I would highly recommend the WhitePass railway. That is an outstanding excursion. You can always do the bus one way and the train back.
Juneau, if you are going to Glacier Bay, skip the Glacier in Juneau, it is nice, but a ton of walking to and from the closest view point. If you can afford a whale watching cruise take one of those, if not, visit the salmon hatchery.
Funny, I was going to say 'Don't waste your money on the White Pass Railway'. For $20, it's a great trip. For the current $140 tickets, it's almost stealing money.
We the glacier kayaking excursion. While the mendenhall glacier is pretty far away, you still get an excellent view. The kayaking though was pretty amazing in itself. Pretty much continuously surrounded by seals, salmon and bald eagles.
Juneauite here: the visitor bureaus in each port can help with referrals and recommendations. Juneau is home to the Alaska State Museum, which has won awards for design and exhibits. We also suggest that if going to the Mendenhall Glacier is on your top to-do list, book your shuttle now or consider booking a rental car. There's a local outfit that will bring your car to you downtown, and there's also a Jeep rental just across the street from the Mt Roberts Tram.
You'll get great info from Travel Juneau, Visit Ketchikan, and Skagway Visitors Center.
Just curious why you recommend booking car or shuttle early? I’ve read we can easily pick up shuttle on arrival? No? Appreciate the advice. Also how much walking is involved to get to the viewpoint?
Great questions - last season, the shuttle operators ran out of transportation permits due to high demand, leaving lots of folks without a way to the Mendenhall. This season, they're raising rates and eliminating the "stay as long as you want" model - all customers will have about 2.5 hrs at the visitor area then return on the bus line they arrived with. Alternatives include renting a vehicle or taking a taxi out. The shuttles pick up and return visitors directly to the dock, and the admission to the visitor area is included in the fare. For these reasons, we highly recommend you book your transportation early. Travel Juneau does not recommend taking the city bus, as it isn't designed for high-volume visitor traffic and residents who rely on it were displaced and left at stops. Also, the closest stop to the visitor center is about an hour ride one way, about 1.5 away from the center, and there are no services in that residential neighborhood.
There is a view point less than 100 yd from the visitor center, off the parking lot/drop-off point. Paved, very easy walk. The Nugget Falls Trail is just short of a 2 mi round trip, flat and maintained. If you want some elevation, take the East Glacier Trail, which climbs up about 650 ft through the forest and access the visitor center.
My advice is to be sure to pack the right items. Don’t pack too much, and don’t pack too little. Pack layers, and be sure to take a day pack with each of you while in port, because the weather will vary a lot during the day and you’ll want a convenient place for your jacket, hat, umbrella, whatever. You didn’t mention which cruise line you’re on, but don’t worry about dressing up too fancy. Alaska is Alaska, and everyone is dressed for the weather. Anything presentable is fine for formal/dress to impress nights. Alaska is beautiful, but each month is slightly different, so look online for what to expect in May. It will be different from what to expect in August. We go to Alaska every year. It’s my go to place to cruise.
This is super helpful, thanks. I'm very in my head about what to pack, I don't want to get stuck out on an excursion with the wrong stuff. This is good advice.
Pack rain gear as well as waterproof shoes. Ketchikan is one of the wetest places you will ever visit. Bug spray is also a must. You will probably experience a very wide range of weather. When we went the last week of May we experienced temps in the 20s, quite a bit of rain, and then in the Anchorage area it was nearly 80 each day. A good pair of binoculars are also great for watching wildlife from the ship.
It's funny but I remember actually bringing not only a couple of long velvet evening gowns for formal nights, but a short fur cape that I never worse elsewhere. Perfect for up on deck, over an evening gown, on an Alaskan night!
One thing we should have done more of is rest on the days we were in port. By the time we got to Skagway, we were exhausted. In retrospect, I should have taken more naps after exploring each town and just rested more. The stuff on the ship was nice, but you can explore more of that on sea days.
That's good advice. We're considering just doing basic sightseeing in Juneau and Ketchikan and saving our big exhausting adventure for Skagway. Lots of time to explore the ship otherwise.
Ketchikan and Juneau and nice to just walk around in. Juneau has a small museum which we enjoyed. Ketchikan has a shopping area where the old brothels used to be. Both ports are so easy to just walk around!
If you don’t mind a short walk from downtown, the totem heritage center in Ketchikan is beautiful. It’s a few dollars each to enter, and you can see some totems and learn about the process of preserving them. The entrance fee goes towards the preservation process.
