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ALASKA
PORTS & SHORE EXCURSIONS


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©Susan Milne, 2010
Flightseeing & Hike

There's lots to see and do in your Alaskan ports of call. Here's a discussion on cruise line versus independent excursions and details on each port. I've included valuable links to Alaska websites.

For photos of Alaska's ports see the Voyage Reports of Alaska cruises.

For photos and a description of the various glaciers you can see on your Alaska cruise, see the Alaska's Glaciers page.

ALASKA SHORE EXCURSIONS

Over the last few years, the number of Alaska shore excursions and activities available for cruise passengers has doubled. Today, shore options are focusing more than ever on adventure and outdoors activities: Kayaking, bicycling, dog sledding, river rafting, ziplining and sport fishing are possible in the scenic wilderness of this great state, alongside more traditional tours focusing on culture and history.

I like to take a half day tour as this leaves me time to explore the town before getting back on the ship. The right shore excursion for you depends on your personal interests.

Helicopter tours give you a unique perspective of Alaska's mountains and glaciers. The views are breathtaking. I found the experience extremely moving. The vibration can cause some people to be motion sick, however, it is still worth taking the ride! I took a helicopter over Mt. McKinley on a Princess tour from Anchorage. It was beyond spectacular. See the Glacier Flightseeing Mt. McKinley photos on the Glaciers page.

Remember that you don't have to book shore excursions through your ship. Let's examine your options.

Cruise Line Excursions

For those who don't mind exploring with a group on a schedule, cruise line excursions hold some distinct advantages:

  • You can be confident that the companies operating them are reputable and reliable, with good safety records.

  • If your excursion runs into delays, the ship will wait for you to return before sailing.

  • Shore excursions come with a money-back guarantee if they're cancelled due to weather or other factors -- which can happen given the unpredictable weather in Alaska.

The cruise lines have expanded their Alaska shore excursions dramatically to accommodate the thousands of passengers they take to Alaska each week from May through September. On my 1995 Alaska cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Sun Viking, 37 excursions were offered, ranging in price from $23 to $205. In 2005, RCI is offered more than 108 shore excursions from $23.95 to $489 with additional excursions available for those booked on the line's 19 different pre and post cruise-tours. Today there are more options than ever with all the cruise lines.

Book excursions online at the cruise line web sites. This gives you the chance to secure space on the most popular helicopter and dog sledding excursions before they sell out.

You will also receive a booklet of shore trips with your tickets, or ask your travel agent to get you a copy ahead of time.

With the increase in family cruising in Alaska, the hours for the supervised kids programs on port days have been gradually extended to allow parents time to sightsee ashore on their own. Check the regulations for your ship. Cruise lines also offer reduced pricing for children taking excursions with their parents. Carnival has a program of excursions for teens only.

If you're planning a late-season sailing, remember that by September, a number of excursions are no longer offered. Dog sledding trips can be over by mid-August as the weather starts to close in on the higher elevations.

Port Promotions Online

One company that offers organized excursions from your ship is Port Promotions. This independent operation, active for years in the Caribbean, now packages shore excursions for cruisers worldwide. The company offers individual excursions as well as a money-saving package of tours. For individual excursions, be sure to check the details carefully against your cruise line's offerings. You might find your ship has just as good a price for the same service on individual tours. Visit the company's web site at http://www.portpromotions.com.

Independent Touring

Tour operators are in evidence in Alaska more than ever before. In Juneau, many now set up booths at the cruise pier when the ships are in, while in historic Skagway, several companies are ready to take you on excursions from town. In some cases, cruise lines monopolize tour space but return unsold tickets to the tour companies the morning they arrive. Therefore, you may be able to find some worthwhile excursions when you get off your ship if you are flexible with your plans.

However, advance planning is essential if you have specific things you want to see and do in Alaska. Facilities are limited in this remote State and the number of visitors is increasing. The very popular float plane excursions and helicopter flight-seeing combined with glacier walks or dog sledding must be booked well ahead of time to avoid disappointment. Cruise lines take much of the available space and it is often sold out well ahead of sailing. According to Temsco Helicopters, passengers who wait until the day they arrive in port to book their flights will most likely be on standby.

