Tag

Alaskan Cruise

Ship Sponsored or Independent Shore Excursions | Which One Is Right for You?

One of the most exciting parts of any cruise is getting off the ship at the various ports and going on a shore excursion. I remember when I took my first cruise. I started reading about all the fun and exciting ship sponsored shore excursions. But there are other types of shore excursions besides what the cruise line offers. So here’s the question: Ship Sponsored or Independent Shore Excursions | Which One Is Right For You?

Ship Sponsored Shore Excursions

The most convenient way to book a shore excursion is through your cruise line. Other reasons to book through your cruise line are:

The excursions are carefully vetted and validated for quality and reliability. From their experience with thousands of passengers, cruise lines offer excursions that they know their passengers will enjoy.
You can apply any onboard credits you have toward the cost.
The ship guarantees to wait for you, even if your tour is delayed and you are late getting back to the ship.

Here are two tours we booked through our cruise line on when we went on an Alaskan cruise. Both were excellent and worth the cost.

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

5 Reasons to See Beautiful Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC

Shore Excursions With Independent Providers

[bctt tweet=”Did you know that you can book a shore excursion in advance through an independent provider? #shoreexcursion #cruise” username=”MySideof50″]

Did you know that you could book a shore excursion in advance with an independent provider through sites like Shorefox and Viator? Here are some reasons to consider booking through an independent provider:

They have different types of tours that may not be available through the cruise line.
Sometimes they offer the same tours as the cruise line but for less money.
Their tours often have fewer people than those offered through the cruise line.
You can read detailed reviews and see photographs from travelers who have taken these excursions.
You can find providers who guarantee that you’ll get back to the ship on time OR they will pay for you to get to the next port to get back on the ship.

Going on an Alaskan Cruise? Get my Ultimate Packing List Here

Shore Excursions With Private Guides

Private Guides take individuals or small groups around to the main sites and are able to tailor your tour toward your interests.
Choose guides with some type of accreditation through the local tourism board or tour guide association.
Book in advance rather than negotiating with someone who comes up to you when you get off the ship.
Do your research. Go on message boards on sites like CruiseCritic.com where you can ask for recommendations on guides from experienced cruisers.
You can also research private guides by contacting the local tourist office in the city where you’ll be touring.

Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Shore Excursion

Many ports have a bus line like this operated by operators like City Sightseeing or Big Bus Tours that are reliable, have quality information and good prices.

You can usually purchase tickets and get on near where you disembark the ship.
With these tours, you’ll get a map of the city, transportation to key sites and recorded commentary.
You can get off at the sites you want to see and get back on to go to the next destination. These buses run on a frequent schedule, so you don’t have to worry about long waits for transportation.

Self Touring Shore Excursions

You can have a custom tour experience without spending a lot of money by doing a self-tour. I’ve done two of these on our Alaskan Cruise with great success:

4 Fun Things To Do In Ketchikan

Juneau, Alaska Shore Excursion

If you decide to go the self-tour route, research your destination to find the must-see sites and the most cost-effective way to get there.
Read advice on cruise forums and cruise travel reviews to get the best information on your destination.

With so many options, take the time to look into each one. You’ll certainly find the best shore excursion at each port for you!

You might also like:

Packing for An Alaskan Cruise

The Cruise Beverage Package | Is It Worth It?

SaveSave

July 3, 2018 2 comments

Travel

The Cruise Beverage Package | Is It Worth It?

When you put down a substantial chunk of change for a cruise, you may be surprised to find out that although it’s all-inclusive, the one thing it doesn’t include is beverages – other than your basic tap water, coffee and tea. You incur additional charges for any alcohol, bottled water, soft drinks, fruity frozen mocktails or specialty coffees you consume. So should you purchase a Cruise Beverage Package?

When you first start researching your Cruise Beverage Package and see the PRICE PER DAY PER PERSON you may say NO WAY! I’ll just pay as I go. There is NO WAY I will drink that much. And that may be true.

