5 Non-Ship Excursions You Should Consider Booking For Your 2024 Alaska Cruise

Introduction

I have no way to confirm this, but I suspect I hold the record for most cruises to Alaska. And if I don’t, I might have to leave my husband for the person who does, because we’re clearly soulmates (I kid, of course, but sometimes I do think Mr. Cruise gets a little jealous – I go on more dates with Alaska each summer than I do with him). In any case, I’ve cruise there a lot. Like, a lot, lot – dozens and dozens of times on every non-luxury line and on itineraries ranging from 3 nights to 14 nights.

As such, I’m viewed as a bit of an expert on cruising to Alaska and receive hundreds of questions each year from newbies. One question I hear pretty often is, “why are Alaska excursions so expensive?” followed by, “how can I save money on excursions?” While I can’t really answer the first question with anything more than speculation, I can answer the second question with confidence. Do not, I repeat, do not book excursions through your cruise ship. Instead, book independent excursions with local tour companies. Here’s why…

Why You Should Book Independent Excursions In Alaska

The cruise lines don’t want you to know this, because they want you to spend money on their overpriced excursions, but Alaska is an easy place to book tours independently or explore on your own. Why?

• It’s English speaking.
• It’s an America state, so (assuming you’re an American) you can pay using the currency you already have or your credit card without incurring any international fees.
• Your cell phone will likely work.
• It’s generally very safe (taking ordinary precautions you’d take anywhere, of course).
• Towns are small and easy to navigate by car or foot (meaning, for example, that a traffic jam would be very unlikely to cause you to miss your ship if you rented a car or booked a private excursion).
• Alaskan port towns rely on tourism as a major part of their economy and most of it comes from cruise ship passengers. If you book through the cruise line, they take a cut. Book directly and help out the local community.
• Directly related to the point above, most tour operators in Alaska will offer free cancellation in case your cruise ship itinerary changes or your cruise gets cancelled and guarantee to get you back to your ship on time (be sure to verify this before you book and only book with operators who offer it). Because they rely so heavily on cruise ship passengers to survive, they have built in policies, procedures, and time buffers to make sure they don’t badly tarnish their reputation by causing someone to eat a large deposit due to circumstances out of their control or miss their ship.
• Absolute worst case (which may have happened, but in all my years of cruising to Alaska I’ve never heard of a single case first hand), you miss your ship, ports are close together and flights between them aren’t super expensive (some ports in Alaska are actually only accessible by plane or boat, so small float planes from town to town are commonplace).

In addition to being a relatively easy and safe thing to book in Alaska, independent excursions are generally less expensive than those you book directly through your cruise line and you’ll have a much better experience (smaller groups, longer stays, etc). Cruise ship excursions are often crowded and you spend a lot of time waiting around on the ship for your group to be called, loading and unloading giant buses, etc. Once you experience independent tours versus cruise line excursions, you’ll probably never go back. You might feel a bit nervous doing it the first time (totally normal), but I bet you’ll be happy you did!

So, to get you started, here are five tours I would recommend, one at each of the common Alaska ports. You can also search on Viator and Shore Excursions Group for others that may better suit your needs and interests.

5 Non-Ship Excursions You Should Consider Booking For Your 2024 Alaska Cruise

1- Photo Safari in Ketchikan

Why book the “Photo Safari in Ketchikan?”
It’s highly rated, the price is excellent, it’s a small group (maximum of 9), you’ll see more of Ketchikan than you would on almost any other “highlights” tour, it comes with free gourmet local coffee and cookies, you’ll capture some fabulous photos (in addition to getting some tips on how to take them), and it’s covered by Viator’s worry-free policy (guaranteed on-time return to your ship).

Cost
Adults: $134.03
Children: $92.47

Duration
3 hours

Pickup Location
This tour is specifically for cruise ship passengers and will pick up from near the cruise ship berths in downtown Ketchikan (for non-NCL ships) and right at Ward Cove (for NCL ships). See your ticket for the specific location.

Tour Description (provided by the tour operator):
Create beautiful memories of Ketchikan with this small-group photography tour. Your guide will lead you to all of the best photo spots in the area, including historical, cultural and natural attractions, and provide helpful tips and instruction on composition, exposure and more for all types of camera, from a DSLR to a point and shoot or cell phone.

What You’ll See

• Creek Street
• Flowing Waters Wilderness
• Totem Heritage Center
• Ketchikan Harbor
• Green Bean Coffee Company
• Potlatch Totem Park
• Ocean Panorama Sight
• Carlanna Creek Waterfalls

Go HERE to read more about this tour or to book.

2. Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

Why book the “Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier” excursion? It’s highly rated, includes the two most popular tourist attractions in Juneau (whales and the Mendenhall Glacier), offers a 100% guarantee to see whales, provides a complimentary snack and beverage, and it’s covered by Viator’s worry-free policy (guaranteed on-time return to your ship).

Cost
Adults: $229.95
Children: $208.95
Infants: Free

Duration
4 hours 30 minutes

Pickup Location
Juneau’s main cruise ship terminal. See your ticket for the specific location.

