5 Crafty Tricks That Catch Alaska Cruisers Out (Again & Again)

While there are many things that catch passengers out once they are are in Alaska on their cruise, I want to highlight some things that trip up many cruisers before they go, including my good friends Graham and Pete - as I explain....
Links mentioned in the video:
* Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show alaskanlumberjackshow.com
* White Pass & Yukon Railway wpyr.com
* Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway www.goldbelttram.com
* Capital Transit Buses juneaucapitaltransit.org/how-...
* Onboard Media www.portshopping.com
* PPI Group www.ppigroup.com/selling-at-sea/
* Huffington Post www.huffpost.com/entry/cruise...
* Alaska Fish & Chips www.alaskafishandchips.com
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ABOUT TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS: If you want to get cruising right, Tips For Travellers makes it easy to plan and have the incredible cruise experiences you dream of every time. All my Tips For Travellers advice, tips and tricks tips draw on everything that I have learnt on the 101 cruises I have done to date.
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00:00 Start
00:34 Port Catch Outs
02:02 Unnecessary Excursions Catch Outs
04:36 Safer Excursions Catch Outs
06:27 Shopping Catch Outs
10:05 Tourist Traps Catch Outs

[@alaskachick7315]

I'm Alaskan but I did the Inside Passage cruise about ten years ago. I didn't pre-purchase any excursions offered by the cruise line. In Ketchikan, I walked about two miles along the main road and got a good feel of the town. In Juneau, I took the tram up the mountain. Back at the bottom, I took the State Capitol building tour, walked around the residential area (very cool wooden bridges going over the streets for school kids to get to school and back) and went to their museum. In Skagway, I took a walking tour to learn about ghosts and ladies of the night from the Gold Rush days. Then, I went one block off the main thoroughfare and found their local grocery store. Between the three ports, I spent about $100 and was never bored.

[@ddraigmafon4725]

@alaskachick7315 We did exactly the same, booked on the Holland America New Amsterdam, just used the cruise ship to get from port to port then explored on our own and had a fantastic time. Met some locals, learned some history, explored the towns. We saw bears and ditched the big whale watching tours out of Juneau, went out on a tiny boat with a knowledgeable captain and just 4 other passengers - had a humpback surface right next to our boat (best experience of my life, hands down), saw a bubble-net feeding and got buzzed by a small pod of orcas.

[@lulubee1000]

Could I have the name of the business that brought to see the whale? Thank you!

[@katrynnmelville1490]

@@ddraigmafon4725 I would love to know who you did the small whale watching with please?

[@ddraigmafon4725]

@@katrynnmelville1490 I’m sorry but it was 8 years ago now and I can’t remember the guy’s name! But my friend used a small boat tour from Jayleen’s Alaska in Juneau a couple of years ago and had a fantastic trip. Hope that helps.

[@pm1104]

All these shops are overrated and Vastly Overpriced……..it’s common sense ….! 😮

[@savannah115]

I was a ranger at the Mendenhall Glacier, and I am so happy you mentioned that people don't have enough time at the glacier when they take the excursions, and thst folks should get there themselves...we aren't allowed to tell people that because federal employees aren't allowed to show bias with businesses, but it's so true! Public transportation for the win!

[@jonathanbott87]

I've got an excursion booked w/ 2hrs free time at Mendenhall - is that enough time to get a "good" visit?

[@savannah115]

@jonathanbott87 Usually, excursions are only an hour, and it's just not enough time, so I'm glad to hear they are giving you two! You can do a decent amount with a full 2 hours, unless you are trying to do both the visitor center/movie and the Nugget Falls trail-its a crowded trail and longer than people realize, so it takes a good chunk of time. But you could easily do the movie and the Trail of Time (shorter but still great), likely with some time to spare. I would recommend taking care of any bathroom needs before leaving the ship...the restrooms are, without a doubt, the biggest time suck at the glacier. There just aren't enough of them, and it can take 20 minutes or more to make it through the lines. Of course, all your plans will be thrown if you get caught in a bear jam (crowds of people bottlenecking trails in order to see bears). Those occur pretty much daily, so be prepared to have your plans change. If that happens, try to appreciate the experience you get with the bear, and not be upset you miss out on something else--and please don't blame the rangers. (We get that a lot, but we can't control the bears lol) No matter what, you'll have a great time!!

[@paulgerrard9227]

Its a big place!!!

