Glaciers

I think staying in Seward is a great idea. A rental would give you the most options to stop along the way from Seward to Anchorage, if you could find a vehicle to accommodate everyone and luggage. The kids would probably love the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. There are occasionally dall sheep at Windy Corner at Mile 106 that you could stop for. Sometimes beluga whales in the inlet and if you’re timing is good, the bore tide is a neat experience watching the standup paddle boarders ride the wave. You’d hit Potter Marsh and the boardwalk just prior to getting to Anchorage.

If not the Edgewater or Marriott, look at the Belltown Inn. It's a 4 block walk to the terminal and within a 15 minute walk to both the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. It's also near many restaurants.

From your other posts it looks like you’re traveling on RCL which docks at Pier 91, about 3 miles north of downtown. We love the Edgewater although it’s next to the other cruise terminal, not yours. Look at the Mediterranean Inn. It’s one of the closest hotels to your cruise terminal and near many restaurants. Just a 10 minute walk to the Space Needle. They have transportation from the airport to hotel and then to pier for a fee. I don’t know of hotel that provides free transportation.

Ketchikan has a city bus for $2 that runs out to Totem Bight and Saxman Totem Park as well as several other areas in town.

Consider and compare prices with the Mediterranean Inn, Belltown Inn and the Mayflower. They are in much better locations with many restaurants nearby so will be much more busy in the evenings.

We have done it on Princess from Whittier.

We've been out with them 4 times and had good experiences. We didn't do the combo, just the whale watch. 2.5 hours on the water and 1.5 hours at the glacier. Enough time for a walk out to Nugget Falls and a quick visit to the visitor center. We had about 25 folks on each trip. If you've not been to the glacier it's still a good experience although it has lost some of its appeal due to receding so much. @NBliving Booked through the operator at Juneau Tours & Whale Watch

When we lived in Anchorage we would drive up to Talkeetna and spend the night. It takes on a different “local” feel after most of the visitors leave by around 8pm. The locals and seasonal workers will come out into the streets and socialize and many times end up at the Fairview Inn where local Alaska bands will play. Check the schedule. Not sure it’s worth many hours on the train otherwise.

The last time we took a cab from the airport to our place downtown it was $45. There was no traffic and it was 9pm. Note that there are some hotels that say they are downtown in their name when they're actually near Uptown and South Lake Union.

We’ve used Glacier Coffeehouse for sandwiches before driving up the highway. https://www.glacialcoffeehouse.com/

@chicchic325 The Purple Store next to Pike Place Market stores luggage. https://www.thepurplestore.com/luggage-storage-seattle.shtml

You might consider Juneau Tours & Whale Watch. You get 2.5 hours on the water looking for whales and then they take you to the glacier for 1.5 hours and back to the ship/tram area. This gives you time for a walk to Nugget Falls and a quick look at the Visitor Center. The alternative is a bit inconvenient and more expensive although you could spend more time at the glacier. @Kkoufos https://www.harvandmarvs-juneau-whale-watching.com/

It’s a good property in a good location. I don’t believe they have air-conditioning. It’s also a concert venue and if you need to leave your windows open for some fresh air, it can get a bit noisy when the concerts let out.

The Mediterranean Inn has contracted with a car service for transportation from the airport to the hotel. It’s $65 for 2. Booked through the hotel.

When we lived in Anchorage we would drive down to Whittier with the Swiftwater as our lunch destination.

You’d probably be fine returning at 6:30pm although that would be cutting it too close for us. It doesn’t allow for issues along the highway that can cause delays. We wouldn’t return it any later than 5pm.

We’ve rented a car in Whittier on a b2b once and drove to Anchorage to visit family. I agree with AKJonesy that it’s more about the journey than the destination of Anchorage. Although unlikely, you may see beluga whales in Turnagain Arm and dall sheep along the cliffs at Windy Point. The new bored tide schedule is out. Check to see if it coincides with the date and time you’ll be driving along the Arm. https://girdwood.com/bore-tide-schedule/

We've been to Hubbard Glacier 6 times and only made it close, past Haenke Island, twice. It's not as much that you miss the glacier, just that you may be miles away. Besides the two trips to the face of the glacier we were 3-9 miles away. We were on Princess each time we didn't make it. Oceania and Holland when we did. I do wonder if the ships are making fewer attempts since there's the optional excursion provided now and they do make quite a bit of money from it.

Chances are you’d be on the water looking for whales for 2 hours with the whale watch/salmon bake and 3 hours with Harv n Marv. If two hours is enough, do that one. I wouldn’t touch a salmon bake and would put the whale watching as the priority. Depends on your priorities.

I’m not an avid hiker but have to think hiking in SE Alaska the end of September could be miserable with all the rain they get. I suppose if you’re into it you could get past that and enjoy muddy trails. If you’re on Facebook look at “Alaska Bear Spray Exchange”. Hopefully you’ve considered the West Glacier Trail and then the Mount McGinnis Trail in Juneau. Not many make it to the top but the views are from above Mendenhall Glacier. You can watch the tour helicopters land on the glacier from above them.

I had wondered about this as well. They used to offer tours specifically for those doing a b2b pre-covid and nothing since. Three years ago we had 700 passengers that were b2b onboard and everyone was on their own. Seems there’s a demand for it.

The bow areas can be packed with people. Since most ships spin around, we started going to the promenade deck for great views with few people.

The map link is from downtown (Pablo’s Bike Rentals) to Kincaid Park. Most of this route is fairly flat except for the final ½ mile or so up to the chalet at Kincaid. It’s a beautiful ride and there is no need for a guide unless you want detailed narration of the area. Most don’t make it to Kincaid Park as there are just too many places to gawk along the way with many stops if you want. Unless you’re avid bike riders, a couple hours should be fine, or until your rear end says it’s been long enough. https://maps.app.goo.gl/x9st4uSTbYycFgYh8

The Mediterranean Inn is in a much better location. Although things have been cleaned up quite a bit, there are more homeless in the area around Pioneer Square due to having more services for them in the area. Not necessarily unsafe but a bit unsavory at times.

The view from the hotel is more south facing towards downtown so not sure you can see the Pier 91. You might contact the hotel. You will be able to see any ships arriving or departing from Pier 66 which is located along the waterfront downtown.