Shore excursions for 4 on a budget

[dalspot]

We are a family of four booked on RCCL Radiance June 6 out of Vancouver. We've decided on the White Pass & Yukon in Skagway and are looking at other excursions. We plan to spend the day in Seward at the end of the cruise, then take the Alaska RR to Anchorage that evening and fly home late from Anchorage, so that also gives us time to do something in Anchorage.

 

We'd like to do *something* in each port, plus need to fill our time in Seward and Anchorage. A visit to one of the dog mushing camps will be a must do. We're thinking of doing the extended tour offered by the Seaveys in Anchorage. A trip to a gold mine would also be fun.

 

I am looking for recommendations on tours that cost less than $100 per person, as we just can't afford to tack on another $2,000 - $3,000 in shore excursions!

 

What might anyone recommend?

 

Thanks!

[fti]

Since I am not familiar with your ship's itinerary, I am not sure which ports you will be at. In Seward, a Kenai Fjords wildlife boat tour is excellent but will set you back about $150. If you buy a $50 Northern Lights coupon book and get 2-for-1 (if it works with your schedule), that is $200 for two people, just within your budget and you can probably sell the book on EBay or Craiglist, etc. afterward to recoup some money. http://www.alaska-discounts.com/. Read the fine print before buying to make sure it fits your needs.

 

Here are a couple of threads with great ideas for budget excursions:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=608363&highlight=budget

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=583805

 

I assume you fly home late from Anchorage the day after you arrive by train from Seward. I saw a list of things to do in Anchorage that was amazing. Here is just the first 25, compliments of Places on Trip Advisor:

 

1. Log Cabin Visitors Center on 4th Avenue and F Street - Start your visit here http://www.anchorage.net

2. Anchorage Museum of History and Art http://www.anchoragemuseum.org

3. Alaska Native Heritage Center http://www.alaskanative.net

4. Resolution Point and Captain Cook Monument with views of Cook Inlet and Mt. McKinley

5. Earthquake Park, West on Northern Lights Boulevard near Aircraft Drive

6. Elmendorf State Hatchery http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/hatchery/hatchery.cfm

7. Fort Richardson Hatchery http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/hatchery/hatchery.cfm

8. Far North Bicentennial Park off Tudor and Abbott Roads with miles of trails for hiking and biking

9. Kincaid Park on West end of Raspberry Road with 35 miles of hiking and biking trails http://www.muni.org/parks/index.cfm

10. Oomingmak Shop - Musk Ox wool hand knitted masterpieces by Native Alaskans http://www.qiviut.com

11. Ulu Factory at 211 W. Ship Creek Avenue

12. Music in the Park every Wednesday and Friday at noon, 4th Avenue and E Street http://www.anchoragedowntown.org

13. Summer concerts at Town Square on Thursday 5-8 PM http://www.anchoragedowntown.org

14. Music and Dance on Saturday at 2 PM at Peratrovich Park, 4th Avenue and E Street http://www.anchoragedowntown.org

15. Wild Salmon on Parade throughout downtown. See map on http://www.anchorage.net/salmon

16. Theater Thursday at noon in Peratrovich Park, 4th Avenue and E Street http://www.anchoragedowntown.org

17. Ship Creek Center at 4th Avenue and C Street with exhibits and free performances http://www.shipcreekcenter.com

18. Ship Creek near railroad tracks north of 1st Avenue where city anglers congregate to catch salmon

19. Segway Tours of Anchorage at 630 W 4th Avenue #441-1124

20. Alaska Experience Center http://www.alaskaexperiencetheatre.com

21. Alaska Public Lands Information Center at 605 W. 4th Avenue

with fascinating exhibits http://www.nps.gov/aplic

22. Anchorage City Trolley Tours start at 612 W. 4th Street between 9AM and 6 PM

23. Russian Orthodox Museum at 605 A Street

24. Oscar Anderson House Museum at 420 M Street open between noon and 5 PM

25. Play tennis, volleyballs, softball at Delaney Park Strip located between 9th and 10th Avenues and A& P Streets.

[vbmom87]

Check these links:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=698728

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=583805

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=619316&highlight=cheap+excursions

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=564378&highlight=cheap+excursions

[lovesublime]

The White Pass in Skagway is kind of expensive. To save money, I suggest renting a car in Skagway and drive to Emerald Lake using Murray's guide (hopefully someone here will post the link). That way, you'll be saving money for other excursions and can take your leisurely time sightseeing and stopping for pictures. You can rent a car from Avis for less than $100. In fact, there is a dog camp near Emerald Lake that a lot of people here have enjoyed visiting.

