Jnsplace1

I'd read the description and make sure it's really the same.  How far it goes up, where is your turn around point, does it just do train or is it a train/bus combo.

Personally, if you are going to do a flightseeing at Juneau.  I would do one that includes a landing on the glacier and perhaps walking about a bit.   

I have a very strong memory of actually being on the glacier, seeing the amazing blue, the dirt, and hearing the natural history of the area.  It was a long time ago, but it was through Northstar helicopters. https://northstartrekking.com/

I haven't heard much about the zipline in Keitch.  Many seem to perfer to do the lumber show, the walk the boardwalk/history, Misty fjords, etc.

Either way, you have to be on board by 1pm.   I guess it's up to you do determine if this is all you do.  Yes, NCL would be responsible for getting you back on time, if you book through them.

21 hours ago, Redphotog said:

Ugh I was really leaning towards NCL but we have to figure out if 11 days is too long even though that sounds amazing (leaving two year old with grandparents!).  The Sun does a 9 day which I was almost set on but then it looks like it doesn't do any glaciers which is a bummer!  I'd rather do a glacier day then the Icy Point stop...

I actually enjoy ISP.  Great place to chill, enjoy the local scenary (it a small port town), and maybe do a small tour.  Some folks do the big zip line or the bear adventure.  This year I'm doing the whale tour.

It can be overwhelming.  I'd get a read on each port separately.  What is about each one that looks interesting.  

I did a lot of possibilities before narrowing.  What might be fun to someone else might not as much be for you.  Also, budget really determines things.

Keitchan: Misty Fjords flightseeing is cool.  The general boardwalk shopping, history is neat.

Juneau: whale watching or glacier walking.  I've done helicopter to glacier with a tour, really cool.  This year, I'm doing Tracy Arm (you need long port time for this)

Skagaway: Train/bus combo.  There's some variety of themes around the yukon or history.

After I write my "interesting stuff" list, I take a city at a time and book something before moving to the next.

Just looked it up.  The Disney Wonder is 2400 passengers.

I think that's bigger than most of the ships that hit Alaska.  

RT from Seattle means typically you go as far north as Juneau and return.

Sounds like Princess, Celebrity or HAL would work for you for food, and ships.

Between the three stops, yes, I would say Juneau could be the best.   The 15 - 20 min is probably mostly for photo ops on the ground.   It's not a lot of time on the glacier.

That said, this option might be an option for you if you are looking at maximizing your stop between the two.   

How about you check what the two options are separately, the time that the tours spend at each one.  Then you can see if you are getting the best "value".

How about starting with what kind of children's corner the ships have?  Seems to you that having care, or options may be important for you? However, when you check that, see if there is an age bracket for those options.

I agree with the others, find the best ship/route that is best for the entire family, then see if the child option works.   I doubt she'll remember the "quality' of entertainment at that age.   I would think what options is probably valuable to the family so that the peace is kept.  😉  Good luck!

What helps is to provide some kind of budget.   There is a difference between them all.

The question I would immediately have is:  Land on a glacier, or land and walk around on a glacier?

Years ago, I did the land on a glacier, was outfitted to walk around on a glacier listing to a (fantastic) talk.  From what I recall it was about a 4 hour tour and worth the $.   What a memory.

There are lots of helicopter tours, I would check the details to see if it's worth the time.    How much time per each adventure are you given?

Well, I will say that there is a trend of what is best to see at each of the locations.  ISP is on an island.  It's well known for whale watching, and Native American history.  There's a neat little hike in the area.  You could go into town of Hoonah, but from what I hear there isn't much there touristy.

I did see the Native American history presentation many years ago.  I appreciated it because now I better understand the importance of totems.  The raven became a favorite animal for me.  

I don't think you'll find a tour to a national park or helicopter, as both of those are better apt for Juneau or Ketchikan.

I'm paying close attention to this section of the NPS announcement.

At this time, park managers anticipate that the road may only open to Mile 43 on May 20, 2020, rather than to Toklat River (Mile 53), which is the normal distance the road opens each year on May 20. Barring unforeseen problems, the park is committed to opening the entirety of the Denali Park Road on or before June 15, 2020

@voljeep  I wish I could stay longer, but I'm doing the 11 day.  Staying at McKinley, Denali (2 nights) and finally departing in Fairbanks.  I'm taking a tour at each location.   You need to stay at Denali for 2 nights to take advantage of the longer tour.   If you are only there one night, you'll be stuck at the 4 hour Natural History tour.

I'm not going to add to the anxiety already present, but I will say it's not much difference with folks that had flight through American and Delta.  I am not saying it's a perfect; I do agree "it sucks".   

Honestly, if I had a vacation (or other such travel) heading to anywhere near those hot spots, I would tread cautiously and knowingly make decisions with risk in mind.

I dont know.  I booked the land portion through the website.  I did all private while on the ship, but on the land, I wanted to have some help.

