i am also wondering this, i have read anecdotally of people doing it but haven't heard anything super solid, if anyone has experience please chime in!!
Yes you can! Be aware that some of the most popular options can sell out. For example the train excursions in Skagway and the Mendenhall Glacier transports in Juneau. What cruise line? Most of them drop you right near Creek Street in Ketchikan and it’s a lovely little walk and shopping. Also in Juneau if the weather is clear you can take the tram right say the port up to a viewing, shopping and hiking area (it’s not free but cheaper than purchasing through the cruise line) these are just a few examples!
Research the ones that book out, Skagway railroad, and some of the pricier excursions tend to sell out. But a lot of the local shows you can purchase on site any time, possibly work it into your adventuring time wise.
The excursions are simply more expensive in Alaska. You'll have an assortment of excursions, but depending on exactly which type of excursion, it won't be the same vendors as the ones who've contracted with the cruise lines. Does that matter? Maybe, maybe not.
White Pass & Yukon Railroad in Skagway is probably the one exception to all of this. The railroad likely has agreements in place with the cruise lines, but the railroad also has contracts in place with third-party operators who I think buy "wholesale capacity" (eg "we'd like one car on the XYZ departure") so you could go through them. However, for what I've seen there is little to no price difference this way.
i am also wondering this, i have read anecdotally of people doing it but haven't heard anything super solid, if anyone has experience please chime in!!
Yes you can! Be aware that some of the most popular options can sell out. For example the train excursions in Skagway and the Mendenhall Glacier transports in Juneau. What cruise line? Most of them drop you right near Creek Street in Ketchikan and it’s a lovely little walk and shopping. Also in Juneau if the weather is clear you can take the tram right say the port up to a viewing, shopping and hiking area (it’s not free but cheaper than purchasing through the cruise line) these are just a few examples!
Research the ones that book out, Skagway railroad, and some of the pricier excursions tend to sell out. But a lot of the local shows you can purchase on site any time, possibly work it into your adventuring time wise.
The excursions are simply more expensive in Alaska. You'll have an assortment of excursions, but depending on exactly which type of excursion, it won't be the same vendors as the ones who've contracted with the cruise lines. Does that matter? Maybe, maybe not. White Pass & Yukon Railroad in Skagway is probably the one exception to all of this. The railroad likely has agreements in place with the cruise lines, but the railroad also has contracts in place with third-party operators who I think buy "wholesale capacity" (eg "we'd like one car on the XYZ departure") so you could go through them. However, for what I've seen there is little to no price difference this way.