Juneau, Skagway, & Ketchikan Ideas?

Thanks for any advise you can provide for these 3 Alaska cruise stops. Not really interested in any high price tours, but would like your thoughts and ideas on these stops. Is there enough to see and do in these cities without booking 5 - 8 hour excursions? We are in port anywhere from 9-12 hours, and looking for a taste of the town and to experience the local flair. Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated - first time to Alaska. We are doing a land tour (4B) prior to the Radiance 7 night Seward cruise (August 14). The land tour includes Fairbanks, Gold Dredge 8, Riverboat Discovery Tour, Domed Rail Car from Fairbanks to Denali, and the Tundra Wilderness Tour. The land tour ends in Anchorage, and then we transfer to the ship in Seward. Thank you!

There are many many posts regarding these ports. Here are a few suggestions...

Juneau - bus to Mendenhall glacier

Small boat excursion to Tracey Arm

Mount Roberts tram

Skagway - car rental to Emerald lake

Bus or train tour

Ketchikan

Bus to totem bright

Walk Creek street

Funicular ride

There is never enough time in each of the ports. Some AK veterans choose to return over and over again. Some ideas...

• Skagway... Klondike, WhitePass, Red Onion
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JnNm4VAiDY
  
• Juneau... whale watch, Mendenhall, Mt Roberts Tram, Glacier Gardens
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qFX6RoPzYc
  
• Ketchikan.... Misty Fjords flight
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjOwP2OAuPU
  

Don't forget your Bonus port of Vancouver! You should try to stay a few days there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txO8VK4LaLQ

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You tube - great idea! Thanks to all!

There are at least 65 trip reports listed in a STICKY near the top of the page. The reports are very detailed and provide lots of information about sights, activities, excursions and DIY options. The first line of the report generally provides the cruiseline, itinerary, date, and who travelled. I think you will find lots of useful information in the reports ... great photos as well.

You tube - great idea! Thanks to all!

This has a few from my days in Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan last July

We will be at this places next July. After lots of research and reading reviews, here is what we have booked:

Juneau-whale watch with Harv and Marv Skagway--Trails of 98 tours 7 hour tour up to Emerald Lake Ketchikan--Island Wings 2 1/2 hour tour of Misty Fjords and to just walk all around the town. We are looking forward to our Alaska adventure. Hope you can choose what you want to do and have a fabulous time!

We stopped in all 3 ports too. Our most favorite memory, ever, is our drive up to Emerald Lake from Skagway! We rented a car from Avis (book early!) The weather was perfect, it was an easy drive and you just drive on one road (that only goes North or South) into Canada. Simply spectacular! My daughter was taking so many pictures, I told her to just video tape it.

There are hundreds of tour selections to choose. It sounds like your priority is low cost? Then that would be a guideline to narrow down your choices. I suggest you get to your library and take out Fodor's Alaska, Frommer's Alaska, Ports of Calls books etc and look at the walking tour guides. check out each online visitor center site.

Reading trip reports does give you detailed information that is helpful. Make list and keep narrowing down your interests.

Rental cars in those ports cost $60-$125 per day which can be inexpensive compared to organized tours. There is also a full day’s activity in each of those ports with a car.