But before you decide, take a look at the average price per beverage when you purchase them a la carte:

Glass of wine $9-10
Cocktail – $12-17
Bottled Water – $4
Specialty Coffee – $5-7
Soda – $4-5
Beer – $6-10

Then see if any of these scenarios apply to you:

You don’t want a steep and unknown beverage charge at the end of your cruise. If you are on a budget, purchasing a drink package “up front” will save you an unexpected bill at the end of your cruise.
You drink bottled water. Or you may want to take bottled water with you when you leave the ship for a shore excursion. Think you’ll save money & just pick up a bottled water at the 7-11 as you walk off the ship? There is not a 7-11 when you get off the ship. And for some shore excursions, you may want to have a bottle of water with you.
You enjoy coffee shop style beverages. If you like these specialty coffee drinks in the morning, as an afternoon pick-me-up or after dinner, you can really run up a bill. Think the price of a Starbucks each time you get one. And since you will likely pass their Starbucks like coffee bar several times a day, you’ll be drinking more of them than when you are at home. Why? Because you are on vacation!
You drink soda or juice. Or you are traveling with kids who will be ordering a soda everywhere they go on the ship.
You enjoy a mocktail or a fruity frozen concoction. There’s something about being on a cruise that just makes it impossible to resist these fun drinks.
You enjoy beer, wine or a cocktail.

Before you decide NOT to purchase the Cruise Beverage Package, add up the cost per drink per person per day and see what your estimated cost will be. Even if your number is under the price but close, get the beverage package. You will be drinking more of whatever it is you drink on a cruise. The average number of beverages is 6-7 per day on sea days. Less on the days you are on shore excursions.

Get My Alaskan Cruise Packing List Here!

What to look for before purchasing a beverage package:

Look at the choices. Some cruise lines make it easy and give you just 3 choices:

A package that includes all types of beverages that aren’t included with your cruise price.
A soda package
A coffee package

Some even offer additional packages:

Wine & Beer only

And then some really break it down to the brand of liquor you prefer. Are you someone that absolutely has to have a certain brand of liquor in your drink? Then look for the package (if offered) where that brand is included.

Purchasing a wine or beer package? Is that by the glass or by the bottle? Is that the house chardonnay? What type of beer is included – domestic or imported?

Are you a Pepsi drinker but only Coca-Cola products are served on the ship? If they don’t have the soda you drink, no point in buying a soda package.

For cocktails, drinks up to a certain price point are the only ones included. For example, your package includes drinks that cost up to $10. But you want to order a drink that costs $11. You will not be allowed to pay the $1 difference. The entire $11 will be billed to your cabin if you order your drink.

Have a different drinking style than your cabin mate? Some cruise lines require cabin mates to purchase the same beverage package. If you and your cabin mate have different drinking preferences, this may not work.

Ask your cruise line to answer specific questions about the price per drink and what brands are included in each package. It may not be on their website but you can call and ask.

Want to know all the details including what’s in the “fine print” for each cruise line’s beverage packages? See Cruise Critic’s post: Bottoms Up! A Guide to Cruise Lines All-You-Can-Drink Packages.

Cruise Critic also has a great forum for asking questions answered by experienced cruisers.

Wondering what to pack for your Alaskan Cruise? Get my packing list here!

You might also like:

Packing for An Alaskan Cruise

4 Fun Things to Do in Ketchikan

Juneau, Alaska Shore Excursion

Like this post? Pin it!

SaveSave

June 6, 2018 3 comments

Highlights of the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour which was a shore excursion on our Alaskan Cruise. Includes time at Yukon Suspension Bridge. #alaskancruise #shoreexcursion

Travel

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour Alaskan Cruise Excursion

One of the most highly-recommended and eagerly anticipated shore excursions on our Alaskan cruise was the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour. Beginning in Skagaway, there are several different types of tours that you can take along this scenic line that was built in 1898 as transportation for tens of thousands of men and women on the hunt for gold in the Canadian Klondike.

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

The tour begins with a train ride in old-fashioned parlor cars that take you up 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass. At Fraser, BC, you transfer into a deluxe motor coach and travel along the historic trail of ’98 to the White Pass summit and into the Yukon.

The Yukon Suspension Bridge

One of the highlights of the tour is a stop at the Yukon Suspension Bridge that rises 57 feet above the Tutshi River Canyon and is 200 feet across. I was only expecting a quick stop and walk across the bridge, but there is so much more at the bridge to see.

There is a restaurant where we were treated to a bowl of bison chili as part of our tour (nothing to write home about). If you don’t like the chili, there are hamburgers and sandwiches you can order, but it is very expensive. I recommend packing a snack.

