Any recommendations for "not-to-be missed" shore excursions for mid-July? Stops in Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Ketchikan - RC Rhapsody of the Seas. Any terrible excursions? Must I pack my tuxedo? Thanks in advance for your experiences. <BR>Alan

Our family took the inside passage cruise in 1996 on Princess. One of the shore excursions we really enjoyed was the wildlife excursion in Juneau. If RC offers, be sure to go. The tour guaranteed seeing a minimum number of wildlife or would give a % refund. We got to within 30 ft of whales - what excitement! One dove under the boat. As for tuxedos, about 25% wore them, the rest of the men wore dark suits. Have a great trip!

Our family took the inside passage cruise in 1996 on Princess. One of the shore excursions we really enjoyed was the wildlife excursion in Juneau. If RC offers, be sure to go. The tour guaranteed seeing a minimum number of wildlife or would give a % refund. We got to within 30 ft of whales - what excitement! One dove under the boat. As for tuxedos, about 25% wore them, the rest of the men wore dark suits. Have a great trip!

Hi Alan, <BR>My husband and I just returned from an Alaska cruise. We took the shore excursion that Kay mentioned and it was wonderful. We say many whales including a calf that came right up to the ship, rolled over and stuck his fins in the air in a playful way. We saw sealions, porpise, eagles and other birds. The captain of the boat had done over 300 trips and said that he had never seen anything like it. It was a peak experience for all of us on board. Enjoy!

<BR>Just returned, the wildlife cruise was incredible, saw all the animals mentioned above. It was the talk of the ship that nite, took it in Juneau. In Skagway I booked my own tour - White Pass - and got it much cheaper than thru the ship. Everyone enjoyed the train but you don't stop like we did on a bus, we had time to take pictures at several stops and even had a snow ball fight at the top. It was cold - 45 to 48 during the day, so bring plenty of layers. It rains every day for just an hr so take raincoats with hoods. <BR>Have a great time, I know you will.

<BR>Another thing, I found the dress to be much more casual than on my several Caribbean cruises. Very few men in Tux, less gowns. On the casual nites people came to dinner in jeans however, I would check with the line you are taking. Carnival is more laxed when it comes to dress.

We did the RCCL Alaska cruise on the Legend of the Seas last summer. Went with kids. The favorite excursions were the White Pass railroad in Skagway, Glacier Helicopter trip (there are several options). In Haines we did the salmon bake native dancers . It was hokey but fun. (Incidentally you can get fresh salmon at every meal on the ship). The whitewater rafting in Juneau (Mendanhall river) was fun. <BR>Shopping was best in Ketchikan. <BR>We have been on several Caribbean cruises (all with RCCL) and the Alaska cruise was the best. The weather is cooler but the excursions were mostly natural beauty, history types rather than "Party Boat" or beaches. The day they take you to the glacier and you drift by is unbelieveable.(Remember to bring hats, mittens, and layers (they sell inexpensive fleeces on the ship.) <BR>Also bring binoculars. You will see lots of eagles and whales. One day when we were cruising the Captain stopped the ship and turned and followed a pod of orcas. <BR>Have fun.

We got back from Galaxy (Celebrity) June 4 on Inside Passage Cruise. Did the White Pass trip (my husband really loved it), helicopter landing on Glacier (awesome--a little scary but the only way to really see what you expect Alaska to be), and flight seeing plane in Ketchikan--Misty Fjords--absolutely beautiful. We saw many whales right from our ship and eagles were everywhere in Ketchikan. There may also be a dog sled/helicopter trip in Juneau--was on Celebrity. It was sold out and I didn't get to go--sounded great but pricey. On the Galaxy a little less than half wore tuxes--a dark suit will be fine--a tux great if you wish.