july alaska cruise

[muiyin]

Anybody will go on July alaska star cruise? Any comments about recently cruise experience.

[Chris531]

We are going July 30th on the Norwegian Star. Any recommended activities/shore excursions?

[Ron Clark]

How big is your budget for shore excursions?

My expensive recommendations:
Juneau-Any helicopter tour of Mendhall Glacier
Ketchikan-Either bear watching by Floatplane
Skagway-Any helicopter and WP&Y railroad
Victoria-Orca whale watching

My middle of the road recommendations:
Juneau-Whale watching
Ketchikan-Any canoe or kayak
Skagway-WP&Y railroad
Victoria-Butchart Gardens

My cheap recommendations:
Juneau-City tour and Mendenhall Glacier
Ketchikan-City tour and totems, or lumberjack show
Skagway-Rent a car and drive to Yukon Territory, at least to Lake Bennet, at most to Carcross and back.
Victoria-Horse drawn trolley

My almost free recommendations:
If you like shopping, take a Highlights tour.
At every port except Juneau, walk and shop at the shops near the piers.
At Juneau, for approximately $25 per person, ride the aerial tram up Mount Roberts. It's only a short walk or free bus ride from the pier. You can ride the tram up and down all day long. At the top, on a clear day, you can get awsome bird's-eye photos of your ship. Also at the top, the local native tribe has a shop, restaurant, eagle santuary, and walking-hiking paths. This will be the best $25 you can spend on your vacation...

Wow! There's just too much to do on an Alaskan cruise. I know others will suggest other choices. My recommendation is don't select the most expensive suggestion at every port. Spice in some cheaper alternatives, and spurge only at one.

[Chris531]

Thank you for the advice. There are so many options, it helps to have some advice.

[Auburnsiren]

I've been 3 times.

Helicopter tour in Juneau was amazing. On a second trip, my sister and I went whale watching, which was also worth it. We saw tons of humpbacks as well as some silly sea lions and bald eagles. It is a fun town to walk around too. Very good crab legs in a restaurant near where the ships dock. Can't remember the name. It is just south of the tram station.

Do the White Pass rail tour in Skagway.
Everyone should. There is a fossil ivory shop on a corner with gorgeous carved items and friendly, informative sellers. They buy the ivory from an island and it supports the Inuit population of the island. A nice souvenir.

Ketchikan I just enjoy wandering around. It is a quaint little town. Shop owners are friendly. Lots of little places to grab a snack. If you like coffee, pick up some Raven's Brew. It is roasted there.

Don't get sucked in by all the diamond and tanzanite pushing in the ports. Another nice souvenir is a small piece of gold quartz jewelry...mined in the area.

Have a great time.