I was able to upgrade my Denali tour to Tundra.  I also booked an excursion through Princess while at Denali.  The price difference between private and through them was nil (I did the research).  

That said, I did not prepay food.  I wanted the freedom of being able to navigate those waters myself.

 I don't think this is much different than the cancellation being done by various airline companies.  Many of them have canceled the remainder of Feb flights, and are assessing March.   I'm sure all sorts of businesses are doing frequent risk analysis.  I cannot imagine the cost and pain on all sides affected by this.

Mostly memories.   It's been 8 years since I was last there (going again this summer).   Strong memories are still in my head from the glaciers, the port visits, midnight sun on June 20th at Denali.   I do have a scarf from my last visit that I still use.  I still buy Raven's Brew coffee that I discovered and loved in Juneau.

I know it's not exclusively bear, but check out Glacier Winds for whale/wildlife watching.  https://www.g-wind.com/

As a note: I've heard 50/50 on the bear tours.  If you are counting on seeing them, I think that % of seeing them is less than whales.

Good luck!

For ISP: check out Glacier Wind.   https://www.g-wind.com/

I booked my tour with them based on reviews on this site.  In my email exchanges with them, they have been fabulous.

For Juneau.  it depends on how long you are there.  If you get there by 8am, consider a tour to Tracy Arm via Adventure bound.  https://www.adventureboundalaska.com/

If not, another option is Northstar they do helicopter tours on top of the glacier.  Which is pretty cool, and highly memorable.

https://northstartrekking.com/

For Keitchan:  I recommend Island Wings if you want a misty fjords flightseeing tour.    Also amazing.

http://www.islandwings.com/

Good luck!

16 hours ago, fishin' musician said:

Oh, and I prefer a NB as each the day the scenery gets more spectacular and if you go in May, June or July, the length of daylight increases each day until it no longer gets dark.

I echo this.  Last time I did NB, I know I was tired at the end of the cruise + cruisetour, not because I packed it in.  But because I didn't want to close my eyes and miss anything!!  It was spectacular.

Ketchican - Island Wings!   She's fabulous.  The flighttour up to see the Misty fjords, land on a lake up there, and back to town was awesome.   Also walk the boardwalk, it's pretty cool.

Juneau - if you can swing it.  Hike on the glacier.  This involves taking a helicopter up.  Get a tour that includes a talk of the glacier and how it works while you are walking on it.  It was something else to actually see the blue up close.  I used Northstar helicopter tours when there last.

Both are expensive, but if your budget can swing it.  Just marvelous.  It was 8 years ago that I did Alaska last, I still strongly remember both tours today. 

(going to Alaska again this summer!)

I just looked at the itinerary for the Encore.   It's RT from Seattle right?   Looks like both Juneau and Keitchan short(er) port days, likely to make time for Glacier.   It's a big ship.   4,000 people?   It also looks like it goes outside Vancouver Island vs inside, likely due to it's size. 

I have cruised NCL several times before, I like them for their dinning service.  However, last NCL cruise (3500 people), I wasn't overly impressed due to the amount of people on the ship.  It felt less service and more frustration to me.  Since then, I've made a personal choice to try not to be on a ship more than 3000 people if I can.

Personally, Alaska should be experienced while on shore as well as off.  I like the one ways, but if you cannot do that, then try to be in port for about 8 hours each day so you can experience all the things.  Good luck

I am using Chilhoot charter & tours and I"ve booked the Bennet lake.  https://chilkootcharters.com/

 From reading the itenary, it's pretty packed.   You have 45 min at Bennet lake/Carcross to check out the area before heading back.

I don't think there's a lot of time to add anything else.  Perhaps you may explore private tour option vs small group?

12 hours ago, AKStafford said:

Book the shuttle buses into Denali National Park. Same roads, same views, much cheaper.  https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm

That is a great option.   Do read the "fine" print though.   This option is strictly shuttle, from what I recall, a lot of hikers use this one.

Below are the base ticket prices for non-narrated transit buses. These prices do not include the park entrance fee.

What I heard is that there is a certain section of the road into Denali that will be under repair.  The extent of it will be determine when it's uncovered by snow.  If you are going in May, then yes it may be challenged to see all of the road.  If you are going later in the season, then it's likely it'll be available.  "it depends".

i'd follow this thread for information on Denali Park road.

Like others have suggested, it takes a lot of time to go to each of the sections of interior.  Alaska is a big state.  For my cruise-tour, depending on what part, the "shuttling" from one area to the next can be 2 - 4 hours each.   one of the reasons I upgraded my tour an extra day to give myself more time at Denali. 

Try calling during the week?   I called them, and upgrading my tour to Tundra.  You will need the time available to do it as it's an 8-9 hour day.   

Honestly, I'm not sure about booking through the parks.  I mean, I think their prices are pretty spot on as it includes their shuttle to those events.