[@Sally-xk8eq]

You are brilliant! No point watching anyone else's videos-yours are the best and very much appreciated! You make so much sense. We've done cruises in Asia and Europe, but Alaska is the top of my bucket list! It's been great to research using your advice, so thank you:)

[@jamess5154]

We were in one Alaska port where we took the free shuttle to Wal-Mart. It is really designed for crew members but it was a nice 20-30 minute drive through town and along the port with a local driver that told stories about the port and her husband who worked the fishing boats. And of course the Alaska t-shirts and such were MUCH cheaper as where the various sundries that we either forgot or did not bother to take on the plane.

[@Cupid_Stunt]

I occassionally watch cruise vlog videos to remind me how low class and un-relaxing cruising is as a holiday choice.

[@reestyfarts]

@@Cupid_Stunt Actually we love the West Coast Mexico holiday cruises from California. It is simple with delicious food and beverage in the ports. You can observe the holiday as little or as much as you like.

[@chriswilliams6568]

@@Cupid_Stuntyou are so wrong. I am afraid that one particulate cruise line may give you that idea, one that I avoid, but have been on many Princess and Celebrity cruises and we had wonderful times. My way of relaxing. Love the lazy sea days where I read a lot. I love the Trivia contests, the food is good, folk are in a good mood. Sadly now our funds are running out (pension time), and after our 16 day Norway cruise, right up to the top, this June, we will not be able to go on any more. But I have lovely memories.

[@Cupid_Stunt]

@@reestyfarts Yeah ... wait in line to fill your tray at the all-you-can-eat buffet. Sounds classy. : )

[@rogerbird380]

I feel very invested in Graham and Pete's holiday. We'll need an update on their return 😂

[@howardcosta3013]

Yes please! I agree - Would love to see how Graham and Pete’s holiday trip in Alaska went!!!!

[@sushi1660]

Ditto!!!

[@andreagriffiths3512]

Best souvenir? It comes from your phone/camera. I now pick my best photo - the one that truly encapsulates my holiday - and then get it printed on a Perspex block or on glass. These pictures look absolutely stunning and they are 100% unique. They do cost quite a bit though. I also get other photos made into a hardback photobook. Alaska would provide many wonderful photos to pick from.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Nice idea!

[@user-il1wo8hw8r]

I just got off my first ever cruise, first time to Alaska, on NCL BLISS 3days ago. When I tell you I wished I followed the advice given on this video before booking my cruise I would have had a better experience. I booked this cruise with a group of relatives and we were set on booking NCL BLISS because of the amenities on the ship (racetrack, slide,lasertag,etc). First time cruisers we assumed the port stops were all day. We booked several excursions at exorbitant prices for fear we would be left behind if we booked with private vendors. We wanted the added protection. All the advice that was given in this video we did the exact opposite. We still had a good time but paid a pretty penny for it. The pro's of NCL BLISS - the crew is top notch. You will never find better service than the crew on this ship- extremely polite, attentive, prompt, and cheerful employees. The ship was immaculate. There was always something to do on the ship for my husband and I. If you want to feel rushed, go to the ports at a NON-leisure pace and hurry back on the ship. We did not enjoy this at all. If you would like to explore the small towns of Alaska and enjoy the activities at each port...this is NOT the cruise for you. If you would like to spend hundreds of dollars more for no reason, book all your excursions through the ship. You will find when you get off the ship, the same exact excursion available for $100 less! If you're worried about missing the ship, choose a short excursion and be one of the first to get off the ship. You won't have any issues if you get up early and be the first off the ship. Sitka we had about 3 hours (1excursion) with no time to eat crab, Juneau 3hours (1excursion to glacier only), Icy Strait 3hours (1excursion), Ketchikan 3hours -no restaurants open because it was so early only got to shop, Victoria was the biggest disappointment of all. You arrive at 8pm, when you disembark you will be flocked by taxi drivers who will charge you $20 to drive you 3miles to Victoria which you have one hour to walk around and see stores, harbor, empress hotel, and parliament building. Although beautiful thats all you will do- look and leave, paid $20 to get back to ship. Most people don't get off the ship because it's 2 hours of your life of rushing. Again, the common theme here is RUSHED. Would I book this cruise again? No. Would I cruise on NCL again? Yes for the ship itself but for the same type of rushed itinerary, NO. Listen to the advice given in these videos.