Those wanting to rent a car should also book in advance. Pier pickup is available from some rental companies and can be requested at time of booking. More details for each port are given below.

There's something for everyone in Alaska. Aside from excursions and exploring the towns you visit, shopping is available close to the cruise ship docks in all ports. For those who simply want to enjoy some R&R and take in the pristine beauty, there's no need to take an excursion at all. Just enjoy life aboard your ship. You'll be surrounded by some of the world's most spectacular scenery every day of your Alaska cruise.


EXPLORING SKAGWAY

Information: http://www.skagway.com; Phone: (907) 983-2854 or 1-888-762-1898

Activities/Attractions: Helicopter flight-seeing, dog sledding, White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, gold rush cemetery, Jewell Gardens

About Skagway

Famous for the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Walk into town, or for a small fee, the municipal shuttle will take you to Broadway, the main street. It still has a boardwalk and many original buildings from gold rush days. Stop by the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center (at the corner of Second Avenue) to learn the history of the area.

A Skagway walking tour map is available at the Visitors Center (between Second and Third Avenue). This valuable guide can tell you every building on Broadway and the year it was built, along with background information about the surrounding area. The Historic Skagway Inn and the Red Onion Saloon are just two of the many original buildings along Broadway. Walk down the side streets to discover more interesting historic sights. The gold rush cemetery is a fascinating spot just a short walk from town. The Skagway Museum & Archives (Trail of '98 Museum) is just off Broadway at 7th and Spring.

Shops are many and varied, from souvenir shops like the Skagway Outlet Store (at Seventh Avenue) to Little Switzerland (at Fifth Avenue).

Gold rush entertainment still lives in Skagway with the Days of '98 show at Eagles Hall (6th and Broadway), a musical comedy about Skagway and the famous outlaw Soapy Smith.

Excursions

The White Pass and Yukon Route Railway is one of the leading excursions in Skagway. This scenic and historic adventure follows the famous Gold Rush trail through the mountains towards the Yukon. The narrated Summit Excursion takes three to three-and-a-half hours to the White Pass summit, at an elevation of 2,865 feet, and back to Skagway. Daily departures at 8:15 a.m., 12:45 p.m. with an additional departure at 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Round-trip fare is $103 plus tax for adults and half price for children ages 3-12, Infants are free. The railway depot is visible from your ship. If booking independently, walk there or take the municipal shuttle into town to catch your train. (Note that the trains pull up near the ships for cruise line excursions only.)

The White Pass railway is one excursion you might prefer to book through the cruise line. Cruise lines monopolize space on the early runs, sometimes leaving 4:30 p.m. as the only departure for those booking independently -- a time that might not fit in with your ship's sailing time from Skagway. Unsold seats on the early departures are given back to the railway the morning the ships arrive, so you could check at the rail depot for the mid-day departure, the morning you arrive in Skagway. For more information, see www.wpyr.com.

Helicopter excursions have become extremely popular and are now combined with glacier walks and dog-sledding for added adventure. This is a remarkable way to experience the grandeur of Alaska and its many glaciers. Temsco Helicopters inaugurated glacier helicopter tours in 1983. Today when your ship docks in Skagway, you will see the Temsco helicopters lined up at their base near the piers, ready to take off. Since most of the seats are monopolized by cruise line excursions, you need to contact them a few months ahead of sailing to secure a place. Visit Temsco at www.temscoair.com

"Garden City of Alaska". Skagway is known for the great variety of flowers and giant vegetables that grow here, thanks to the extended light and good soil conditions. Garden enthusiasts should visit Jewell Gardens, which includes a miniature town site and train within the gardens. Garden teas and lunches are offered to groups of 10 or more only so book those through your cruise line. You are welcome to visit the gardens on your own. http://www.jewellgardens.com

Cars & Tours

Car Rentals should be booked well in advance in Skagway, as many cruise ships can be in this popular port at the same time and there is a limited number of available cars. Car rental offices are walking distance from the piers, or simply hop the shuttle bus into town.

Whitehorse in the Yukon is a two hour drive from Skagway and makes a good day trip by car. Canadian citizens should note that you cannot drive into the Yukon from Alaska in a car rented in Alaska so you'll need to stay on the Alaska side of the border when renting in Skagway.