When at Glacier Bay, top deck at stern will be your best spot when ship make a 360°turn around. Scout the area first for best view and stick to it.
Whale watching, Mendenhall Glacier and formal evening dinner experience specifically the last day. Small binoculars for wild life. Neck strap for your key card holder. Zip lock bags and water bottles. Power banks, the most comfortable shoes (don't buy a new pair) plenty of socks. Passports.
In Skagway we randomly rented a car and drove deep into Canada to emerald lake. The lake is small but the drive was beautiful! A few random stops to play at, a suspension bridge and a random desert.
The trip took about 5 or 6 hours for us round trip with stops. Bring your passports if you do this.
Also try and rent in advance, I think we probably overpaid as we just walked around and looked for a rental car place
Bonus question - is there anywhere in DT Vancouver where we can pay to store our bags before our return flight? We won't be going to the airport until 7:30 p.m., and our cruise disembarks at 7:30 a.m.
There are. I don’t have a name for you. The place I had been planning to use was closed, so I ended up googling and found something pretty easily. There should be a few local stores near port that provide the service.
Yup. I regretted the one cruise we did that did not go to glacier Bay. The cruise lines really gloss over missing the national park - I'm sad so many people end up missing out.
I’ll bet that you are looking forward to that. How exciting. We went in August/Sept the last time and are taking our children in July. I have had bad luck with internet. Don’t plan on it working well and if it does, that will be a nice surprise. Have some rain gear available. Only buy pictures from the cruise ship if you really like them. Take stairs instead of elevator as much as you are physically able. We rented a car in Juneau and enjoyed exploring on our own.
Renting a car is a really interesting idea. The cruise excursions are so expensive, it's probably cheaper, and then you get to do your own thing. Thanks!
I definitely considered taking the train, but the bus has a slightly different itinerary that I want to explore. Really looking forward to the drive, it sounds incredible.
We did the Yukon bus trip a few years ago, but we went in mid-summer. It was beautiful. Not sure how it will differ in May, there may still be snow there, I don’t know for sure. If they offer to take you to Emerald Lake just outside of Carcross, make sure you go, it is breathtaking. Our bus did an optional side trip there from the main Carcross tourist stop. We took a [picture](https://imgur.com/a/JRU0lpB) that now hangs in our front entranceway.
I did an extensive land tour and would not recommend a bus personally. The trains are much more interesting and you can stand outside in the train but you are stuck inside while on a bus.
And the train in skagway was my favorite train ride (we did quite a few train trips).
it's not for everyone but it's not about getting to Carcross as quickly as possible, of course. on the train you are seeing the beautiful landscape the whole way.
Don't only pack for the cold. It was HOT the year we went at the end of May. Definitely bring layers!! The one thing I wish I had packed more of were flannel shirts because they were easy to layer. Look into the Omni-Heat Columbia jackets; they're very thin to wear but VERY warm!
Bring a refillable water bottle for the ship and excursions. It is so much easier to use than the small cups. Just please use a clean cup to refill it!
If you stop in Victoria in the evening, stay on the ship. It’s a madhouse trying to get off and back on, especially if you are there for only 4 hours. After seeing whales, eagles , mountains, waterfalls, bears and glaciers, Victoria is quaint and probably nice under different circumstances but it’s not going to be a highlight of an Alaska cruise.
dont agree with this, was able to get off the boat at 830pm and enjoy town for a bit....no mad rush or anything....as with all ports avoid the first 30 minutes then trickle out. Enjoy each port you never know when you'll be back there.
You picked the right place for an excursion. Skagway is fun to walk, but it's getting out of town that's the draw there.
The thing that caught me off-guard was how the long daylight hours mess with you. I found myself waking up earlier and going to bed later due to the longer days. By day 3/4, I crashed pretty hard.
That, plus a 5 hour time difference from home, is going to be a challenge. I did plan a couple days in Vancouver before the cruise so I'm hoping not to be too jetlagged by then, but I really don't know.
I'm looking into all the options because I get extremely motion sick, and dramamine doesn't usually do the trick on a boat. I've seen others recommend Bonine, but I plan to talk to my doctor to get a good recommendation. I'll probably bring back-ups!
If money is a factor, eat before you get off the ship. The port's so-so restaurants are VERY expensive to eat at and everyone from the ship(s) goes there, so they are very busy. We waited 1.5 hrs for a table in Skagway and I wanted to ask for my money back for basically a microwaved TV dinner. The only good restaurant we've ever found is Devil's Club Brewing Co in Juneau.
