Thank you so much for the excursion break down. I was nervous about kayaking or other water excursions because I have always fallen in at least once when kayaking on rivers, lakes or the ocean!
We got in a bad wind situation and had to detour to Haines which is the Bald Eagle capital of the world and it was awesome. But you missed Skagway’s white pass railway. It goes into Canada and turns around but is a trip into past mining history and over wooden trestle bridges. We took a second two week cruise so we could do the railway. We did the kayak, the whale watching, rented jeeps on a 4x4 adventure, zip-lined, College fjord site seeing but the railroad was the best of a month of cruising in Alaska for us.
Absolutely and resoundingly Yes. If the arrival to the ship could be easier, cheaper, direct, i.e., then it would be for the masses once again as it was in a previous generational age. Safe travels cruisers.
I just got back. Was the last cruise of the year. NCL. I say, if its not busy, buy them yoruslef. I paid 60 dollars for tours that were 350 if bought through the cruise. Im also younger so take that into account. If its busy and you have trouble getting around, then its worth it. If young and have time/not busy season, dont.
Great question. $2200 was for both combined. We originally booked an inside cabin and got the balcony cabin in Norwegian's Upgrade Advantage (auction) program. We could see that there were a lot of unsold balcony cabins so we decided to take a chance on it (and would have been OK if we stayed with the inside cabin). It was $145 per person for the upgrade or $290 total. The original booking for the inside cabin was less than $2k for both combined.
They can be expensive, which is one of the reasons we wanted to do that video - so folks have an awareness and can be prepared. I would say that the Mendenhall Glacier was one of our favorite stops and the only expense is getting there (about 20-minute drive from cruise port). The towns (Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka) are all small, friendly, and easy to explore on foot. So, you can have a great experience in the ports without spending a lot on excursions if that's what you want to do.
In general, you want to book the excursions that you want to do as early as you can before you get on the ship. There is a good chance that the more popular ones will sell out. We booked all of them before we got on the ship except for the Mendenhall Glacier tour; we booked that one on the ship. Also, our original kayaking trip was canceled because the tour operator had a maintenance issue with their boat, but we we able to book a similar one to replace it while we were on the ship and it all worked out fine.
The bio tour from Skagway would be my choice if I were to go again. It is $200 and goes to Haines to tour 6 ecosystems. I did the White Pass trail earlier this month (Aug 2023) on a Crown Princess cruise.
Looks like you missed interesting cannery museum and town of Hoonah that have carving shed where local artists work on totem poles. But your video was about excursions, right? Hoonah was my favorite place, I visited many times.
![Top 10 Must-Do Activities in Juneau, Alaska [S1-E34]](/img/1.gif)
Thank you both for the wonderful information on Alaska excursions!!! Best jeff from Brooklyn NY
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the excursion break down. I was nervous about kayaking or other water excursions because I have always fallen in at least once when kayaking on rivers, lakes or the ocean!
Yes, it was nice to stay dry!
We got in a bad wind situation and had to detour to Haines which is the Bald Eagle capital of the world and it was awesome. But you missed Skagway’s white pass railway. It goes into Canada and turns around but is a trip into past mining history and over wooden trestle bridges. We took a second two week cruise so we could do the railway. We did the kayak, the whale watching, rented jeeps on a 4x4 adventure, zip-lined, College fjord site seeing but the railroad was the best of a month of cruising in Alaska for us.
Absolutely and resoundingly Yes. If the arrival to the ship could be easier, cheaper, direct, i.e., then it would be for the masses once again as it was in a previous generational age. Safe travels cruisers.
I just got back. Was the last cruise of the year. NCL. I say, if its not busy, buy them yoruslef. I paid 60 dollars for tours that were 350 if bought through the cruise. Im also younger so take that into account. If its busy and you have trouble getting around, then its worth it. If young and have time/not busy season, dont.
I am going whale watching. Up the gondola. Skagway train. I love kayaking
Thank you for the information, planning my first trip to Alaska, July of 2025. Very useful information. What time of the year did you go.
It was early July. Good luck with your planning. Hope you have a great trip.
I expect the $2200 quoted at the end for the NCL cruise was per person, while the $1739 for the excursions was for both of you. Is that correct?
Great question. $2200 was for both combined. We originally booked an inside cabin and got the balcony cabin in Norwegian's Upgrade Advantage (auction) program. We could see that there were a lot of unsold balcony cabins so we decided to take a chance on it (and would have been OK if we stayed with the inside cabin). It was $145 per person for the upgrade or $290 total. The original booking for the inside cabin was less than $2k for both combined.
For the Icy Strait Gondola, RC offers that for $54 and have a 10% discount most of the time, so $47.99. So I think Norwegian is price gouging.
It does seem that Norwegian is padding the base price since they know the $50 "Free at Sea" discount will be applied.
Won't be doing too many excursions at those prices. Holy cow!
They can be expensive, which is one of the reasons we wanted to do that video - so folks have an awareness and can be prepared. I would say that the Mendenhall Glacier was one of our favorite stops and the only expense is getting there (about 20-minute drive from cruise port). The towns (Juneau, Skagway, and Sitka) are all small, friendly, and easy to explore on foot. So, you can have a great experience in the ports without spending a lot on excursions if that's what you want to do.
whale watching which part of alaska was it?
Our whale watching was in Juneau, which we heard was the best. Icy Strait also has abundant whales. You may also see whales on excursions from Seward.
What month did you go on Mendenall glacier??
It was the first week in July
Im going in july 2024 on the ncl sun 9 days for its going to be 6,500 im guessing lol
Hope you have a great time.
@@iconic-adventures hopefully we will thank you
Glacier viewing on a float plane!!
We signed up for that one this year in August. We can't wait for it!
When were you in Alaska?
It was the July 5-12 sailing on the Norwegian Spirit.
Thank you!
Did you book those excursions from the ship?
In general, you want to book the excursions that you want to do as early as you can before you get on the ship. There is a good chance that the more popular ones will sell out. We booked all of them before we got on the ship except for the Mendenhall Glacier tour; we booked that one on the ship. Also, our original kayaking trip was canceled because the tour operator had a maintenance issue with their boat, but we we able to book a similar one to replace it while we were on the ship and it all worked out fine.
@@iconic-adventures thank you !!
I will be in alaska in 2026, but on juneau I want to do the helicopter rides.
What Alaska cruise excursion do you want to do the most?
The bio tour from Skagway would be my choice if I were to go again. It is $200 and goes to Haines to tour 6 ecosystems. I did the White Pass trail earlier this month (Aug 2023) on a Crown Princess cruise.
just back from the Encor, I did the Helicopter/ hike on glacier in Juno, super expense but aweesome
Taking a float plane to see bears.
Promo SM
Only worth it if you get face to face with a 1000 pounds, hungry Grizzly bear 😊
No thanks. 😜 I don't run as fast anymore.
@@iconic-adventures 😂
poooooore dogs ......
The dogs love it - you can tell.
Looks like you missed interesting cannery museum and town of Hoonah that have carving shed where local artists work on totem poles. But your video was about excursions, right? Hoonah was my favorite place, I visited many times.