We. No other cruise line offers Direct-to-the-Wilderness Alaska rail service. Your email address will not be published. Petersburg AK, Mitkof Island, Alaska. Spoiler alert: it was, We spent about an hour trying to find the trailhead. Itinerary for Royal Princess: On Your Own T1abbx from Whittier, Alaska to Alaska Cruisetours with Princess Cruises. This was our second cruise to Alaska and first on Disney. Plus, 14 years ago, the internet was not there to give you the info to plan like it is now. I think the private, smaller tours really contributed to making this trip so much better than the first. Look in a mirror. While many of Tom's port reviews are still featured on Port Reviews.com Tom found that many cruisers really enjoyed his "On Your Own" reviews, as they didn't want to be stuck buying shore excursions to explore a new port. It seemed everyone from those three ships had been shuttled off to various excursions, leaving Ketchikan proper a virtual ghost town. Thank you for sharing!! But if you are docked in Anchorage, I strongly, STRONGLY recommend taking my advice here and getting out of town for the day. I was too nervous about bears to try it on my own. She got mixed up between Pacific and Alaska times and got to the dock as the ship was pulling out. Ask your hosts for advice. Average cost for an excursion: $144.42/pp, Most common cost for an excursion: $199/pp, Least expensive excursion: Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. You know, once you know where to look. For instance, most cruise lines list both the White Pass train trips and Glacier Point ATV Exploration as easy, but for the former Alaska excursion, you are simply a passenger, while the latter has you piloting your own vehicle. We begin the series as most people begin an Alaska cruise–in Ketchikan. That said, you can sometimes get discounts by calling a tour operator directly. Petersburg is a small port town and the only settlement on Mitkof Island (Southeast Alaska). The Aleutian Ballad docks right near the cruise ships and is offered as a featured excursion from most major cruise lines. I was wrong. But fortunately we saw zero bears throughout all of our Alaska adventures! Walk up them. The mining town of Juneau is surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of mountains and the Gastineau Channel, and the only way in … I loved your video ! Do not recommend. A number of cruise destinations are home to geocaches. Required fields are marked *. Please note: it is a longer hike to GET to the trailhead than the hike itself. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Ha! I told each of them they were my favorite. As you will recall, the purpose of these posts and video segments is to dispel the myth that expensive cruise ship shore excursions are the only way to enjoy port days in Alaska. -returned rental car and took shuttle back to the ship because again, Anchorage is not so great. Oh, well, we did have a bit of bear fear in Juneau! The fireworks were around midnight when there was “a hint” of darkness…Yes, Anchorage was a bit drab but I did love the giant stuffed Kodiak bear in the foyer of JC Penny…Who knew … This was in the early 80’s. As you will recall, Because of Ketchikan’s location in extreme southeast Alaska, it is the first port stop for almost every Alaska cruise ship. Other options include contacting an outside company, such as Port Promotions (www.portpromotions.com), at least a few weeks before your cruise. People flock to this northern state year after year to get a glimpse of its vast glaciers, mountains, and coastal scenery. This error message is only visible to WordPress admins. You must be aware of this. You are the Camden of Alaska (and sorry Camden. -When you see a shopping center on your left, look for a small pizza shop on the right side of the road. It was perhaps a bit unfortunate and out of the ordinary (I hope). Here’s a very short version of our outside of Anchorage road trip itinerary: -took free shuttle from industrial port into town (required; there’s no other way to exit the port area.). Step directly off your Princess ship onto a waiting rail car that delivers you the very same day to your Princess Wilderness Lodge, without needless time spent in transfers. Ah well!). Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. We disembarked the ship promptly at 8am and wandered the town for a bit. This was our itinerary on the Ruby Princess, a 7-day cruise from Seattle titled “Inside Passage with Tracy Arm Fjord”.We mostly traveled during the night, arriving at a new port very early each morning. We admired Hubbard Glacier from the ship and visited the beautiful ports … You literally walk right off the ship into town for the most part. It's important to know that the Beaver Clan House Tour and Native Dancing Show is typically offered only on tours sold through the Cruise Lines, and tours offered by independent tour operators and walk-in visitors do not normally have access to these areas. Just don’t tell any of the other parts of this trip. The most popular thing to do is to explore the area on a cruise. -visited the shop near Portage Lake. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. -stopped at a well-marked woodworker’s shop on the way back into town. So, you know–I planned to get out of the port area, Our initial plan for Ketchikan was to rent a car and drive to three different trailheads and do. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend! Depending on your budget, you can pile the family into a taxi or use bus service to get to and from the glacier. And I work mainly in the bad parts of major metro areas, so for me to say this is seriously something. All of these ports except one, I would book a shore excursion on your own. -drove back toward Anchorage; side trip into the ski town of Girdwood. Beer at Pirate Bar. We're taking an Alaska cruise this upcoming June and our ports are: Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, … Required fields are marked *. Kathy. In some of the ports, there is a small walk to get to the main town area. Alaska cruises come in large and small packages. This often makes for a very crowded time in the immediate port area. Bought tickets for the Portage Glacier Cruise. Stopped at a gas station to use the restroom. In Alaska, as another example, Juneau's popular Mt. A middle-of-the-sidewalk fight ensued. After the initial mid-sidewalk fight and near-death experience climbing the steepest hill in North America, we had a lovely day in and around Ketchikan and were able to explore both the non-touristy part of town as well as some of the surrounding natural beauty. We had 3 in our party and we explored, not only creek street, but beyond the cruise ship dock. Helicopter Flightseeing Get a thrilling, bird’s-eye view of Alaska’s snow-capped peaks, mountain lakes, waterfalls, and more on an unforgettable helicopter flightseeing tour from Ketchikan . And bring water. Looking forward to reading about your time in Juneau. We eventually found the trailhead with the help of some guy at a store (who also sold us a Sprite because we didn’t bring water and he was out of water) and a lady in a car covered in kayaks. Such as the case with our daughter in 1998 or 1999. Once back in the port area, we stopped and got a beer at the bar on the waterfront which featured humping bears and humping crabs on their sign. And we did so for a grand total of $30. You will find a parking lot on your left; stairs are at the far side. You need a land tour to see Mt. Alaska Glacier Tours As you explore the best Alaskan glaciers, brace yourself for … We sailed from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver as part of our USA adventure and hitting one stunning port after the next. I’m sorry that you took offense. 1.25 hours. I’ve heard good things about it in the winter, actually. View deals, rates and port information. Here’s how to spend an amazing (long, long) port day outside of Anchorage: The initial plan looked a lot like what you saw above, except after the Byron Glacier hike and before ‘lunch’, we planned to continue driving toward Seward for like an hour, as my understanding is that that drive is amazingly gorgeous. -enjoyed Portage Glacier Cruise. Also I had a very bad experience at a gas station which I will not expand upon here. Average cost of a cruise ship excursion in Anchorage: $169.92/pp, Most common cost of a cruise ship excursion in Anchorage: $225/pp. Post hike, we walked back into town, passing by the university and the high school. lalagirl - it really amounts to using one's head. That being said, if your cruise ship does not dock in Anchorage, that’s ok. You can do this same trip from Whittier or even Seward. Poorly drawn map to Rainbird Trail Trailhead. Icy Strait Point's waters house endless treasures. Disney Cruise Line Forum. We did not canoe obviously.) Yeah. -At the top of the stairs, you can go right or left. Each Alaska Cruise Port has something new and fun to offer during your cruise. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Spend seven days traveling from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver, B.C., stopping in historic port cities like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Cruise Ports of Call in Alaska *Most Alaskan cruise ports of call offer zip lining, hiking, and other activities for the more active members in your travel group. $90. This was evident when we arrived, as there were two other ships in port at the same time. -drove out of town. I am really enjoying them I will absolutely return, however, to give the city a second chance. -stopped at Bird Point. But really, come on. And try not to scream at your husband. Roberts Tramway is located just a few meters from the cruise dock, so it's easy enough to just walk over and buy a ticket yourself. -Walk three blocks up a really long hill. Located in Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit Village of Hoonah, Icy Strait Point is home to only 750 residents and proudly … Sail 500 miles deeper into the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound on our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers Alaska cruise vacation. Juneau is coming soon! Wish I had known about that photo opp. Keep your adventures coming. It's fun, free and especially great for groups. Ok, I’m lying about the looking it up part. Return to Creek Street for more window shopping. Juneau. It's hardly a cruise on wheels. I say, If