Cruise Talk: Alaska Inner Passage

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Alaska Inner Passage

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Topic: Alaska Inner Passage

Happy Traveler
First Class Passenger
Member # 3100

posted 03-04-2003 12:44 PM

We're taking this cruise on May 31. Can anyone give advice/suggestions on excursions along the way? Are there privately-run trips that are good and less expensive than those of HAL ... or are HAL's fair value? How hard is it to arrange the excursions, since they don't provide for advance reservations? Any info will be much appreciated.

Posts: 13 | From: Bethesda, MD | Registered: Jun 2002 | IP: Logged

cncservo
First Class Passenger
Member # 532

posted 03-08-2003 10:40 AM

It has been a few years since our inside passage cruise so the excursions are probable different. For what its worth we always stick with the cruise line sponsered tours due to the fact, if you are late on a private excursion you are left behind. A cruise sponsered tour will wait for you. I believe we enjoyed the Sitka whale watching tour the best. I really forget the real name of the tour but we did set out on a high speed boat and did see several whales. We went the same time of the year cruiseing the first week of June on Hal. If the ship is of the newer variety you will be able to book a tour on your cabin tv, this is very handy.
cncservo

Posts: 170 | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-08-2003 11:13 AM

You cannot book excursions from your cabin on HAL ships, but you can book on their web site as long as you have your booking number. You cannot book until 60 days before your cruise.

We did the Alaska cruise back in 1988 and also did a whale watching tour in Sitka, but it was not in a speed boat, but a boat that had an enclosed cabin. This was the highlight of our tour.

We also went to a Salmon bake, in Juneau I believe and also did a tour of the Mendenhall Glacier. Both were excellent and the salmon was delicious.

I am going again the end of August and everyone has recommended the White Rail Pass excursion in Skagway, which I will probably do.

Just remember it rains a lot in Alaska so do take warm clothing, (layered clothing is the best) some rain gear and/or an umbrella. The day we were in Glacier Bay started out very cold so we needed hat, gloves, scarf - anything to keep us warm. By the afternoon it had warmed up considerably so we were sunning ourselves on the upper deck.

It was a wonderufl cruise and Glacier Bay is spectacular.

Enjoy!

P.S. We also took HAL's excursions for the same reason that the above poster did. You don't want to "miss the boat!.

[ 03-08-2003: Message edited by: sympatico ]

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 03-10-2003 09:15 PM

The White Pass train from Skagway is definentley a highlight of any cruise as you ride in old passenger cars and even get pulled by a steam locomotive through town then diesel engines take over. Also the White Pass and Yukon Route is I believe one of the only narrow gauge railways in existence, White Pass Summit has awesome views, as well as the trip up their. The town of Skagway is a tourist attraction itself, pretty much all the buildings are early to mid 1900's! So this is a definite must!!

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Happy Traveler
First Class Passenger
Member # 3100

posted 03-14-2003 11:51 PM

Thanks, everyone. I'm already counting the days!

Posts: 13 | From: Bethesda, MD | Registered: Jun 2002 | IP: Logged

mitch
First Class Passenger
Member # 708

posted 04-16-2003 03:19 AM

The float plane trip in juneau was fantastic. We all have fond memories of it and that was 4 years ago.

Posts: 87 | From: australia | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 04-16-2003 05:17 AM

All of the Alaskan excurions are over-priced in my opinion, whoever you book with! However, they all seem to be of good quality.

The White Passs mountain railway should not be missed.

If you want to save money do your own walking tours of the Town's or get a taxi. Each Town normally has a tourist information centre with street maps.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Eric
First Class Passenger
Member # 2724

posted 04-16-2003 02:48 PM

White pass railway is a must as others have said. Just a tip, sit on LH side of train going up for best views but if you are taking a video or even an ordinary camera try to spend as much time as you can on the platform at the end of the cars in the open air, it is a fantastic experience.
At Juneau it is easy to get the local bus for a few $ to the Mendanhall glacier, we did this in the time before our booked floatplane ride, unfortunately plane ride was cancelled due to "worst rain storm for 15 years--so they said!!)
At Ketchican some friends just walked down the dock to the float plane terminal & got a float plane flight plane over Misty fjords for considerably less than cruise ship price

Posts: 421 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

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