Bering Sea Crab Fisherman Tour vs Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and Crab Feast

[etravel]

Will be in Ketchikan on the Bliss June 2021(hopefully!!!)....really interested in the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's tour (Deadliest Catch..) or the Great Alaskan Lumberjack show with the Crab Feast (looks kind of corny but seems to get good reviews), and can't decide between the two, they both look great.....Anyone who has done either or both have any recommendations or advice? Thanks! 

[Budget Queen]

Coming from a "purest" priority,   I think they ruined the Alleutian Ballad.   🙂      But,  people do rave about the tour.   

 

If you are will a group-   take a vote of flip a coin.      It sounds like you would enjoy both?    But,  you seem to give an edge in your comment to the DC,   claiming "corny" with the Lumberjacks?     

[etravel]

1 hour ago, Budget Queen said:

Coming from a "purest" priority,   I think they ruined the Alleutian Ballad.   🙂      But,  people do rave about the tour.   

 

If you are will a group-   take a vote of flip a coin.      It sounds like you would enjoy both?    But,  you seem to give an edge in your comment to the DC,   claiming "corny" with the Lumberjacks?     

Thanks..Budget Queen...I appreciate that...I may have to research a bit more on the Alleutian Ballad..forgive my ignorance but what is that? I think I could flip a coin! We've watched Deadliest Catch some but not enough to be considered die hard fans..Many reviewers also said the eagles you get to see are awesome...The Lumberjack show is a bit less $$ but not enough to make a huge difference..I just read in some of the reviews that the Lumberjack Show was very entertaining although a bit corny (some people said..) but they did say the Crab Feast was amazing too..So it's definitely a coin flip...Thanks! 

[etravel]

1 hour ago, Budget Queen said:

Coming from a "purest" priority,   I think they ruined the Alleutian Ballad.   🙂      But,  people do rave about the tour.   

 

If you are will a group-   take a vote of flip a coin.      It sounds like you would enjoy both?    But,  you seem to give an edge in your comment to the DC,   claiming "corny" with the Lumberjacks?     

Aha...I got you now BQ..read a little about their ship the Alleutian Ballad..makes sense! 

[rkacruiser]

3 hours ago, Budget Queen said:

Coming from a "purest" priority,   I think they ruined the Alleutian Ballad.   🙂      But,  people do rave about the tour.   

 

Ruining the ship?  Well, yes, it surely is different than it would be when it was in the service for which it was built.  To accommodate, "we, the tourists", what else could have been done?  From my perspective, it was done well.  Lots of different opinions as to where the best places are to sit.  I was front row, center, in front of the aquariums and was most pleased with the location.

 

The other Lumberjack show and crab feast is not one that I have attended.  The Lumberjack show does not appeal to me whatsoever.  Crab feast?  Yes, sounds good.  But, a visit to an Alaskan port restaurant that specializes in such might be more rewarding.  

[oaktreerb]

We really enjoyed  the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s tour.  

[SightCRR]

Do a you tube search of each and see which you think you would like the best. I vote for Bering Sea and save eating for on the ship. sightcrr

[Budget Queen]

I’ve taken my nephew to the George Inlet Lodge Crab Fest- which he really likes. 🤩. 
 

Verify- current operation-   But there was a shuttle they had from the Visitor Center.   I’ve never booked with any combo tour.   Always was simply walk up.   

[Crew News]

On 6/23/2020 at 2:11 PM, etravel said:

Will be in Ketchikan on the Bliss June 2021(hopefully!!!)....really interested in the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's tour (Deadliest Catch..) or the Great Alaskan Lumberjack show with the Crab Feast (looks kind of corny but seems to get good reviews), and can't decide between the two, they both look great.....Anyone who has done either or both have any recommendations or advice? Thanks! 

 

I have visited the George Inlet crab feast 8 times and gorged myself with all-you-can-eat crab each time.  Hints:  Skip breakfast.  Don't fill up on the appetizers.  Pay attention to the short training talk to learn the best crab cracking techniques.  Skip the potatoes on your plate to save room for crab.  Don't worry about being messy.  There is usually a 50-minute time limit, so don't dawdle.  The record is 12 half crabs but my best is 6.  Most diners aren't able to eat more than one bite of the huge piece of cheesecake served for dessert.

 

Before:

 

After:

 

 

The Deadliest Catch tour is a photographer's dream as they stop at an island and feed lots of eagles that swoop down from the tree into the water to grab the small fish.  The stories of making the tv series are very interesting and funny.  For the best photo-taking spot, go upstairs and sit just above the life preserver (see below photo).  Choose a fast camera shutter speed and shoot in burst mode (if available).  This tour is consistently voted the top tour in Ketchikan.

 

 

 

 

 

[etravel]

14 hours ago, Crew News said:

 

I have visited the George Inlet crab feast 8 times and gorged myself with all-you-can-eat crab each time.  Hints:  Skip breakfast.  Don't fill up on the appetizers.  Pay attention to the short training talk to learn the best crab cracking techniques.  Skip the potatoes on your plate to save room for crab.  Don't worry about being messy.  There is usually a 50-minute time limit, so don't dawdle.  The record is 12 half crabs but my best is 6.  Most diners aren't able to eat more than one bite of the huge piece of cheesecake served for dessert.