you’re going to spend the time and money, get out and experience Alaska! Sorry, Anchorage. During your journey to the fishing grounds, you will learn a bit of the vessel’s history including her time spent crab fishing on the … You’ll also get closer to everything. As a destination, Anchorage is more industrial and urban than I think most people might realize. I swear I looked it up in the OED and that’s what it said. You should watch it. Except for the fact that THEY ARE INSANELY EXPENSIVE. A highlight of this was the part where my husband tried to make me walk up a near-vertical hill. Exploring Alaska Ports of Call – On Your Own. The ships mainly travel during the warmer months—May through September—with the least expensive tickets being offered … Alaska Ports on your Own. Because you should always drink at a place with humping crabs on the sign. This error message is only visible to WordPress admins. Welcome to Episode One of Alaska Cruise Ports On Your Own and On A Budget! HIGHLY recommend. 10/10 would do again. Walked out and on seaside promenade—great views of marina and town. Welcome to Episode One of Alaska Cruise Ports On Your Own and On A Budget! Book this one through the cruise company simply because they take you there on a bus and get you back in time easily. We ended up mainly doing ships tours as it was impossible to find local tours that worked with the ships docking time, mainly because most tours are wildlife related and these normally start early mornings. But sometimes the best choice is to keep your afternoon open and explore the towns on your own. This is getting long, so here’s a bulleted list of the rest of the stuff we did in Ketchikan. -We went left, followed the trail all the way to the end, and then walked down from the end of the trail, which is near the University. Alaska shore excursions are expensive, but you can have a cheap day in Ketchikan. Like you we prefer to do our own thing, however we did a similar cruise with Crystal a couple of years ago booked before Azamara announced they were doing this itinerary. In Victoria, I bet your stay there is limited as it usually is. Meh. Alaskan cruises typically leave from ports along the west coast that include Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. You’re not pretty.). Meet locals and understand the Alaskan lifestyle; it may make you think differently about your own life. She had to pay for some boat to take her to the ship and to the amusement of those on board. Sorry this photo is blurry. To experience true royalty, visit Craigdarroch Castle where wooden antiques and furnishings line the Victorian-style halls. Wish I could afford a gold whale tale necklace. -had food truck lunch and a beer at Girdwood Brewing Company. When cruising Alaska, you can find good deals for inside and oceanview staterooms; however, if at all possible with your budget, splurge for a balcony stateroom. If you go off on your own you need to be aware of the time to be back. Because Anchorage is a hole. Other Alaska Cruise Ports We Have Visited. Excursion most closely resembling what we did: Portage Glacier Cruise: $38/pp or $76 total. Especially if you have 3 or 5 (or even 5) people. Turn RIGHT here. It’s always better to ask, especially if you have any health concerns or mobility issues. My young son, my sister and I flew up for a visit and stayed in Anchorage for a few days around the 4th of July. If you are the kind of person who can take a picnic lunch and stop on the side of the road to enjoy it without getting violently ill, I’d recommend doing that and continuing on this amazing road trip (sadly, I am not someone who can do that, so we were forced to turn around. -hiked Byron Glacier Trail. Tip: Take a day cruise and you can see more marine wildlife and tidewater glaciers than you would on a one-week conventional cruise. So we chose to forego the additional drive and find calories. Here’s where to find the trailhead: -No matter where you are docked, follow the waterfront path to the left. After maybe fifteen minutes of wandering, we decided to carry on with our plan for the day—a hike on the Rainbird trail, which was advertised as being very easily accessible from the port area. Do not recommend; Anchorage is sketchy. The admission fee is $5 per person, which allows you to explore the park on your own. Denali. Not able to watch the video above? It’s the only photo I have of the road of doom. An Alaskan cruise calls for excursions at the ports. Grab the local Silver Line bus to Totem Bight State Park. Posted on July 31, ... others, not so much, but based upon your own family’s ability and the time you’ll be in port, ask for a bit of help designing your own. Training cruise professionals onboard cruise ships kept Tom busy in ports exploring for the unique and interesting. Amazing. We feature: The web's most complete profiles on 42 of the most popular cruise ports. It was a lot, and I summarize it faster than you can read it in that video up there. