Alaskan Cruise - What are can't miss excursions place to visit?

[NLVgal]

Originally Posted by MaverickDD

From Skagway, get yourself up to Yukon Territory, one way or another. We took the minibus (Frontier Tours?) to the dog sled camp in Carcross — surprisingly comfortable, plenty of stops for picture ops along the way. The breathtaking natural beauty of Tagish Lake, Emerald Lake, and the Arctic Desert still amazes me.

Skagway is in Alaska but Yukon Territory is in Canada. Remember to bring your passport! (Since you'll cross the international border on land, cruise port exemptions don't apply.)

We did the dog sled camp, too, and one of the dogs had a brand new litter of adorable puppies. Good advice on the passport, Canadian border patrol has ZERO sense of humor.

[Vector1]

Thanks for all the info and recommendations posted so far.

I've signed up for several tours, and while I do not mind spending some money for a special experience, a few are pretty pricey. For example, there is a helicopter ride that goes through the Glacier and then on to the dog camp. Supposedly the nice thing about this is you sled on snow vs. going to another camp that the dogs pull you on a sled with wheels over a dirt path.
I think the one I am describing is $550 per person , most of which goes for the helicopter ride.

I suspect that finding some locals instead of booking via the cruise line will save money, but I wonder how much time and effort it will take seeking them out vs. knowing you are booked in advance?

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by Vector1

Thanks for all the info and recommendations posted so far.

I've signed up for several tours, and while I do not mind spending some money for a special experience, a few are pretty pricey. For example, there is a helicopter ride that goes through the Glacier and then on to the dog camp. Supposedly the nice thing about this is you sled on snow vs. going to another camp that the dogs pull you on a sled with wheels over a dirt path.
I think the one I am describing is $550 per person , most of which goes for the helicopter ride.

I suspect that finding some locals instead of booking via the cruise line will save money, but I wonder how much time and effort it will take seeking them out vs. knowing you are booked in advance?

Tours can often be booked with vendors at the cruise ship dock. Usually saves you a few bucks that way but you also run the risks of sold out tours, etc.

You can call Costal Helicopters in Juneau and see what they offer.


http://www.coastalhelicopters.com

[rwjoyak]

AKStafford already mentioned the Cruise Critic forum. Folks start a new thread on each specific cruise (i.e., with unique departure date) on that forum. Some posters find local tour operators and then ask others if they want to join. These are booked in advance with the local operators so you are guaranteed a seat (don't have to scramble for one when the ship docks). Much less pricey and better (smaller tour groups and vehicles) than the tours offered by the cruise lines. I strongly suggest you look into this.