Shore Excursions

My mom and I will be taking our first cruise on Amsterdam on Aug. 22 (round-trip from Seattle). We are trying to determine which shore excusions to take. Right now we are looking at the Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure in Sitka and the Horse-Drawn Carriage ride in Victoria, BC. Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone tried one of these?

Thanks!

A major fun part of any cruise, but especially Alaska, is planning your shore tours. Alaska is so easy because cruise ships have visited the ports for so many years that there is a major industry for shore tours: Holland America more than one hundred years.

You'll match your interests best by visiting Alaska web sites. There are many of them and all of the tour operators are listed on the community web sites - most have their own. Another nice thing about Alaska tours is not having to book all your tours through the cruise line. In most cases, you can pick and choose from independent operators. Many times you'll not only get a better price booking with independents, but you'll have a more enjoyable experience.

Understand that some of the most popular tours such as flight seeing and helicopter trips that need to be booked six weeks or more ahead. Following are some of the web sites that may interest you. Follow them and you'll find lots more.

http://www.alaskacruiseexperts.com/

http://www.traveljuneau.com/

http://www.visit-ketchikan.com/welcome.html

http://www.sitka.org/

http://www.skagway.org/

http://www.gustavus.com/

http://www.sunrisesunset.com/usa/Alaska.asp

http://hellobc.com/bcescapes/cities/cityvan.asp

http://www.alaskawhalewatching.com./

http://islandwings.com/

http://www.temscoair.com./

http://portpromotions.com/ak12.html

http://www.alaskaraptor.org/

http://www.graylineofalaska.com/

http://www.dollyvardenalaska.com/

http://www.alaskasleddog.com/

The carriage ride in Victoria sounds like fun. If you have time, be sure to visit Butchart Gardens. Fllowing are the "Top Ten Activities in Victoria":

http://hellobc.com/bcescapes/cities/cityvic_topten.asp

Alaska is magical. Devour every minute of it.

Thank you so much for all of that helpful information. That will give me a great place to start looking!

We definitely plan to see the Butchart Gardens while we are in Victoria. The carriage ride is about an hour and then we will have the remainder of the evening to explore!

:)

Butchart Gardens are so lovely - you won't be disappointed. If you have time, walk through the Empress hotel - don't waste money on their high tea.

Remember that at the end of Aug, the season tends to be a little cooler and rainier than in June or July. But this is Alaska - be perpared for all types of weather.

And the Amsterdam is a very beautiful ship. One of our favorites.

:)