I've just returned from a 2 week Alaskan cruise on the Universe Explorer and would be happy to help with any questions/advice if I can.

I'm going on the late June two week trip. Do you have any recommendations, particularly with respect to the shore tours? Did you, or did you see, people either using rental cars or arranging their own shore tours thru local guides? If so, how, with who, and how did it go?

Hi Richard,wow you're lucky,you are going to my favorite place and I've been everywhere(almost).Lets try to answer some of your questions......<BR>shore excursions on your own?Yes there are excursion companys on every dock as you debark,however I did not find them to be much cheaper than the shipboard excursions.The only advantage possibly is a smaller size group than the ships tour group.The Universe Explorer has a HUGE selection of excursions and you have your job cut out for you in trying to make some choices.<BR>Car rental? Yes I did see people with rentals cars in Skagway and Valdez,its important to note that these are very small towns and you would need to reserve a car well in advance to get one.Personally I would NOT get a car in Skagway because White Pass Railroad excursion in very nice and the town itself is very walker friendly and fun to just roam around.<BR>Valdez on the other hand doesn't have much to offer and a car would be very useful.I noticed the people who rented cars had them waiting for them on the dock when they arrived in Valdez.There's not much to see in town except the little museum with a great video showing the actual tidal wave footage that destroyed the town back in the sixties.Use your car to ride out of town and visit Thompson Pass and Worthington Glacier(try to arrive in the afternoon after the morning fog lifts for best viewing).<BR>Juneau.....take a helicopter glacier landing tour. Mt.Roberts tram in the PM.<BR>Ketchikan....Saxman Village and Misty Fjords flightseeing(very nice).<BR>Seward.......Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise(approx.7 hours)possibly the best excursion of the trip.Awesome scenery and lots of wild life including whales.<BR>Sitka......not much happening,good place to walk around.<BR>As you can see there's lots to do,hope I've helped a little if you have any other questions email me,I'd be happy to help.....have a safe trip.<BR><BR>

My wife and I are going on this cruise, our first, also in late June. I've been interested in booking a Kenai Fjords trip...Did you book yours through the cruise ship or by yourself? If you used the cruise line's tour, what tour operator was it with? How much did it cost?

Hi BR,yes we booked thru the ship.The cost was about $100pp,the trip was between 6/7 hours and included lunch.Here is the web site and should answer your questions,if you need any other help just ask.Enjoy......<BR><BR>http://www.kenaifjords.com/

<BR>Here's another company that is excellent. Kenai Fjords National Park Cruises (Major Marine Tours). 800-764-7300. Price is a tad less. They also offer a prime rib and Alaskan salmon buffet for $12.<BR><BR>So try the above or Kenai Fjords Tours that Charlie mentioned. Both are the experience of a lifetime.<BR><BR>Paul