My husband and I are taking a HAL cruise early June from Seattle and visiting Alaska for the first time. We are stopping in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria. We booked a whale watching and wild quest tour and my husband wanted to go to the Lumberjack Festival - but we are not sure about anything else. We are not intersted in hiking, taking helicopters, planes or kyaking. Can anyone tell me if there are any tours that are a MUST on these trips? We want to leave time to walk around and explore each location.

Thanks for your help!

Anything of interest from your shore excursion list?? I replied elsewhere, request each city's visitor guide too.

In Juneau while I went on the river rafting trip my husband and son went on a tour of a gold mine. They thought it was great. Ziggy was the guide (a former miner) and he was very informative and entertaining. They said they would do it again.

Having gone on a lot of Alaska tours, my opinion only- I never recommend the Mendenhall River float trip. Money is better spent elsewhere. You can walk to or take a short cab ride to the Last Chance Mine in Juneau- authentic. Also great gold rush exhibit at the Juneau Doughlas city museum downtown.

I've been to Mendenhall Glacier, in Juneau, twice and would enjoy doing it again. I have a picture of the glacier, that I took myself, and had it enlarged to a 16 x 20 poster size. Everyone that sees it thinks it's a professional print. You can't help but take great pictures at Mendenhall. There is so much there ... if you're into scenery. You may even have some snow on the ground in some locations going in early June. I went once in mid-May and saw snow (not snowing ... ground only). That may not be a big deal for some ... but I'm from Florida.

Hi Debtie,
My husband and I have been on 5 cruises in Alaska. You've booked two shore excursions that we also took and really enjoyed them. The whale watching and wild quest tour was interesting and the Lumberjack Festival was a lot of fun.
The lumberjacks make it fun for the spectators.
Ketchikan is a neat place to just take a walking tour on your own.

In Sitka we found the Alaska Raptor Center very interesting. It's an aviary where they take care of all types of birds that they find injured and treat them.
Also, in Juneau, a must is a stop at the Red Dog Saloon if for no other reason than to view Wyatt Earp's pistol hanging on the right hand wall as you enter.
Story goes that he checked it in and never checked it out.

We've never booked a tour in Victoria but a friend told me that the Whale Watching tour was really good. Even though you're taking the other whale watching tour you may enjoy the one in Victoria also.

We did not care for the Totem Pole parks. I found it was a waste of time and money.
Happy cruising,

For clairfication- humpbacks are almost seen 100% of Juneau whale watching, orcas only come in on average of every 5-10 days. If you want orcas then you are best to consider going out of Victoria or Friday Harbor Wa. In Sitka- the Raptor center is for birds of prey, not all birds. They are a very worthwhile agency that is worthy of your time and admission. you can take an all day bus that does a loop with a stop there. short uphill walk from the stop. It is walkable from the tender dock without mobility limitations. Totem Heritage Park is excellent too- purchase the cheap guide book for information about the poles you are walking past.

Thanks for everyone's input!

Debtie, By any chance are you leaving on May 29th? I'm on that cruise. You might want to consider the excursion to Butchart Gardens in Victoria, esp. if you've never been there before. It's my understanding that their light show at night should be up and running. Visit their website to get an idea of what the gardens are like. It's a garden heaven, IMHO. Happy cruising.

Sorry for not responding sooner - but yes we are on the May 29th trip on the Oosterdamn. I'll check out the gardens thanks!

Just wanted to mention that we booked several tours through Dolly Varden (I think that is the name of the company). VERY PLEASED...great to deal with and they handled everything perfect. They have a website explaining all tours and a toll free #

I find it interesting that you are recommending tours based on the booking experience??? Have you gone yet?? If not be sure to offer your opinions of the tours when you return. Dolly Varden is a booking agent only- does NOT run any tours.

I am not sure this will help, but check out www.AlaskaPortReviews.com for passenger testimonials (or not) on shore excursions you are looking at.

Have a great cruise!