Anybody will go on July alaska star cruise? Any comments about recently cruise experience.

We are going July 30th on the Norwegian Star. Any recommended activities/shore excursions?

How big is your budget for shore excursions?

My expensive recommendations:
Juneau-Any helicopter tour of Mendhall Glacier
Ketchikan-Either bear watching by Floatplane
Skagway-Any helicopter and WP&Y railroad
Victoria-Orca whale watching

My middle of the road recommendations:
Juneau-Whale watching
Ketchikan-Any canoe or kayak
Skagway-WP&Y railroad
Victoria-Butchart Gardens

My cheap recommendations:
Juneau-City tour and Mendenhall Glacier
Ketchikan-City tour and totems, or lumberjack show
Skagway-Rent a car and drive to Yukon Territory, at least to Lake Bennet, at most to Carcross and back.
Victoria-Horse drawn trolley

My almost free recommendations:
If you like shopping, take a Highlights tour.
At every port except Juneau, walk and shop at the shops near the piers.
At Juneau, for approximately $25 per person, ride the aerial tram up Mount Roberts. It's only a short walk or free bus ride from the pier. You can ride the tram up and down all day long. At the top, on a clear day, you can get awsome bird's-eye photos of your ship. Also at the top, the local native tribe has a shop, restaurant, eagle santuary, and walking-hiking paths. This will be the best $25 you can spend on your vacation...

Wow! There's just too much to do on an Alaskan cruise. I know others will suggest other choices. My recommendation is don't select the most expensive suggestion at every port. Spice in some cheaper alternatives, and spurge only at one.

Thank you for the advice. There are so many options, it helps to have some advice.

I've been 3 times.

Helicopter tour in Juneau was amazing. On a second trip, my sister and I went whale watching, which was also worth it. We saw tons of humpbacks as well as some silly sea lions and bald eagles. It is a fun town to walk around too. Very good crab legs in a restaurant near where the ships dock. Can't remember the name. It is just south of the tram station.

Do the White Pass rail tour in Skagway.
Everyone should. There is a fossil ivory shop on a corner with gorgeous carved items and friendly, informative sellers. They buy the ivory from an island and it supports the Inuit population of the island. A nice souvenir.

Ketchikan I just enjoy wandering around. It is a quaint little town. Shop owners are friendly. Lots of little places to grab a snack. If you like coffee, pick up some Raven's Brew. It is roasted there.

Don't get sucked in by all the diamond and tanzanite pushing in the ports. Another nice souvenir is a small piece of gold quartz jewelry...mined in the area.

Have a great time.