 

I also think whale watching in Juneau is great fun. I think it's only a little over a $100 a person for that excursion. I can't really help with Ketchikan. We did flightseeing there and it's probably out of your budget this time. In Icy Strait Point I would choose the wildlife and bear search. It's reasonbly priced. Just some suggestions :)

[trooper 1]

I am looking for recommendations on tours that cost less than $100 per person, as we just can't afford to tack on another $2,000 - $3,000 in shore excursions!

 

What might anyone recommend?

 

Thanks!

 

Oh, boy. It is important to remember you are asking about spending just a few hours in Anchorage. Previously I have been flamed for not agreeing with those recommending the big buck tours. But I guess I am a slow learner. I am a former Alaska state trooper previously stationed twice in Anchorage. I had to google Seavey Tours. I would not spend the money to ride in a dog sled. A dog is a dog, is a dog. (This is why I got in trouble with dog lovers?)

Not very many people in Anchorage have ever ridden in a sled. But tourists love it. It is impossible to see the Anchorage area in one day. With your limited time, I would recommend the Alaska Native Cultural Center to get the flavor of Alaska natives who live in the "real" Alaska. If you have any time left I would recommend just a self-guided walking tour of downtown Anchorage. Several of the sites listed in a previous post are just a few blocks away from downtown and an easy walk. Please remember these are my opinions only. Many will disagree.

[vegs1]

Here's the link to Murray's Guide:

 

http://www.explorenorth.com/library/roads/sklondike-photos1.html

 

This is probably the one thing I have definitely decided on for my trip - to rent a car and drive to Emerald Lake instead of the train. Sounds like a great trip to me!!!!

[dalspot]

Wow, such excellent info so quickly! We're railfans, so the train is a "must do" and one item we willingly will spend more on.

 

Had a great idea today, doing my civic duty of course ;), but since we're getting that nice tax check (hopefully!) why not splurge and spend it (as the gov't is hoping we'll do) on a really great excursion. Thought perhaps a flight would be a possibility somewhere. We stop at Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and ISP.

 

I will go and take another look at the Northern Lights book, but at first quick glance, it didn't seem like there were a lot of items of interest for our early June itinerary.

 

Thanks again.

Karen

[cruisingbuckeye]

I was going to mention the shuttle bus to the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, but I see it's listed in some of the threads above - there are some beautiful hiking trails there that you will really enjoy.

 

In Ketchikan, we did a free walking tour around town & enjoyed that. It was a gorgeous, sunny day.

 

In Anchorage, a neat thing to do is rent bikes & go biking on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail - it goes right along the water & is just beautiful. It will also take you right past Earthquake Park. This bike shop was very helpful to us: http://www.alaska-bike-rentals.com/ He stayed open until we could get there from our evening flight into Anchorage - we dropped our luggage off at the motel & headed straight for the bike shop. It was beautiful to ride in the dusk & look back & see the lights of Anchorage coming on - - then we took the bikes (actually only 1 bike - we got a tandem) back & locked it up outside the shop.

 

You can have a wonderful trip without spending alot on the extra excursions!:)

[tylerdad]

Remember that if you are Canadian ,renting a car is not an option.

[Budget Queen]

It sounds like you have an overnight in Anchorage??? Request their visitor guide http://www.anchorage.net

 

Seavey's is out of Seward and their "extended tour" if you are referring to multi attractions, is not a good deal. But their dog sled cart ride is excellent. My top pick in Seward is definately a Kenai Fjords boat tour, although costly, this is your top pick for varied wildlife and close up glacier viewing. FAR superior to anything else on your cruise. and really a do not miss.

 

Ketchikan is a great walking city. And the city bus to Totem Bight a bargain- print out the guide sheet and take it with you.

[dalspot]

Yes we do indeed stay overnight in Anchorage and our flight out does not leave until 8:40 PM. Gives us pretty much all day to do something.

 

Appreciate all the helpful ideas.

 

Karen

[msmoger]

Remember that if you are Canadian ,renting a car is not an option.

 

I'm not Canadian (however I've loved all my visits :) ) and I keep seeing references to this restriction. What's up with that :confused: . Is there a good reason for this? Is this an "Alaska Rule"? Just curious.