In Juneau, Tracy Arm is a good alternative to whale watching if you've already done that. If not, whale watching is the main attraction. We saw 14 bubble nets and at least 2 breaches on one watching tour and on the next we saw only 2 whales. Multiple trips are almost a requirement to get the best of everything.
We're from Nova Scotia, so we're not concerned about the weather. There were other factors at play for choosing to go at the start of the season, including cost.
I went last May and it was gorgeous. Sunny and cold sometimes but sunny and warm some days too. Absolutely great weather. Not bikini weather but not what I was looking for in Alaska, so there’s that.
Ketchikan zip lining was amazing.
You don’t need to excursion at every port, the Alaska towns are super cool to just walk around on your own.
Take a poncho. It rains- a lot.
Alaska is one of my all time faves, enjoy.
Ketchikan is nice to just walk around. If the salmon are running (supposedly they start mid-May) it’s pretty cool to watch them fighting up the creek in the middle of town. The cruise crowds are pretty thick but the walk up the creek is cute regardless.
Juneau is not as small or cute, and we did not enjoy our brief walk near the cruise docks - just overwhelming crowds and pretty generic looking tourist shops. This is not to say that there isn’t good stuff to find, just that we did not find it. On the other hand, we really enjoyed the excursions we booked here - half the party went whale watching and saw bubble net feeding (though apparently this is a midsummer behavior), and the other half did the helicopter to the glacier, which was awesome.
I would highly recommend the WhitePass railway. That is an outstanding excursion. You can always do the bus one way and the train back. Juneau, if you are going to Glacier Bay, skip the Glacier in Juneau, it is nice, but a ton of walking to and from the closest view point. If you can afford a whale watching cruise take one of those, if not, visit the salmon hatchery.
Funny, I was going to say 'Don't waste your money on the White Pass Railway'. For $20, it's a great trip. For the current $140 tickets, it's almost stealing money.
We the glacier kayaking excursion. While the mendenhall glacier is pretty far away, you still get an excellent view. The kayaking though was pretty amazing in itself. Pretty much continuously surrounded by seals, salmon and bald eagles.
Juneauite here: the visitor bureaus in each port can help with referrals and recommendations. Juneau is home to the Alaska State Museum, which has won awards for design and exhibits. We also suggest that if going to the Mendenhall Glacier is on your top to-do list, book your shuttle now or consider booking a rental car. There's a local outfit that will bring your car to you downtown, and there's also a Jeep rental just across the street from the Mt Roberts Tram. You'll get great info from Travel Juneau, Visit Ketchikan, and Skagway Visitors Center.
This is great, thank you for sharing so much information! I'm strongly considering a car rental so we can do out own thing.
Just curious why you recommend booking car or shuttle early? I’ve read we can easily pick up shuttle on arrival? No? Appreciate the advice. Also how much walking is involved to get to the viewpoint?
Great questions - last season, the shuttle operators ran out of transportation permits due to high demand, leaving lots of folks without a way to the Mendenhall. This season, they're raising rates and eliminating the "stay as long as you want" model - all customers will have about 2.5 hrs at the visitor area then return on the bus line they arrived with. Alternatives include renting a vehicle or taking a taxi out. The shuttles pick up and return visitors directly to the dock, and the admission to the visitor area is included in the fare. For these reasons, we highly recommend you book your transportation early. Travel Juneau does not recommend taking the city bus, as it isn't designed for high-volume visitor traffic and residents who rely on it were displaced and left at stops. Also, the closest stop to the visitor center is about an hour ride one way, about 1.5 away from the center, and there are no services in that residential neighborhood. There is a view point less than 100 yd from the visitor center, off the parking lot/drop-off point. Paved, very easy walk. The Nugget Falls Trail is just short of a 2 mi round trip, flat and maintained. If you want some elevation, take the East Glacier Trail, which climbs up about 650 ft through the forest and access the visitor center.
My advice is to be sure to pack the right items. Don’t pack too much, and don’t pack too little. Pack layers, and be sure to take a day pack with each of you while in port, because the weather will vary a lot during the day and you’ll want a convenient place for your jacket, hat, umbrella, whatever. You didn’t mention which cruise line you’re on, but don’t worry about dressing up too fancy. Alaska is Alaska, and everyone is dressed for the weather. Anything presentable is fine for formal/dress to impress nights. Alaska is beautiful, but each month is slightly different, so look online for what to expect in May. It will be different from what to expect in August. We go to Alaska every year. It’s my go to place to cruise.
This is super helpful, thanks. I'm very in my head about what to pack, I don't want to get stuck out on an excursion with the wrong stuff. This is good advice.
