Alaska Shore Excursions with Teens...Thoughts???

[eyeeye]

We are doing Solstice in early June. Trying to figure out some decent interesting excursions with our teenagers. Thoughts so far...

 

Skagway....Lower Reid Falls 

Ketchikan.....Lumberjack Show and Rainbird Trail

Juneau...explore Mendenhall on our own to Nugget Falls

 

Random thoughts: The Aleutian Ballard was recommended however crabbing is stopped this season. We arrive to Juneau at 1:30PM so any planned excursion longer than 3-4 hours will cut into dinner back on ship and we do not want to do buffet at dinner.  Most whale watches were starting at 4-5:00, so we would be back on ship 8-9:00. Also read on NPS website that Chilkoot trail is closed due to flooding and it needs extensive rehab so those excursions will be probably changed. We did the railroad in Skagway 20 years ago and think the boys will be bored after 20 minutes.

Any input or your thoughts are welcome.

[ruready]

They may think the lumber show too silly (I enjoyed the silliness and my then 6 year old thoroughly enjoyed it).  It was fun for me to see how strong they are, but then again I appreciate the ability to go on any excursion.  I now have a teen too and he would more enjoy active excursions like kayaking, dune buggies, etc.  

[mandyq1030]

We took 3 teenagers last year to Alaska and they are all pretty active.  We did a dog sled excursion in Juneau and the kids all enjoyed it.  In Skagway, we ziplined over waterfalls which was super fun.  Our Ketchikan stop got canceled but we looked into kayaking.  

[Crew News]

The crab fishing season may be closed but the Aleutian Ballad does not keep the crab that are caught.  They are returned to the water.  The highlight of this excursion is photographing the eagle grabbing fish with their large talons.

 

Mendenhall Glacier trekking via helicopter appeals to all ages.

 

 

Dogsledding via helicopter in Skagway is my favorite Alaska excursion.

[slidergirl]

I think the lumberjack show would be pretty cheesy for teenage boys (too cheesy for me and I'm an old lady).   did you show your boys some ideas and see what they think yet?  

[wolfie11]

Skagway - Chilkoot Trail hike and float, Glacier Point Canoe or ATV, Tagushuk Mountain ATV, hike to Dewey Lake on your own

Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier, tram and hiking on Mt. Roberts, summer dog camp, Taku lodge seaplane($$), Taku Glacier by air and boat($$$)

Ketchikan - rain forest hike, Alaska fossil exhibit,  sea kayaking, hovercraft tour, canopy adventure, salmon fishing

[eyeeye]

I read the Chilkoot Trail was closed but I will follow status.

I think the Whale Watching may get boring for the teens.

Thanks

[wolfie11]

5 hours ago, eyeeye said:

I read the Chilkoot Trail was closed but I will follow status.

I think the Whale Watching may get boring for the teens.

Thanks

The hike and float only utilizes the first few miles of the 33-mile trail. 
 

Also forgot to mention the "drive your own zodiac" tour in Ketchikan

 

[Coral]

I personally would not take teens to the lumberjack show. I think it is fine for those under 8. 

 

You can watch videos and see if it s appropriate. As an adult, I did not enjoy it.

 

I agree with landing on Mendenhall. Going to Mendenhall and the hike is underwhelming IMO.

[kitkat343]

You'd need to contact the Bering Sea crab tour directly, but I believe they told us they sail to waters that are under Native Alaskan jurisdiction (one tribe negotiated water rights as part of their treaty with the federal government and the tour pays for the right to use their water) so they may be able to run this season.  If so, I'd highly recommend it but you'd need to contact them to see if they are planning to run this season

https://alaskacrabtour.com/contact/ .  

 

 

IT would be extremely expensive, but you can consider Temsco helicopter tour to a Dog Sled camp in Skagway (please note that Temsco is the subcontractor for the helicopter tours for the cruise ships, and you can save 10% by booking directly through their company. Also, if you choose to visit a dog sled camp, please make sure you do it in Skagway, not Juneau since the weather is a bit more stable in Skagway. Also, please try to book your helicopter tour in the morning, since helicopter tours are often cancelled due to inclement weather. If your helicopter is scheduled for the morning, you will have a better chance of it being rescheduled for the afternoon, instead of the tour being cancelled outright. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will be able to participate in this amazing activity due to the unpredictable Alaskan weather). 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 11, 2023 by kitkat343

[Ashland]

The Bering Sea Crab tour is open and running...You shouldn't miss out on this amazing tour. A big mistake to do the Lumberjack show with teens.

