. My friend and I also went on the Dog Mushing and Puppy Camp in Juneau since we couldn't get on a dog sledding trip on the glacier. From saloons to historic hiking trails and Ketchikans red-light district, you dont need to travel very far off the ship to spot remnants of the gold rush era. Alaska shore excursions give you an up-close view of this wild, beautiful state. Simply put, there are many more shore excursions available in Alaska than the limited supply offered by Royal Caribbean. Matt and Kacy are also amazing and I think the woman that you mention was probably ER, another long-standing member of the team. The Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2023 (One in Each Port!) Its possible to see wildlife by simply walking around port, but if spotting wildlife is a big priority for you on an Alaska cruise, it might be better to book a wildlife excursion. See you in Skagway! Skagway Port Book [Add $5.00] Summary Shore Excursion Size Small Shore Excursion Type Scenic, Active Shore Excursion Duration 2 Hours GKMCruising Choose between over a dozen climbing routes with each climb ending in an amazing view of the Skagway River and the surrounding wilderness. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. The 9 Best Icy Strait Point Excursions for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023 Read more: When should I book my Alaska shore excursion? We were lucky in our wildlife spottings and saw a bald eagle on our trip to the camp and 3 Harbor seals on the way back to Skagway. They do provide winter coats if needed. Visiting Saxman Native village in Ketchikan, Where to eat like a local on your Alaska cruise, Visiting Victoria while cruising on Explorer of the Seas. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Read more: Locals guide of what to do in Juneau, Alaska. You still have time afterward to explore the downtown and our bus conveniently dropped us off right outside the Alaskan Shirt Company. We only needed to actually paddle to get in and out of shore. Onboard Experience - Royal Caribbean International Even Juneau, the largest Alaska cruise port, still has plenty of walkable areas and ways to get around without booking an excursion, such as the Goldbelt Tramway and Mendenhall Glacier shuttle bus. Fun & Games, Game & Entertainment Centers. Our group went on our RCI ship's excursion featuring the White Pass Railroad trip along with a gold mining and sled dog camp. @GKMCruisingGreat pictures, thanks for sharing. Its always a better idea to book excursions as far in advance as possible to ensure you can pay the lowest price and secure a spot on the chance the excursion sells out. They all were great! #1 of 4 Fun & Games in Skagway. Find the best Skagway tours, including White Pass Railroad train tours, dogsledding and glacier excursions, zipline adventures and more. Alaska shore excursions can be more active than what youre used to, so having a bag of trail mix or granola bars on hand is helpful. Binoculars can be another great item to pack for an Alaska cruise excursion, as they give you the chance to view Alaskas wildlife and scenery up close. Weighing in at 168,666 gross tons, Quantum of the Seas is one of the largest ships to have been scheduled for Skagway this year. The rock was about 75-80 feet high, which I thought was really cool. I didn't, but you're definitely going to want hiking/trail shoes with good support for anything where you'll be doing a lot of walking over uneven terrain. Some activities, like kayaking, whale watching, and ziplining, tend to be easier with a shore excursion than without, as all equipment, lifejackets, transportation, etc. Your link has been automatically embedded. directly to book an excursion) We went on the dogsled experience, and I was so happy - I am not a huge dog lover, but I thoroughly enjoyed the tour (complete w/ ride on Unimog! We will definitely need to know what types of clothing to pack! I'm an avid hiker and trail runner, so I wanted to find a good solo adventure for the morning before our main excursion in the afternoon. Owned and operated by the Huna Totem Corporation, Icy Strait Point has been developed specifically for cruise tourism, and offers glimpses into Alaskas native history as well as the importance of the local cannery to the communitys history and economy. On that ride down, the train guide also entertains the guests and I am so happy you got to hear Aurora May sing and play the dulcimer. You can post now and register later. Paste as plain text instead, The guides were very informative and friendly. A waterproof jacket is another necessity, as rain is extremely common to encounter on an Alaska cruise. If we hadn't been limited to RCL provided excursions, we'd have probably tried to work the science center in as well, as we had plenty of time left in port after our tour was done, but that'll have to wait for another trip. Take an unforgettable journey aboard the "Scenic Railway of the World" to the White Pass summit. We were given an education on dog sledding by Dan who participated 7 times in the Iditarod. The raptor center was first, and definitely a must-see if you're in Sitka. Gained a new respect for this sport. Top ways to avoid crowds on an Alaska cruise, 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own. Booking through Royal Caribbean directly also tends to be convenient, as all excursions are listed directly on the Cruise Planner site. I plan to do the Raptor Center, Fortress of the Bear, and the cathedral. I know the "default" excursion in Skagway is the railroad, but we wanted to do something different as we didn't think our 2 year old would enjoy just sitting on a train for 3 hours. 