need help with shore excursions
 

My husband and I are going on NCL Pearl to Alaska round trip from Seattle in May, 2007 We need suggestions for shore excursions. We want a flight trip...helicopter vs. plane? What is better? What about the White Pass railroad? Is there anything else that is a must? We first planned this trip shortly after Katrina and couldn't make it . We were still evacuated and couldn't even get home, so we really want to make this trip special. BudgetQueen are you out there?

This may be helpful -

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/article.cfm?ID=91

We did the Helicopter Glacier landing which great. The views are amazing from the sky! I haven't done a plane so I cant compare.
We also did the White Pass RR. This was one of our favorite excursions. Be sure to take your binoculars as we managed to get a peak at some mountain goats!

We are in the same position - don't want to spend what the cruise ships are asking. We are looking at the trolley tours in town - http://www.ketchikantrolleytours.com/ at $30/$32 per person and maybe the lumberjack show (although that's a bit hokey)

Although I went a couple of years ago we arranged our excursions independently not through the cruiseline.

Our favorite excursion was the whale watch with Orca Enterprises/Capt. Larry during which we saw bald eagles, sea lions, orcas and humpbacks (including mother and calf) - it was fantastic.

The second excursion that we did was horseback riding in the Yukon. I forget the name of the company but the guide was Joni and we had a great time there also. We are novices on horseback and the trail ride was just right and scenery was beautiful.

Thanks to all for your advice. Will try the helicoptor glacier trip in Juneau. What do you think about Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer trip by boat ? Would love another flight tour but it gets expensive.