The walk across the bridge was fun and the views of the Tutshi River and mountains were breathtaking. I am usually afraid of heights, but the walk across this bridge was exhilarating and breathtaking. It was totally secure and fenced in – nothing to be afraid of. I loved looking down at the rapids of the river and the scenic mountains in the distance.

This attraction also includes large, detailed, 3-D exhibits with information on:

The trails, geology, glaciers and traditional life of the area from Skagaway to Whitehorse.
Human History including First Nations and stories of the gold rush.
The natural history of the area and how High Country nature at 3,000 feet above sea level varies from the coastal environment at Skagway.
A walking trail that leads to an authentic trapper’s cabin.

There are beautiful flowers throughout the area, most of which is wheelchair accessible. There ARE parts that ARE NOT wheelchair accessible, but beautiful views can be enjoyed at every part of this great attraction.

After our time at the Yukon Suspension Bridge, we took our deluxe motor coach back down the highway to Skagway. We had a wonderful tour guide, many scenic views and time to stop for more photos.

This tour was one of the highlights of our trip! I highly recommend it!

Like this post? Pin It to your Travel Board on Pinterest! Share it with your friends on Facebook!

Juneau, Alaska Shore Excursion

The second port on our Alaskan Cruise was Juneau, Alaska and we opted for a do-it-yourself shore excursion instead of one booked through the cruise line. The weather was clear, warm and sunny, making it the perfect day to take the Mt. Roberts Tramway up 1800 feet to the top of Mt. Roberts.

Juneau, Alaska – A Do-It-Yourself Shore Excursion

Mount Roberts Tramway

Tickets and entrance to the Tramway are a short distance through the shopping district near the port. It’s an easy walk. We boarded the gondola at the base of the mountain and had a smooth, 5-minute ride up 1800 feet to the top of Mt. Roberts. The views of the Gastineau Channel and surrounding areas were stunning.

When you get to the top of Mt. Roberts, there is much to see and do for the whole family. All facilities and hiking trails are ADA accessible.

Stop at the Nature Center (more like a gift shop with all types of books and gifts related to Alaska’s natural habitat) and pick up your hiking guide.
Take a hike! The hiking trails are beautifully maintained with scenic overlooks at many points along the way.

Visit Lady Baltimore, the beautiful bald eagle at the Juneau Raptor Center.
Pick up souvenirs, clothing and one of kind pieces of art at the Raven Eagle Gifts and Gallery.
Enjoy fresh Alaskan seafood and locally brewed beer at the Timberline Atop Mt. Roberts.

Twisted Fish Company Alaskan Grill

It was dinner time when we came down from Mt. Roberts and we were determined to have some King Crab Legs while we were in Alaska. About ½ a block from the Tramway on the waterfront is Twisted Fish Company Alaskan Grill. Our party enjoyed the DELICIOUS King Crab Legs, but there are plenty of options – all kinds of seafood, steaks, burgers, pizza and other casual fare. It was the perfect ending to our do-it-yourself shore excursion in Juneau!

[bctt tweet=”Twisted Fish Alaskan Grill – Best King Crab Legs in #Juneau! @TwstdFishAlaska” username=”MySideof50″]

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

4 Fun Things To Do In Ketchikan

What I Packed for My Alaskan Cruise

Is an Alaskan cruise on your bucket list? Pin this post! You can follow me on Pinterest here.

I have several boards about travel, including one just for Alaskan cruises!

SaveSave

August 24, 2016 43 comments

Ketchikan Shore Excursion | Ketchikan | Alaska | Alaskan Cruise | Totem Heritage Center | Ketchikan Creek and Falls | Annabelle's Keg & Chowder House | Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

Travel

4 Fun Things To Do In Ketchikan

One of the most fun things to do when you are planning a cruise is to look at all of the shore excursions that are available at each of the ports of call. There is something for everyone – adventure, nature, food, fun – all for a PRICE. Some are worth it, some not so much. In this series I will tell you about our shore excursions – some booked through the cruise line and some exploring we did on our own. Our first – A do-it-yourself Ketchikan Shore Excursion.

4 Things To Do In Ketchikan

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you purchase a product through my link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I so appreciate every click-through and purchase! Every little bit helps to keep My Side of 50 up and running!

