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Ah Irish', All the places you've mentioned, Ketch', June' and Skag' are about as touristy as you can get. When your ship dock, you will find 3 or more of these monsters dock with yours. And when they 'disembowel' you will mingle with everyone like fleas. I've been to these ports quite a few times and have seen the mass of humanity from 8 to 5. Then somewhere after 5 or 6, the streets are near deserted again until the next morn. I don't think this is the true impression of Alaska. I know it is nearly impossible to make different arrangements w/cruises because of the set time tables and, of course your limited time and possibly finances. But, thinking out loud, if it were possible w/o any penalty, I would jump ship in Juneau or Skagway, take a ferry to Haines. Check out this city and see 3 different glaciers from one spot. Rent a car in Haines and drive up toward Anchorage and Denali and enjoy the sights along the way. I've driven throughout Alaska nearly every year since 1997 and the thrill is still there. Personally, I am not a cruise person though I've seen my share. And I am still an outsider looking in.
The Red Dog Saloon in Juneau: if it's raining and you don't feel like wandering, they do have a good cheeseburger.
About jumping ship: I think that could be pretty expensive, no? They will already have paid full room and board through the cruise, and then have to pay again, plus transportation...
About glaciers: Your cruise will take you to Glacier Bay, right?
No one's mentioned something to do in Ketchikan. If you like gazing at snowy mountains, meandering rivers and lovely clouds, I recommend flightseeing in Misty Fjords National Monument; stunning and very "Alaskan".
If you like walking through a rainforest accompanied by Eagles and quite possibly a bear, I recommend the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary; transcending.
You can arrange these (and other) excursions through your cruise line. It's likely you'll be in Ketchikan long enough for only one good excursion.
Most of the time, there aren't cruise ships here either. Besides, as much as we all ***** about the cruise ships, they don't have much effect on life outside like a two mile radius from the docks.
I suppose it's the price we pay for spectacular scenery...
Well you're welcome to come & visit our cabin Xa'at. We have a great one this time. It has a balcony that wraps around part of the back end of the ship.
Warpt I bet there's money to be made offering barge tours to Bethel. The barges could either go up river under their own power or be pulled by packs of bears.
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