[lyndarra]

In Skagway I have done the Grizzly Falls (private) zipline tour. Teens would love it. My late wife and I did this when we were in our mid 60s about eight years ago. It also stopped at a dog sled camp where we changed over from mini bus (from the ship) to a Unimog for an exciting ride up the  mountain to the zipline starting point.

In Juneau there is the Five Glacier float plane and Taku Lodge salmon bake. I imagine teens would enjoy flying in the updated, 10 passenger, Sea Otters. Expensive, yes, but for us it was a bucket list item. We have nothing like it in Australia.

Lumberjack show was enjopyable for us, pretty much as described by others here.

There was a kayak trek at one port, possibly Ketchikan. It looked interesting.

Will be back there again this June. Can't wait.

[Boo's Mom]

On 4/8/2023 at 12:52 PM, eyeeye said:

We are doing Solstice in early June. Trying to figure out some decent interesting excursions with our teenagers. Thoughts so far...

 

Skagway....Lower Reid Falls 

Ketchikan.....Lumberjack Show and Rainbird Trail

Juneau...explore Mendenhall on our own to Nugget Falls

 

Random thoughts: The Aleutian Ballard was recommended however crabbing is stopped this season. We arrive to Juneau at 1:30PM so any planned excursion longer than 3-4 hours will cut into dinner back on ship and we do not want to do buffet at dinner.  Most whale watches were starting at 4-5:00, so we would be back on ship 8-9:00. Also read on NPS website that Chilkoot trail is closed due to flooding and it needs extensive rehab so those excursions will be probably changed. We did the railroad in Skagway 20 years ago and think the boys will be bored after 20 minutes.

Any input or your thoughts are welcome.

I would not recommend the Lumberjack Show for your teens. 

It is a canned production. 

Cheesy. 

 

How about a fishing excursion/charter? 

You can book one independent of the cruise ship and save a lot of $$. 

The fish can be shipped home.  Makes a great "souvenir". 

 

 

[erienetuser]

On 4/8/2023 at 1:52 PM, eyeeye said:

We arrive to Juneau at 1:30PM so any planned excursion longer than 3-4 hours will cut into dinner back on ship and we do not want to do buffet at dinner.  Most whale watches were starting at 4-5:00, so we would be back on ship 8-9:00.

 

I wouldn't pass on a whale watching tour (or any tour really) just to be back for dinner. I agree with others to pass on the lumberjack show. Depending on your ability, you can hike to the top of Mt Roberts (free tram down!), if not then do  the Gold Creek Flume trail. 

[Pluto_fan]

5 hours ago, erienetuser said:

Depending on your ability, you can hike to the top of Mt Roberts (free tram down!)

 

Thank you for this suggestion; I was wondering if this was possible.  This is what we did in Bergen, Norway, and it was perfect for us.  Does anyone have any idea if the hike up is comparable? 🤔 

[cw2go]

6 hours ago, erienetuser said:

 

I wouldn't pass on a whale watching tour (or any tour really) just to be back for dinner. I agree with others to pass on the lumberjack show. Depending on your ability, you can hike to the top of Mt Roberts (free tram down!), if not then do  the Gold Creek Flume trail. 

100% Agree! Ships Food vs Alaska Adventure, no contest! 

 

Patty 

[eileeshb]

On 4/8/2023 at 6:52 PM, eyeeye said:

We are doing Solstice in early June. Trying to figure out some decent interesting excursions with our teenagers. Thoughts so far...

 

Skagway....Lower Reid Falls 

Ketchikan.....Lumberjack Show and Rainbird Trail

Juneau...explore Mendenhall on our own to Nugget Falls

 

Random thoughts: The Aleutian Ballard was recommended however crabbing is stopped this season. We arrive to Juneau at 1:30PM so any planned excursion longer than 3-4 hours will cut into dinner back on ship and we do not want to do buffet at dinner.  Most whale watches were starting at 4-5:00, so we would be back on ship 8-9:00. Also read on NPS website that Chilkoot trail is closed due to flooding and it needs extensive rehab so those excursions will be probably changed. We did the railroad in Skagway 20 years ago and think the boys will be bored after 20 minutes.

