What to do in the ports..

[Gaprofitt]

Hi,

 

We will be traveling on Island Princess next June, does anyone have a good thread on the tour options in each of the ports. We go to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Whittier. Also how far in advance should I book them?

 

Thanks,

 

Greg

[Chat Noir]

There are many, many threads, as there are many, many options. The search feature on this board is a great feature.:)

 

Juneau is well known for whale watching, Mendenhall Glacier, and the Mt. Roberts Tram. Folks often take glacier flightseeing and hikes out of Juneau.

 

Skagway offers the White Pass & Yukon train excursion. Round-trip car rentals to Emerald Lake in the Yukon Territory are also popular.

 

Ketchikan offers great totem and native cultural information if interested. It is also known for Misty Fjords flightseeing opportunities.

 

Whittier has Prince William Sound day cruises, with up close glacier viewing of it's many glaciers in College Fjord.

 

The above barely begins to scratch the surface of what's available.

 

I recommend visiting your local bookstore/library and making use of books such as Frommer's and Fodor's Alaska. They give great insight to many highlights. In addition, web (google) search the port towns you will be visiting for added Chamber of Commerce/Tourism information. Some will offer tourist brochures online as well as print.

 

Take your time studying what is available. Some of the whale watching tours do seem to book fairly early. And the car rental at Skagway (if you're interested) is definitely one to pre-book. You can always cancel. Otherwise, perhaps other folks here will know what you need to book especially early.

[EmmaWoodhouse]

I'd also suggest reading the "just returned!" threads that are full of reviews of what people did in each port-- you can get some good ideas from these.