[@peterwilson5692]

😅

[@tomsunday]

Great point about buying things that are made locally and not mass produced. This happened to me a few times in the Caribbean. I purchased a beautiful sculpture of a parrot in Curacao and when i got home I noticed "made in china" sticker. Then whe i googled it, I saw a 100 of these with every Island name you can think off. 😅

[@tipsfortravellers]

Yes! That is annoying :-) :-)

[@keithrule4240]

We took our kids on an Alaskan cruise a few years ago. I knew they wouldn't tolerate long lines and boring stuff. We managed to find the absolute best adventure in Ketchikan. We went up to Creek Street, rented some fishing poles, and had the kids fish off the bridge. They did catch and release during the salmon run, and the kids had a blast. It was cheap, and the kids still talk about it.

[@FactsMatter]

This is an absolute winner of a video if only for the first point Gary makes. It's not enough to go to a port, but you must go with enough time to explore and experience it. Read the details, folks! We just got off of Crown Princess and had an extraordinary time. 11 nights is the way to go!

[@user-xn2qm7hc6f]

Glad to hear you had a great time on the Crown Princess. We are sailing on the Crown Princess Nov. 26th on a, RT from San Francisco, 16 day Transpacific Hawaii cruise. We were also looking for an Alaska cruise on Princess in 2024; however, the only option for our time frame was the Crown Princess and, since we had not sailed on this ship and did not know how the experience would be for us, we chose the Celebrity Edge. This is our second Alaskan cruise, with our first being a 14 day land and sea on the Coral Princess, which,like you, was extraordinary.

[@kubacks]

Gary, my wife, and I just returned from a 7-day Holland America cruise on the Eurodam. I can confirm that everything you mention in this video is spot on. And thanks to much of your advice we had a great time. So special thanks for helping us to make our trip so fantastic.

[@eddecook9252]

From someone who has done several Alaska cruises (and been caught by many of the traps mentioned here) I can say that this is solid advice throughout. One thing I could add is that for the exotic flight-seeing trips the unpredictable Alaskan weather can be a huge factor. Often the trip will be cancelled due to weather or much of what you paid big bucks to see will be obscured. As an example, we have taken two float plane trips out of Anchorage to see Mt. Denali/McKinley (it is stunningly spectacular!) and, luckily, both times we had clear weather in the mountains. It is my understanding that often much or all of the mountain will be obscured by clouds. This is a hugely expensive trip and would be quite a let down if we had paid many hundreds of dollars just to fly around for a couple of hours in a sea plane. We were warned up front that no refunds would be issued if the mountain was not visible. Keep it in mind if you are contemplating a trip like this.

[@benjaminmatheny6683]

You are right about Denali and it's clouds. I took a tour there around 2006, got on the second bus of the day at 5:30am for the drive out. Early morning was great for seeing wildlife, and the mountain was visible at the start. But by the time we got close, it was completely covered. After we drove back and left the park, we stopped at a small memorial for bush pilots and the mountain had cleared back up. That's when I got my shots, as I had missed taking photos of it in the morning thinking I could wait to get close.

[@TheOtherSideoftheHill]

Thank you. I pay attention on flight layovers with arrivals and departures but on a cruise you are correct I haven’t researched port times. Very helpful

[@Sushi2735]

You provide an absolutely wonderful service and education for those of us who cruise infrequently. You are so enjoyable to listen to. Being under the weather today, I have spent the day getting Masters Degree in Cruising and ships. Thank you so much!

[@kategrayson2082]

Please, please please listen to Gary's advice about Alaska excursions. My brother was one of the Holland America passengers who were killed in the 2021 float plane crash. When the NTSB investigated the float plane company, they found problems with said company, including the fact that the same pilot they were flying with having been in another accident the month before that was still being investigated. In the end, both accidents stated pilot error. Please stay safe on your cruise.

[@beachblythe]

I am so sorry. That is terrible

[@suerobinson844]

@@beachblythe My sympathies to you for your loss. God bless 🙏

[@bradcolby3624]

What a tragedy. I am so very sorry to hear that. I guess we took for granted that nothing would go wrong on our tour. My condolences 💐

[@joannbanks9963]

So sorry for your loss.

[@KurtVW]

Exceptional advice, and it applies to cruises to all destinations, not just Alaska. I've done lots of cruises, and this is exactly the kind of information everyone should know. Great video. Cruising is a great vacation, but its a lot better if you know how to avoid the pitfalls.

