We are two couples (late 20's) who are trying to decide what to do for the day our Celebrity cruise docks in Ketchikan. Any suggestions for independent tours vs excursions through celebrity?? We are already planning to do some whale watching in Juneau and maybe a bike/hike excursion in Sitka. Thanks for your help!

The Totem Park, Saxman Village, SE Alaska Discovery Center, and Totem Restoration Museum are all worth seeing.

We were just there and would recommend the Heritage Discovery Center (like a nature and history museum, very good and a good bookstore and information center). Allow about one hour. Then take about five minutes to walk Creek Street. It's worth it just to imagine what an early Alaska town is like. Then get a cab and go to Totem Bight state park. It is a little farther than Saxman, but prettier location, better totems and better overall atmosphere. Enjoy your trip.

My top pick, Misty Fjords float plane- I have gone with Southeast Aviation, Carlin Air and Island Wings, next recommendation- kayaking- just exellent out of Ketchikan, book direct with Southeast Kayaks.

Would you like to go snorkeling? I did it last week and had a wonderful time. The name of the outfit is "Snorkel Alaska" and they book through the cruise ships. They have a great website. The water was fine at 57 degrees with a wet suit. The people are wonderful and it was truly an adventure not to be missed. Have fun whatever you decide to do.

Misty Fjords gets our vote too -- we did that 2 years ago. What a neat experience to take off in a float plane and fly through that fantastic scenery, then take the boat back to town. We loved it (boat ride back was pretty chilly though, in early September.)

We still had time left for some quick convenient souvenir shopping in town, because we were docked right there.

The seaplane ride is a must. Now here is a question of costs. We used Celebrity's excursion 3 years ago. I saved the names of 4 seaplane companies.
They all approximated the same price when I phoned last week. Only slightly lower than NCL excursions, but much lower than Celebrity. So it appears that each cruise line has different markups. Anyone noticed this difference in most excursions ?

Go for the adventure.., seaplane, kayak, fishing. Museums are O.K. but the beauty of Alaska is outside not inside.

The usual BIG difference with independent booked Misty Fjords flights is the ship contracted hardly never allow you off the plane in the fjords, all the independents to. They will only allow you off onto the pontoons for a few minutes then take off again. You'll have about 30 mins off the plane on land with an independent. I have flown with Southeast Aviation, Carlin Air and Island Wings. All long established operators.