Your Ketchikan Shore Excursion

Ketchikan is the southernmost city in Alaska and in the middle of the Tongass National Forest, which is part rainforest. You will likely have a little rain when you visit Ketchikan, so bring an umbrella and rainproof jacket. This is my favorite waterproof windbreaker because it folds up into a little zippered pocket – perfect to carry in your bag without a lot go bulk. When we got off the ship, it was drizzling a bit, but soon cleared off and we had a lovely morning.

We did not book a ship-sponsored shore excursion in Ketchikan. Instead, we did a little exploring on our own. As you get off the ship and make the short walk into town, there is a Visitor’s Centers with clean restrooms (always appreciated) and information on what to do in and around Ketchikan. Everything is this quaint little town is well marked, making it very easy to get around and find where you want to go.

As you walk around town, you will be struck with its natural beauty. The plants and foliage are lush.

If you like to shop, especially for jewelry, there are plenty of shops! We found this at every port in Alaska!

Totem Heritage Center

I was interested in experiencing some of the rich Native American history that is part of Ketchikan, which included seeing the Totem Poles. There are replicas of totem poles throughout Ketchikan. If you want to see “real” totem poles that aren’t replicas, visit the Totem Heritage Center that is operated by the City of Ketchikan. It is a short walk from downtown and has the world’s largest collection of unrestored 19th-century totem poles. Cost to get in: $5

[bctt tweet=”See largest collection of 19th Century unrestored totem poles-Totem Heritage Center-Ketchikan.” username=”MySideof50″]

Ketchikan Creek & Falls

Also a short walk from downtown, this salmon spawning ground is a site to behold.

Beautiful, clear water, green trees and flowers surround the creek and falls.

Annabelle’s Famous Keg & Chowder House

We arrived before 11:30 for an early lunch and had the most delicious clam chowder and Pub Style Halibut (beer battered & fried) that I have ever tasted. If chowder and seafood aren’t your thing, they have plenty of other choices – burgers, salads, sandwiches and wraps. As we were leaving a little after noon, there was a line out the door to get in. But I told the people in line that it was definitely worth the wait and I don’t say that about many places.

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

This was recommended by several people. We elected not to go, but our friends who were traveling with us said it was quite entertaining. If you were taking a trip with kids, this would be a must see. If you book this show through the cruise line, it costs a bit more, but this covers your bus ride to the show, which you’ll want to take. So book it through the cruise line.

Ketchikan was our first taste of Alaska. Beautiful town and a lovely introduction to this great state!

Next up: Favorite Shore Excursions from Skagaway.

Going on an Alaskan Cruise and don’t know what to pack? Get my Ultimate Alaskan Cruise Packing list – based on what I took (way too much) and what I actually wore! Get it here.

You Might Also Like:

What I Packed For My Alaskan Cruise

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

Juneau, Alaska Shore Excursion

5 Tips for Traveling With Friends

SaveSave

July 28, 2016 47 comments

Alaskan Cruise Packing List based on what I took and what I actually wore | #cruise #alaskancruise #alaskancruisepackinglist | What to Pack for an Alaskan Cruise

Travel

Packing For An Alaskan Cruise

Mid-summer is the high season for Alaskan cruises. I just returned from the Celebrity Solstice 7-day Tracy Arm Fjord Cruise and must say, it was the trip of a lifetime. I highly recommend it. But trying to PACK for it was a bear! Here’s what I learned about packing for an Alaskan Cruise.

Packing For An Alaskan Cruise

Updated March 1, 2019

“Dress in Layers” They Said

When I asked people who had been what to take, everyone said “dress in layers”. What did that mean? Did it mean long underwear, ski pants, heavy sweater, thermal socks, fur lined boots, parka, hat, gloves and a scarf? Those are the layers I dressed in on a trip to Germany in December.

Or did it mean, capris, t-shirt and a vest?

Not knowing, I packed EVERYTHING and ended up paying a $100 heavy bag charge. And I only ended up wearing about 1/3 of what I took.

