Alaska Cruise Excursions Reviewed

I got to see the whales bubble net feeding on my honeymoon cruise to Alaska in 2008 and it was the most amazing thing I've ever seen

Lots of cruise lines with no charge excursions.

I understand the high price for excursions, but some of them we have done before, just in different areas. For example, we did a whale watching tour out of Gloucester, MA in mid April and we got so close to humpback whales (including two babies) and other marine life, it was less then 100 feet from the boat. The guide later told me that the trip was a 9 out of 10 for all the times he has gone out. But the price per person was a third of what a whale watching trip in Alaska. Also with the lumberjack show, if i booked it through Carnival they want $175/person because they are including a Dungeness crab feast (not into Dungeness crab) and unlimited beer and wine.

Now for our Alaskan cruise, we have booked a Salmon bake in Juneau and a small boat excursion through Tracy Arm Fjord. We will definitely walk around the other ports but will try to do more local eateries then the tourist ones.

I went in August and I want to go back next year. It was SO worth it. I had a great whale watch and VIP seats on the white pass and Yukon railroad.

We went to Alaska in July it was awesome just breathtaking. Yes it gets very foggy in the mornings

These excursions wld very much be worth it. The helicopter was actually less than I thought it wld be.

The lumber jack one did u buy on the ship or way before?

I will going there next month. What binoculars would you recommend for whale watching? Thanks in advance for your help. 😊😊

My wife & I sailed on the Royal Princess to Alaska last June 10-17!
Had a FABULOUS time! We took a Whale Watching in Juneau, Yukon Train Ride in Skagway, and the Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan!
The cost of the Cruise & the Excursions were WELL WORTH the money!!

For many of us, these are once in a lifetime vacations, so I’m going to indulge in any activities of which I am dreaming. The lumberjack show is excellent! If I could see a pod of orcas doing the bubble net, you better believe I’d pay the price.

OMG $680 what! That's crazy. I'm scared of heights so i would probably never do a helicopter ride. But it would have been amazing if you were able to do it. The other two seem more affordable. I've never been to Alaska and would really like to see it via a cruise. Thanks for this review.

I think they should just leave them,. Guess $500.00 would hit the pocket pretty good. Happy 4th of July, America by Lee Greenwood, great song. Virgin has the right idea, let the puppies breath if you want to🤣

I will be going on the Mendanhal/ Whale watching in 2 weeks!!!!

Hi . Thank you so much for your sharing. Did you have to reserve in advance for helicopter excursion ? Thank you

The helicopter was less than I expected

Wow! You succeeded me in convincing me that Alaska is NOT for me! I'm at the age when everyone with a couple of bucks to spend on travel goes to Alaska. You mentioned it as a "bucket trip." I have never been interested in cold, gray, colorless, cold, lifeless, cold, tacky tourist places that are cold. Even in the summer it's too damned cold for someone with a permanent suntan from living in Miami, Florida. Lumberjacks performing? Not interested. Ice? It belongs in a mojito. Whales? You can see them in San Diego and eat better food. Thank you for wiping out any possible chance of finding me on any cruise ship going north San Francisco.

Just booked a back to back for next year. Can’t wait

The prices will always be worth it for a once in a lifetime opportunity. Who else can say they flew a helicopter to a glacier and got to walk around

People say you can see whales from the ship. So considering that, is it indeed worth the $200 to do the excursion? I would guess yes because maybe they get closer or go places where they know the whales 'hang out'.

Yeah I want to see that lumberjack show even though it's probably cheesy.

Should I stay on my balcony during the glaciers or go on the deck?

I would love to see the whales do the bubble net. For those those who can't get there, the IMAX movie Alaska has great footage of the whales making a bubble net. Also wonderful footage of all the wildlife and flights over the glaciers. I think it's the best movie IMAX has produced. Cross your fingers for me for some whale action. My cruise is in a week. 🐋🐋

Hi, I hope you respond to my question. Do they refund your money on excursions that are cancelled due to weather ??
Thanks, enjoy your videos.
Carol P😊😊😊

I think the helicopter excursion was too much, but the others were fine. I expected it to be about $550, which I still wouldn't have paid (afraid of flying). 😆

What time of year did u go. That helicopter tour sounded like fun. Too bad u didn’t get to go

You're in Alaska, It would be worth paying the prices Tony paid for the excursions. I think the helicopter ride would be worth it because you're killing to birds with one stone. The helicopter 🚁 ride is one, and being on a glacier in Alaska is the second. Tony I think the price you would have paid for the glacier ride would have definitely been worth it.

