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\nGet up in the air<\/strong>. It’ll be expensive. We’re talking $250 or more per person. But there’s nothing like seeing the grandeur of Alaska from a helicopter or floatplane. The Juneau Icefield, in particular, is a sight to behold. It covers around 1,500 square miles. You can see it on a flightseeing tour from Juneau, with some tours including landings on the ice.<\/li>\nDon’t miss the whales.<\/strong> Even if you’re not a big wildlife person, you’ll be mesmerized by the humpback whales of Alaska. They are huge (at up to 52 feet, longer than a Greyhound bus), and there are boat tours that will get you up close to them. The best places to do this are out of Juneau and also Icy Strait Point if your ship stops there.<\/li>\nSplurge for a trip to Misty Fjords National Monument<\/strong>. This glacier-carved wilderness area, not far from Ketchikan, is another don’t-miss sight. It’s everything you think of when you think of Alaska: icy blue lakes, waterfalls, snowcapped peaks and glacial valleys. The only way to get there is on a boat or floatplane tour, and they typically start at over $200 a person.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nUnfortunately, as you can see from the above, many of the most spectacular excursions in Alaskan ports are expensive. But Alaska is not a place to skimp. Alaska is a destination where you may want to budget almost as much per person for your shore excursions as you do for your cabin.<\/p>\n
That said, you don’t have to splurge for a big outing at every call. In Juneau, for instance, you can get an outdoor experience with a relatively inexpensive trip to the nearby Mendenhall Glacier. It’s just 12 miles from the cruise ship docks and reachable by bus or taxi. The bus will set you back an astounding $45 per person round-trip, which I find an intolerable gouge (but … it is what it is). If you have a few people, you’re probably better off with a taxi, which runs around $35 each way. For two or three people traveling together, it’s not all that pricey a trip.<\/p>\n
Either way you do it, you’ll find some nice hiking trails around Mendenhall Glacier and a visitor center. There’s a creek there, too, where I’ve sometimes seen salmon running. One time, I even saw a bear. Speaking of which: A bear is something you think you want to see in Alaska until you actually see one. Then you’re just hoping you don’t get eaten.<\/p>\n
Related: The best Alaska cruises for couples<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\nThe historic gold rush town of Skagway, Alaska. REINHARD PANTKE\/TRAVEL ALASKA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nI should also be clear that the towns themselves aren’t devoid of attractions. While I highly encourage Alaska-bound cruisers to get out into the wilderness, there are plenty of worthwhile things to do in each of the main port towns.<\/p>\n
In Juneau, food tours have become popular; think King crab bisque and Alaska salmon. The Alaska State Museum is beautiful and worth a visit. Skagway is like a Gold Rush-themed movie set. You should at least walk its main street (Broadway), with its wooden-board sidewalks. If you’re a craft beer fan like me, you also might want to sample a Spruce Tip Blonde Ale at the Skagway Brewing Company. It’s made with Sitka spruce tips picked locally in the spring.<\/p>\n
In Ketchikan, you should save a few minutes to stroll up Creek Street along Ketchikan Creek, where you might spot salmon running. It’s the ultimate Alaska selfie spot.<\/p>\n
Related: The best cruises to Alaska from Seattle<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
How to book the best Alaska shore excursions<\/h2>\n The simplest way to book an Alaska shore excursion is through your cruise line. You check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and \u2014 poof! \u2014 it’s all arranged. They send a ticket to your room, and a tour guide will be waiting for you when you walk off the ship.<\/p>\n
Another way to go is to book directly with a tour operator<\/a> in one of the ports. That said, many of the tour operators you’ll find in Alaskan ports are the same tour operators that operate the ship-sponsored excursions. Often, the tours that the local tour operators will sell you are the same tours<\/em> that the cruise lines are selling you at the same price<\/em>. Shopping around isn’t necessarily going to get you anywhere.<\/p>\nIndeed, in some cases, the cruise lines own the tour operators in Alaska ports, or at least a piece of them. For instance, the parent company of Princess Cruises<\/a> and Holland America<\/a> is a part-owner of Skagway’s big attraction, the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.<\/p>\nNote that you can sometimes get discounts by calling a tour operator directly. I’ve had some luck with that over the years, but it’s hit or miss.<\/p>\n
