Been to Alaska?? I'm Looking for honest reviews on some excursions

[BigZfan]

If anyone has done any of the following excursions, and would like to help me plan, please let me know the pros and cons. Thank you!!! When we got married we decided that this is what we were going to do for our 10 anniversary, and I want to do as much research as possible to get it 'right'. Both of us have dealt with more then our share of medical issues, so planning this trip is very important. Love is helping in the good and the bad, and I so happy to focus on the good right now. Also I would like to renew our vows on the ship, but we wouldn't have any guests...Is that weird? Is that possible?

 

We are thinking about doing the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer on Tuesday

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/172060

 

Then we are trying to decide on one of these two train excursions for Wednesday. Any preferences???

 

Glacier Lake Kayak & Scenic Railway Experience

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/172034

 

White Pass & Yukon Railway

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/172006

 

Then one of many Whale watching tours in Juneau, AK (haven't decided on which one)

 

Then we have no idea what to do in Ketchikan, AK

 

We saw that they have snorkeling!!! Really, in Alaska?? Has anyone done this before? I'm tempted just so I can tell people that I snorkeled in Alaska. I love snorkeling, but I never thought of doing so far north.

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170012

 

The other options we are looking at are:

 

The Flightseeing and Crab Feed. Has anyone done this before?

 

https://secure.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170036

 

Orca Beach Nature Trail. Has anyone done this before?

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170017

 

Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary, Eagles & Totems. Has anyone done this before?

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170043

[Keith1010]

BigzFan, welcome to Cruise Critic. You will get some answers here but I would also post this on the Alaska Ports of Call Board on Cruise Critic as that area of Cruise Critic is devoted to Alaska.

 

Here is a link to that board.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

 

Keith

[BigZfan]

BigzFan, welcome to Cruise Critic. You will get some answers here but I would also post this on the Alaska Ports of Call Board on Cruise Critic as that area of Cruise Critic is devoted to Alaska.

 

Here is a link to that board.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

 

Keith

 

Thanks, I will do that now. I'm new around here, still trying to figure everything out. Thanks again.

[Keith1010]

Bigzfan, you are off to a great start. You will still get some answers on this board and by also posting on the Alaska board you'll get even more feedback so be sure to check both boards. There is also a lot of great information already posted on the Alaska Board to read.

 

Keith

[dcward89]

We went on an Alaskan cruise in May, 2010 on NCL. We took the White Pass & Yukon train out of Skagway and LOVED it. The scenery is almost unbelievable. Several times I turned to my DH and remarked that I felt like I was on a movie set...like it was too much to believe it's real. Highly, highly recommend it. One note...we went in May and the weather at the ship and port was fantastic (sunny, 50's - 60's) but by the time we got to the highest elevation of the train ride it was freezing cold and snowing. We loved it but just thought I'd mention you might want to consider taking warmer jackets. There are little balcony's on the front and rear of each train car and I spent most of the ride on one of these balcony's so I was happy to have my heavier coat!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done quite a few Alaskan cruises -- just got back a couple of weeks ago from doing a 14 day Amsterdam cruise.

In Skagway we have done the White Pass & Yukon train -- great scenery.

In Juneau we have done Orca Enterprises for whale watching - also float plane and helicopter tours here.

We are not into kayaking and hiking.

[chipmaster]

Tracy arm excursion, the one where you board a smaller ship in the Fjord and hook up back in Juneau or vice versa, highly recommend. Its the only way to get a really closer view of the ice flows and glaciers and if you are lucky wildlife too.

 

The whitepass yukon is one of the more popular ones. Did it once, sent my parents on it, I'd give it a "B"

 

Happy planning

 

If anyone has done any of the following excursions, and would like to help me plan, please let me know the pros and cons. Thank you!!! When we got married we decided that this is what we were going to do for our 10 anniversary, and I want to do as much research as possible to get it 'right'. Both of us have dealt with more then our share of medical issues, so planning this trip is very important. Love is helping in the good and the bad, and I so happy to focus on the good right now. Also I would like to renew our vows on the ship, but we wouldn't have any guests...Is that weird? Is that possible?

 

We are thinking about doing the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer on Tuesday

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/172060

 

Then we are trying to decide on one of these two train excursions for Wednesday. Any preferences???

 

Glacier Lake Kayak & Scenic Railway Experience

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/172034

 

White Pass & Yukon Railway

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/172006

 

Then one of many Whale watching tours in Juneau, AK (haven't decided on which one)

 

Then we have no idea what to do in Ketchikan, AK

 

We saw that they have snorkeling!!! Really, in Alaska?? Has anyone done this before? I'm tempted just so I can tell people that I snorkeled in Alaska. I love snorkeling, but I never thought of doing so far north.

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170012

 

The other options we are looking at are:

 

The Flightseeing and Crab Feed. Has anyone done this before?

 

https://secure.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170036

 

Orca Beach Nature Trail. Has anyone done this before?

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170017

 

Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary, Eagles & Totems. Has anyone done this before?

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170043

[dustyroad]

hi and what a great cruise you are going too have.

 

well, i will start with the tracy arm tour with carnival-yes this is a great tour. it is worth the money.

 

in juneau i would do a whale tour and if it has a added option it is a great thing too do. if you go all the way too alaska the whales are a must in my opinion. some get lucky seeing them from the ship ( this may was my 5th cruise to alaska and it was the first time i saw whales from the ship ) and others dont. there is no guarentee of seeing them unless you take a tour. an option is capt larry (orcaenterprises.com )or harv and marv for a wonderful whale tour and they are cheaper than carnvival.

 

in ketchikan i would do the flight and crab bake. i have done the flight with michelle from island wings and it is awesome. and i love crab so that would be a bonus.