Any input or your thoughts are welcome.

I’m kinda surprised at the timing for the whale watching, my cruise will also arrive at 1.30pm and there are a couple of whale watching options at 2pm. There is one company - Gastineau guiding that run a couple of excursions for the cruiselines, it might be worth checking with them for your cruise. Their one with NCL for my cruise is Discover Alaska’s Whales which is a more interactive small boat based excursion but it is more expensive. I actually wasn’t considering it based on NCLs description but Gastineau gave me more info on which completely changed my understanding of the excursion.  Earlier in the season they also do a photo safari version which includes Mendenhall glacier if your teens are interested in photography. Unfortunately my sailing is October so there isn’t enough daylight for that one.

Edited April 12, 2023 by eileeshb
Typo

[CCJack]

3 hours ago, Pluto_fan said:

 

Thank you for this suggestion; I was wondering if this was possible.  This is what we did in Bergen, Norway, and it was perfect for us.  Does anyone have any idea if the hike up is comparable? 🤔 

Another option is to take tram up.   Then hike the trails that go up from the top tram station.  Then take tram back down.    Essentially only hiking above the tram.    We did this and the views are fantastic.     Not a lot of trees up there though, and a bit windy.    I think the hike from street level to top of tram would have more trees and be a steeper hike (although we did not hike that portion so i am not sure).  

[erienetuser]

5 hours ago, Pluto_fan said:

 

Thank you for this suggestion; I was wondering if this was possible.  This is what we did in Bergen, Norway, and it was perfect for us.  Does anyone have any idea if the hike up is comparable? 🤔 

 

Per All Trails it's 7.6 mi round trip with a gain of 3700', some of that is at 38 degrees, and takes 6-7 hours. But  that's round trip, if you took the tram down it'll cut your time but not in half. Uphill is a killer for me cardio wise  but downhill is a  killer on my knees lol. If  you do it  let us know!

[Pluto_fan]

53 minutes ago, erienetuser said:

 

Per All Trails it's 7.6 mi round trip with a gain of 3700', some of that is at 38 degrees, and takes 6-7 hours. But  that's round trip, if you took the tram down it'll cut your time but not in half. Uphill is a killer for me cardio wise  but downhill is a  killer on my knees lol. If  you do it  let us know!

 

Thanks for those details!  I'm not familiar with All Trails; I'll have to check that out. 

I'm not sure that we want to devote that much of our time in Juneau to a hike...hmm...🤔

[erienetuser]

54 minutes ago, Pluto_fan said:

I'm not sure that we want to devote that much of our time in Juneau to a hike...hmm...🤔

 

Ha - I thought the same!

[latebuyer]

My sister went last summer with 2 girl teens 16 and 18. They liked the sled dog excursion i believe it was in juneau. My sister thought it was a waste of money but they both really enjoyed it. It was the cheaper one not in the snow.

[SuzieQ521]

15 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

My sister went last summer with 2 girl teens 16 and 18. They liked the sled dog excursion i believe it was in juneau. My sister thought it was a waste of money but they both really enjoyed it. It was the cheaper one not in the snow.

 

I'm debating about doing that dog sled camp excursion. I have a 4 year old so I think he would really enjoy it; it just seems so expensive ($149-adults) for what it is. But excursions in Alaska are all expensive!

Edited April 12, 2023 by SuzieQ521

[kickboxrca]

We did the dog sled camp last year in Skagway - was definitely a highlight for us and for all of the people that were on our bus - I think the one in Juneau would be similar. And yes, everything in Alaska is much more expensive.

 

I would skip the lumberjack show for sure - the Bering Sea fishermen tour is a blast - we've done it twice.  Ketchikan is lovely to even just walk around.

[Coral]

On 4/12/2023 at 6:59 PM, SuzieQ521 said:

 

I'm debating about doing that dog sled camp excursion. I have a 4 year old so I think he would really enjoy it; it just seems so expensive ($149-adults) for what it is. But excursions in Alaska are all expensive!

Just prepare your 4 year old for the knowledge that there will be several individual dog houses and the dogs will be tied to their dog house with a short chain or rope. So they are not running freely in a big back yard. Though the dogs get plenty of exercise and can't wait to be picked to be part of the sled runs. This bothers some people.