Private Tour Options Alaska

[BethIRC]

We are traveling with a group of 10 on Silverseas for Alaska in June. Does anyone have good experiences with any private tour operators along the way? Thanks in advance!

[Neuhoftraveler]

As of June 2011, we determined that in Alaska there was no cost advantage in booking independently of the ship. The cruise lines all use the same contract tour operators that you would hire independently, and the same tours are offered regardless of which way you book. By some odd coincidence, the prices for independent bookings were reported to be identical to those offered by the ships.

 

We also saw reports of discounts being offered to walk-up customers at the pier, but one would run the risk of one's tour of choice being fully booked up with advance purchases.

 

For what it's worth, we found the tours conducted by Allen Marine (booked through the ship, in our case) to be outstanding, with groups of entirely manageable size.

[bobndee]

In June of last year we only booked one tour independently of Silversea. That was a whale watching trip out of Juneau. We liked that it was a much smaller boat than the big group tour and more intimate. But it would be too small for your group; he takes only a maximum of 6 people.

[BethIRC]

Thanks for your reply. Now some don't want to do the whale watching so we have only 6. Which one did you use? Thanks

[bobndee]

Thanks for your reply. Now some don't want to do the whale watching so we have only 6. Which one did you use? Thanks

 

We went with Captain Greg from weatherpermittingalaska.com. We found him through a Fodor's Choice in the guidebook.

 

We were pleased with his tour.

 

Bob