Silver king lodge tour

[latebuyer]

Some may of noticed i have a lighthouse totem thread and thanks for the replies. I’d also be interested in hearing about the silver king lodge tour before i make my decision. It sounds like george inlet may no longer all you can eat crab so not interested in that, Its called exclusive alaskan lodge adventure and sea feast. I guess i should have started a ketchikan tour thread but this will be better for people searching in the future.

[1025cruise]

I think it might be difficult to guess what will be next year with regards to crab. Alaska cancelled the king crab season this year.

[Crew News]

6 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Some may of noticed i have a lighthouse totem thread and thanks for the replies. I’d also be interested in hearing about the silver king lodge tour before i make my decision. It sounds like george inlet may no longer all you can eat crab so not interested in that, Its called exclusive alaskan lodge adventure and sea feast. I guess i should have started a ketchikan tour thread but this will be better for people searching in the future.

I participated in this excursion in April 2022 for the second time.  The mound of food dumped on newspapers in the center of our circular picnic table was more than enough to fill us all.  Lots of Dungeness crab, shrimp, reindeer sausage, corn, fingerling potatoes, pearl onions, and cod were accompanied by garlic toast and followed by giant chocolate chip cookies.  Since the lodge did not have a liquor license, only non-alcoholic beverages were available. 

 

The enclosed catamaran had sliding windows that could be opened to photograph the feeding of 11 eagles and the stop to see harbor seals sunning on an island.  The Sitka deer near the lodge seemed to pose for photos as we walked past them.  Se passed by the US Navy Sonar Test Station but no US submarines were present.

 

I strongly recommend this excursion for the photo ops and the food.

 

 

 

[latebuyer]

Thanks for sharing! Love the photos.

Edited October 28, 2022 by latebuyer

[latebuyer]

I’m really surprised this hasn’t got more responses, especially given how many responded to lighthouse thread. Just a reminder again this is referring to the exclusive alaskan lodge adventure and sea feast. Maybe i’ll try reposting in spring if no responses.

[latebuyer]

Is there anyway i can change the title? I-feel if i called it exclusive alaskan lodge adventure and sea feast i may get more responses.

[doktor71]

22 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Is there anyway i can change the title? I-feel if i called it exclusive alaskan lodge adventure and sea feast i may get more responses.

I cancelled the George Inlet tour.  It does look you correct that no longer all the crab you can eat.  I also read that many restaurants are serving frozen crab.  I booked the Silver King Lodge in place.  I read on another tread that you may be able to sub the fish with chicken or a veggie meal at Silver King.
 

On a trip in 2009, we did the sea plane to Misty Fjords it is a great tour.  If not listed yet, it should appear within a month. 

Edited October 30, 2022 by doktor71

[suefrankw]

yes ....we have been researching this tour as well for 2023. Every review I have read is very positive. seems like you get several mini tours in one.. mini tour of town... boat ride... and looks like a great meal...

I have contacted the lodge and they confirmed that it will run for 2023. Also gluten free is no problem and they can accommodate no fish people (hubby) with chicken.

Sounds like a great value to me. We will be going.

[beluga_baby]

I've been looking at a similar excursion as well with Princess, which they are calling the "Wilderness Cruise & Silverking Lodge Seafood Feast." My two concerns after reading some reviews are that 1) the wilderness cruising leaves something to be desired, as it's more of a boat trip to the lodge than a wildlife spotting trip and 2) some reviewers indicated that the boat crew feeds the eagles to entice them to come closer. Personally I believe in watching, not interacting with, wildlife as there are some ethical issue with feeding wildlife, and in the end it's not great for the animals. But I do like that it's a more varied meal than just crab.

 

I was looking at the George Inlet Lodge/crab feast excursions also, and it also seems like the boat rides to the lodge are also more about physically getting people to the lodge than leisurely looking for wildlife. It seems like on those boat rides they stop and pull out a crab trap which does sound interesting but I personally would rather look out for whale, seals, and otters than look at a crab in a basket. Also, I saw a video review and the person recording stated that they signed up for an 8am excursion, but they split the group in two so half ate crab first, half went on the boat ride first. They were assigned crab first, and they weren't happy with eating a big seafood meal for breakfast, especially after I assume they ate on the ship and assumed the meal would be around lunch time.

[Crew News]

28 minutes ago, beluga_baby said:

I've been looking at a similar excursion as well with Princess, which they are calling the "Wilderness Cruise & Silverking Lodge Seafood Feast." My two concerns after reading some reviews are that 1) the wilderness cruising leaves something to be desired, as it's more of a boat trip to the lodge than a wildlife spotting trip and 2) some reviewers indicated that the boat crew feeds the eagles to entice them to come closer. Personally I believe in watching, not interacting with, wildlife as there are some ethical issue with feeding wildlife, and in the end it's not great for the animals. But I do like that it's a more varied meal than just crab.

 

I was looking at the George Inlet Lodge/crab feast excursions also, and it also seems like the boat rides to the lodge are also more about physically getting people to the lodge than leisurely looking for wildlife. It seems like on those boat rides they stop and pull out a crab trap which does sound interesting but I personally would rather look out for whale, seals, and otters than look at a crab in a basket. Also, I saw a video review and the person recording stated that they signed up for an 8am excursion, but they split the group in two so half ate crab first, half went on the boat ride first. They were assigned crab first, and they weren't happy with eating a big seafood meal for breakfast, especially after I assume they ate on the ship and assumed the meal would be around lunch time.