 

in skagway the train is great. the kayaking would be too strenuous for me but only you can judge that for yourself. i took the train up and the bus back and we saw bears and other wildlife. chilkoot tours give a good tour and are cheaper also. im not saying not too use carnival. there tours are wonderful but they are also more crowded and more expensive.

 

please believe me when i say i am not telling you too not do the carnival tours but there are independent companys that give good tours for less money.

 

come over too the alaska forum and you will get tons of help. are you going too get too seattle the day before. try too do that and be fresh for the cruise and see the city. it is great. you have great plans too think about and alot of choices to decide on. do alot of research and read for hours here and you will end up with a wonderful cruise. happy sailing.

[jmf123]

Our Alaska cruises were on HAL and Royal Caribbean, but with regard to excursions we really enjoyed the White Pass/Yukon train trip in Skagway. Then we headed downtown to browse around and stop into the Red Onion Saloon. We experienced a wonderful rafting trip (actually a 'float' trip) from Juneau down the Mendenhall River. Loved our helicopter ride up to the Mendenhall Glacier, getting out and walking on it- absolutely unforgettable and worth every penny! We also really enjoyed a whale watching excursion from Juneau. Ketchikan made for a nice walking tour on our own. Yes, snorkeling is offered in Alaska, and you'll definitely be wearing a wetsuit! Enjoy it all. :)

[BigZfan]

Thanks for the input.

[BigZfan]

Our Alaska cruises were on HAL and Royal Caribbean, but with regard to excursions we really enjoyed the White Pass/Yukon train trip in Skagway. Then we headed downtown to browse around and stop into the Red Onion Saloon. We experienced a wonderful rafting trip (actually a 'float' trip) from Juneau down the Mendenhall River. Loved our helicopter ride up to the Mendenhall Glacier, getting out and walking on it- absolutely unforgettable and worth every penny! We also really enjoyed a whale watching excursion from Juneau. Ketchikan made for a nice walking tour on our own. Yes, snorkeling is offered in Alaska, and you'll definitely be wearing a wetsuit! Enjoy it all. :)

 

Since you have been on the White Pass/Yukon Railway, I thought I might ask you this question. This may sound like a dumb question but what side of the train has the best views. From the pictures on the web it would appear that one side looks directly at a mountain side and the other has spectacular views.

 

https://secure.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/172006

[Putterdude]

I think I have answered this for you on another thread...but left side up and right side down. You will find the narration and the views slightly better going up then down. The WP&YR is the number one attraction in Alaska and is not to be missed.

[GlendaleCruiser]

..but left side up and right side down.

 

 

The seats are not all that comfortable but have the advantage of having a reversible seat back. So sit on the left side going up and when you turn the seat back over to go down you are on the right side of the train car. You will understand when you see it.

 

I highly recommend the White Pass/Yukon Railway, too. Take a jacket. It was cold for us up at the top, too.

[Boo's Mom]

Ketchikan: Consider hiring a private guide for the day, and go fishing!!!!!!

[LarryL]

If anyone has done any of the following excursions, and would like to help me plan, please let me know the pros and cons. Thank you!!! When we got married we decided that this is what we were going to do for our 10 anniversary, and I want to do as much research as possible to get it 'right'. Both of us have dealt with more then our share of medical issues, so planning this trip is very important. Love is helping in the good and the bad, and I so happy to focus on the good right now. Also I would like to renew our vows on the ship, but we wouldn't have any guests...Is that weird? Is that possible?

 

We are thinking about doing the Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer on Tuesday

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/172060

 

Then we are trying to decide on one of these two train excursions for Wednesday. Any preferences???

 

Glacier Lake Kayak & Scenic Railway Experience

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/172034

 

White Pass & Yukon Railway

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/172006

 

If you have not ben in the mountains or on a narrow gauge railroad, this could be a pretty cool experience for you. The scenery is spectacular. The ride up, and back, is nicely narrated. A hint, if you get off the ship and walk to the train staion, you can get a ticket on the same train for far less than the ship excursion.

 

Then one of many Whale watching tours in Juneau, AK (haven't decided on which one)

 

Google "Captain Larry Juneau" and you will get Orca Enterprises. This is a very highly regarded operation. We were please with our tour. Although it was early in the season we did sea several whales and other wildlife. We would sign up with them again.

 

Then we have no idea what to do in Ketchikan, AK

 

We saw that they have snorkeling!!! Really, in Alaska?? Has anyone done this before? I'm tempted just so I can tell people that I snorkeled in Alaska. I love snorkeling, but I never thought of doing so far north.

 

We did the snorkel there and it was worth it just to be able to say "We've snorkeled in alaska". They will provide you with a wetsuit, which keeps you very toasty. You feel the initial chill when the sea water seeps in to form a thermal layer and it heats up right away to your body temperature. It's not like snorkeling the Caribbean but interesting just the same. While we were in the water a Humpback whale passed right by us. It was pretty nice.

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170012

 

The other options we are looking at are:

 

The Flightseeing and Crab Feed. Has anyone done this before?

 

https://secure.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170036

 

Orca Beach Nature Trail. Has anyone done this before?

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170017

 

Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary, Eagles & Totems. Has anyone done this before?

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/170043

 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise. The twilight views on the top decks are amazing.

[Teeara]

Definitely sit on the left side of the car going UP the mountain. They do most of their explanations when you're going up the mountain. Coming down you will be facing the mountain so the people on the right side of the train can see. But it's also much faster going down than up. You can also step outside of the car you're where there's a tiny standing area (really, only room for 2-3 people). You canNOT move from one car to another once on the train.

[Capt_BJ]

yes, I've been to Alaska

 

not the tourist ports tho

 

Adak, Attu, Dutch Harbor, St Paul

 

what do you want to know?

 

inland passage is like driving up lake shore drive in chicago . . . with ice!