We will be cruising on Celebrity on 8/17 from Vancouver and will be stopping in Juneau, Ketchican and Sitka. Any recommendations for excursions while in port in these cities? The ship offers many and we don't know what to plan.

Thank you.

Kitty

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

Juneau: State of Alaska Museum, Mt. Roberts Tram, Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Douglass City Museum, House of Wickersham, State Capitol

Ketchikan: Totem Bight State Park, SE Alaska Discovery Center, Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery and Eagle Center, Totem Heritage Center, Saxman Tlinglit Village

Sitka: Russian Bishop's House, St. Michael's Cathedral, Native dance performance, Sheldon Jackson Museum, Sitka National Historic Park, wildlife watching boat trip, semi-submersible boat, Raptor Rehab Center

We also sailed on the Celebrity a few years ago.

We found it cheaper to book our own excursions with the locals. It was much cheaper.

In Ketchikan we took a float plane ride to Misty Fiords with Michelle at Island Wings. It was unbelievable!! We did a lake landing and got out of the plane to take photos (the one you book through the cruise ship doesn't land)

Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.islandwings.com

In Juneau we did a helicopter ride to a glacier, rode a dog sled across the glacier (for about 3 miles out and 3 back) and then met the puppies. It was one of the best things I have ever done in my life!! We booked through Temsco.

http://www.temscoair.com/tours/dogs.htm

Did they stop going to Icy Straight Point? That was our favorite stop! We booked through the ship and did a bear excursion - it was incredible. We were 100 feet away from 2 bears wrestling. We then watched as they made their way down to the stream, played and caught fish. The whale watch was pretty amazing as well.

Be sure to stop at the Red Dog Saloon in Juneau (later in the afternoon). Even if you don't drink you need to stop and watch the entertainment for a bit - the piano player is a hoot!!

Have a great trip!!

Definitely go flightseeing in Ketchikan. We had a great time kayaking also (but that isn't everyone's thing).

Helicopter ride to a glacier is fun in Juneau, as is whale watching. We went with www.orcaenterprises.com who arranged a whale watching trip followed by a helicopter ride to the Mendhall Glacier, which was otherwordly. (But if cost means you only do one flight, I'd say the flightseeing in Ketchikan over the Misty Fjords was better)

You need to do your homework and narrow down your interests. There area very few tours in Alaska which are not worthwhile. What is your budget??? There is no point in recommending costly tours, if of not a consideration for you. Look over a shore excursion list and list your top choices. Then you will get specific information that will help you.

We just returned from a 7 day Alasks cruise with HAL. We did the Misty Fjords with Michelle at Island Wings and she is a fabulous pilot and very knowledgeable. We echo her many other receommendations.
In Juneau, we booked a whale watching tour with Harv and Marv. It was spectacular. Only 6 guests on the boat, so we could move quickly to where the whales were. We saw many many whales. On the way back to town, the Harv and Marv shuttle driver took us to Mendenhall Glacier for 1/2 hour stopover at no extra charge. Just when we thought it could get no better, he gave us homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in the shuttle that he had made himself that morning. I kid you not.