Suggestions for things to do in Alaskan ports, itinerary included in the post

[pazooter]

This will be our first cruise to Alaska. We're going on NCL, with a huge group of CC friends. But I wanted to ask my buddies on Carnival forum for suggestions of things they most like to do in Alaska. I know I could run over to the Ports of Call forum, (and I will eventually) but this is where I usually come to ask questions.

Our itinerary includes:
Juneau
Skagway
Ketchikan

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
Cathy

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Until our **STAR** search
Seattle to Alaska on NCL Star
June 27, 2004

Fantasy 12/25/03
Inspiration 4/13/03
NCL Majesty 12/27/02
Jubilee 3/23/02
Norwegian Sea 11/23/01

[bostonbabe]

My family (including parents, sibs, and grandparents) took an Alaskan cruise a couple of years ago (Inside Passage, Southbound). Our shore excursions included a rafting trip through a glacier park (Ketchikan), a ride on the White Pass Scenic Railroad (Skagway), and a fishing expedition for salmon! Everybody participated in all the trips, and loved them. The fishing paid the richest dividends, as the meat from the two salmon we caught was parceled, packed, frozen and shipped to us back home. It took us a year to eat it all, but oh was it GOOD! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Carnival Triumph '98
Eastern Carribean
Celebrity Mercury '01
Alaska

[Sea Turtle]

Juneau is my favorite port of call. There are so many different things to do there, and at all different price ranges. You can spend as little as $10.00 and take the buses out to Mendenhall Glacier for a good walk all the way out to the waterfall/face of glacier. Most people don’t walk that far because it’s off the path but it’s not a difficult hike. I personally couldn’t think of stopping in Juneau without a whale-watching trip. I’ve booked via cruise line and also directly with Captain Larry (I believe the company name is Orca Enterprises) upon arriving. I also like a stop at the Red Dog Saloon (not all tourist—there are some locals that stop in) for a brew or three. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Skagway—my favorite excursion there was a helicopter landing on a glacier. I booked independently with Tesco. I also enjoyed a road trip up to the Yukon via a small tour bus, which I also booked independently with Southeast Tours.

Ketchikan—my favorite excursion was a floatplane trip to the Tongass National Forest. I’ve also taken the horse-drawn trolley ride around town. And, one trip just walked around town for the day not doing anything in particular.

Excursions in Alaska can be costly; however, there are low cost alternatives to the ‘big ticket items’.

Enjoy your planning, pazooter. An Alaskan cruise is like no other. I went for one week in 2001; two weeks in 2003; I would go again this year if I could!!

Hope I can meet up at one of the Tampa get togethers this summer!

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[pmc7704]

Cathy, we did the helicopter trip to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, and the White Pass railroad trip in skagway. Absolutely loved both of them and highly recommend them. I don't remember what we did in Ketchikan, so it must not have been too impressive. Maybe we'll get a chance to talk about it on the 5th at Bahama Breeze. See you there.

Pat

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