I am travelling to Alaska in May, and find most of the shore excurions very overpriced. Can someone recommend a reliable local operator in most of the regular centers such as Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait, Hubbard Glacier, Inside Passage or Sitka that would be reputable and hopefully cheaper. Many Thanks

that isn't how it works. You need to determine WHAT tours you are looking for, THEN find a vendor. Look over a shore excursion list, and narrow down your interests, then repost for specific information.

Do NOT expect big discounts on my independently booked tours, but you will get a more personal tour, smaller groups and many times, longer tour.

I never recommend booking agents for Alaska, they know little if anything more than what they can read and usually are based outside of Alaska. Far better to go direct to the vendor, in my experience.

Our Inside Passage cruise was with Cruise West. I noticed when we approached one of the venues for an excursion (in Sitka) that the walk-up price was exactly what Cruise West had charged us...and we were guaranteed access to the activity. FWIW.

Please help us with your thoughts on this trip. I am new on here, but will be in Alaska from June 28-July 13th. Two couples in their early fifties coming for an Anniversary trip (31st). We are all so excited. We will be doing a land expedition with a lady who will guide us through those days. We will be landing in Anchorage, driving to Soldonta to spend the night. From there to Homer(after we fish for salmon and watch the bears. We will stay for 4 nights and then it is on to Sewardfor 2 nights. We will go to Wasilla to spend the night at the lake and head to Denali the next day. We raft on Denali, the easy one!, and stay 2 nights. On to Fairbanks for 2 nights and then back to Anchorage to catch our plane to dear old Texas. What do you think about our plans. Any suggestions? We would love your help. Thank you!

Downundermatt, you should look at the cruisecritic board..Ports of call...Alaska. I have found some good info on shore excursions there.

praiseHim,

Welcome to Fodors. This is your first post here. You will probably get more specific answers to your concerns if you start a new thread with a title that does not have the words "Shore Excursions" in it. Something tailored to your trip (not someone else's) will be much better and that thread will be all yours.

You are underestimating your time in Fairbanks. With you having to be back in Anchorage for a flight home, your second day will be all transit. You are best to allow 8 hours with stops.

I suggest you skip Fairbanks, hardly worth going with your short time, and use this day elsewhere.