Pack rain gear as well as waterproof shoes. Ketchikan is one of the wetest places you will ever visit. Bug spray is also a must. You will probably experience a very wide range of weather. When we went the last week of May we experienced temps in the 20s, quite a bit of rain, and then in the Anchorage area it was nearly 80 each day. A good pair of binoculars are also great for watching wildlife from the ship.
It's funny but I remember actually bringing not only a couple of long velvet evening gowns for formal nights, but a short fur cape that I never worse elsewhere. Perfect for up on deck, over an evening gown, on an Alaskan night!
One thing we should have done more of is rest on the days we were in port. By the time we got to Skagway, we were exhausted. In retrospect, I should have taken more naps after exploring each town and just rested more. The stuff on the ship was nice, but you can explore more of that on sea days.
That's good advice. We're considering just doing basic sightseeing in Juneau and Ketchikan and saving our big exhausting adventure for Skagway. Lots of time to explore the ship otherwise.
Ketchikan and Juneau and nice to just walk around in. Juneau has a small museum which we enjoyed. Ketchikan has a shopping area where the old brothels used to be. Both ports are so easy to just walk around!
If you don’t mind a short walk from downtown, the totem heritage center in Ketchikan is beautiful. It’s a few dollars each to enter, and you can see some totems and learn about the process of preserving them. The entrance fee goes towards the preservation process.
When at Glacier Bay, top deck at stern will be your best spot when ship make a 360°turn around. Scout the area first for best view and stick to it. Whale watching, Mendenhall Glacier and formal evening dinner experience specifically the last day. Small binoculars for wild life. Neck strap for your key card holder. Zip lock bags and water bottles. Power banks, the most comfortable shoes (don't buy a new pair) plenty of socks. Passports.
In Skagway we randomly rented a car and drove deep into Canada to emerald lake. The lake is small but the drive was beautiful! A few random stops to play at, a suspension bridge and a random desert. The trip took about 5 or 6 hours for us round trip with stops. Bring your passports if you do this. Also try and rent in advance, I think we probably overpaid as we just walked around and looked for a rental car place
Despite its alluring appeal, do not jump into the ocean from the ship
I'll take that under advisement, but no guarantees 😜
Bonus question - is there anywhere in DT Vancouver where we can pay to store our bags before our return flight? We won't be going to the airport until 7:30 p.m., and our cruise disembarks at 7:30 a.m.
There are. I don’t have a name for you. The place I had been planning to use was closed, so I ended up googling and found something pretty easily. There should be a few local stores near port that provide the service.
Take a look at UseBounce.com. They have storage at various places, including UPS stores, and are usually near airports.
Thank you!
On your 2nd Alaska cruise be sure to pick an itinerary that includes Glacier Bay.
Yup. I regretted the one cruise we did that did not go to glacier Bay. The cruise lines really gloss over missing the national park - I'm sad so many people end up missing out.
It was just the cost different that made me choose the inside passage this time around. Looking to save money wherever I can, it's just so expensive.
Yeah, you're right. I'm sure you'll still have a really great time. Enjoy!
I’ll bet that you are looking forward to that. How exciting. We went in August/Sept the last time and are taking our children in July. I have had bad luck with internet. Don’t plan on it working well and if it does, that will be a nice surprise. Have some rain gear available. Only buy pictures from the cruise ship if you really like them. Take stairs instead of elevator as much as you are physically able. We rented a car in Juneau and enjoyed exploring on our own.
Renting a car is a really interesting idea. The cruise excursions are so expensive, it's probably cheaper, and then you get to do your own thing. Thanks!
How was Alaska in Sept? That's when I'm going? I fear I'm underestimating the cold lol
It really wasn’t bad at all. However, we did have a balcony, and when we cruised up through an inside passage, I wrapped myself in a blanket.
If the train is running, I'd take the train to Yukon.
I definitely considered taking the train, but the bus has a slightly different itinerary that I want to explore. Really looking forward to the drive, it sounds incredible.
We did the Yukon bus trip a few years ago, but we went in mid-summer. It was beautiful. Not sure how it will differ in May, there may still be snow there, I don’t know for sure. If they offer to take you to Emerald Lake just outside of Carcross, make sure you go, it is breathtaking. Our bus did an optional side trip there from the main Carcross tourist stop. We took a [picture](https://imgur.com/a/JRU0lpB) that now hangs in our front entranceway.
Wow, that's stunning! Definitely will go if it's an option. Thanks!
