bookbabe Posted December 31, 2020 #1 Share Posted December 31, 2020 Just booked our first Alaska cruise (NCL, May 2022) and I’m looking for suggestions for good guidebook websites that have a bit more detailed info about the various ports and what to see and do there. I’ve found lots of things to see and tips sites by googling, but all seem to be pretty superficial and just give suggestions without a lot of details. Does anyone have a favorite site they’ve used to help plan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKStafford Posted December 31, 2020 #2 Share Posted December 31, 2020 (edited) The TripAdvisor forums for Alaska travel can be pretty helpful: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g28923-i349-Alaska.html And www.TheMilepost.com has some good info. Each port city has their own visitor's information site. You didn't list which ports you are visiting, so I'll guess at a few: https://www.traveljuneau.com/ https://www.visit-ketchikan.com/ https://skagway.com/ https://icystraitpoint.com/ Edited December 31, 2020 by AKStafford 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted December 31, 2020 #3 Share Posted December 31, 2020 30 minutes ago, AKStafford said: The TripAdvisor forums for Alaska travel can be pretty helpful: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g28923-i349-Alaska.html And www.TheMilepost.com has some good info. Each port city has their own visitor's information site. You didn't list which ports you are visiting, so I'll guess at a few: https://www.traveljuneau.com/ https://www.visit-ketchikan.com/ https://skagway.com/ https://icystraitpoint.com/ Agree. The port websites usually have quite helpful and interesting information. The State of Alaska also has a web site for tourism--as I recall. There is a web site called Travel Alaska that I subscribe to and send periodic informative e-mails, sometimes featuring off the beaten path local companies that I would have never known existed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SightCRR Posted January 1, 2021 #4 Share Posted January 1, 2021 Search youtube and you find every port and most tours have people who filmed all of the nice to know info. Some of my favs videos were the zip line in Icy Straight Point. Gave me the idea to make sure the people going had eye protection for the fog at 60 mph. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookbabe Posted January 1, 2021 Author #5 Share Posted January 1, 2021 Good guessing on our ports...our 9 days are as follows: Seattle, at sea, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Victoria, Seattle. We’re all set for Victoria, my brother lives near there so we’ll likely just meet him and his family for dinner. 🙂 Glacier Bay I know is just cruising through. The other ports, though, I’m stumped since so far my looking seems to show that the excursions are relatively similar in each spot. Or maybe that’s just what shows up in NCL’s listings this far out? Wildlife, maybe dog-sledding if I can convince DH, his interest was peaked with the SUP by a glacier idea. Other than that, I’m not sure what we want to do. Are there better ports than others for taking an excursion versus just wandering around? We’re old hands with the various Caribbean ports, but this is our first (and possibly only) trip to Alaska, so we really want to hit as many of the must-do activities as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanF65 Posted January 2, 2021 #6 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Sitka has a historic church, the fortress of the bear, the raptor center, the Totem park and museum along with Lots to do including whale watching, its really a working city so other than the church and the museum most is a healthy walk or tour ride. Icy Strait point has very good whale watching along with the zip line, a small town with authentic food and lots to see walking around. Skagway I would recommend a train /bus combo tour that goes at least to carcross and then some time in town depending on how long you are there and what you want to see. Juneau - more whale watching as well as walking on the Glacier, the tram, lots to do, or possibly the Adventure bound trip. All my Ketchikan visits have been cancelled (this year, next year) A- 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted January 2, 2021 #7 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Sometimes a good print book is also worth it. I like Alaska by Cruiseship by Anne Vipond. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gottagoacruzn Posted January 2, 2021 #8 Share Posted January 2, 2021 Yeah, I agree with Coral, read up on Alaska by Anne Vipond. It will help you alot!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gottagoacruzn Posted January 2, 2021 #9 Share Posted January 2, 2021 14 hours ago, AlanF65 said: Sitka has a historic church, the fortress of the bear, the raptor center, the Totem park and museum along with Lots to do including whale watching, its really a working city so other than the church and the museum most is a healthy walk or tour ride. Icy Strait point has very good whale watching along with the zip line, a small town with authentic food and lots to see walking around. Skagway I would recommend a train /bus combo tour that goes at least to carcross and then some time in town depending on how long you are there and what you want to see. Juneau - more whale watching as well as walking on the Glacier, the tram, lots to do, or possibly the Adventure bound trip. All my Ketchikan visits have been cancelled (this year, next year) A- Course, be sure to check out the Red Dog Saloon, in Juneau, an have their house specialty drink, the duck fart.🥴 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted January 2, 2021 #10 Share Posted January 2, 2021 4 hours ago, gottagoacruzn said: Course, be sure to check out the Red Dog Saloon, in Juneau, an have their house specialty drink, the duck fart.🥴 Absolutely! And, at least in Juneau, take some time to have lunch at Alaska Fish & Chips for the best Halibut and Chips I have ever eaten. The culinary delights of Alaska are often missed by first time visitors to our 49th State. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaciers Posted January 3, 2021 #11 Share Posted January 3, 2021 These are getting a bit old but very comprehensive port guides. Tom’s Port Guides Ketchikan http://www.tomsportguides.com/uploads/5/8/5/4/58547429/ketchikan-02-26-2014.pdf Skagway https://www.tomsportguides.com/uploads/5/8/5/4/58547429/skagway-11-19-17.pdf http://www.tomsportguides.com/uploads/5/8/5/4/58547429/skagwaypart2_12-12-17.pdf http://www.tomsportguides.com/uploads/5/8/5/4/58547429/skagway-hainespart3_1-16-18.pdf 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneyochem Posted January 3, 2021 #12 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) Ditto on using this site for cruise port activities. Also, read trip reports to see if excursions are compatible with your traveling style/interests. I for one can’t stand large touring groups on a bus! For our first cruise to Alaska (in 2010), I found the Lonely Planet tour book helpful. I especially liked the emphasis on locally owned businesses and eco travel. https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/cruise-ports-alaska-1?via=Z2lkOi8vbG9uZWx5LXBsYW5ldC9Xb3JrYXJlYTo6Q2F0YWxvZzo6Q2F0ZWdvcnkvNTllZTQ5YmRmOTJlYTE0MTg2MDU4Njg0 Edited January 3, 2021 by disneyochem Addition of url. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jean87510 Posted January 4, 2021 #13 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I just downloaded for my Amazon Kindle a free download called Alaska cruises for first timers by Scott Bateman. It was pretty good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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