5 Non-Ship Excursions To Book For Your 2025 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), 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. Note that all of these tours offer a guaranteed on-time return to your ship.
5 Non-Ship Excursions You Should Book For Your 2025 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: $249
Children: $209
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 Alaska 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 and children: $139
Duration
3.5 hours
Pickup Location
Cruise Terminal (See your ticket for the specific location).
Tour Description (provided by the tour operator):
Go sightseeing in the Yukon on a half-day tour from Skagway. Bring your passport to clear the border crossing in Fraser, then experience the natural beauty of the White Pass and the boreal forest in Canada. You also learn about Klondike Gold Rush history and have time for photo ops at landmarks such as Bridal Veil Falls and the Welcome To Alaska Sign. Includes a driver-guide who shares live commentary and round-trip transportation from Skagway. Note: bring a current, valid passport.
What You’ll See
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Welcome to Alaska Sign
- Yukon Suspension Bridge
Go HERE to read more about this tour or to book.
*Note: There is also a full-day, 6 hour private tour which includes lunch. You can check out that tour, HERE.
4. Icy Strait Point Whale Watching Adventure Tour
Why book the “Whale Watching Adventure Tour” 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, and it’s covered by Viator’s worry-free policy (guaranteed on-time return to your ship).
Cost
Adults: $296.46
Children: $238.08
Duration
3 hours
Pickup Location
Excursion Hub (See your ticket for the specific location).
Tour Description (provided by the tour operator):
Focus on spotting native Alaskan wildlife on this half-day shore excursion on Icy Strait. Once your cruise ship docks in Hoonah, transfer to a boat and embark on a whale-spotting tour in Icy Strait. Listen to in-depth guided commentary on local Alaskan flora and fauna while keeping an eye out for whales, geese, coastal ducks, deer, and bears.
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 Photography Tour
Why book the “Sitka Scenic Photography Tour“? It’s highly rated, it visits many of the top attractions in Sitka, it’s reasonably priced, group sizes are limited, you’ll receive professionally edited photos of yourself and your family in Alaska (so much better than the professional photos offered on your cruise ship), and it’s covered by Viator’s worry-free policy (guaranteed on-time return to your ship).
Cost
Adults: $190
Children: $90
Duration
2 hours
Pickup Information
The guide will be in a red jacket holding a sign saying “Professional Photography Tour.”
Tour Description (provided by the tour operator):
This tour is perfect for cruise ship passengers. Capture Alaska’s Coastal Beauty—Perfect for Beginners and Pros Alike. Capture the heart of your trip through Sitka’s on the city’s only photography tour! Your professionally trained guide will take portraits of your group at the most scenic sights in Sitka. Photographs with bears, wildlife, fishing boats, mountains, and even a volcano in the background on sunny days. You will receive professional edited photos 1 week after your tour. Feel welcome to bring your own camera/smartphone to capture the scenes yourself. This will be the most breathtaking tour of your life. Disembarking in the most beautiful places in Sitka and come home with snapshots of the spectacular fishing town nestled in the beautiful Alaskan mountains. Sitka is calling.
What You’ll See
- Silver Bay
- Fortress of the Bear
- University of Alaska Southeast
- Halibut Point Recreation Site
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!
Today’s Bonus Cruising Tip
I ALWAYS buy travel insurance to cover my cruises, but I NEVER purchase it through a cruise line. It costs more and usually covers less than policies you purchase on your own. I go through sites like travelinsurance.com* to compare plans and prices and get the best deal for the coverage I want. Just enter some basic information such as your travel dates and total costs and see a list of quotes. Compare prices and coverage and read reviews. Spend less on insurance and spend more on excursions, special onboard cruise experiences and…future cruises!
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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