Has anyone been on an Akaskan cruise?

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rick d

Over 20. You should have received an excursion booklet which will give a list of things to do along with prices.
In Ketchikan - Salmon Mall at end of pier - many shops with great prices. Do not buy souvenirs on the ship. Many tours.
Juneau - Alaska T - Shirt Co. Helicopter tours, Whale watching,Train etc.
Skagway right across from the docks you can rent mopeds & tour the small town. Whale watching tours. Bald Eagles have nest in the trees next to the docks.
If you choose to go on a whale watching tour make sure you get one that is guaranteed. If you do not see a whale they refund 75% of their fee.
You will see Wildlife from the ship & spend a day viewing the glaciers.
An AMAZING cruise.
Enjoy.
As for the excursions it really depends on what you like. I have taken several & talked to people who did the ones I did not. Many liked the trains, Whale watching, Seaplane or helicopter or just touring the towns on their own. Like in Juneau about 10 minutes from the docks there is a cove with pinic tables that is great for watching the whales. Some like the tram in Ketchikan. Everyone has different tastes so you will find different people who among them did each. Get the excursion booklet it not only gives time & cost but, some included a snack or meal.

John W

In Skagway a ride on the White Pass Railway is a must. It climbs White Pass and actually passes into BC. Very scenic. Your next southern bound port of call will be Juneau, the Alaska State capital. Who knows, you might spot Sarah Palin. There is a gondola that takes you to the top of a mountain overlooking Juneau which is quite the sight and best of all it is right at the docks where the cruise ships tie up. There are numerous tours including float plane and helicopter of the Mendenhall Glacier which again, on a clear day is quite scenic. Your next stop is Ketchican where again there are local tours as well
as salmon fishing if your stop is long enough. You also mentioned Victoria and I am sure you know that Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada. Victoria is quite a large city and is well know for it's Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbor, Provincial Museum and shopping in a typical British community on Government Street.

bored brunette

Juneau has excellent whale watching. Orca Enterprises or Harv and Marv both offer well rated excursions. Also, Mendenhall Glacier is easily accessed by hopping on a shuttle bus (tickets sold near the pier). Good hiking, nice scenery. Mt. Robert's tram takes you straight up Mt. Roberts, where there is more opportunity for hiking, and the views of Juneau and the channel are spectacular! Skip it if the weather is rainy or foggy. Taku Lodge is an option for flightseeing and a salmon lunch. Helicopter glacier landings and even dogsledding on glaciers are offered out of Juneau. Our favorite excursion ever is based out of Juneau... Adventure Bound's Tracy Arm fjord and Sawyer Glacier day cruise.

Skagway's most popular attraction is the aforementioned White Pass and Yukon rail excursion, enhanced with historical narration. You can also rent a car and drive into the Yukon Territory (if you're not Canadian) to Emerald Lake. Entire drive is scenic, and the lake is a good turn-around point to begin descending back down into Skagway. Skagway also has a free Klondike National Park walking tour given by park rangers. Short and sweet, but slots fill fast, so get on the list if you're interested. We enjoy the $5 tour of the brothel above the Red Onion Saloon, downtown Skagway. There are also other tours available, some which include a walk through the cemetery where you see the grave of the infamous Soapy Smith. If horseback riding is your thing, there are tours with horseback riding in the Yukon.

Ketchikan is best known for it's totem poles and native culture. Saxman Native Village and the Totem Bight State Park are easily visited from Ketchikan. Misty Fjords is another popular attraction... visited by both boat or floatplane. For more touristy attractions, there are Ride the Ducks and the Great American Lumberjack Show. Many bald eagles around Ketchikan, keep your eyes peeled.

I have only scratched the surface of what Alaska has to offer. I can't help with Victoria as none of my cruises have stopped there.

Any of the above can be Googled... but if you are not familiar, I'd like to introduce you to
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55
as one of the best sources for Alaska travel I've ever found.

Enjoy!

Time travler

My favorite was the white pass railroad excursion. That was totally awesome. Don't miss going to the red Dog salon in Juneau too. Neat place.

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