Related: 8 tips for booking the best cruise shore excursion for your money<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
The 6 best Alaska shore excursions<\/h2>\n Below, I’ve listed six of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions. These all are tours that you’ll find in the tour lineups at every major cruise line that operates in Alaska. Different lines sometimes have different names for these tours \u2014 and sometimes different pricing.<\/p>\n
For the listings below, I’ve used the tour names and pricing listed in the current tour sheets at Princess, which along with sister line Holland America, is the biggest cruise operator in Alaska.<\/p>\n
Related: The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nDog-sledding and glacier adventure by helicopter<\/h3>\n Cost:<\/strong> $849.95 per person<\/p>\nPort where available:<\/strong> Juneau<\/p>\n\nCruisers arriving in Juneau can sign up for helicopter rides to a dog-sledding camp on a glacier. BRIAN ADAMS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFor those with a hefty bankroll, this might be the ultimate Alaska shore excursion. Combining helicopter flightseeing over the seemingly endless Juneau Icefield with a landing on a glacier for dog sledding, it hits two of Alaska’s most iconic experiences.<\/p>\n
It’s also insanely expensive, as I know from firsthand experience. I once took my entire family of five on this excursion, dropping more than $2,000 in the process (this was back when the pricing was half what it is today). That’s a huge chunk of change for an outing that lasts three hours.<\/p>\n
But I’ll tell you this: I don’t regret doing it. Not one bit. For starters, the views of the Juneau Icefield as you fly to and from the dog-sledding camp are incredible (assuming the weather cooperates). But the real joy was seeing my three young girls interacting with the teams of Alaskan huskies that live at the camp.<\/p>\n
Once you arrive at the camp, you’ll meet the dogs and their mushers, see where they live, get a quick tutorial in mushing, and then head out for a spin around the camp on a dog-pulled sled.<\/p>\n
Related: These are the best times to visit Alaska<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWhale watching and wildlife quest<\/h3>\n Cost:<\/strong> $204.95<\/p>\nPort where available:<\/strong> Juneau<\/p>\n\nSeeing humpback whales is the highlight of a whale-watching tour out of Juneau. REINHARD PANTKE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf it’s Alaska’s famous humpback whales that you want to see, you’ll want to book a whale-watching tour. The waters around Juneau are particularly known for humpback whales \u2014 so much so that the operator of this excursion offers a whale-sighting guarantee.<\/p>\n
Setting off from the Juneau harbor in a whale-watching boat, you’ll cruise to nearby areas to see not just humpback whales but harbor seals and sea lions, too. You might even spot a killer whale or porpoise.<\/p>\n
The boat used for this excursion has both inside and outdoor viewing areas. The trips last about four hours, including transfer time from your cruise ship to the whale-watching boat.<\/p>\n
Related: The ultimate list of Alaska cruise tips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nNote that if you have a big enough group, it sometimes pays to arrange a private boat out of Juneau to take you to see humpback whales. Many lines offer a private boat charter for whale watching as a tour option, or you can arrange one through a local company.<\/p>\n
Klondike rock climbing and rappelling<\/h3>\n Cost:<\/strong> $119.95<\/p>\nPort where available:<\/strong> Skagway<\/p>\n\nRock climbing in Skagway is a family adventure. STEPHANIE HAGER\/HAGER PHOTO\/GETTY IMAGES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you’re like me, you may be a little terrified at the idea of climbing the sheer face of a rock cliff. But don’t let that scare you away from this 3 1\/4-hour tour. It’s a hoot.<\/p>\n
Experienced climbing guides will meet you at your ship and drive you up the Klondike Highway to an area of granite cliffs that’s the perfect playground for beginner and more seasoned climbers alike. Upon arrival, the guides provide you with all the gear you need \u2014 climbing shoes, helmets and harnesses \u2014 for a safe scramble up a 70-foot-high wall. They’ll also offer plenty of instruction (and encouragement), plus a snack of trail mix and hot chocolate.<\/p>\n
If it all sounds a bit daunting, know that you don’t need any experience at climbing to do it; I sure didn’t have any when I tried it, nor did my young daughters, who absolutely loved it. There are multiple routes up the cliffs, some perfect for beginners. After making it to the top, you’ll rappel back down \u2014 an entirely different kind of thrill.<\/p>\n
Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWhite Pass & Yukon Route Railway ride<\/h3>\n Cost:<\/strong> $254.95<\/p>\nPort where available:<\/strong> Skagway<\/p>\n\nThe White Pass & Yukon Route Railway travels through the mountains around Skagway, Alaska. TRAVEL ALASKA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCall it the iconic attraction of Skagway, Alaska. A ride into the mountains on this narrow-gauge railroad is the tour everybody takes when visiting the Gold Rush town-turned-tourist hub. And for good reason. It offers an easy way to get deep into the Great Alaskan Outdoors.<\/p>\n
Truth be told, I’m a fan of more active excursions. But for someone who isn’t going to hike, bike, horseback ride or raft their way through the wilderness around Skagway (there are tours for all of those things, too), a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railway is one of the best ways to get a glimpse of the area’s classic Alaskan scenery.<\/p>\n
Related: 13 things you should do before every cruise<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nFrom the comfort of a vintage rail car, you’ll get stunning views of mountains, gorges, glacial rivers and waterfalls as you climb nearly 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass \u2014 the headwaters to the mighty Yukon River. Designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the 20-mile route is a marvel in its own right, with improbably steep grades at times and segments that pass over soaring wooden trestles and around tight, cliff-hanging curves.<\/p>\n
Heli-hike and rail adventure<\/h3>\n Cost:<\/strong> $399.95<\/p>\nPort where available:<\/strong> Skagway<\/p>\n\nA heli-hiking tour out of the port of Skagway takes passengers to a mountain trail along a river in the Tongass National Forest. PACKER EXPEDITIONS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis is another tour with a sky-high cost. But, in my opinion, it’s well worth the money. Indeed, it’s one of my all-time favorite Alaska shore excursions.<\/p>\n
The five-hour, Skagway-based outing begins with a transfer from your ship to a nearby helicopter pad, where you’ll find a helicopter waiting to whisk you high into the surrounding Sawtooth Mountain Range.<\/p>\n
On a quick flight to your destination \u2014 a mountain trail in the Tongass National Forest \u2014 you’ll get spectacular views of the mountains and Goat Lake. You’ll land at Glacier Station, a remote mountain helicopter pad alongside the White Pass & Yukon Railway tracks. From there, you’ll set off on a two- to six-mile guided wilderness hike on a trail along the Skagway River. The highlight of the hike is a magnificent view of Laughton Glacier.<\/p>\n
Returning to Glacier Station, you’ll end the day with a ride back to Skagway on the White Pass & Yukon Railway, which makes a special stop to pick you up.<\/p>\n
Misty Fjords National Monument by seaplane<\/h3>\n Cost:<\/strong> $329.95<\/p>\nPort where available:<\/strong> Ketchikan<\/p>\n\nA fjord in Misty Fjord National Monument. KETCHIKAN TOURIST BUREAU<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThere’s nothing that says Alaska quite like a trip in a floatplane. And, if you’re going to do a floatplane ride, there’s nowhere better than in Ketchikan. You’ll find a small armada of floatplanes waiting to take you to the nearby Misty Fjords National Monument.<\/p>\n
Misty Fjords is one of those quintessential Alaska destinations that’s so beautiful you just want to cry. That is, if it’s not too “misty” to see it. It got its name for a reason. The area is often shrouded in clouds and drizzly rain. Ketchikan is known as one of the rainiest places in North America, with over 13 feet<\/em> of rain each year. So, yeah, bring a rain jacket.<\/p>\nBut, also get ready for lovely views of glacier-carved fjords, cliffs and rock walls jutting thousands of feet out of the ocean. The whole thing is covered with temperate rainforests and features huge waterfalls (thanks to all that rain). It’s definitely a sight to see.<\/p>\n
Note that there often are two versions of this tour available: One that is about two hours long and only includes flightseeing and a slightly longer version that includes a water landing within Misty Fjord National Monument.<\/p>\n
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nSource link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There are some cruise destinations \u2014 Barcelona, for instance, or Venice \u2014 where you really don’t need to sign up for shore excursions. You can just walk off the ship and head to the major attractions on your own. For the most part, the ports of Alaska aren’t like that. To get the most out […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":112963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-112962","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112962"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112962\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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