Southeast Tours is a locally owned and operated company which offers a variety of tours in Skagway and the Yukon. Visit their web site at www.southeasttours.com. Tours can be booked online.


EXPLORING JUNEAU

Information: http://www.traveljuneau.com; Phone: 888-581-2201.

Activities/attractions: Mendenhall Glacier, flight-seeing, hiking, rafting, whale watching, Mt. Roberts tramway, Taku Glacier Lodge.

About Juneau

Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is the largest capital in the United States by land size, comprising 3,248 square miles. Within this area are a great variety of things to see and do. Here you'll have to plan carefully to fit in more than one option on your day ashore.

Ships dock right downtown. The Visitors Bureau has an office at the pier where you can pick up maps and information. A number of memorials are situated along the waterfront and boardwalk and the famous Red Dog Saloon is nearby; state and city museums and government buildings are a short walk with shops all along the way.

From your ship, you'll see the Mt. Roberts tramway gliding 1,800 feet up the steep slope beside the cruise ship pier. The tramway is quite an engineering achievement, built by the Swiss and operated by Goldbelt, a native-owned company. At the top on a clear day, you'll see spectacular vistas and an aerial view of your ship, and you'll find walking trails, shops and restaurants. Watch "Seeing Daylight," the 25-minute, award-winning film about the culture and heritage of the Tlingit people. Day passes and individual ride tickets are available. Some cruise lines sell tram tickets for the same price, but since you still have to walk to the tram terminal, the only advantage to purchasing on board is maybe skipping a lineup at the tramway ticket counter. Visit: www.goldbelttours.com/travel/day_trips/juneau/tram.html

Excursions

Mendenhall Glacier, a 20 minute drive from downtown, is the most accessible glacier to any town on the Inside Passage. A shuttle bus departs from outside the tramway to the glacier. Once there you see the visitor's center, the glacier and its lake. There are some spectacular hiking trails and park rangers offer guided hikes. Be alert if setting off on your own as bears are common in this area and some trails may be closed for this reason.

Hiking is readily available in Juneau. Due to the abundance of bears in the area, it's a good idea to take a guided hike with a naturalist/guide. You'll also learn much more about the region by hiking with a local guide. There are hiking trails as close as Mt. Roberts, right beside the cruise ship pier. Without a reservation, you can take the tram to the top and join a hike with one of the knowledgeable guides from Gastineau Guiding, considered the premier company in the area. To pre-arrange a hike in Juneau, contact Gastineau Guiding directly. The company offers several hikes in the Juneau area including the Mt. Roberts Alpine Loop in conjunction with a city tour. Visit their web site at http://www.stepintoalaska.com

The Taku Glacier Lodge Wilderness Experience has been one of Juneau's most popular excursions for many years. It departs conveniently from the Juneau waterfront near your ship. This three and a half hour tour includes 50 minutes of flightseeing in a DeHavilland Otter, during which time you'll see five glaciers from the air. During the two hours at the lodge, there's a king salmon feast in view of Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier. Wildlife viewing is common, with bears and bald eagles frequently spotted. You'll have time to explore the grounds and the historic Taku Glacier Lodge, which originated as a hunting and fishing camp in 1923. For more, visit http://www.takuglacierlodge.com

Active Adventures This is an excellent spot for whale watching, wildlife viewing, kayaking and river rafting. Some whale watching companies actually offer a cash refund if you don't see a Humpback or Orca (killer) whale during your tour. For these individually priced adventure activities, cruise line pricing is often comparable to booking independently. Some companies do not take bookings directly from cruise ship passengers, such as the reputable whale watching excursions of Allen Marine Tours.

For those who want to make their own arrangements, companies offering adventure tours are listed in the Tours & Attractions area of the Juneau Convention & Visitors Bureau online at http://www.traveljuneau.com.

Helicopter Flightseeing Call early if you book independently.

Temsco Helicopters offers a 30-minute flightseeing tour with a two-hour hike on a Juneau glacier; a 30-minute flight with a 20-25 minute walk on Mendenhall Glacier and the Pilot's Choice Glacier Explorer with a 50-minute flight plus two glacier walks totaling 30 minutes. Visit Temsco Helicopters at http://www.temscoair.com or call 1-877-789-9501.

