Pls plan shore excursions Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, GB, CF

Question

Can you please recommend shore excursions where we can try a variety of activities along the cruise ? For example, I am sure they all have glaciers, but 1 best place to do that? 1 best place for an easy nature hike? 1 best place to appreciate local culture. etc etc

- Leaving Aug 9th

- Vancouver to Whittier with daily stops at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and College Fjord.

- 2 couples in early 50s.

- Easy to moderate hiking.

- Skip fishing, salmon tasting and other such non-veg culinary activities.

Answer

For your Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Whittier with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and College Fjord, there’s a lot of variety in terms of scenery, culture, and light adventure. Since you’re looking for easy to moderate hikes, scenic experiences, and cultural highlights, here’s a detailed suggestion for each port.

Ketchikan: Known for its totem poles, rainforest, and waterway views. A great place to enjoy culture and light hiking.

Best for culture: Saxman Native Village or Totem Bight State Park. Walk among historic totem poles and learn about Tlingit culture.
Easy nature hike: Rainbird Trail or Deer Mountain Trail (short segments) — lush rainforest, waterfalls, and wildlife viewing.
Scenic viewpoint: Take the Ketchikan Creekside Trail for a gentle stroll with river and waterfall views.

Juneau: The state capital offers glacier experiences and moderate trails without requiring intense hiking.

Glacier experience: Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. Gentle trails like the Nugget Falls Trail (1.5 miles round trip) for views of the glacier and waterfall.
Easy hike: East Glacier Loop or Mosquito Lake Trail — easy forested walks with excellent scenery.
Cultural stop: Visit the Alaska State Museum or the Red Dog Saloon for a taste of local history.

Skagway: Historic Gold Rush town with hiking and scenic viewpoints.

Culture: Walking the historic downtown streets, White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad (even if just a short ride).
Moderate hike: Lower Reid Falls Trail — 1 mile round trip, easy forest trail with waterfall.
Scenic viewpoint: Take the top of White Pass via shuttle or train for panoramic mountain and valley views.

Glacier Bay: This is primarily a scenic cruising experience; most excursions are boat-based and allow for glacier viewing.

Glacier viewing: Sit on deck or take a guided Zodiac tour if offered — the bay is filled with tidewater glaciers, including Margerie Glacier which is often considered the highlight.
Optional light hike: Some cruises offer short guided hikes on protected beaches or viewpoints if the ship anchors near shore.
Wildlife spotting: Keep binoculars handy — seals, sea otters, whales, and birds are abundant here.

College Fjord: Like Glacier Bay, this is mainly about scenic cruising along the fjord with multiple tidewater glaciers.

Glacier viewing: College Fjord is known for “college-named” glaciers; view them from the ship’s decks as you pass.
Photography and wildlife: Early morning or late afternoon light is best for photos. Watch for mountain goats and bald eagles along the cliffs.
Short on-shore opportunities: Not typical here — most excursions are scenic from the ship, so pack binoculars and cameras for the best experience.

General tips:

Bring layers and waterproof clothing — Alaska weather can change rapidly.
Binoculars are highly recommended for glaciers and wildlife.
Book excursions in advance for limited spaces, especially in Juneau and Skagway.
Plan easy morning hikes if the ship docks early to avoid crowds.

Overall, your cruise offers a great mix of glacier viewing, light hikes, and cultural stops. Ketchikan is the top spot for local culture, Juneau for easy glacier trails, Skagway for Gold Rush history and moderate hikes, and Glacier Bay/College Fjord for breathtaking scenic cruising with minimal effort required from you.

Pls plan shore excursions Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, GB, CF

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