Alaska Excursions--post your reviews here!

[iheartglaciers]

If you like hiking, I went on a wonderful independent excursion through Wild Wolf Tours in Ketchikan. We hiked in the Tongass National Rainforest (amazingly lush with waterfalls), did some geocaching there, and went to a totem park. She dropped us off in the town so we could walk around before getting back on the ship.

It was very well organized and there were 9-10 of us on the trip.

In Juneau I did a dog sledding on a glacier your run by Coastal Helicopters which was expensive but amazing!

Both got me back to the ship with plenty of time to spare. As others have noted, the tour operators in Alaska know the cruise schedule inside out!

 

[noahdove]

For those booking non Disney tours, what and who do you book with? Thank you

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

A full list of all the people we used when we went last year.





Vancouver Airport

http://www.yvr.ca/en/default.aspx

Legacy Limousine Service
http://www.legacylimousine.ca/


Landsea Tours & Adventures

Landsea Tours & Adventures
http://www.vancouvertours.com/

Canada Line.
http://thecanadaline.com/

Pan Pacific Hotel

http://www2.panpacific.com/en/Vancouver/Overview.html


Pourhouse Restaurant

http://www.pourhousevancouver.com/


Fly Over Canada

http://www.flyovercanada.com/index.html


Bellaggio Cafe


http://www.bellaggiocafe.com/convention/con-index.html


De Dutch


http://www.dedutch.com/


M+M Tours

http://www.skagwayadventures.com/glacier_bay_flightseeing.asp



Whitepass Railway


http://wpyr.com/index.html


Chilkoot charters


http://www.chilkootcharters.com/summitrail.htm



Coastal Helicopters


http://coastalhelicopters.com/



SeaWind Aviation



http://www.seawindaviation.com/misty.html



Ketchikan Duck Tour!



http://www.akduck.com/



Vancouver Shuttle



http://www.vancouvershuttle.ca/cruise-transfers.html

 

[jetskigrl]

For those booking non Disney tours, what and who do you book with? Thank you

The ones that we considered/booked are:
Chilkoot Tours in Skagway (for the train/bus tour)

Harv and Marv, Alaska Galore, Rum Runners, Orca Enterprises for Whale Watching in Juneau (booked Alaska Galore)

Ketchikan Taxi Tours (booked a 3-hour city tour).

We have not been yet though so I cannot give you personal experience. These were all companies that I found recommended here on the DIS

 

[MouseMomx2]

Coastal Helicopters was great. We also booked directly through the White Pass & Yukon Railroad for our Skagway train trip.

 

[AquaDame]

For those booking non Disney tours, what and who do you book with? Thank you

We booked Misty Fjords floatplane though Island Wings - the rest we booked via DCL because they were either not available privately or not that much difference.

 

[bradbamford]

Is it possible to bring a DSLR on the heli port adventures?

I've read some people say you can only bring what you can fit in your pockets (DSLR camera does not). However, I've also read that they give you a small fanny pack and you can bring whatever you can fit in there (DSLR may fit).

To spend that much money and for those amazing views, I would like to capture it with the best camera I have.

I would love to hear from anyone who has been on any of those tours, your thoughts, and which tour you where on.

Thanks!

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

Is it possible to bring a DSLR on the heli port adventures? I've read some people say you can only bring what you can fit in your pockets (DSLR camera does not). However, I've also read that they give you a small fanny pack and you can bring whatever you can fit in there (DSLR may fit). To spend that much money and for those amazing views, I would like to capture it with the best camera I have. I would love to hear from anyone who has been on any of those tours, your thoughts, and which tour you where on. Thanks!

I took mine. You can't have it in a case. They don't allow any bags.

 

[poohmomof5]

Thank you CruznLexi. Your post was very helpful!

Is the train from Seattle an Amtrak train? And the shuttle? Just wanted more info so I can look into it for next year. How long is the trip from Seattle to Vancouver?
Thanks!

Hi, last time we went on the Alaska cruise we flew into Seattle and took the train to Vancouver, and we are doing it again this summer! It is Amtrak, and it is a lovely trip (I saw some Eagles last time). Very relaxing and comfortable.

It is a 4 hour trip.

 

[poohmomof5]

A full list of all the people we used when we went last year.





