Full day in Sitka or Victoria?

[Gatordad815]

Hello! We are planning our first Alaska cruise with kids who will be age 12 and 10 at the time. We are looking to choose between two Royal Caribbean itineraries (r/t Seattle). 
 

The more convenient date for our schedule does not stop in Sitka but does have a full day in Victoria the last day. The less convenient date for our trip has a full day stop in Sitka, but the Victoria stop is the obligatory 5-10PM stop the last day, and we likely wouldn’t have time to do much. Otherwise the itineraries are the same (Juneau, Skagway, Dawes Glacier).

 

What does the forum think of a full day in Sitka vs a full day in Victoria? We haven’t been to either. 
 

(I do realize neither of these are the “best” Alaska itinerary but with our kids ages and experiences with RC ships, these ships will be the best for our first Alaska trip)

 

Any comparisons/thoughts are appreciated!

 

 

[oaktreerb]

Sitka is an amazingly beautiful port with inexpensive activities like the Raptor Center and Fortress of the Bears and a walk through the totem park.  There is a Russian Cathedral in the center of town and a lot of history to be learned as well as Alaskan cultural exhibits and activities.

 

There will also be some very worthwhile excursions like the Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest.  The kids are the perfect age to enjoy it all.

 

Victoria is also beautiful but the activities would be more enjoyable for adults.  In the evening you could walk to the inner harbor and see the houseboats along the way.   With a full day in Victoria you could enjoy a whale watching excursion.  Juneau is a better whale watching area.

 

 

[karatemom2]

Victoria is a lovely town, but given a choice, I would choose Sitka any day. It is one of the most beautiful ports in Alaska in my opinion.

[Coral]

I like both but with kids, I would choose Sitka. And it is an Alaskan cruise - so Sitka is my choice.

[surgie]

We loved Sitka on our Alaskan itinerary. 

[lobsternight]

I like both destinations but hey, I'd choose Sitka, after all you are coming to see Alaska  

[Aquahound]

Definitely Sitka.  Like someone else said, it's an Alaskan cruise, so I would choose Sitka over Victoria any day.  

[Oscar13]

As it is an Alaskan cruise, I would chose Sitka. There are many places to see within walking distance of the port (if you are tendered near town.)

 

Victoria is a beautiful place but only having just under 5 hours isn't enough to really get to see much.  We had a port day on our Pacific Coastal cruise in Victoria, so we went home and did laundry and checked the mail.  LOL

 

Happy planning.

 

Karen

 

[Coral]

9 hours ago, Oscar13 said:

As it is an Alaskan cruise, I would chose Sitka. There are many places to see within walking distance of the port (if you are tendered near town.)

 

 

I think they are using the dock more but there is a free shuttle into town center.

[nini]

Sitka! We really enjoyed our time there on a great tour. However, we are from the Northwest and have been to Victoria many times.

Even so, we would choose Sitka again.

[donaldsc]

It is a lot easier to drive to Victoria and BC as a separate trip than to drive to Sitka.  Also the port times in Victoria are awful.

 

DON