I'm going on a cruise to Alaska this summer and would like to take a helicopter tour. Can an anyone recomend a peticular company our tour for our trip? Our cruise stops at Juneau, Ketichkan and Skagway.

Thanks

I would sign up for the helicopter ride which the cruise ship has a contract with, ahead of time, for the Mendenhal glacier out of Juneau. There are only so many copters which can go there, while in port, and the seats fill up fast. On our cruise, those who waited until they got to Juneau were out of luck. It was really a great excursion.
8-)

I DO NOT agree with booking ship tours. They are very shuttle like, and you will get a much more personal experience if you consider Coastal out of Juneau. TEMSCO is the only operator out of Skagway. AND Mendenhall is no better than any other glacier in the Juneau icefield, just more well known. Glaciers are in a constant state of change every trip is unique.

We're also doing a cruise to Alaska this summer and have time before and after to do a helicopter or flightseeing tour. The ones I've looked into that fly from Juneau all have very steep prices - $300+ per person. Temsco's Sitka and Petersberg prices also seemed to be in the same range. Are there any cheaper alternatives -- maybe from Sitka, Haines, Skagway, etc? If not, is it worth $600 for a couple to do one of these helicopter tours? I hate to be cheap, but I've spent a fortune already by taking one of the smaller cruiselines that offers lots of kayaking.

Also, we have 5 days after our cruise ends in Sitka before we have to get back to Juneau for the trip home. Are there any great places to stay that are reasonable but charming that we should consider? Thanks very much!

A single landing with Coastal is less than $200/pp. Determine if you want to spend 5 days in Sitka- my opinion only I would split up my touring and definately get back to Juneau for a few days.

Thanks for the information - I will check Coastal. We weren't planning on staying in Sitka for 5 days. Instead, we're debating whether to head north to Haines/Skagway and then to Juneau, or to head south from Sitka to Ketchikan and maybe Petersberg before heading back to Juneau (by air? by ferry?). Our primary interest is in seeing beautiful scenery and wild animals (but we'd also like a nice bed and good meal at the end of the day). Since we'll have been on a boat for 7 days (including several days of kayaking), we'd like to hike at least some of the time during the land part of our travels. I say "we" but I'm planning this trip as a surprise for my husband's 40th birthday so I can't bounce ideas off of him, which is why I'm seeking ideas here.