My husband and I (both early 30s) are taking the last Alaskan 2006 Cruise (RT Vancouver Sept 20th on Volendam). We are considering the Helicoptor Flightseeing and extended glacier hike for Juneau. We also would like to do a fishing and/or kayaking excursion out of Skagway or Kethican. Does anyone have experience with any of the more "adventurous" HAL excursions? We are both active and in good, but not great shape.

Also, any advice on how cold the weather might get or other considerations (wildlife or excursion limitations given our late cruising date?

Thank you!

You are going during the worse potential for weather. Expect- 3 days of rain, temps 40-50, dusk by 7pm- on average.

Ketchikan is great for fishing, there has been in the past, opportunity to rent poles and fish from the marina.

Kayaking will be cold and they do go in the rain. If you book this, be well prepared in your attire. Myself, I never book ship excursions and always independent. You might want to consider Northstar trekking for your glacier trek, they do a fantastic job with great personal attention, probably cost savings too. Go on at least the 2 hour trek, 4 hours is better however, time just flys by.

Any wildlife you want to see, will require excursions for close up extended viewing.

My husband and I are also in our early 30's and very active - we are booking this same cruise for Sept 2007 so your posting sparked my curiousity immediately!

I would love to hear all about it when you return if you would consider posting a trip summary?! We are hoping to acquire a verandah suite and do some adventurous off shore excursions as well; I'm also curious to know about the dress code during the evenings.

Keep me in mind when you return - would love to hear all about the trip, the ship and whether or not you'd do it again!

So much depends on the weather. We just return from yet another Alaska cruise, and the fog prevented us from seeing any glaciers. We were very disapointed. Daughter and son did the kayak trip in Skayway, and we did the bus/narrow gauge railway trip. It was great, altho most of the day. I think the thing to do is book the excursions you want for sure ahead of time (as the popular ones fill up quickly); then if you have a change of mind or heart when on the boat, you can cancel within 24 hours (I think). And my daughter and son are in excellent shape, but I think they gear the kayak trip to most everyone, (they have special boats that don't tip over) so am sure you could do it. Incidentally, we did not see any wildlife, other than bald eagles, altho some in our party vow they saw whales!

samting, when did you go? We're looking at July possibly.