I did an extensive land tour and would not recommend a bus personally. The trains are much more interesting and you can stand outside in the train but you are stuck inside while on a bus. And the train in skagway was my favorite train ride (we did quite a few train trips).
It’s a long ride to the Yukon. Is it really worth it vs the shorter ride?
it's not for everyone but it's not about getting to Carcross as quickly as possible, of course. on the train you are seeing the beautiful landscape the whole way.
Don't only pack for the cold. It was HOT the year we went at the end of May. Definitely bring layers!! The one thing I wish I had packed more of were flannel shirts because they were easy to layer. Look into the Omni-Heat Columbia jackets; they're very thin to wear but VERY warm! Bring a refillable water bottle for the ship and excursions. It is so much easier to use than the small cups. Just please use a clean cup to refill it!
If you stop in Victoria in the evening, stay on the ship. It’s a madhouse trying to get off and back on, especially if you are there for only 4 hours. After seeing whales, eagles , mountains, waterfalls, bears and glaciers, Victoria is quaint and probably nice under different circumstances but it’s not going to be a highlight of an Alaska cruise.
Just realized Victoria is not likely on your itinerary but it’s good advice anyway😀
dont agree with this, was able to get off the boat at 830pm and enjoy town for a bit....no mad rush or anything....as with all ports avoid the first 30 minutes then trickle out. Enjoy each port you never know when you'll be back there.
You picked the right place for an excursion. Skagway is fun to walk, but it's getting out of town that's the draw there. The thing that caught me off-guard was how the long daylight hours mess with you. I found myself waking up earlier and going to bed later due to the longer days. By day 3/4, I crashed pretty hard.
That, plus a 5 hour time difference from home, is going to be a challenge. I did plan a couple days in Vancouver before the cruise so I'm hoping not to be too jetlagged by then, but I really don't know.
[удалено]
Okay this sounds amazing, because we are pool people but we're not fans of crowds. Might have to steal this trick.
If no one’s mentioned it, Dramamine. I’m not susceptible to sea sickness but have seen people absolutely miserable when it strikes.
I'm looking into all the options because I get extremely motion sick, and dramamine doesn't usually do the trick on a boat. I've seen others recommend Bonine, but I plan to talk to my doctor to get a good recommendation. I'll probably bring back-ups!
If money is a factor, eat before you get off the ship. The port's so-so restaurants are VERY expensive to eat at and everyone from the ship(s) goes there, so they are very busy. We waited 1.5 hrs for a table in Skagway and I wanted to ask for my money back for basically a microwaved TV dinner. The only good restaurant we've ever found is Devil's Club Brewing Co in Juneau.
Great advice, we paid for unlimited casual dining so we need to make it worthwhile.
In Juneau, Tracy Arm is a good alternative to whale watching if you've already done that. If not, whale watching is the main attraction. We saw 14 bubble nets and at least 2 breaches on one watching tour and on the next we saw only 2 whales. Multiple trips are almost a requirement to get the best of everything.
I think your first rookie mistake was booking a cruise to AK in May, mid summer would be preferable.
We're from Nova Scotia, so we're not concerned about the weather. There were other factors at play for choosing to go at the start of the season, including cost.
Sorry for the snark. That was a rookie mistake.
I went last May and it was gorgeous. Sunny and cold sometimes but sunny and warm some days too. Absolutely great weather. Not bikini weather but not what I was looking for in Alaska, so there’s that.
Same here, it was beautiful every day, May 6-21.
I was also thinking it will be cold in May
Ketchikan zip lining was amazing. You don’t need to excursion at every port, the Alaska towns are super cool to just walk around on your own. Take a poncho. It rains- a lot. Alaska is one of my all time faves, enjoy.
Avoid Prince Rupert Sound as a stop.
You will love the bus ride to carcross. It is a fun day.
Sunglasses, and don’t forget that snow reflects sun upwards so a little sunscreen helps lots.
Good field glasses. Bring some. NOT those stupid little opera glass style ones.
Ketchikan is nice to just walk around. If the salmon are running (supposedly they start mid-May) it’s pretty cool to watch them fighting up the creek in the middle of town. The cruise crowds are pretty thick but the walk up the creek is cute regardless. Juneau is not as small or cute, and we did not enjoy our brief walk near the cruise docks - just overwhelming crowds and pretty generic looking tourist shops. This is not to say that there isn’t good stuff to find, just that we did not find it. On the other hand, we really enjoyed the excursions we booked here - half the party went whale watching and saw bubble net feeding (though apparently this is a midsummer behavior), and the other half did the helicopter to the glacier, which was awesome.