[@gojl5567]

Juneau tram, wait to make sure that it’s not a completely foggy day. Also the Alaska Wildberry chocolate jelly candy is based in Anchorage and amazing.

[@hettytravels]

Wow, spot on with great info and all true in my opinion. I’ve stopped buying souvenirs that collect dust but do get a Christmas tree ornament specific to the region.

[@tipsfortravellers]

They did have some great Christmas decorations, you are right on that

[@owensmith7530]

We also get a Christmas tree ornament on every holiday. It's great when we decorate the tree, we get to remember each holiday. The tree is so eclectic as a result too, which Viking longships next to a Japanese Tori Gate etc.

[@lowspark3958]

Beats magnetic frig art

[@jessicael9031]

This is so helpful! I’ve been planning an Alaska cruise and this is so critical to consider or you’ll just spend your time onboard.

[@richardcoben4283]

Gary your KZbin cruise videos are the very best for providing detailed information and advice for everyone. My wife and I truly appreciate all you do. Thank you

[@Shewhoknitsandspins]

My cousin owns a store in Skagway. I haven’t been there but two of my friends have. One bought souvenir fabric. It’s called Rushin’ Tailor Quilr Store. If you visit, let her know how you heard about her it.

[@kevinstarr3292]

Gary, Your cruise videos are great and very helpful. Watched this video shortly after returning from our first-ever cruise on the Koningsdam to Alaska. We had been to Alaska once before so I was not surprised by all the shops in the ports but I was surprised at all they tried to sell you on the ship. Overall, our cruise was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend Holland America. Thanks for all you tips!

[@donnabremerman1423]

As always, wise and practical advice, Gary. When we went on our Alaskan cruise, we wanted an authentic Ulu knife and shopped around for one made by a local. It was worth the effort. As a general rule, we don't go to the big polished looking shops near the terminals or docks and keep on walking further into town. We've made mistakes, too, and lived and learned and will never (and I mean NEVER) buy anything from Diamonds International!

[@ninakane2661]

Where did you end up getting your Ulu knife? We go in a couple of weeks & I really want to get one.

[@maryjames8854]

@@ninakane2661 Same!! We are going in May and would love the name of the store please!

[@deeannlett-neal3325]

@@maryjames8854- Have them ship the knife home. Some cruise lines confiscate them or hold onto them until cruise end. Check rules.

[@FactsMatter]

One more thing: the Seattle-to-Seattle itineraries MUST stop in a foreign port on the sailing, in order to not break American law. The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 forbids non-US-flagged ships from transporting passengers between US ports only. That explains the seemingly-ridiculous 3-hour call to Victoria, late at night when nothing is open in the area.

[@chriswilliams6568]

The worst Alaska cruises to take are from Seattle as most do not do the inside passage but keep to the west of Vancouver Island. Go from Vancouver instead.

[@josaczyn]

We did Norwegian on the Joy to Alaska and it was amazing. Our port time was excellent and gave us plenty of time in the ports.

[@lindabellamy1466]

Thank you for your wise advice as always. I'm off to Alaska in 2 weeks so this is perfect timing.

[@T_WC123]

Just booked my first cruise ever and it’s to Alaska in 2024. Very much enjoying your videos!!! So helpful and well made.

[@dlk3r]

Thanks for the information. Very informative. We booked the white pass scenic railway for this summer through RC.

[@sergiosantos2498]

Heading to Alaska tomorrow on RC! This is a great refresher and reminder, thank you so much!

[@Semiam1]

Always great tips Gary. Thanks for your attention to detail.

[@madchatteress]

Having been to these three ports (Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway), I agree with you for the most part but I feel that the White Mountain & Yukon pass might be better booked with the cruise line. I did a combo excursion which had to be booked with the cruise line but made it back to the ship with some extra time to explore Skagway. After safely getting back on the ship, I rested up in my cabin. When 4:30 arrived (sail away time), I noticed the ship was not moving. I went out and noticed the gangway was still open (they were using my deck that day). I started talking to a fellow passenger who advised me that members of his family were delayed on the White Mountain & Yukon rail so RCL was waiting for them since they booked it with them as there were delays getting back to port. Had they booked this on their own, they would have missed the ship! This train takes you to the Canadian border town of Frazier and it's a lengthy journey.