13 Night Grand Mountain Marvels Cruisetour 7A (Post Tour) | Royal 01 Jun 2022 By: Jenna DeLaurentis An Alaska cruise is a highly-anticipated vacation not only for the experience onboard the ship, but because of the wide range of unique shore excursions available in Alaska cruise ports. If the sun is out we could end up in the 70s. One of the must-see minivan tours for your Alaskan cruise, come and see why Skagway and its White Pass summit is famous. The Best Alaska Cruise Excursions in 2023 (One in Each Port!) Can't wait to go next fall! All of these skills are highlighted at Alaska 360. Others, like hiking, visiting museums, and trying Alaskas cuisine can easily be done without a pre-booked excursion. It was a great hike, super intense, just a shame that it was so foggy - apparently on a clear day you can get some outstanding views. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The 9 Best Sitka Shore Excursions for Your Alaska Cruise in 2023 Then we took a ride on a jet boat up river up to a eagle preserve, which we were not disappointed. great rally despite the more snowy and challenging conditions! Our big hike in Skagway was the Chilkoot Trail and Rafting and we both loved it, spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the town. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. Display as a link instead, Slightly earlier. We panned for gold then got to learn about sled dogs and hold puppies and finally went into minus 40. sitka- Never been but will be going on my next trip. Also the bus driver Amelia was also very interesting who talked and took questions there and back to our ferry. If youre looking for a more budget-friendly way to spot brown bears, consider a visit to Fortress of the Bear, a bear rescue facility and sanctuary located in Sitka. Journey into the heart of the Last Frontier, witnessing the majesty of soaring glaciers, the awe-inspiring Northern Lights, and an abundant array of wildlife. Sled Dog Discovery in Skagway 2023 - Viator Love all the photos! Fun fact - my parents are major benefactors of the Raptor Center and the endowment fund was recently renamed in honor of my dad after he passed in February and included that fund in his estate plan. Our Royal Caribbean ship, Radiance of the Seas was in port from 7:00 am to 8:30 pm. Anyway was a long day but fun. We loaded onto our Unimog and started up the mountain. You can post now and register later. When should I book my Alaska shore excursion? A new bill aims topermanently circumvent U.S. cabotage laws so that cruise ships can always visit Alaska without, An Alaska cruise makes for an unforgettable vacation experience, but the cost of sailing to Alaska can vary greatly, The small town of Skagway is a popular port on an Alaska cruise. Duration: 5-5.5 hours Price: $329 per person View Details Mendenhall Lake Canoe Tour Be among the select few to travel by canoe for an unprecedented experience of the majestic Mendenhall Glacier. Most salmon bakes will occur in the rainforest, where you can feast on freshly-caught salmon, chicken, baked beans, salads, and blueberry cake. I didn't want to shell out for VOOM, so I couldn't live blog during our trip on Ovation a few weeks ago, but I figured I'd share my thoughts and pics from our excursions, as that's what I took the most pics of. we were offered lunch which consisted of a chicken wrap, chips and a fudge brownie. Rail service between Skagway, Alaska, Fraser, BC, Carcross, Yukon, and Whitehorse, Yukon. when you say a few weeks ago are you talking the last full week of September or earlier? I saw a few people in heavier coats, but I also saw a handful in shorts Do you need waterproof boots/shoes? Alaska is beautiful but you need to leave the port area to experience Alaska best and an excursion or rental car will let you really experience Alaska. There are many ways to experience it for yourself, but one of the most spectacular is riding atop a glacier. Royal Caribbean excursion done right! - Review of Alaska Excursions This tour is actually off-season training for these amazing animals and is critical for their winter fitness. Paella cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing! Outside of whale watching, an Alaska cruise provides the chance to spot bears, sea otters, sea lions, eagles, and more. My boys enjoyed every moment of their ride in the 'Mog. Nevertheless, were excited to sail away with you!. I am so glad I booked this excursion through Royal Caribbean (but you can probably call A.E. While repairs have been ongoing, they wont be ready for two large ships visiting simultaneously, the email explained. This was my first