive (depending upon direction of sailing) so if it is cancelled, they can hopefully book for the following port. I don't know if that helps, but it is often a recommendation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted February 20, 2018 #16 Share Posted February 20, 2018 YES- if the vendor cancels flights, costs are refunded. Every ride is different. My answer is to do multiple trips. :) IF a priority, the book at earlier stops, so to at least have some back up possibilities. Of course- have all the vendor phone numbers available, and immediately start calling to find availability. You'll have to be accepting of splitting up- if multiple people. Later booking options are more likely to be for single seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
land lover Posted February 21, 2018 #17 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Those are beautiful. Maybe we should do Hawaii instead of Alaska. ;) MY vote....;p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallefiscent Posted March 1, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Family decided that they still want to go to Alaska for the family trip. (Many people who haven't cruised and are afraid of getting sea sick if we cruise all the way to Hawaii.) I am going to go to Hawaii though. I have a friend who lives there. I will get to do both suggestions. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted March 1, 2018 #19 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Family decided that they still want to go to Alaska for the family trip. (Many people who haven't cruised and are afraid of getting sea sick if we cruise all the way to Hawaii.) I am going to go to Hawaii though. I have a friend who lives there. I will get to do both suggestions. :D I'm just home from Hawaii 2 days ago. Yes, do go. And simply rent cars, so much drive up beauty you don't need "tours". :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallefiscent Posted March 2, 2018 Author #20 Share Posted March 2, 2018 I'm just home from Hawaii 2 days ago. Yes, do go. And simply rent cars, so much drive up beauty you don't need "tours". :) If you don't mind me asking, how long did you stay? I'm wondering if I should do a week there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted March 2, 2018 #21 Share Posted March 2, 2018 If you don't mind me asking, how long did you stay? I'm wondering if I should do a week there. We occasionally do Hawaii land vacations and our favorite island is Kauai. Even from California, it's pretty much a day of travel each way. Add to that a minimum of five solid days enjoying the sights, cultural events, etc. Headed to the "big island" (Hawaii) for a week later this month. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted March 2, 2018 #22 Share Posted March 2, 2018 If you don't mind me asking, how long did you stay? I'm wondering if I should do a week there. At least a week. :) I've had trips over 3 weeks if, I include a NCL cruise. I'd also suggest not just ending up in "Honolulu", like a lot of Hawaii visitors do. There is so much more. I haven't spent time on Oahu in years. My preferences are Maui and Hawaii, for my priority activities. I never tire of going there. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkWN737 Posted March 9, 2018 #23 Share Posted March 9, 2018 My son is going to Embry Riddle to become a helicopter pilot. Our family reunion trip in 2020 will be an Alaskan cruise, and I thought he would enjoy doing a shore excursion that involved taking a helicopter somewhere. Which one would you guys recommend? I would highly recommend Tanalian Aviation in Anchorage. We've used them multiple times for heli-skiing up here and I'm going to be getting my rotor license this summer with them. The prices are reasonable and everything is maintained very well. All their pilots are CFI's so your son can also get flight training during the tour! I've also used Alpine Air Alaska in Girdwood (between Seward and Anchorage) and they are also very good. Tanalian is just closer for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallefiscent Posted March 9, 2018 Author #24 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I would highly recommend Tanalian Aviation in Anchorage. We've used them multiple times for heli-skiing up here and I'm going to be getting my rotor license this summer with them. The prices are reasonable and everything is maintained very well. All their pilots are CFI's so your son can also get flight training during the tour! I've also used Alpine Air Alaska in Girdwood (between Seward and Anchorage) and they are also very good. Tanalian is just closer for us. Thank you so much for that information. He is always talking about getting more flight hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing husky Posted March 22, 2018 #25 Share Posted March 22, 2018 If your son is going to flight school, why not look at some of the helicopter schools in Merrill field...our general aviation company, and surprise him with a couple of lessons so he can add that to his log book back home? There are several companies to teach up here....in Anchorage... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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