[@redhatbear1135]

I was thinking the same thing about the white pass train. Although we were not late we waited quite a while for the return trip.

[@jonathanbott87]

Agreed, on my upcoming cruise I've booked a full day Yukon Adventure including the Railway. And definitely happy I don't need to worry about getting back on time.

[@paulgerrard9227]

Disagree 200%. Same train and you pay more. Simple. Oh you dont get a cheap glass of cheap wine.

[@madchatteress]

@@paulgerrard9227 Well ... If the family who was late getting back to the ship booked it independently, they would have been left behind by RCL. My ship literally waited for them to return. This train goes all the way to the Canadian border in Fraser. Everyone's risk tolerance is different but I personally don't recommend traveling that distance with an independently-booked excursion. The money you save means nothing compared to the expense of trying to catch the ship at the next port.

[@jadedelarge8929]

I, for one, don't mind paying extra for some of the ship's excursions. I want piece of mind when I am abroad. I think of it as paying more for insurance, to make sure sure the ship doesn't leave me behind. I remember taking a bus in St.Marteen to see the planes land close to the beach, and all the time I was terrified about the time to come back. That bus ride through town back to the ship gave me a few extra white hairs.

[@dansheehan6828]

Thank You Came back from Alaska a few weeks ago and I’m SOOO Glad n Thankful that i followed this advice.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Great to hear !

[@AshleeAnnGolden]

After two trips to Alaska myself, your advice is completely spot on. I do disagree slightly with your advice to skip Tracy’s in Juneau. Although it is admittedly marketed to tourists and pretty busy, we enjoyed the atmosphere and variety of crab based dishes to try. Your videos on Alaskan cruising are top notch, and I often send them to people who ask for advice on booking a trip. Thanks for the work you put into them!

[@cynthiajohnson6747]

I’m a local and I eat at Tracy’s. Most local’s do although we can’t afford to eat there often. Unfortunately finding real Alaska king crab these days is nearly impossible because the fishery is having problems

[@6violet6]

There is a second place that Tracyʼs runs ... along the seawalk (guess itʼs 10 minutes further than the one at the ships). And the local brew pubs and distilleries are great too

[@rickzw67]

We did Alaska in 2016 on a boutique small ship , absolutely fantastic.

[@ck2d]

About the excursions - keep in mind perks from the cruise line. If you have a large ship board credit, or excursion discounts, it might be cheaper to book with the cruise.

[@kathryncashner3294]

Another quick (or as long as you wish it to be) excursion that will be over-priced by the cruise line is Totem Bite State Park. We did this several years ago when the local bus was $1 each way; it has since increased to $2. The bus stop is literally across the street from the cruise terminal; the ride is about 15 minutes. Park admission is free. There are maps for you to do your own tour and volunteer guides who will take groups of about 10. This is MUCH better than a cruiseline bus with 40 people! When we did it, the cost thru the cruise line was $50 and the only thing they got that we didn't was a cup of hot chocolate in the gift shop (which we could have purchased).

[@srice6231]

I used to live in Alaska and I tell people that you will see wildlife but don't get your expectations too high. It isn't like the wildlife movies. Once we were driving through Denali and a grizzly bear walked right between our car and another vehicle. This was really exciting to us because sometimes you don't get to see bears and to have one so close is a rare gift. We later talked with the people behind us and they were so disappointed because they thought they would see tons of wildlife constantly like in the documentaries. I told them it takes the photographers years and many locations to gather all those shots.

[@krsncrs821]

Wow excellent information! Thank you so much!

[@GetOutofHereTravels]

As always great advice that is applicable to MOST ports :)

[@LSC10563]

Fabulous tips Gary, thank you so much for sharing this. We have made lots of notes. ❤

[@BloodyHeck]

Please keep in mind that most people have never been to Alaska or other destinations. Until I've been there and am familiar with the area, I would rather book excursions through the cruise line because it will be organized in a way that I'm taken to it and they are responsible for getting me back in time. I've heard many times the advice of not booking through the line but I just feel more comfortable in doing that because I've also heard many horror stories, like someone on the pier offering to take you to a secluded beach for a low price. But when it comes time to go back to the ship, they demand extra money to get you back in time.

[@IndiasINK9]

I thought the same thing and decided to book my excursions through the cruise and it turned out to be 100% not worth it. Not only was the cost almost triple what it would’ve been if we had just gone ourselves but our tour bus ran late and we some of the last on the ship and didn’t have time to do any shopping.

