Encore to Alaska

[lovetotraveltx]

This our second cruise to Alaska, however, this is the first round trip Seattle. I have a couple of excursion questions. In Ketchican last time we just walked in town and had our last crab dinner. Is there a tour to take? Is Juneau the only place to see whales (Juneau, Sagway, Ketichan and very short Victoria stop? Anything to see/do in Victoria for just a 7:00 pm to Midnight stop?

 

Any nice gold panning where you get a souvenier?

 

Have you done a Salmon bake?

 

What independent tour companies have you used.

 

We are 4 adults.

 

Thank you!

[llkoolj40]

Juneau would be the place to whale watch. Harv and Marv is a company we have used 3 times. They have smaller boats and We like that.

 In Ketchikan , I am sure the ship will have excursions. We did a float plane with Island Wings one time, Did the Aleutian Ballad and loved it but I love the Deadiest Catch. They also take to an area where you see tons of eagles. The Lumberjack show is fun as well.

[wannavacay]

We are also interested in what we can do in Victoria from 7pm-midnight (hopefully we have recovered from jet lag by then too).  Someone that used to live there said the nightlife is amazing, but I'm prob packing more parkas and sensible shoes over club stuff this trip lol.  Family members are pushing for us to go to Buchart Gardens but hubs isn't all that interested since we've been subjected to viewing over 1000 pics of Buchart Gardens already several years back.  At least 3 of the same butterfly too.  

[edinburgher]

First time in Ketchikan we explored the town.

 

Second time we took the public bus to Totem Bight State Historical Park.  Bus stops right at the entrance and also returns from there. 

 

Very easy to do and the bus was only around $2 pp each way. It is an interesting visit and the easy trail runs alongside the water.  There are many colourful totems and a clan house in a lovely setting.

 

There have been threads on Totem Bight previously which you can read, so using the search facility should bring them all up in the results or try Tripadvisor.

[karatemom2]

Since you are on the Encore, just keep in mind you will be docking at Ward Cove which is a 20 - 30 minute shuttle ride each way to Ketchikan, so if you make independent plans just be sure to factor that time in.

 

We like to rent a car in Ketchikan and explore outside of town lots of pretty areas and nice hiking trails. The Totem areas at Saxman and Totem Bight are very nice as well.

 

We have done the salmon bake in Juneau - the food is good and it's a really pretty area with a waterfall. 

 

On our evening port times in Victoria we once did an evening whale watch for Orcas and it was pretty beautiful watching them with the sun setting in the background. Victoria is a very beautiful and walkable city so just walking around the streets in the evening and shopping in the stores is fun. The Royal BC Museum is impressive if you have never been there before and we also visited Craigdorroch Castle on one trip and that was fun as well. It's a short time, but there is plenty to do even at night.

[Straitlover]

We took the public bus to Totem Bight. One thing I thought was amazing is the bus stopped at an elementary school, and two kids (couldn't been more than 10 YO) hopped on all on their own to head home. No way would the parents around here would let them do that, LOL. Got off the bus near Creek Street and did some sightseeing before heading back to the ship. Cheap day!!!

[SightCRR]

If starting from downtown Totem Bight is about 20-30 min bus ride that takes you right past Ward Cove. If starting from Ward Cove it is about a 5 min bus ride. sightcrr