Vancouver Airport

http://www.yvr.ca/en/default.aspx

Legacy Limousine Service
http://www.legacylimousine.ca/


Landsea Tours & Adventures

Landsea Tours & Adventures
http://www.vancouvertours.com/

Canada Line.
http://thecanadaline.com/

Pan Pacific Hotel

http://www2.panpacific.com/en/Vancouver/Overview.html


Pourhouse Restaurant

http://www.pourhousevancouver.com/


Fly Over Canada

http://www.flyovercanada.com/index.html


Bellaggio Cafe


http://www.bellaggiocafe.com/convention/con-index.html


De Dutch


http://www.dedutch.com/


M+M Tours

http://www.skagwayadventures.com/glacier_bay_flightseeing.asp



Whitepass Railway


http://wpyr.com/index.html


Chilkoot charters


http://www.chilkootcharters.com/summitrail.htm



Coastal Helicopters


http://coastalhelicopters.com/



SeaWind Aviation



http://www.seawindaviation.com/misty.html



Ketchikan Duck Tour!



http://www.akduck.com/



Vancouver Shuttle



http://www.vancouvershuttle.ca/cruise-transfers.html

Very helpful! The Bellagio Cafe looks awesome and is close to our hotel. Was it good? Outside seating? We have a 9 year old and 16 year old, will they enjoy it?

 

[sunryzez]

Has anyone done the Disney excursion in Ketchikan Totems, Exclusive Lumberjack Show and Potlatch Park Featuring Exclusive Youth Activity???

I think this will be the best excursion for our family. I want to see the lumber jack show and my husband wants to see the totem poles and Native American culture. And, my kids love arts and crafts so I feell ike it is the happy medium for everyone. However, it is very pricey for our family of 5 and want to make sure it is worth it.( about 600 dollars)

I saw Disney also has a Saxman Village excursion/lumberjack that is similar and a bit cheaper but reviews on Tripadvisor do not look so good for them....

Anyone advice would be appreciated =)

 

[mrp4352]

Just got home yesterday from another fabulous DCL cruise to Alaska!! For our excursions this year:

Sitka - 2-hour Marine Wildlife Tour booked privately with Sitka Wildlife Tours. Fantastic excursion! The ship only holds 6 passengers, so we were able to get really close to the otters. Our guide was knowledgable and interesting.

Skagway - the Yukon Expedition through Disney. We enjoyed this excursion, although not as much as our previous cruise 2 years ago. The tour guide was very new and not as talkative as our previous guide and the mosquitos were VERY, VERY bad at Carcross. (part of our issues with this excursion were fellow guests - not anything to be done about that, I'm afraid)

Juneau - the Enchanted Taku Lodge and 5-glacier Floatplane through Disney. Again, an amazing trip! Wings Airways is super professional and the staff at Taku Lodge are friendly and really good cooks! (and the bears are fun, too!!)

Ketchikan - we just wandered around town, so no excursion to report on here, I'm afraid.

 

[paperboy]

Booked Coastal Helicopters in Juneau independently for the dog sled tour on the Herbert Glacier.

On our way out of the ship to get to the excursion, a couple was coming back in, having just found out that their dog sled tour had been canceled, so it got us worried.

Not to fear, Coastal was there to greet us, and the conditions were favorable for our tour. There were only two other people on our particular launch, and they were a lovely couple. The entire experience was truly top notch! I'm not sure what Menenhall Glacier is like, but on Herbert, it felt like we owned the glacier because it was only the four of us and the dog camp there. We mushed the sled the entire time, whereas I've read that others on similar excursions only get a few minutes of mushing due to having to switch off constantly. If we have one complaint, it's that we didn't have more time to play with the puppies, but it was minor in the overall scheme of things.

They have my 100% recommendation!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Very helpful! The Bellagio Cafe looks awesome and is close to our hotel. Was it good? Outside seating? We have a 9 year old and 16 year old, will they enjoy it?

Yes very good for dinner and breakfast there is outside seating and potions huge.

 

[JAMWDW]

Great thread - so much wonderful information shared! Maybe I didn't look back far enough, but I am looking for feedback from anyone who has done either of the following excursions. We will have our 13 year old son with us who likes adventure.

Skagway: Ocean Raft Nature Adventure

Juneau: Alpine Zipline & Glacier Adventure. Think the zipline part will be fine, but worrying that we may not have enough time at Mendenhall (50 mins).

 

[tink too]

Has anyone done the Disney excursion in Ketchikan Totems, Exclusive Lumberjack Show and Potlatch Park Featuring Exclusive Youth Activity???

My DD really wanted to do this but my DH wanted to go fishing, so we split up last year and us girls went on this tour.

The children (various ages) on the tour seemed to enjoy talking to the totem carver and then went off to do their craft activity. The adults were given a bit of history and a tour, then we were told some native stories. We had a bit of time to shop as well.

Short bus ride to the Lumberjack show, which I personally enjoyed. I know some reviews say the show is corny, but it also shows the skills of these guys and is fun and was something we couldn't see at home, so to us it was worth it.

As the show is near the dock, we took our time when leaving so DD could get her photo taken with the guys and then shopped and little in their store.

I'm not sure it's the kind of tour I want to repeat on a future visit, but I am really glad we did it as we both had a great time.