Tour Description (provided by the tour operator):
The Mendenhall Glacier is one of Juneau’s most impressive natural wonders, stretching over 13 miles (21 kilometers). On this half-day tour, enjoy spectacular views of the glacier from the viewing platforms and walkways, and learn more about the mighty glacier at the Visitor Center. Then, set sail on a thrilling whale-watching cruise along the coast and look out for humpback whales, as well as other wildlife such as bald eagles and blue heron.

What You’ll See

• Magnificent views of the Mendenhall Glacier
• Mendenhall Glacier Visitor’s Center
• Humpback whales in their natural environment

Go HERE to read more about this tour or to book.

3. Skagway Half-Day Tour to the Yukon Border and Suspension Bridge

Why book the “Half-Day Tour to the Yukon Border and Suspension Bridge” excursion in Skagway? It’s highly rated, you’ll be treated to breathtaking scenery, it’s less expensive than the White Pass train and just as beautiful (plus you’re able to get off at more stops to take photos and stretch your legs), you can snap a photo at the “welcome to the Yukon sign,” you’ll get to cross the Yukon Suspension Bridge, and it’s covered by Viator’s worry-free policy (guaranteed on-time return to your ship).

Cost
Adults: $118.47
Children: $102.32

Duration
4 hours

Pickup Location
Cruise Terminal (See your ticket for the specific location).

Tour Description (provided by the tour operator):
While in Skagway port, spend half a day discovering the wild beauty of Canada’s Yukon territory via a mini-bus. This tour travels along the Klondike Highway, with mountain and waterfall scenery that will take your breath away. Wind your way up to White Pass summit and feast eyes on the dramatic landscape of Tormented Valley. Spot wildlife along the way, and don’t forget to take a commemorative shot at the Yukon border sign. Note: bring a current, valid passport.

What You’ll See

• Pitchfork Falls
• Bridal Veil Falls
• Captain William Moore Bridge, Alaska
• Summit Lake
• Tutshi Lake
• Yukon Larger than Life Sign
• Yukon Suspension Bridge

Go HERE to read more about this tour or to book.

*Note: There is also a full-day, 6.5 hour tour which includes a dog sled camp and lunch. You can check out that tour, HERE.

4. Icy Strait Point Whale & Wildlife Endeavor

Why book the “Whale & Wildlife Endeavor” in Icy Strait Point? It’s highly rated, you can sometimes see humpback whales bubble net feeding near Icy Strait Point, opportunities to see additional wildlife, max 6 passengers on the boat, guarantee whale sightings or you will receive a full refund, and it’s covered by Viator’s worry-free policy (guaranteed on-time return to your ship).

Cost
Adults: $228.45
Children: $228.45

Duration
4 hours

Pickup Location
Excursion Hub (See your ticket for the specific location).

Tour Description (provided by the tour operator):
We spend over 3.25 hours on the water! Our trip is designed to be one of the longest whale watching tours offered in Icy Strait. This extra time allows us to make multiple stops while not feeling rushed. We limit our vessel to 6 passengers max (whether private or mixed) to provide our guests with an uncrowded, relaxed, and intimate wildlife experience. On the day of your tour, we will pick you up from your cruise ship port – Icy Strait Point and return you via van. While on the water, you’ll be cruising in style aboard our custom built Twin Vee Catamaran with an enclosed heated cabin, restroom, comfortable indoor seating, outdoor seating, & 360 degree walk around viewing deck.

What You’ll See

• Beautiful views of Port Frederick and the surrounding landscape
• Humpback whales
• Additional wildlife

Go HERE to read more about this tour or to book.

*Note: If this tour is sold out on your date in port (it’s very popular), here’s another one to consider: Alternative whale watching tour in Icy Strait Point

5. Sitka Scenic Tour

Why book the “Sitka Scenic Tour? It’s highly rated, it visits all the top attractions in Sitka, it’s reasonably priced, groups are limited to 10 people, and it’s covered by Viator’s worry-free policy (guaranteed on-time return to your ship).

Cost
Adults: $99
Children: $99

Duration
2 hours 30 minutes

Pickup Location
Harrigan Centennial Hall (this is where your free cruise ship shuttle into Sitka will drop you off).

Tour Description (provided by the tour operator):
Skip the impersonal, large-group bus tour and explore Sitka on a small-group day trip to the city’s top landmarks, with a range of departure times offered to fit your schedule. Your guide, who navigates for you, brings you to four highly-rated attractions, including Fortress of the Bear, the Alaska Raptor Center, and the Sitka National Historic Park. All entrance fees are included for your convenience.

What You’ll See

• Silver Bay
• Fortress of the Bear
• Alaska Raptor Center
• Sitka National Historical Park
• Indian River

Go HERE to read more about this tour or to book.

Whatever you end up doing on your cruise to Alaska, I hope you love this awe-inspiring place as much as I do and that you’ll return over and over (and over) again! And with that…

Class Dismissed!

Homework (10 points): Please share your favorite independent Alaska excursions to the comments (and how you booked them). Let’s learn from each other!

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