Port Calls in Ketchikan too Short

[iamaqt2]

Why are all port calls in Ketchikan so short? I thought it was just my particular cruise, but after searching many cruiselines' itineraries, I see they are all that way.

There are so many more shore excursions I'd like to do in this port than any other, and I'm limited to one (Lumberjack Show) and then visiting Saxman and Totem Bight. I REALLY wanted to do a flight tour of Misty Fjords too, but no way possible in that short time period. DH just really wants to see the totem poles and native villages.

But really, does anyone know why all the port calls here are so short?

[Sailkeywest]

How short is 'short' to you? HAL has an itinerary leaving from Vancouver that will be in Ketchikan from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Hope this is of some help.

[Budget Queen]

It's the routing and TIME. Take a look at a map. Most cruises start/end in Vancouver/Seattle.

[ellbon]

it is 8 hours-i managed last tiume and will this time. i would not do the lumberjack show i would do flightseeing instead. plus if it is pouring you will find lumberjack and flying canceled. they start the shows when the rain lets up.

[PennyAgain]

About all of the ships cruising to and around Alaska make a port stop at Ketchikan. Crowded some days for sure. Tides schedules and the Harbor Master set the times for when ships can come and go. Also the cruise lines want to get their ships back out to where they can start up the casinos again.

[iamaqt2]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm just grumpy because our particular port call there is only from 7am -1pm. I figure 3 1/2 hours on shore at best. We might skip the Lumberjack show, but not sure how I can squeeze in flightseeing and visiting both Saxman and Totem Bight. Any suggestions?

DH and I did consider sailing out of Vancouver, but we decided we'd just rather have the convenience of Seattle R/T and for the most part I really like the itinerary our cruise has( minus short port call LOL). We're visiting Juneau and Sitka as well as Hubbard Glacier. We'll stay on board in Victoria, as we've been there more times than we can count.

If anyone has any suggestions for excursions in Sitka, I'm open to those. Juneau is all planned out, but can't decide between the otters, mini-sub, or fishing excursion in Sitka.

[frugaltravel]

If you get off the ship shortly after it docks, you will be in the town well before 7.30am. You really don't need to be back until 12.30pm so that gives you five hours.

I would probably get a taxi to Totem Bight to save some time (not cheap but not overly expensive if 2 or more people). Check with them on how to call a cab for the return trip. Flightseeing is two hours. Check the departure times. I think it can be done.

In Sitka, I vote for a boat tour. Sitka Sound Tours with Captain Jim is mentioned a lot.

[bearbait]

While Saxman has totem poles and a clan house it is by no means a traditional native village. Just so your DH knows. There are quite a few traditional native villages left in Alaska but you'd have to get well off the cruise ship route to see them.

[ellbon]

I agree you will have 5 hours. do an early plane ride and then pick on set of poles you do not need both. you want sometime to walk around and see Creek St.

[NancyIL]

Ships that stop in Ketchikan on their way north usually arrive early on day 3 of the cruise, and they leave early in the afternoon. Ships that stop in Ketchikan on the way south to Vancouver or Seattle arrive a bit later in the day and spend more total hours.

[Urban trekker]

There are too many ships trying to be in Ketchikan all at the same time so most are making a 1/2 day stop - in early leave at noon - in at noon leave after supper.

On my most recent cruise one HAL ship left and another took its berth - as the Pearl was leaving a Celebrity ship was waiting to take that space which is probably one of the reasons that we left a couple of passengers behind on the dock because the ship current wait any longer.

Cheers

Dennis

[NMLady]

[quote=iamaqt2;22121405]Why are all port calls in Ketchikan so short? I thought it was just my particular cruise, but after searching many cruiselines' itineraries, I see they are all that way...quote]

Our stop in Ketchikan is from 7am to 5pm so evidently NOT all the cruise itineraries have a short stop in Ketchikan.

[ellbon]

I find HAL is shorter than Princess and Celebrity both have 8 hours. that seems to be the norm.

[NancyIL]

Originally Posted by ellbon

I find HAL is shorter than Princess and Celebrity both have 8 hours. that seems to be the norm.

HAL and Princess will have 15 ships in Alaska in 2010 - and all have different port times. On another thread asking about HAL Oosterdam vs. Golden Princess - Princess is there from 7:00-12:30, and the HAL ship is in Ketchikan a bit longer.

[NMLady]

Originally Posted by ellbon

I find HAL is shorter than Princess and Celebrity both have 8 hours. that seems to be the norm.

According to the 2010 itinerary of HAL's 14 day AK cruise Ketchikan port stop is TEN hours, from 7am to 5pm. So I don't think it goes by cruise line, but by itinerary.

[mochuck]

We were there from about 8am until 6pm. This gave us plenty of time to wander around the streets and also the the Bering Straits Crab catching tour in the afternoon.

However there was an HAL ship alread in port when we arrived that left around lunchtime and was immediately replaced by another HAL ship. So maybe it is just HAL

[Budget Queen]

Originally Posted by iamaqt2

, but not sure how I can squeeze in flightseeing and visiting both Saxman and Totem Bight. Any suggestions?



If anyone has any suggestions for excursions in Sitka, I'm open to those. Juneau is all planned out, but can't decide between the otters, mini-sub, or fishing excursion in Sitka.

Is Saxman Village and Totem Bight your priority??? Have you done your homework on what each of these offer??? What is it that you want to experience?? Reason I ask, is there are plenty of totems right downtown Ketchikan. The Alaska Discovery Center, has a totem exhibit, and the Totem Heritage Museum, is walkable from downtown, that may more flexability to see (without any mobility limitations). IF you wish to do "both", I would put a priority on the flight, get that scheduled, either first or last slot that fits your port time. Then do your totem thing.

It is frequent that ships are in port in Ketchikan a little early, so you might want to make an effort to be ready to go and get off the ship right when it clears, to make the most out of your time.

[dhmom99]

Originally Posted by mochuck

We were there from about 8am until 6pm. This gave us plenty of time to wander around the streets and also the the Bering Straits Crab catching tour in the afternoon.

However there was an HAL ship alread in port when we arrived that left around lunchtime and was immediately replaced by another HAL ship. So maybe it is just HAL

10hr should be plenty of time for excursion, unless someone wants to do all of them.