Excursion Suggestions Both Ship and Private

[kuddles14]

We will be going to Alaska in August of 2022 . I am looking for suggestions for both Private and Ship excursions. We will be on the Quantum of the Seas. Our ports of call are Ketchikan 8 to 5 pm; Sitka 8 to 5 pm; Juneau 1 to 8 pm; and Victoria BC 4 to 10 pm (hopefully Canada will open their borders to us by next August). We would really like to do a Whale Watching Tour. What port would be the best? All suggestions are welcomed. Thank you for all your help.

 

Kathy

[Ashland]

In Ketchikan try the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour...Book directly with them. Amazing ...we have done this twice !!

[CruiserBruce]

I think I would just watch for awhile. Very hard to determine what it is going to be like after Covid. What businesses survive,  etc.

[oaktreerb]

Juneau would be best for a whale watching tour.  There will be plenty of time to decide which company you want to tour with.  Read some of the trip reports at the top of the Alaska forum for pointers.  You have plenty of time to decide.

[rsldonk]

Of those ports, Juneau is the best for whales.  As far as whether to book private or ship, depends on what you find most valuable.  If your ship sponsored tour is late, the ship will wait, but they're usually more expensive and more crowded.

[Suzanne123]

Unless they make new arrangements, the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour is not operating this year according to their web site:

Unfortunately we had to cancel the 2021 season but we are taking reservations for the 2022 season so make sure you don’t miss your opportunity to come aboard! BOOK TODAY!

[Italy52]

We are taking two trips to Alaska in 2022:  June and August.  For our Juneau whale watching tours we are going with Jayleen's Alaska https://jayleensalaska.com/.

 

We have gone with Jayleen numerous times and always had a wonderful time.  You can look at trip reports above or TripAdvisor posts about her company -- if interested.

 

[Heidi13]

23 minutes ago, rsldonk said:

Of those ports, Juneau is the best for whales.  As far as whether to book private or ship, depends on what you find most valuable.  If your ship sponsored tour is late, the ship will wait, but they're usually more expensive and more crowded.

 

When on a ship's shore-ex and it is late returning to the ship, the Master will endeavour to delay departure until all ship's tours have returned to the ship. 

 

However, a number of situations, such is tides, weather, speed to next port, availability of pilots, etc may make it impossible for the Master to delay the ship. If the ship sails, it is the responsibility of the cruise line to get you to the next port.

 

This is the policy of the cruise line I worked for and also is consistant with every Line we sailed with.

Edited May 28, 2021 by Heidi13

[rsldonk]

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

 

When on a ship's shore-ex and it is late returning to the ship, the Master will endeavour to delay departure until all ship's tours have returned to the ship. 

 

However, a number of situations, such is tides, weather, speed to next port, availability of pilots, etc may make it impossible for the Master to delay the ship. If the ship sails, it is the responsibility of the cruise line to get you to the next port.

 

This is the policy of the cruise line I worked for and also is consistant with every Line we sailed with.

Bottom line, you're not just out of luck and out of pocket. 

 

That said, in Alaska, you're not on island time and so most of the tour operators are pretty good at keeping to a timeline 

[Ashland]

3 hours ago, Suzanne123 said:

Unless they make new arrangements, the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour is not operating this year according to their web site:

Unfortunately we had to cancel the 2021 season but we are taking reservations for the 2022 season so make sure you don’t miss your opportunity to come aboard! BOOK TODAY!

Since the OP isn't going until 2022 is why I suggest this tour.

[Suzanne123]

Oops.  I missed the date. Sorry for any confusion.

[Ashland]

1 hour ago, Suzanne123 said:

Oops.  I missed the date. Sorry for any confusion.

The details are sometimes hard to spot but I try 

[don't-use-real-name]

Juneau 2019 NCL JEWEL

 

Took a tour offered by Allen Marine LINK:

 Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer - Allen Marine Tours

A 200 passenger double decked catamaran vessel 

Amenities provided - box lunch and beverages - binoculars

 

A five hour round trip tour leaving Juneau for the Sawyer Tracy Arm glaciers*

*The cruise ships only get to see the South glacier weather and icebergs permitting.

Usually the cruise ships skip Tracy/Sawyer and do the Endicott Dawes glacier

 

This tour also transits to the narrow channel North glacier.

Gets in right up close to see the ice calving off almost splashing you.

The crew will snag a suitable chunk of ice and haul it on board for everyone to 

see the color and feel the intense coldness - glacier ice does not melt like machine made

 

Along the way - a 5 hour round trip frequently have sightings of whales**

** seasonal   

 

Just one of the offerings at Juneau

Tour makes up near the float plane docks

Maybe an authorized Cruise Line SE

 

Highly recommend this tour - wear warm weather proof clothing 

 

 

[kuddles14]

10 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Juneau 2019 NCL JEWEL

 

Took a tour offered by Allen Marine LINK:

 Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer - Allen Marine Tours

A 200 passenger double decked catamaran vessel 

Amenities provided - box lunch and beverages - binoculars

 

A five hour round trip tour leaving Juneau for the Sawyer Tracy Arm glaciers*

*The cruise ships only get to see the South glacier weather and icebergs permitting.

Usually the cruise ships skip Tracy/Sawyer and do the Endicott Dawes glacier

 

This tour also transits to the narrow channel North glacier.

Gets in right up close to see the ice calving off almost splashing you.

The crew will snag a suitable chunk of ice and haul it on board for everyone to 

see the color and feel the intense coldness - glacier ice does not melt like machine made

 

Along the way - a 5 hour round trip frequently have sightings of whales**

** seasonal   

 

Just one of the offerings at Juneau

Tour makes up near the float plane docks

Maybe an authorized Cruise Line SE

 

Highly recommend this tour - wear warm weather proof clothing 

 

 

Thank you. I looked on our excursions (I know they don't have all posted just yet), but I seem to remember that being an excursion back in 2020 through our ship. Thank you. Maybe it will be again. It would be great to be able to see this and whales.