Alaska Ports

[Presley]

I'm headed to Alaska soon and wondering if any of the ports have things to do within walking distance. We have excursions booked, but would like to have a day where we just check out the town on our own. If any of the ports have a village, close hiking trails, etc., please let me know. We are stopping at Skagway, Juneua, and Ketchikan.

[salmoneous]

Below is a link to the Cruise Critic port review for Ketchikan. You can get to port reviews of the others from there.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=25

[djgrab]

Please post a trip report and tell us how it is. Going to alaska too.
What excursions are you doing?

[Presley]

Originally Posted by salmoneous

Below is a link to the Cruise Critic port review for Ketchikan. You can get to port reviews of the others from there.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=25

Ketchikan looks like a great place to wander around by the port. Thanks for that link.

Originally Posted by djgrab

Please post a trip report and tell us how it is. Going to alaska too.
What excursions are you doing?

In Skagway, we are doing the Alaska Nature and Wildlife Expedition.

We had whales and science scheduled for Juneau, but I will probably look at other choices. I am feeling extra lazy this week and think I just want to sit back and enjoy the view, rather than walk around for an hour and then do science experiments. I may switch to gold mining. I know that is inconsistent with the previous statement.

Still having a hard time with Victoria. I can't decided between the castle, the gardens or a city tour. I may just have to wait until I am on board and see what is left available.

[salmoneous]

Originally Posted by Presley

Still having a hard time with Victoria.

You could always stay on board ship and enjoy the pool bar

[mikayla73]

We just got back yesterday. We walked from the ship to town in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. Ketchikan and Juneau probably had the most to do just walking around. Ketchikan is where I just walked around. Creek Street is only a couple blocks from where the ships dock. My DH went on a dungeness crab tour in Ketchikan (we were on CCL, not DCL). I enjoyed my time walking around Ketchikan. Everyone was pretty friendly too.

[Simba's Mom]

Our son has spent the last two summers working on a cruise ship in Alaska, which stopped in all 3 ports. In Skagway, he said lots of people enjoy the Red Onion Saloon. Juneau-the Mt. Roberts Tram, Ketchikan-the Lumberjack show. But if you're in Ketchikan and want a break from something touristy, find the Burger Queen (nearby) and have a burger and milk shake. He loved their Pumpkin Pie milk shakes.

[OttawaWendy]

Originally Posted by Presley

Still having a hard time with Victoria. I can't decided between the castle, the gardens or a city tour. I may just have to wait until I am on board and see what is left available.

Butchart Gardens is incredible. I'd likely recommend that.

[Presley]

It's been tough choosing. We have finally made our final choices. I do plan on a Vancouver vacation in the next few years, so I will add a couple days in Victoria to see what I won't see this time.

Day one: Seattle - party time!

Day two: At Sea - going to enjoy checking out the ship. Seasick husband can work on getting his sea legs.

Day three: Cruise by Tracy Arm, Alaska. Adult brunch.

Day four: Skagway - port excursion Alaska Nature and Wildlife - 6hours
Join engaging naturalists on an exploration through the "Valley of the Eagles," nestled between rugged glaciers and snowcapped mountains, to the fertile Chilkoot River, home to generations of brown bears, bald eagles, mountain goats, river otters, spawning salmon and numerous birds.

Day five: Juneau - port excursion Alaska Salmon Bake, Glacier and Hatchery
Visit Juneau's hallmark attraction, Mendenhall Glacier, followed by a visit to Macaulay Salmon Hatchery. End your excursion with an authentic salmon bake meal of grilled wild Alaska salmon and all the trimmings: a feast for the eyes and appetite alike.

Day six: Ketchikan - no port excursions. We will walk around the town and see what it is like to be a resident there.

Day seven: Victoria - port excursion Butchart Gardens & Short City Drive
Visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens and discover its legacy of horticulture and hospitality, after a short scenic drive through Victoria's Chinatown, Marine Drive and Olde Towne.

Day eight: Seattle, rush to airport and come home to a million things to do to make up for being gone for so long.

Thanks again to Robin at SunnyDaysTravel for assisting me with this trip, giving me a big OBC and helping me get a nice annual travel policy that will cover any issues on this trip or any other trip in the next 12 months.

[Brian5581]

Those plans sound wonderful. Enjoy!