Juneau, Skagway & Ketchikan
 

Hi everyone, This is my first posting!
My Mother-In-Law (a young 75 year old) and I are going on an Alaskan Cruise with Princess the last week of July and first week of August. I am trying to plan our land excursions and have several questions.


In Juneau I saw several postings in the forem that recommended a specific plane/boat tour that includes Glacier's choreographed to music followed by a wild-life boat tour back to the point of origination. The only company name I have seen is RCCL. What company is this and how do I contact them? That sounds incredible!

In Skagway we are thinking about doing the 1/2 day White Pass Train tour in the am and then an Antique Street Car Tour of the city in the pm. Aside from time, what are the differences/benefits of doing the full day White Pass & Yukon Combo Route Tour.

In Ketchikan we haven't seen anything that really strikes our fancy. Are there any tours in this port that really stand out as exceptional?

We did the Misty Fjords Float Plane with Island Wings. It was exceptional! Everyone gets a window seat and the views are spectatcular. I believe Michelle is the only pilot that lands on an island and you get to walk around.Other float planes just land on the water for a short time.
Juneau we did a whale watch with Captain Larry..Orca Enterprises and in Skagway the railroad up and then a bus tour to the Yukon with Chilkoot Charters. Our group was very small ..about 8 people so it was very personalized. Our guide was excelllent.
Have a great trip. You will love it!!!

Book Capt Larry Orca Enterprises way ahead of time it sells out fast. It is the BEST whale watching tour there is. Top notch. Boat is handicap friendly as well in case MIL has a bit of trouble getting around.

In Ketchikan we walked off the ship and right at the docks is shop that sells gifts etc and also has a tour desk. We did a tour on a small bus of the city, including the Totem Pole park and it was quite enjoyable and cheaper then what the ship offered. After returning to the shop we then just walked around the shops and neat building along the river. Everything is right a the docks so you won't need to hire taxi etc.

The WhitePass train is good. After you return again it is quite easy to just walk around Skagway - it is a small town. One does not really need the street car tour unless your MIL is unable to walk a few blocks.

Oh and here is the link to Orca - they may be sold out already for your dates. Get on it now if you want the best.
http://www.orcaenterprises.com/

Actually there are SEVERAL independent Ketchikan flight operators who land in Misty Fjords.

As for Skagway- IF you wish to get into the Yukon the longer trips are very worthwhile. Extremely scenic. :)

Add to the above, land and allow you out of the plane in Misty Fjords.

We are booked with Michelle this trip in Ketchikan based on good recs and I have also used others for flightseeing. This is an excellent excursion.

I have done White Pass a couple of times and very much enjoyed it. I book on my own and use the rest of the day to walk around Skagway, which I enjoy. I would not commit to a full day and there is little need for a trolley as this is a small town.

In Juneau this trip we are using an independent tour operator for a wildlife boat tour then plan to do Mendenhall using the shuttle service from the dock.

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for all of your advice and guidance. What a valuable resource this forum is! I took all of your tidbits and put this itinerary together. Let me know what you think? If there is anything that you would do differently... or anything that you think is a "waste of time and money" please let me know. I'm trying to see as much as possible and do as many unique things as possible without wearing Mom out too much!

Day 1: Arrival into Fairbanks!!! Our first night we are on our own for a hotel. So we are planning on staying at the Aurora Express Bed-and-Breakfast (The Train Car B&B). It sounds like it will really be unique.

Day 2: We decided to arrive in Alaska a day early so we can take a longer tour through Danali. (The land portion of our cruise only allows for the mini Natural History Tour which doesn't travel very deep into the park for wildlife viewing) We are booked on the afternoon Tundra Wildlife Tour.

Day 3: In Fairbanks we are going to do the tours that are included with our cruise/land itinerary. It's the City of Gold Tour and the Discovery Riverboat Tour. For dinner that night we are on our own so we'll probably go to the Pump House Restaurant and have a relaxing meal outside on their deck.

Day 4: In Danali we only have a 1/2 day. And since we're doing the Tundrda Wildlife Tour earlier in the week we don't want to do the Natural History Tour which is included in our pkg. So we are still trying to decide on a different option. Maybe the Husky Homestead Tour or the ATV Tour (do you think that would be too much for Mom?! :-))

Day 5: Relax in Danali in the am and take the train to McKinley in the afternoon.

Day 6: In McKinley we want to do one of the Ruth Glacier flights that lands in the glacier amphitheater. That afternoon we will probably do some strolling and shopping. I'm not sure about dinner.

Day 7: Train to Whittier and check into the ship.

Day 8 - 9: Relax and Glacier sight-see! Maybe a little spa experience on board the ship.

Day 10: In Skagway we are currently signed up to take the Klondike Scenic Highlights Tour which includes the White Pass & Yukon Route Train, then a motor coach to the Yukon Suspension Bridge, and then lunch at Jewell Gardens in the morning and then a Dog Sledding and Glacier Flight Seeing Tour in the afternoon with

Day 11: In Juneau we are going whale watching with Capt Larry and Orca Enterprises.

Day 12 - In Ketchikan we are going with Alaska Travel Adventures on the Misty Fjords by Air and Sea Excursion. It's a float plane into the Fjords and a high-speed catamaran out!

Day 13 - Exhausted, but happy we will spend a relaxing day at sea floating towards Vancouver.

Day 14 - Mini Tour of Vancouver and then Fly home!

Sorry, but with your Tundra Wilderness independent booking, you still are greatly shortchanging yourself. I never recommend any tour buses for independent travelers. Superior for the distance- which means more scenery and wildlife I only recommend the shuttle bus to at least Fish Creek.

You also are paying TRIPLE the cost going on the tour bus.

You do have to bring on all your own food and drink with the shuttles but you would be well advised to consider that with the tour buses as well. So so box lunch.

You don't mention- but I hope you are getting a refund for the Natural History tour??

You could take the free sled dog demo on your cruisetour Denali Park day, also usually ranger activities listed at the visitor center. Should be a shuttle bus available to the visitor center from the Princess Lodge.

In Talkeetna, there are several excellent flightseeing operators to consider, but definately have this booked in advance.