What are the chances of finding unscheduled tour guides in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Prince Rupert?

Question

What are the chances of finding unscheduled tour guides in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway and Prince Rupert?

Answer 1

At many of the ports, you don't need to take the tours.  Sitka for instance, everything you pay shipboard dollars for are within walking distance of the port and cost much less than the tour.  Juneau is another port where you can catch the shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier National Park and spend hour looking at the beautiful scenery.  When you're finished pay 20 something dollars and take the tram to the top of the mountain and walk the nature trail.  Juneau is also a long stay over so many people line up two or three tours, including flying to glaciers (very pricey).  At Ketchikan go see the lumber jack show, walk over to Canal Street and see where the brothels used to be (a lot of gift and specialty shops now).    Skagway has a lot of history, go visit the Red Onion saloon and brothel and get a tour of an authenticate frontier brothel all for the original price ($5 for 15 minutes), many of the gift shops have small museums included.  But the favorite tour there is the railroad trip to the top of the Liars Ville, where you can pan for gold (and keep all you find), and catch a show.  

In short, you can have a blast on a cruise to Alaska and not spend a heck of a lot of money, you'll find access to a lot of the tour spots when you get of the boat and not have to spend nearly the amount the ship wants to charge you.  Good luck and enjoy Alaska, where every place you go makes you feel like you're in the middle of a post card.

Answer 2

I they are like the Caribbean. they will be everywhere.  You will need to beat them away from you with a stick (maybe a slight exageration).  Most ports have people that are waiting at the piers for the tourists, and most of the time they offer a much better deal than the cruise line.  The only thing to be careful of is when we were in Cozumel last year, some people at the table next to us in the dining room did this.  They had a tour guide take them to the middle of the island, and then demanded $150 each to take them back to the ship.  If they did not pay, then they would have missed the ship when it left.

Answer 3

pretty good. I just came back from a cruise to alaska and there were kiosks set up on the pier for people who wanted to purchase excursions.

Answer 4

I assume you mean shore excursions not offered through the cruise line?  At every pier, you will immediately find tour companies offering excursions.  Usually for 2/3rd's the price the cruise line offers.