 

Before:

 

After:

 

 

The Deadliest Catch tour is a photographer's dream as they stop at an island and feed lots of eagles that swoop down from the tree into the water to grab the small fish.  The stories of making the tv series are very interesting and funny.  For the best photo-taking spot, go upstairs and sit just above the life preserver (see below photo).  Choose a fast camera shutter speed and shoot in burst mode (if available).  This tour is consistently voted the top tour in Ketchikan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[etravel]

14 hours ago, Crew News said:

 

I have visited the George Inlet crab feast 8 times and gorged myself with all-you-can-eat crab each time.  Hints:  Skip breakfast.  Don't fill up on the appetizers.  Pay attention to the short training talk to learn the best crab cracking techniques.  Skip the potatoes on your plate to save room for crab.  Don't worry about being messy.  There is usually a 50-minute time limit, so don't dawdle.  The record is 12 half crabs but my best is 6.  Most diners aren't able to eat more than one bite of the huge piece of cheesecake served for dessert.

 

Before:

 

After:

 

 

The Deadliest Catch tour is a photographer's dream as they stop at an island and feed lots of eagles that swoop down from the tree into the water to grab the small fish.  The stories of making the tv series are very interesting and funny.  For the best photo-taking spot, go upstairs and sit just above the life preserver (see below photo).  Choose a fast camera shutter speed and shoot in burst mode (if available).  This tour is consistently voted the top tour in Ketchikan.

 

 

 

 

 

Wow..Crew News...those photos are amazing!!!! I think we are going to have to do that tour...I see what Budget Queen means about the ship, that they had to put all those seats in for tourists...but I guess how else can you have a tour..right?? Looks like a very fun one...The crab feast at the Inlet looks great too, may have to return to Alaska to do that one on the next trip!!!

 

[Crew News]

21 minutes ago, etravel said:

Wow..Crew News...those photos are amazing!!!! I think we are going to have to do that tour...I see what Budget Queen means about the ship, that they had to put all those seats in for tourists...but I guess how else can you have a tour..right?? Looks like a very fun one...The crab feast at the Inlet looks great too, may have to return to Alaska to do that one on the next trip!!!

 

Here is a link to more of what you will see on the crab fishing excursion:

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/place/alaska-2/ketchikan-2/ketchikan-crab-fishing

 

The running commentary lasts for the duration of the tour and demonstrates how different species of crab are fished.  There are always surprises when they bring up the crab pots.  Listening to how miserable the tv camera crews were when the waves were severe and how they devised a method to mount the cameras so that the cameramen could spend their time groaning in their below deck bunks was enjoyable. 

 

Dave, the boat owner during the Deadliest Catch series filmng, is usually the one conducting the tour and aided by other experienced crab fishermen.  Suggest you watch a few episodes of the TV series before taking this tour to get a feeling of how dangerous crab fishing can be.

 

 

Edited June 25, 2020 by Crew News

[rkacruiser]

14 hours ago, Crew News said:

For the best photo-taking spot, go upstairs and sit just above the life preserver (see below photo).  Choose a fast camera shutter speed and shoot in burst mode (if available).  

 

Yes, I agree as to seating.  When I did the tour, I was seated in front of the aquarium, about the 5th or 6th seat from the aisle.  That was a good spot as well for my purposes, i.e. when we had the opportunity to hold some of the marine life.  At that time, my camera did not have a burst mode and it would have helped greatly if it did.  This is particularly true in trying to catch the Eagles as they swoop down and get a fish.

 

It's just simply a great tour!  It's Alaska!

[rkacruiser]

25 minutes ago, etravel said:

Looks like a very fun one...The crab feast at the Inlet looks great too, may have to return to Alaska to do that one on the next trip!!!

 

There are a multitude of reasons to make return visits to Alaska.  There is so much to experience, one visit only "whets the appetite" for more.

[Budget Queen]

54 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

There are a multitude of reasons to make return visits to Alaska.  There is so much to experience, one visit only "whets the appetite" for more.

I thought my first trip would be my only one!!!    WRONG idea,  absolutely-   it's now got to be over 60 trips for me.   :).   Weeks at a time.       

 

 Don't shortchange yourself-  especially if you aren't going to be a yearly visitor.   Time is your best friend in Alaska.   

[Coral]

I am going to say the Lumberjack show is corny and is probably great if you have young kids. I would skip it otherwise.

[quack2]

Bering Sea Crab tour was good until the end back in port when they got a little too preachy.

[Italy52]

27 minutes ago, quack2 said:

Bering Sea Crab tour was good until the end back in port when they got a little too preachy.

"...too preachy"?

[rkacruiser]

20 hours ago, quack2 said:

Bering Sea Crab tour was good until the end back in port when they got a little too preachy.

 

20 hours ago, Italy52 said:

"...too preachy"?

 

Like Italy52, I would appreciate what "too preachy" means.  Inquiring minds want to know.