time rock climbing on a real rock, as opposed to a human made rock wall. The tour guide driving the tram was very knowledgeable and pointed out tons of plant life and mushrooms, and the view from the top was great. Booked guests have reported multiple Quantum of the Seas sailings impacted by this change, including the following departures: Additional sailing dates may also be impacted as the cruise line continues to reach out to guests with updated information, and more than likely, all Quantum of the Seas sailings will be adjusted. Read more: Best things to do on an Alaska cruise. Our minimum age is 6 and our minimum weight is 50lbs. Paris Late Lunch at Eiffel Tower's Madame Brasserie Restaurant, David Gareja, Kakheti and Signagi city of love One Day Tour. Skagway was a boomtown unlike any other. Best for Families. If learning more about Alaskas Native history is of interest to you, youll be amazed by the hand carved, detailed totem poles dotted throughout Southeast Alaska. Recommended experiences in and around Skagway, Cemeteries, Points of Interest & Landmarks. Australia is on my personal bucket list - might not cruise there but would love to come spend a couple weeks. Plus, if you have onboard credit, you can put that toward an amazing excursion! Haley M. All of our excursions provide roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship docks! We took a quick lap through the visitor's center, and then hopped back on the bus for a ride to the last stop, the clan house. Explore our cruise itineraries and choose from a variety of rooms depending on your needs and budget. Most ports will likely have long days so you can do something in the morning and something different in the afternoon. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Helicopter and flightseeing tours are both popular shore excursions in Alaska, offering the unique opportunity to view the states nature from above. 12 Night Mountain Panorama Adventure Cruisetour 5B (Pre Tour) | Royal Some excursions may even offer the chance to visit where totem poles are carved and see this impressive handiwork in action. Ocean Raft Wildlife Adventure Shore Tour in Skagway, Alaska And yes, I did have to use the ropes in the photos. From what I read their are cheapshuttle buses.Eat onship tosave $$. My wife loved holding the puppies. We were amazed to learn about the dogs training and care while on this gruesome race and conditions they and their musher are exposed to. Best Alaska Shore Excursions - Cruise Critic Royal Caribbean is notifying guests that many of the 2023 Quantum of the Seas Alaska sailings will not include a stop in Skagway, due to pier . Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. We had plenty of time for the excursion and time to shop and explore Skagway. We were running ahead of schedule, so our driver actually stopped at one of the photo overlooks along the route back to town, as well as took us by a couple of extra points of interest in town instead of going straight back to the ship. However, its early-season May 2024 sailing from Seward to Vancouver is the cheapest Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise of the season. Thanks! Share your experiences on the Cruise Hive boards! It was actually kind of nice with the reduced crowds, there were only 7 of us on this particular excursion so it was very intimate. Explore the untouched beauty and captivating wilderness of Alaska with the unforgettable Alaskan cruises offered by Royal Caribbean. Entdecken Sie unsere Kreuzfahrt-Routen und whlen Sie aus einer Vielzahl von Zimmer je nach Ihren Bedrfnissen und Ihrem Budget. From the dock we had to take a Ferry from Skagway to Haines Alaska, then board a bus for a 30 minute drive to the Chilwak river, which is a glacier supplied river. It was a great experience especially if you like dogs, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Again, some of them were closed due to bear activity, as these trails apparently connected to the raptor center trail section as well, but we were able to walk most of them and see the totems as well as check out the pink salmon running in the river. Visit the Yukon Territory Skagway is the closest Alaska cruise port to Canada, with the border between Alaska and Canada's Yukon territory just 14 miles away. The "Klondike Rock Climbing and Rappelling" excursion we took was pretty amazing, the guides were cool, very helpful and encouraging as well as making it known that safety is a priority while having fun. any northern lights sightings during your cruise? October 3, 2021 in Shore Excursions. 4.7 (575) The Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit Excursion is our most popular Skagway excursion! It was a once in a life time experience, and boy did I get some good photographs! The excursion was from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Youll be able to get relatively up-close to the bears and witness their behavior as well. Special shout-out to my shuttle driver, Ann, from Dyea Chilkoot Trail Transport. On May 28th we had 16 couples that went by ferry from Skagway to Haines to do the Takshanuk Mountain Trail by 4x4 Kawasaki Mules.