Taking a tour and cruise (Celebrity) from Seward southbound this summer. First time to Alaska and first cruise. Checking out Celebrity on the Internet, I suffered sticker shock at the prices they charge for shore excursions. Would it be less expensive to disembark the ship and try to take these excursions "on my own"? Are there shore excursions on the Seward-Vancouver cruise that I shouldn't miss, and some that are not worth the money? Very much appreciate comments from you with more experience. Thanks in advance

Although I have never taken a cruise. I did live in Ketchikan, Alaska for 4 years. I assume you will be stopping in Ketchikan? I can say you should not miss Totem Bight State Park (though you will need transportation to get there).
Ketchikan is a very easy town to walk around. Ketchikan Creek, Salmon hatchery, Lovely walk to Saxman Indian Village along the water (about 40 min.), Dolly's House and Creek Street. Have a wonderful cup of coffee at the Five Star Cafe (a local's hangout) and check out Ray Troll's gallery upstairs. Try the Alaskan Brew at Annabelles with some yummy clam chowder in a sourdough bowl.

If you're a hiker and have a long (at least 5 hours) time in Ketchikan you could hike up to the top of Deer Mountain. Or try to make your way out to Ward Lake and the hiking around there.

When I lived there my in-laws who had taken 2 Alaskan Cruises before came to visit and were amazed at all the things I showed them that they missed-simply because the cruise ships didn't take them much pass the "usual" places.

Happy Travels!

Many of the shore excursions which involve just a ride to an attraction could be booked once you get to the destination. It all depends which cities you are going to. If it is a small city like Haines, there will probaly not be much public transportation. Some of the more deluxe tours, may not be able to be duplicated as easily. If you know what cities you are visiting, you may want to call or email their Convention and Visitors Bureau to see if you can get some of the companies name who run the tours and book it direct. If you haven't already, you also may want to post this on the cruise forum. You may be able to get more replies.

Bon Voyage!

We did not take a cruise but used the ferries and rented cars in each of the towns (unless there was no road--then a tour).

For some ideas, try this website . . .
http://www.geocities.com/judcomp
Click Alaska. There also will be a website listed for each of the towns.

You're in for a great experience.

Hi Marie, we did the Dawn Princess from Seward to Vancouver last July and it was wonderful. The top excursion was the "Pilot's Choice" Helicopter trip in Juneau. It makes 2 stops up on the glacier and you get out and walk around as the pilot explains the characteristics of the specific location. It was really neat.
In Skagway, we did a trip to Haines and went to the Bald Eagle preserve. Interesting but in a week you will get your fill of Bald Eagles. I'd suggest the Railroad trip in Skagway.
In Ketchican, we did a self tour and got to see alot of the town. The salmon hatchery is very interesting. The prices are real steep but it's not a cruise that you will do more than once - most likely and you want to see as much as possible.