Here’s what you should know about what to wear on Alaskan Cruises:

When you are inside on the ship, you can dress like you do at home because you are in a climate-controlled environment.
When you are outside on the ship, it will be colder. It’s windy and you will be sailing past glaciers. To just take a walk outside, jeans, sweater and a jacket (I had a leather jacket) will be fine. If you are spending a lot of time outside, bundle up a little more. Maybe a hat, gloves and a scarf.
Evenings. If you are eating in the dining room with the scheduled seating, there is a suggested dress code each night. My regular evening wear consisted of black pants and a nice top – much like I would wear at home to eat out at a nice restaurant. My husband wore slacks and a button down.
Most cruises have done away with the “formal night”. Celebrity designates two nights as “evening chic” where a cocktail dress or dressy pants and fancy top are acceptable. I wore nice black pants and a lace top. My husband wore slacks, a button down and sport coat.
Shore excursions. On all our shore excursions, the temperatures were mild, ranging from about 55 – 70 degrees. It was windy, so it did feel a little cooler at times. I was fine in jeans and a long sleeved tee with my windbreaker. The windbreaker added a little extra warmth, shielded me against the wind, could have served as raingear if needed and was easily folded up and put in my purse when I took it off. This is my favorite windbreaker because it folds up into its own little pocket. So easy to carry in your bag until you need it without a lot of bulk.

Here is what I packed for our cruise, including a pre-cruise overnight stay in Seattle.

What I packed	What I wore	Notes
4 light sweaters	3
3 heavy sweaters	1
4 long sleeved tees	4
1 heavy hoodie	0
3 pairs cropped pants	2
1 light weight vest	1
4 pairs jeans	4
2 pairs black slacks	1
3 dressy tops for dinner	3
1 flat sandals	1
1 strappy heels	1
1 pair wedges	1
2 pairs tennis shoes	1	I took 2 in case of rain and one pair got wet. I would do this again.
1 pair black flats	1	Really didn’t need – could have worn tennis shoes.
2 sets workout clothes	1	Only worked out once.
1 warm scarf	0
1 warm hat	0
1 set long underwear	0
15 pairs of socks	7	Was afraid of my feet getting wet. 🙂
1 leather jacket	1
1 Windbreaker	1	Used for every shore excursion.

Other Items to take on an Alaskan Cruise

- Good camera – YES . I’m glad I didn’t rely on just my iPhone to get some great pictures of the breathtaking scenery we saw. Here is the updated version of the camera I bought: Canon EOS Rebel SL2 DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm STM Lens – WiFi Enabled
Laptop – YES.
Chargers – phone, Ipad, Fitbit, laptop & camera – YES.
Power Strip – YES . There will only be a couple of plugs in your stateroom. My husband had 2 phones in addition to all my electronics. The couple we travelled with both used a C-Pap Machine, so definitely needed a plug on each side of their bed. The Power Strip is a must.
Downy Wrinkle Release – Depending on what clothes you take, this may come in handy. We didn’t need it.
Garbage Bags – YES. We used for dirty clothes.
Evening Purse – YES. I used mine on “evening chic” night.
Backpack – YES. Great for shore excursions when you are carrying a camera, bottled water, snacks and will be bringing back souvenirs. This is a lightweight one with two bottled water holders on the outside. Very convenient, especially if you are hiking or doing other outdoor activities.
Insect Repellant – Was recommended, but we didn’t need it.
Headphones or earbuds – Yes. One of the reasons my husband and I have managed to stay married for 33 years is that we have our own TV’s at home. We had to actually SHARE one for 7 days and since there is not one show in the entire universe that we both like, he could watch what he wanted on the room TV and I watched Netflix on my iPAD with the headphones.

Other things to remember:

We were blessed to have absolutely perfect weather and no rain. Not having any rain during a cruise to Alaska is unusual. It was recommended that we take two pairs of walking shoes in case it rained and 1 pair got wet.
If you are taking shore excursions where you will be riding outside on a boat or hiking on a glacier, you will need to take some very warm clothes.
You will not sweat, so unless you spill something on your clothes or just can’t bring yourself to wear an outfit twice, you CAN wear your clothes twice.
You are only wearing your evening clothes for a couple of hours every night, so you can wear them again. Believe me – no one will notice.
I wore the same “evening chic” outfit both nights.

If you’ve been on an Alaskan cruise, is there anything I missed?

If you’ll be taking an Alaskan cruise, are you wondering about something you are planning to take?

Leave your responses in the comments! I respond to all comments.

You might also like:

4 Fun Things To Do In Ketchikan

Juneau, Alaska Shore Excursion

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

7 Unexpected Delights of An Alaskan Cruise

How to Stop Motion Sickness and Enjoy a Cruise to Alaska

SaveSave

July 12, 2016 126 comments