Era Aviation is another well-established company in the flight-seeing business. Era's Four Glacier tour lets you see four glaciers in different stages: the advancing Taku Glacier, the retreating Norris Glacier, the cascading Hole-in-the-Wall Glacier, and the Dead Branch Glacier, which floats in its own meltwater. The two-hour tour includes a 15-20 minute walk on a glacier. Era also offers the Glacier Dog Sled Adventure Tour including a 45 minute flight and an hour at a glacier dog sled camp. "Mushers" who have raced the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race operate the camp, and the highlight is a 20 to 25-minute dog sled ride on the glacier. Visit Era Helicopters at http://www.flightseeingtours.com. Reservations can be made online.

Tours, Taxis, Cars

Tour companies setup shop around the Mt. Roberts tramway parking lot and taxis may be available. Juneau Taxi & Tours is one company which can be reached at 907-790-4511. Check out www.traveljuneau.com

Car Rentals are many for those wishing to drive themselves. Rent-A-Wreck, Budget, Hertz and Avis offices are located at or near the airport in Juneau, about a 15 minute drive from downtown. Pier pickup may be available the day of your arrival but it is not guaranteed. Check with the agency when booking - and book ahead rather than the day you arrive.

Get the latest information by contacting the car rental offices in Juneau directly: Rent-A-Wreck: http://www.rentawreck.com, phone 888-843-4111 or 907-789-4111.

Hertz: http://www.hertz.com, phone 1-800-654-3131 or the local office at 907-789-9494.

Budget: https://www.budget.com, phone 1-800-527-0700 or the local offices at 907-790-1086 (airport) or 907-790-2866 (Old Dairy Road).

Avis: http://www.avis.com, phone 1-800-230-4898 or the local office at 907-789-9450.


EXPLORING KETCHIKAN

Information: http://www.visit-ketchikan.com; Phone: 1-800-770-3300.

Activities/attractions: Saxman Native Village, Totem Bight Historic Park, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, Misty Fjords National Monument flight-seeing, bear viewing, ziplining

About Ketchikan

Ketchikan is noted for its cultural heritage and is also the sport fishing capital of Alaska, with five species of salmon in abundance. You can actually fish right at the marina in town. In recent years, snorkeling has become popular along with the more traditional kayaking adventures.

Again the ships dock downtown, and the Ketchikan Visitor Information and Tour Center is at the pier. This well-equipped office has pay phones and public restrooms, an ATM and phone card machines.

At the Visitors Center, pick up a walking tour map and a Ketchikan guide, then head out to the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center to learn more about the culture and history of the region. Walk along historic Creek Street built on stilts above salmon-filled Ketchikan Creek. Here you'll find the famous Dolly's House, once home of Ketchikan's most famous "madam," Dolly Arthur, which is now a museum. A cable car takes visitors up the cliff to the Cape Fox Lodge for local cuisine and a view over town ($2.00 if someone is on duty). You might be able to take a great photo of your cruise ship from here. There's also a view into the mountains from the front of the lodge and a totem pole circle. You can walk the trail back down to Creek Street or ride the cable car down. En route back to the ship, stop in at the Dog Sled and Mushing Museum on Mission Street.

The entertaining lumberjack show runs three times a day rain or shine. It's a short walk from the cruise pier on the boat harbor on Spruce Mill Way, behind the Alaska Discovery Center. For more visit http://www.lumberjacksports.com.

Out of Town

Native Cultural Centers in Ketchikan are Totem Bight Historic Park and The Saxman Native Village. Saxman Native Village has the world's largest collection of totem poles. Here you can watch local artists carve, and experience the music and dance of the Tlingit, Tsimshian and Haida peoples. Arts and crafts are available in the gift shop. Totem Bight Historic Park has a fine collection of totem poles, a clan house and nature walks.

Flightseeing, Misty Fjords & Bear Viewing Southeast Aviation is based in Ketchikan and operates daily flightseeing tours to Misty Fjords, the glaciers and bear watching. Southeast's pilots are the most experienced in Ketchikan having been in aviation for 25 years each. The fleet consists of three DeHavilland Beaver Seaplanes and each aircraft seats six comfortably, with window seats for each. There's a total capacity of 18 seats per departure. For more, see the Web Site: www.southeastaviation.com. or call 1-888-359-6478.

