Alaskan cruise...any must do's?

I have never taken an Alaska cruise, even though I live here. The best advice I can give is to get off the boat, away from the tourists and see and touch Alaska up close. Look for any activities that are not in large tourist groups, that may take you off of the usual path.

Remember that a lot of the towns along the cruise ship paths are small. Sometimes a walk with the family away from the tourist traps is the best. Find a hole in the wall place for lunch, watch the float planes, bird watch, etc.

 

You need to visit FChat'er 'Alaskagirl' and replace her water pump.

 

We've done the trip a few times now, and was most unimpressed with the gondola in Juneau next to the cruise ship dock. Although there is a seafood restaurant on the wharf with some great Alaskan King Crab legs.

The train out of Skagway was an interesting and slow-paced way to get some of the Klondike gold rush history. although it's expensive at $100 or so each for a few hours. That's the only excursion we've done twice.

We did a float plane tour over the glaciers at one stop (I forget which) that was amazing, but the most expensive of the bunch.

Did a whale tour at one of the stops that was ok, depends if humpbacks are your thing or not. Did an Eagle tour boat trip once that was ok as well - but a little too laid back, and we've got lots of Eagles outside of Vancouver. Although I don't think I'd seen as many in one trip, and as much insight into the different nests/challenges as that one tour.

We took our kids on a Princess trip South->North a year or two back, they would of been 8 and 10 I think, worked out better than I would of thought.

The two highlights for me were the railroad tour, and just hanging out on the balcony in Glacier Bay with the Glaciers.

 

We are going in mid August. Sailing from South to North and our first time. We are looking forward to the break.

Any info on what to do or not would be appreciated.

 

Don't take the paddle wheel cruise!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/14/alaska.ship.ap/index.html

 

Did two Alaskan cruises. Planning a 3rd this year.

In Juneau we've taking a heli ride and landing on the glacier. Fun, but pricey. Tram was so-so, in May we trekked around up top in the snow.

Ketchikan did a land/sea trip. The boat ride was fun, but the land portion stunk. Abandoned fishery tour where the goal seemed to be selling salmon & tourist junk.

Skagway did a float ride in the eagle preserve. Kinda fun, but way too much transit time (ferry, then bus ride). The last trip we rented a car from Alamo, and drove out to Emerald lake in Canada. It's a cheap trip, just be sure to reserve a car ahead of time. Oh, and bring your passports and split the driving. Here's a short trip breakdown:

http://www.explorenorth.com/library/roads/sklondike-photos1.html

But the best part is Glacier Bay. Love that place!

Have fun.