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Your email address will not be published. I can see why it is closed to pedestrians. If you book a Gulf of Alaska voyage, you’ll enjoy exploring parts of the Inside … 3.5 hours. Yes, you saved a lot compared to excursions. The cost savings increases (and the irresponsibility of gas usage goes down) the more people you have. Alaska cruise - suggestions for things to do on our own. But I can’t. And that’s no longer ‘lunch’. Your email address will not be published. Halibut Lunch at Alava’s restaurant. We hiked in Ketchikan too but hired a tour guide. One of my favorite parts of Alaska cruise ports is how accessible they are. This is because most ships don’t dock at Anchorage–which is ironic, since the name of the city literally means ‘place to freaking anchor a ship’. $390, Excursion most closely resembling what we did: Rainforest Canoe and Nature Trail (though this is a stretch—it is the only option involving both a city tour and a hike. $35, Most expensive excursion: Misty Fjords Cruise and Floatplane Adventure. Alaska is a haven for wildlife and untouched nature. Not that there’s anything wrong with cruise ship excursions. The park has a clan house and several totem poles in the Tongass Forest (don’t forget to print out the information sheet in advance for context). It's well worth a visit. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account. Alaska Cruise Ports On Your Own and On a Budget: Anchorage August 31, 2018 While I refuse to pick a favorite part of this trip, our road trip outside of Anchorage may well have been my favorite part of this trip. Icy Strait Point. Cruise lines with the most established cruise tour programs in Alaska include Holland America, Princess, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean, each with its own hallmarks. 3.75 hours. The parent company of Princess Cruises and Holland America, for instance, is a part-owner of Skagway’s big attraction, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. -Walk for a really long time on the road closest to the water. Disney Cruise Line. Glad you had such a nice, bear-free hike! This was not our cheapest day, but it was for sure an incredible value when you consider both what we were able to do and see as well as what we would have spent to do and see these same things on a huge, overcrowded group tour–we would have spent $450 to do anything similar through the cruise ship. I think your comments about Anchorage are mean spirited and a little off base. Sadly, I’m fairly sure this post will be one of my least-popular posts, as there’s really not much of an audience for an article on ‘what to do on a port day in Anchorage’. Alaska Cruise Ports Schedules Alaska Schedules, terminals, wiki, news, live port maps CruiseMapper currently has 2241 ports in its database, including 602 riverports. And we passed the J.C.Penny (it’s still there!) Though there are many public decks on board cruise ships sailing through Alaska, being able to have access to your own private balcony will make the trip more memorable. I am from Anchorage and I know it’s deficiencies but I would never pan it like you did. -Walk another 1000 feet. -In one block, you will encounter stairs. I had assumed that Creek Street—the main (and small) commercial area–would be jammed with people, as there were three ships in port. Designed specifically for cruise ship passengers, CruisePortInsider provides all the info you need to know on each port, plus maps, port schedules, detailed shore excursion descriptions, "On Your Own" tips, videos and more. While I refuse to pick a favorite part of this trip, our road trip outside of Anchorage may well have been my favorite part of this trip. Click here or call 1-800-722-5059 to book your Alaska Cruisetour, or contact your travel agent. Picked up rental car. -walked three blocks from drop off point to Avis car rental; stood in long line. Admired mountains. But by the time we got back from our Byron Glacier hike, it was nearing 4pm. In some ports, I firmly believe that car rentals are the way to go! I refused. You can also access a small beach and tidepools, with the possibility to see harbor seals or other animals. Glad to hear you enjoyed this post! If you want to see brown bears while on a Southeast Alaska cruise, your best bet is to take an evening nature tour to Haines in August and September. This brought back memories…My husband was in the U.S. Coast Guard at the time working at a Government Super Fund Site. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! We had a lovely time exploring the trail; it was a mossy, rain-forest-y wonderland admittedly very near town. Indeed, in some cases, the cruise lines own the tour operators in Alaska ports, or at least a piece of them. Like even to pedestrian traffic. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account. Your email address will not be published. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Be prepared. Right takes you back towards town, left takes you farther away. No matter what you choose to do, your time in this Alaska cruise port will be nothing short of colorful. We rented a car at each port for 100 each. My favorite in Victoria is Buchard Gardens. Voyage of the Glaciers. And then we found an alternate route, but that route was closed. -killed 45 minutes at Portage Lake Visitor Center, which is very scenic and also informative. What a fantastic memory!!!
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