Bikes, Cars, Tours

The Visitor's Centre at the pier is the place for booking bike and car rentals, arranging sightseeing and fishing at the marina. Avoid disappointment by booking in advance from home. See the Visitors Bureau web site at http://www.visit-ketchikan.com.

Here's a selection of the companies represented to contact directly:

Southeast Sea Kayaks will pick you up at the pier and take you on a tour "away from the herd". www.kayakketchikan.com (1-800-287-1607)

Alaska Dive, Snorkel and Bike Tours www.alaskadeepsix.com (1-866-333-7749)

Northern Tours of Alaska ( www.northerntoursofalaska.com (1-877-461-8687 or 907-247-6457)

Ketchikan's local car rental company is Alaska Car Rental, in business for over 20 years. They offer pier pick up and you can drop off near the ship. Call 1-800-662-0007 or visit their web site at www.akcarrental.com.


EXPLORING SITKA

Information: http://www.sitka.org; Phone: 907-747-5940.

Activities and attractions: Russian and Native culture and history, Sitka National Historic Park, Alaska Raptor Center, kayaking, fishing, sea otter and wildlife viewing

About Sitka

Sitka, on Baranof Island, has one of the most picturesque settings of any Alaskan port. Here you will tender ashore to enjoy the former Russian capital of Alaska, which combines native culture, Russian history and Alaskan wilderness. The dormant volcano, Mount Edgecumbe, rises 3,200 feet creating a spectacular backdrop to the town on clear days.

You can see many of the sights on a walking tour around town, including St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Totem Square, Isabel Miller Museum and the Russian Bishop's House. Familiarize yourself with Sitka before you leave home by studying the map at http://www.sitka.org/maps.html.

Russian and Tlingit dances are performed in town. The all-female New Archangel Dancers troupe is preserving the authentic folk dances of Russia. They have performed around the world, and their show is worth seeing before returning to your ship. Performances are at the Harrigan Centennial Hall on Harbor Drive.

The Sheet'ka Naa Kahidid Dancers preserve the Tlingit art of storytelling through traditional dance. See them at the Tribal Community House along with other cultural events, and a gift shop with authentic Native artwork. It's on Katlian Street next to the Pioneers Home.

Out of Town

The Alaska Raptor Center is a 10-minute drive from town. Here, injured eagles, owls and other birds are rehabilitated and returned to the wild. The birds can be seen in the outdoor display and an informative presentation explains the work of the center. See http://www.alaskaraptor.org/.

Sitka National Historic Park is situated near the downtown area, home to a fine collection of Haida and Tlingit totem poles and a museum of Tlingit and Russian artifacts. The active Tlingit arts program allows visitors to watch and talk to Native Indian carvers. Take the self-guided ocean-side trail past several totems to the site of the Tlingit fort. See salmon in the nearby stream.

Hiking Sitka is one of my favourite hiking spots with boardwalks through the bog and excellent marked trails through the forest. I saw eagles fishing and a humpback whale in the waterways on my hike led by a very knowledgeable guide. My tour was booked through the cruise line with mini-van pick up and drop off at the tender pier.

Shuttle Bus, Cars, Tours

A transit shuttle operates May through September, with extended hours when cruise ships are in port. It stops every 25 minutes at Crescent Harbor Shelter, Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska Raptor Center, a downtown stop by Random House, the Tribal House, and O'Connell Bridge. For the latest information call 907-747-7290 or talk to the local representatives at the tender pier and in town.

Sitka Tribal Enterprises offers culturally oriented bus, hiking, walking and private tours. Visit sitkatours.com

For companies offering tours, fishing charters, kayak rentals and more useful links in Sitka, visit the web site of the Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://www.sitka.org.

Again, car rentals should be made well in advance in Alaska. These two companies are located at the Airport but may be able to offer downtown service if you book in advance.

All Star Car Rental is locally owned and operated, located at the Sitka airport terminal. Call 1-800-722-6927 or visit www.northstarrentacar.com.

http://www.avis.com, phone 1-800 230-4898 or the local office at 907-966-2404.

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Copyright ©Susan Milne, 2010