The Silverking Lodge boat trip is indeed to get to the lodge with stops to give the eagles a snack and to watch some sea lions.  No whales, otters, etc. in the area normally.  Much more food (crab, fish, shrimp, corn, and potato boil) than is served at the George Inlet Lodge.

 

The George Inlet Crab Feast and Wilderness is via bus.  One of the excursions has a float plane arrival OR departure.  The Wilderness excursion is a boat ride AFTER you arrive at the lodge via bus.  As noted the boat ride with crab pot raising is either before or after the crab feat (now limited to just two portions of crab).

 

 

 

[latebuyer]

Thanks again to crews news for posting the review. I still don’t understand why there isn’t more people who have done it posting. I’m feeling a little torn as i was also thinking of going on the sea otter and wildlife cruise in sitka and wonder if 2 cruises is too much. But it sounds like on one you see eagles, deer and seals and on the other otters and maybe whales so maybe thats ok. I’ll think about it. It sounds like the food and forest walk is nice too.

[Crew News]

1 minute ago, latebuyer said:

Thanks again to crews news for posting the review. I still don’t understand why there isn’t more people who have done it posting. I’m feeling a little torn as i was also thinking of going on the sea otter and wildlife cruise in sitka and wonder if 2 cruises is too much. But it sounds like on one you see eagles, deer and seals and on the other otters and maybe whales so maybe thats ok. I’ll think about it. It sounds like the food and forest walk is nice too.

There is never too much wildlife in Alaska.  Bears and floating sea otters are soooo cute while the the eagles look so dangerous.

 

In Sitka, I recommend the Otter, Raptors, and Bears excursion.  On the sea portion, I have seen Sitka deer on the shore, humpback and gray whales, and of course the otters.  The raptors at the Raptor Center are all rescued and will be returned to the wild if possible.  Prior to an eagle being brought by a handler to the stage, there is a warning to make no sudden movements or sounds to shock the bird.  One can hear a pin drop as the handler talks about the eagle in hand and the operation of the Raptor Center.  Seen up close, a beak that can tear flesh and those long talons, will be memorable.

 

The bears come to the Fortress of the Bears as cubs if their mother is killed as they have no means to learn bear skills to survive in the wild.  All will eventually find homes in zoos.

 

 

 

 

 

Brother and sister brown bears at the center

[latebuyer]

Wow! Your photos are great. It sounds like its possible the wildlife and otter cruise may be the same as yours as its also 3 hours in sitka sound, but you did the raptor center and bear rescue too. I may try and do the raptor center on my own. Sorry to diverge from silver king lodge thread, i think its related as you want to think about how tours compliment each other.

[Crew News]

20 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

Wow! Your photos are great. It sounds like its possible the wildlife and otter cruise may be the same as yours as its also 3 hours in sitka sound, but you did the raptor center and bear rescue too. I may try and do the raptor center on my own. Sorry to diverge from silver king lodge thread, i think its related as you want to think about how tours compliment each other.

Indeed, Alaska can be "all wildlife" or a mixture of complementary activities to get the full flavor of Alaska.  In many cases, Alaska keeps drawing people back to see what they missed on their first taste of Alaska.

 

No problem with straying a bit from the original post to ask about an alternative.  I can't imagine a separate thread for each possible Alaska excursion.

Edited November 17, 2022 by Crew News

[latebuyer]

Crews news, what do you think of silver king lodge vs. the bering sea fisherman’s tour? I’m able to get a good price on the bering tour due to a black friday special and wondering which one to do. Also i’m going on the sitka one you mentioned as that was a good price.

[Crew News]

41 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

Crews news, what do you think of silver king lodge vs. the bering sea fisherman’s tour? I’m able to get a good price on the bering tour due to a black friday special and wondering which one to do. Also i’m going on the sitka one you mentioned as that was a good price.

Definitely the Bering Sea Fishing Tour.  I think I read that it is the highest-rated excursion in Alaska.  If you have ever watched the TV series "Deadliest Catch" and like to photograph eagles, it is perfect.  The crew will talk about filming in the Bering Straits' 50-foot waves as well as demonstrating the methods/equipment to catch each type of crab.  The boat has covered bleachers with overhead heaters in the main seating area and there will be time to pose for pictures with the crew. 

 

The main attraction is the eagles, lots of them, swooping down from the trees to grab fish snacks from the water. 

 

A camera with mid-range telephoto lens, autofocus with tracking, setting, speed at least 1/640th of a second to freeze eagle wings.  My favorite spot to take photos and to see down to the water is just above the life preserver on the upper right of this photo:

 

 

 

$100+/pound

 

Eagles waiting for snack time.

Edited November 18, 2022 by Crew News

[latebuyer]

Thank you! I’d actually like to have a dungeness crab dinner too so its nice to have time for that.

[Crew News]

18 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

Thank you! I’d actually like to have a dungeness crab dinner too so its nice to have time for that.

There are a number of restaurants in Ketchikan with the most famous being "Anabelles" and another the "Fish House" that CC member talk about.  Note that King Crab season is in the winter months so KIng Crab is not fresh.  The Costco in Juneau supplies the King Crab for the seafood restaurants there.

 

On your next Alaska visit, definitely go for the Silverking Lodge for their seafood feast.

 

Note that the Tongass Trading Co is right on the pier and you can find the largest collection of souvenirs in Alaska.  Although made in China, I have a number of their reversible fleece jackets.  Upstairs is where the locals fill their outfitting needs and cheaper ulu knives than downstairs.

 

There are also shops for authentic local artisan souvenirs near the port area.

 

Edited November 18, 2022 by Crew News