What happened when your excursion was cancelled? Did they refund you? Did they give you on board credit? I’m traveling Princess.

Taking a ride on the White Pass railway into the Yukon is a must and well worth the cost. You see wonderful scenery throughout the trip and experience the Yukon with a panning for gold experience included.

Any recommendations for excursions in Sitka and Icy Straight Point? I'm on NCL Bliss May 6, also stopping in Juneau and Ketchikan and will consider the reviewed excursions.

We are going to Alaska this coming May, and I am sooooo exited!! First, thank you for your awesome content!!! Second, I think because going to Alaska is a once in a lifetime trip for most of us, YES the price is worth it if you can afford it... I have spent almost $900 for all my excursions (3) And I am completely stoked!!!!

Definnitely not worth 700.00 for the helicopter trip. If this was a whole day trip with meals, drinks, activities...then maybe.

What month did you go?

Don't whales come in pods?

My husband and I did a helicopter tour to a glacier in Alaska and it was at the time around 500 each. It was AMAZING! I was so scared but the pilot was so sweet and put me at ease and I enjoyed it so much! If you get another chance Tony , go for it! It’s only money and totally worth every penny!

The thing is, it is worth new experiences, even the expensive ones, but save up for them, even if you have to wait a few years, because it is very unlikely you will ever be back. Everyone thinks that they will have a second chance to do a do over, but reality don’t work that way.

Yep, whale watching tours are a real hit and miss, I did one on the East Coast Canada and never saw a whale, saw lots of birds and found out how small a puffin actually is, but no luck.

I live in Alaska and many things are expensive because they involve flying. You can’t do this on a cruise, but you could stay a few extra days in Anchorage before or after a cruise. I highly recommend a bear viewing at Katmai Natl Park. You fly in a float plane for a couple hours and get to park. You walk on same paths as the brown bears and get to watch them feed at the falls. 4.5hrs on the ground and then 2 more flight hours back to Anchorage. It’s very expensive- $1000 per person. Worth every penny.

Planning excursions for our September Alaskan cruise right now…I already paid for one at the hefty price of almost $400 each 😮 That excursion is in Juneau where we ROW to Mendenhall Glacier then are able to actually walk on the glacier. I feel that is definitely worth it for a once in a lifetime event. Can’t decide if our Ketchikan excursion on a seaplane over the Forrest with a viewing of a fjord and actual landing on a mountain lake is worth the $400+ or not. Still thinking about that one!

Thanks for the video. I’m taking my first cruise to Alaska this year and can’t wait. Yes it is expensive but I know it will be worth it.

Has anyone done the 5 glacier plane excursion in Juneau? I’ve booked that one

We went to Glacier Bay in May on a HAL ship, a few years ago. It was gorgeous, we were sitting on our balcony in a tshirt! The glacier was much bigger then.

You mentioned the lumberjack show in Ketchikan as well as the one in Gatlinburg Tennessee. We travel to Gatlinburg a lot, but have not done the lumberjack show. Are they essentially the same show because I would rather do something different in Ketchikan and catch the show in Gatlinburg where we have visited often

Thanks so much we are doing our first Alaska Cruise next summer and the information was helpful!

Was this the encore cruising that departed on June 12th? I recognized the gorgeous weather for the whole week which was absolutely unheard of 😂😂😂

Thank you for sharing! WE are going on an Alaska Cruise with HAL on May 7, 23 and I have booked a helicopter tour of glaciers where we land and get to ride in a dog sled. So excited for this!! hoping and praying the weather is good. We are paying in the same price range as you did. It is pricey but a once in a lifetime opportunity! Pray for good weather!!

Was more like a infomercial than a informative video very dragged out.

I thought the helicopter was gonna be over $1000 I think it’s a bargain

I want to know if the water is smooth like a lake where you watch whales. I get sea sick.

I did a helicopter tour for a walk on the glacier. That alone was amazing and would do it again

I'd never do the chopper, even at one quarter of your price, but they'd want me to pay your price since I'm extra "fluffy" too. Ever seen those "Alaskan Triangle" shows?