[@paulgerrard9227]

I disagree. Using the cruise choices is just twice the cost. They have you thinking its difficult. Its not. All tours are same. The ones who use ship are on same bus as others. They wait. Its nothing different. Maybe a free bottle of water

[@chriswilliams6568]

You are wise, we always book the cruise line tours, and if we had not we would have been stuck in Tahiti, as the bus broke down and it took 2 hours to get another which made us late back. They are not that much more than booking elsewhere anyway.

[@markwestaway7207]

Thanks Gary, my wife did some great planning for our trip, and you give great tips! We ended up in Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan for 8-13 hours each. We were also there at the start of the cruise season (earlyish May 2023) so we were the only ship in Skagway, and overlapped with only one other ship in the other two ports. That was great in terms of not being crowded out. White Pass Railway and Yukon excursion to Carcross with Chilkoot Tours was awesome. Unfortunately we were a little early in the season to get close to Dawes Glacier up the Endicott Arm - just too much ice in the water. We were also blessed with fantastic weather (but that's more good luck than good management).

[@markwestaway7207]

In Juneau, we were only there for the afternoon, so our helicopter flight meant we didn't have time to then get to Mendenhall Glacier visitor centre - buses finish at 5pm, but we did enjoy the Mt Roberts Tramway instead. Tracey's King Crab Shack also do a very tasty crab bisque for about $18 if you're not feeling like paying $70/lb for crab legs.

[@timothyanderson976]

One on carnival to Alaska. Called ahead to Haines,next to Skagway. Found a company a guy and his wife. He took my wife and I on an hour and 15 min ride thru the glaciers on a 1956 Dehavalen Beaver for 300 bucks. Best excursion ever.

[@jwillar6173]

Your first mistake regarding an Alaskan cruise would be to book on the Norwegian Bliss with the racetrack, water slides, lasertag etc.

[@michaelperkinson2414]

I'm sorry to say we got caught up in almost all the traps last August on the Norwegian Bliss and to make it worse we were diverted from Skagway to Icy Straights with plenty of time and nothing to do after exploring the few building that are there. Have to say that was our worst cruise ever. Thanks for sharing this so others won't get burned.

[@redhatbear1135]

There are some wilderness trips there, usually by water. And the local heritage show that isn’t bad.

[@thomaslgrice]

Icy Straights is straight up tourist, but I'll never forget the gondola rides, the views from the top of the mountain, and the zipline. That part of the park was underdeveloped and I kind of enjoyed that.

[@michaelperkinson2414]

Oh ya thanks for reminding me. It was so exciting I forgot we took it. The hike to the lookout was ok

[@paulgerrard9227]

Icy point strait is a sjiphole. We met the Brown family and saw a eagle nest. The eagles were impressive. We met a young guy carving a totem. Impressive. Not the browns

[@visaman]

I was on the Royal Princess at the same time. We weren't able to dock at Skagway too.

[@timwoody3835]

Our favorite excursions in Alaska were when we were in port at Skagway. It wasn’t in Skagway, but in Haines. We took the catamaran across the fjord to Haines, seeing plenty of seals, eagles and other wildlife on the way. Once in Haines we boarded a bus that took us into the Chilkat bald eagle preserve. Our first time there we took a float trip down the river. The float trip was very peaceful and we also saw many bald eagles, both mature and juvenile. At the end of the float trip we were served cookies and hot cocoa before boarding the bus back to Haines. Our second trip was similar, but we instead took a jet boat that went further into the preserve. We saw lots of wildlife there also including trumpeter swans, albeit from a distance. At the end of the trip we had hot dogs to roast, making a nice rustic lunch.

[@lauramay4076]

Having done cruises in the double figures this was something that hadn’t even crossed my mind! Definitely fallen trap of the itinerary map - thank you Gary.

[@randy120]

Great advice. I would book White Pass excursion in advance direct with White Pass as this excursion is very popular and tickets may not be available on day you are in port.

[@JoeFrohlich]

This was an excellent video. The points were enlightening. I appreciate this.