 

[twindaddy]

Just got home yesterday from another fabulous DCL cruise to Alaska!! For our excursions this year:



Skagway - the Yukon Expedition through Disney. We enjoyed this excursion, although not as much as our previous cruise 2 years ago. The tour guide was very new and not as talkative as our previous guide and the mosquitos were VERY, VERY bad at Carcross. (part of our issues with this excursion were fellow guests - not anything to be done about that, I'm afraid)

We are doing the same tour, but through Chilkoot tours. Might be kind of different actually, but sorta similar. What was the issue with fellow guests?

 

[sunryzez]

My DD really wanted to do this but my DH wanted to go fishing, so we split up last year and us girls went on this tour.

The children (various ages) on the tour seemed to enjoy talking to the totem carver and then went off to do their craft activity. The adults were given a bit of history and a tour, then we were told some native stories. We had a bit of time to shop as well.

Short bus ride to the Lumberjack show, which I personally enjoyed. I know some reviews say the show is corny, but it also shows the skills of these guys and is fun and was something we couldn't see at home, so to us it was worth it.

As the show is near the dock, we took our time when leaving so DD could get her photo taken with the guys and then shopped and little in their store.

I'm not sure it's the kind of tour I want to repeat on a future visit, but I am really glad we did it as we both had a great time.

Thanks for the quick reply. I think it is something we would enjoy. I have two last questions about this excursion
1) When you say the kids went off to do their activity, does that mean in a seperate area away from the parents. My lil guy is very shy and I dont know how keen he would be if he needs to be seperated from me in a place he is not familiar in.

2) Did it show alot of history? My husband is really into history of cultures. And, I heard Potlatch Park has an antique car muesum. Was there time to view that?

Thanks again =)

 

[ImprovGal]

Skagway - the Yukon Expedition through Disney. We enjoyed this excursion, although not as much as our previous cruise 2 years ago. The tour guide was very new and not as talkative as our previous guide and the mosquitos were VERY, VERY bad at Carcross. (part of our issues with this excursion were fellow guests - not anything to be done about that, I'm afraid)

There must have been more than one departure group for this tour, as my guide talked the entire bus ride up and was very informative. I agree that the mosquitoes were horrendous at Carcross. I still can't figure out how I escaped without a single bite when I didn't have any repellant on me.

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

Booked Coastal Helicopters in Juneau independently for the dog sled tour on the Herbert Glacier.

On our way out of the ship to get to the excursion, a couple was coming back in, having just found out that their dog sled tour had been canceled, so it got us worried.

Not to fear, Coastal was there to greet us, and the conditions were favorable for our tour. There were only two other people on our particular launch, and they were a lovely couple. The entire experience was truly top notch! I'm not sure what Menenhall Glacier is like, but on Herbert, it felt like we owned the glacier because it was only the four of us and the dog camp there. We mushed the sled the entire time, whereas I've read that others on similar excursions only get a few minutes of mushing due to having to switch off constantly. If we have one complaint, it's that we didn't have more time to play with the puppies, but it was minor in the overall scheme of things.

They have my 100% recommendation!

Were you on the 5/24-6/2 cruise? We had the helicopter/Mendenhall dog sled excursion booked and were really, really sad that it was canceled. From the sounds of it all the DCL scheduled helicopter/dog sled excursions were canceled in Juneau that day. We did switch over to the 5-Glacier Floatplane Exploration excursion. It was cool to see the glaciers from the air and to be on a floatplane but I don't think I would recommend this excursion. It was pricey for what you got. It was a very structured flight. The pilot did not talk, you listened to a pre-recorded narration. You followed a very structured flight plan that did not veer off course at all so you didn't see anything up close or any wildlife or anything. The flight was only about 30-35 minutes long.

In Sitka we did our own excursion with Paul Davis from Gallant Adventures. You can find him on trip advisor. He took us out in his boat, just our family, and we saw tons of eagles, sea otters, starfish, humpback whales, sea lions, seals, puffins, and the best was the gray whales. There was a pair of gray whales that just hung around our boat for awhile. At one point we could nearly reach out and touch them! Unbelievable! He also took us around the volcanic islands and took the boat into a sea cave that was really cool!

In Skagway we did the Klondike Gold Dredge and White Pass Railway The train ride was cool. The gold panning was fun, but a little cheesy and really quick (only about 5-10 minutes of panning). Wish we would have paired the White Pass with some type of dog sledding excursion instead since our helicopter/dog sled was canceled in Juneau. We are really disappointed to be home from Alaska without even seeing a Husky!

In Ketchikan we did the Disney Exclusive: Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour and Dinner with the Crew. We all really enjoyed this excursion and I would recommend it. There is a part where they throw out fish and eagles come in that is just amazing. We had at least 40-50 eagles swooping around the boat. It was really a once in a lifetime experience. The dinner was fine and the stories were interesting. Before the dinner and after the rest of the tour group leaves they take you on a long tour of the boat (from the Deadliest Catch show) and you can sit in the captain's chair etc.