Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway. What is your favourite land excursion while stopping on an Alaskan Cruise?

Juneau - Whale watching and Mendenhall glacier which was a combined tour.

Ketchican - The horse drawn trolley as it gives you the history of the city.

Skagway - By far the best land excursion was the train ride up the Whitepass. We also did a tour car tour which was nice as it gave the history of Skagway.

Have fun!

I have 2: A helicopter tour/hike on a glacier in Juneau and Misty Fjords via float plane in Ketchikan.
Nancy

I would have liked to do a float plane or helicopter tour but if you are on a limited budget, its kinda hard to afford those. Someday I would like to do it though.

Boy, do I hear you. They are expensive excursions (although worth it) and I must admit I can only budget one of those such trips for each visit. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to cruise Alaska 2 years in a row and did 1 each time.
Nancy

I cruised Alaska in 2004 and 2006. Im learning what excursions to take though so maybe next time I can do a flight-seeing trip. It would be awesome Im sure.

Great. I heard the train ride up the Whitepass was interesting.

The train was wonderful. I stood outside the whole time and it was a bit cool and rainy that day but for some reason I didnt care.

Just looked at the website for the railroad. It was pretty impressive. Greyson, did you book through your travel agent, the cruiseship, or online? and how far ahead?

We booked through the cruiseline excursions as soon as we got on the ship. It didnt fill up too fast. Take the one that has the train and the gold mining camp. The camp is very interesting. They put on a skit and then you get to pan for gold.

How far is the Juneau townsite from the ship dock?

When we were on the Oosterdam we were shuttled in, but on the Ryndam this year we were right downtown by the Red Dog Saloon.

Juneau - Glacier Trek via Helicopter - it was an incredible experience...and would do it again

Skagway - horseback riding in the Yukon territory. We booked this on our own, and it was amazing. Hard to say if we enjoyed this or the glacier trek better.

Ketchican - Fjords via float plane - we were booked, but were unable to take the flight because of a storm that came in that afternoon...but we plan to go back and not miss it next time.

Ive never been on a helicopter. I think that would be great. How long an excursion? Sorry, not much for horse back riding. Too bad about the float plane, I have read others that liked it.

would recommend the cruise and land tour if you have the time. The train ride up to Denali is a lot of fun and beautiful. We did that separate from a cruise so did not get all the way up to Fairbanks. We have sailed Holland America both times, once on the Oosterdam and this time on the Ryndam. Both cruises were great. My mom is now in a wheelchair and there was someone at every turn on the ships crew to help her. Anyway, here are some excursions I would recommend, depending on what ports you go to:

Juneau - Definitely the whale watching and Mendenhall glacier trip. Also take the tram up Mt. Roberts and visit the Red Dog Saloon.

Ketchikan - Rainforest walk, trolley ride through town and crab feed excursion (if you like to eat crab). There is also a walking tour that I want to do next time.

Sitka - Rainforest walk again. We didnt do much in Sitka.

Skagway - Highly recommend the White Pass and Yukon Railroad trip. We did the trip one way up, bus back down and then spent some time with the buss in Liarsville with a show and gold panning. Visit the Red Onion Saloon.

Seward - If you decide to get off the ship and do your own thing, I have a cousin who owns a B&B in Seward (Ocean Front B&B). She is on the shore of Resurrection Bay with a gorgeous view. You can sometimes see Orca and humback whales jumping in the bay.

The helicopter/glacier trek in Janeau was about 4 hours from start to finish. I had not been on a horse since I was a kid, and didn't think that I could do it, but it was so much fun, and they take you through the Yukon territory, and you stop to look at Emerald Lake....it was beautiful.

What ever you decide to do in Alaska will be a great experience. We hope to go back in a couple of years. Take care!

Ketchikan, lmao.

Submarines are no longer allowed to dock in Ketchikan, Alaska. This is because one time, a submarine docked there and most of the crew went out on shore liberty, and they all got drunk and trashed the town. The Captain had to write formal letters of apology to the city of Ketcikan and the state of Alaska. Now, the boat has to stay off shore and they send a little surface boat over to pick up small groups from the crew to go ashore, then that group comes back and another group goes ashore. lol

When we went to Ketchikan, we had a barbeque on the deck of the submarine, it was a lot warmer than I expected, though it was summer. Was about 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

Also, when the boat was underwater for testing, AT&T donated phone time for the crew and we were able to make 2 minute phone calls home, anywhere in the USA (there was a fibre optic line attached to the boat). I tried to call my dad but got my little sister, and she was unimpressed that I was calling from a submerged submarine. lol

Skagway: The Whitepass Railroad

Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier