jacksmom1975

Thanks so much for responses. Can I ask if anyone has done the excursion Mendenhall Glacier Guide's Choice Trail Hike that we have booked? This is not an excursion to the actual glacier, rather you hike a trail with overlooks of the glacier (600 to 1000 ft elevation gain). I'd love feedback as to the difficulty of it. We are all fairly fit, but we are not packing hiking boots, just our sneakers. The website shows images with some folks in jeans and sneakers on this so I figured we would be fine but am starting to overthink and worry... The lumberjack show does indeed look a little "corny". We don't have much time in Ketchikan - are there other suggestions? Or just walk around? Thanks again! Cruise Critic is the best!

We (myself, husband, and 14 yo son) will be on the Royal Princess Alaska cruise from Seattle on August 12. Seattle was chosen as we have family there so we are staying extra days pre- and post-cruise to visit. I also chose this cruise on Princess as it includes the scenic cruising of Glacier Bay which we are looking forward to. That being said, I'd like to make the most of the times that we do have in port. We're interested in being outside and seeing as much of the Alaskan natural beauty as we can. Juneau port time 12:00 - 9:00. I've booked Mendenhall Glacier Guide's Choice Trail Hike from 12:30 - 5:00 through Princess. This is listed as a half hour drive each way with about 3.5 hours of hiking time. I'm thinking this will help to satisfy our "get out in nature" desire. Has anyone done this excursion? Any thoughts on what we may want to do once we are back at the pier around 5:00? Would the tram be worth it? We'll probably stroll around Juneau a bit. Skagway port time 6:30 am - 8:30 pm (water shuttle required). I've booked Skagway Hike & Float through an outside company. This starts at 9:45 am and is 4 hours in length. Similar questions to above - any feedback on this excursion and what is a must visit in town when we return? For Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising on the ship - any suggestions as to where may be the best spots for viewing? I don't really have a plan for this yet... Ketchikan port time 7:00 am - 1:15 pm. Since we are such a short time in this port, I've booked the Lumberjack show for us at 9:15. It's a 1 hour show. I am thinking we will walk Creek Street after. We don't have time for much else. But I can cancel the lumberjack show if there is something better that we could do? Victoria port time 9:00 pm - midnight. Is it worth getting off the ship at all here? Appreciate all input! Looking forward to our trip!