private tours in Alaska 9/10?

[hula girl 808]

Hi, We will be going on Zuiderdam 9/18th from Vancouver-Tracy Arm-Juneau-Skagway-Ketchikan. Would like to book our own tours and need help w/suggestions for these ports please. We are active "seniors" from ages 45-68 years young. Love ziplining, float plane sounds gr8 and dog sledding sounds like fun. Kayaking..not too long though. Would appreciate the suggestions..so far heard about Island Wings in Ketchikan for the float plane, Coastal Helicopter in Juneau for dog sled & helicopter. Skagway I heard about Chilkoot Tours and Dyea Dave. Any other input would be greatly appreciated. There maybe 3 senior or up to 8 people. All first time "Alaska" visitors. TYIA! If you could give me the email address or phone #'s for your suggested tour companies that would be gr8! Aloha, Wanda:p

[kyriecat]

Here is a link to the Alaska board. It has TONS of information on excursions and guides. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

I did the hiking and rafting tour with Chilkoot Tours several years ago and thought it was great. The hike isn't very long, but there are a few steep places in the trail. It's fine for the moderately active person but not really suitable for someone using a cane, although we had someone with a cane on our tour. :rolleyes: She had a REALLY hard time keeping up. We saw bear, otters, eagles, and some small rodents on the tour.

If you want to do a helicopter tour, don't tell the company that you are on a cruise. It might not be a problem anymore but when I was trying to get information, as soon as I mentioned cruise, they told me that I had to book through the cruiseline. Some of the companies have contracts with the ships to not knowingly take cruise passengers on private tours.

[luvs2travl]

Try Orca Enterprises with Capt. Larry in Juneau for a "whale" of a day. His boat holds about 35 people - he is probably the one of the top ( if not THE top) recognized authority on whales in the US. Just Google "Orca Enterprises". His group will pick you up right at the pier & will get you up close & personal with pods of whales. We have used him 3 times and would not dream of whale-watching with anyone else. You will need to book early as his tours fill up quickly.

We have also used Michelle with Island Wings in Ketchikan for flight-seeing. She is wonderful and we highly recommend her! Google "Island Wings Flightseeing". Both tours are much cheaper and more intimate (less people!) than trying to book through the ship.

Have a fabulous cruise!!! :D

[DaveOKC]

We used Chillkot Tours in Skagway and had a great experience. The three of us had a railcar all to ourselfs and got great personal service on the minvan return. Highly recommend them.

DaveOKC

[hula girl 808]

Here is a link to the Alaska board. It has TONS of information on excursions and guides. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

I did the hiking and rafting tour with Chilkoot Tours several years ago and thought it was great. The hike isn't very long, but there are a few steep places in the trail. It's fine for the moderately active person but not really suitable for someone using a cane, although we had someone with a cane on our tour. :rolleyes: She had a REALLY hard time keeping up. We saw bear, otters, eagles, and some small rodents on the tour.

If you want to do a helicopter tour, don't tell the company that you are on a cruise. It might not be a problem anymore but when I was trying to get information, as soon as I mentioned cruise, they told me that I had to book through the cruiseline. Some of the companies have contracts with the ships to not knowingly take cruise passengers on private tours.
Thank you for all the info Dee! We're in pretty good shape this year...last year I had to use a cane since I fractured my hip from skiing! I had to go on a cruise w/t cane...wasn't going to miss my cruise! I really wanted to go rafting...but was leaning towards going with Dyea Dave...he also has lots of referrals from this board.
Thanks again!
Wanda

[hula girl 808]

Try Orca Enterprises with Capt. Larry in Juneau for a "whale" of a day. His boat holds about 35 people - he is probably the one of the top ( if not THE top) recognized authority on whales in the US. Just Google "Orca Enterprises". His group will pick you up right at the pier & will get you up close & personal with pods of whales. We have used him 3 times and would not dream of whale-watching with anyone else. You will need to book early as his tours fill up quickly.

We have also used Michelle with Island Wings in Ketchikan for flight-seeing. She is wonderful and we highly recommend her! Google "Island Wings Flightseeing". Both tours are much cheaper and more intimate (less people!) than trying to book through the ship.

Have a fabulous cruise!!! :D
Thank you for your help!

[hula girl 808]

We used Chillkot Tours in Skagway and had a great experience. The three of us had a railcar all to ourselfs and got great personal service on the minvan return. Highly recommend them.

DaveOKC
You really lucked out with your own railcar! Thanks for the help!:)

[jmps]

We did the same cruise this last June. You have already heard of Island Wings. We loved the floatplane experience with Michelle. We rented a car in Skagway and drove up to see the sights. It was very pleasant and gave us more freedom than the train. We used Avis. For whale watching in Juneau we used Harv and Marv's and would highly recommend the personal service.

You have chosen a wonderful ship and intinerary. The excursons in Alaska are more than say in the Carribean but they are WELL worth it for what you experience.