What is a good shore excursion to do on an alaskan curise?

Question

it is an inside passage cruise

Answer 1

We went to Alaska last year and two shore excursions were wonderful. In Junueau we took the floatplane over the Juneau icefields, landed at Taku Lodge for a grilled salmon lunch and bear watching and then we flew back. There was about an hour of flying time. Everyone gets a window seat, which is good because the scenery was gorgeous. This is an expensive excursion, but more than worth it and and we would take the exact same one again.  

In Skagway we rented a car from Avis and drove north on the Klondike Hwy into the Yukon of Canada. We drove about 60 miles each way, turning around at Emerald Lake, but we stopped dozens of times for pictures. Again...beautiful and aways changing scenery. This excursion cost us less than $100 including gas and snacks and it was second only to the floatplane. We would also do this again.

In Ketchikan we went to the Lumberjack show which was cute and corny, but a one time thing. We also did the duck tour which was boring. While Ketchikan is pretty, there isn't that much to do unless you want to shop or you opt for another more expensive, adventurous excursion.

Answer 2

I took a plane ride in Sitka.  It was expensive but worth it.  The little plane had pontoons and we landed and took off on a couple of interior lakes.  Really awesome.

I also went on a helicopter ride up to a sled dog camp and rode a sled with a musher and his dogs.  It was fantastic, we had beautiful weather.

Answer 3

Depends on where your ports of call are and how adventurous you are.  I just returned from my cruise to Alaskan on June 10th.  Being a more adventurous person I took the adventure route.  However depending on what you like you really can't go wrong.  I was able to take a awesome train ride in Skagway and visit a mining camp.  It was fun and educational and the mining camp was a great look at what the Gold Rusher's went through.  In Juneau I went sea kayaking, however I also heard rave reviews about the helicopter trips to the Glacier, and in Ketchikan we went on an awesome zip line tour.  The zip line tour was the height of my vacation as far as shore excursions, with 8 zips and 3 bridges at heights of 140 ft, it was awesome.  However, my suggestion is to pick something you like to do, and pick something that will be enjoyable for you.  Look at the shore excursions that are available and pick ones that you think will be memorable for you.  Also don't forget the most ports have great shopping and things to see other than the shore excursions, so you can always do that.  Best shopping on my cruise was definitely Juneau, following by Ketchikan.  I hope this helps

Answer 4

Take the Float Plane over the glaciers.  We went last month and it was AMAZING!!!!

Answer 5

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.