[@flowerpower8722]

The shopping con occurs in other places too. Vanuatu is particularly prevelant with placing locals to man tent shops right off the ship, which you have to pass through to return. Like the obligatory exit through the gift shop at specialty parks. The goods are obviously mass produced elsewhere and I doubt the locals benefit beyond slave wages. For that reason I will not return to Vanuatu, as it is obvious the locals get next to no benefit from the daily invasion of thousands of tourisits. My parents went on a cruise there in the 70s, (when it was still the New Hebrides, and came back with local crafts of basket weaving and I remember loads of chook feathers. I remember marvelling at how they managed to get them through customs. There would be no chance of that now.

[@larry4111]

Thank you for this! I just finally booked my first Alaska cruise, 9 days in October on Norwegian Sun. Looks like I got a much better itinerary than Graham and Pete: Seattle, Ketchikan (9 hours), Glacier Bay (Cruising), Juneau (11 hours), Skagway (11 hours), Icy Strait Point (9 hours), Victoria (10 hours), back to Seattle. I compared the NCL prices for all the excursions you mentioned and it saved me so much research time. Fortunately, with a $50 per port credit and 10% off for my level, the cruise line prices are all actually less than the online prices for those same excursions.

[@jonathanbott87]

9 days roundtrip or 7 days one-way (VancouverSeward) seem to be the best ways to get value on an Alaskan cruise.

[@larry4111]

@@jonathanbott87 Definitely. First I looked at VancouverSeward cruises on NCL/Royal (which is almost all itineraries). When I factored flying in/out of Anchorage & Vancouver, plus shuttles, plus a hotel night on the front end (& Vancouver is a very expensive hotel city), the price more than doubled in most cases. The Seattle RT was about half the price since it's much easier for me to fly RT Seattle & stay one night there, even though it's a longer cruise.

[@elaineb4490]

My husband and I have been on this cruise with NCL and it was our first cruise. Amazing places and wildlife to see in Alaska. We really enjoyed the whole experience.

[@robertrestivo]

@7:54 Those charm bracelets are a great deal. You absolutely can't beat _free!_ We collect the charms at every port we stop at. And, we've _never_ bought any jewelry.

[@tuvia4082]

As always, great info Gary, thanks!

[@karenvonbargen4472]

Be wary of Juneau. If your ship comes in later in the day you will be stuck at a small dock about 3/4 of mile south of town and your ship will only have a single point of disembarkation. The lines to get off and on the ship were 1 to 3 hours.

[@m4ttyb1z]

This just happened to us on Celebrity Solstice. I happily spent $11 on a Lyft into town and got local knowledge on where to eat: Deckhand Dave's.

[@6violet6]

Also just now (May 2023), Iʼm seeing ships anchored out, so everybody needs to lighter to shore - thatʼs got to be slower than at the main docks

[@benlogan2193]

Very helpful video, Gary! Heading to Alaska for the first time in June! We have done extensive travel around the U.S. and see the same mass-produced items all across the nation. It is difficult to find really authentic and unique merchandise. Thanks for the tips! I love your channel!

[@markjohnson7400]

U made some really good suggestions! I have done this cruise a few time. Liked that u suggest buy ‘Made in Alaska’ merchandise. 👍

[@pacerdanny]

Great tips! I'm fondly remembering a Princess cruise several years ago that gave us plenty of time to explore all three of those ports. Cruising along the passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland was also a highlight.

[@Memorylane1957]

I hear you about the Victoria thing. I am a Grayline Tour bus Operator and the we receive the most cruise ships at night. We get an average of 3 in every Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings. I always ask my customers to check their itineraries before travelling and try to make Victoria a "Daytime" destination.

[@calumshaw]

Arriving in Juneau in 2018 the weather was inclement and all booked excursion helo-flights to the glacier were cancelled. Went ashore and just 100m from the ship we booked a flight, they didn't consider the weather a problem, and off we went! Sensational scenic flight there plus the walk over the glacier was fabulous! It was substantially less than the price we had paid (and had refunded) on the ship (Island Princess). Of all the excursions we've done over the years this was amongst the very best!!

[@LOrealHardly]

Brilliant as ever Mr. B.

[@randolphh8005]

Just got off a Princess Cruise from Vancouver to Whittier. Great trip! Only did one cruise excursion to use up credits, otherwise booked locally or did our own thing. Mendenhall Glacier is easy on your own with the “Blue Bus” spent 2 hours there hiking and seeing the waterfall and glacier. Well worth it! Also did the 26 Glacier Cruise out of Whittier which was amazing and cheaper if booked on own.

[@sharonm.2453]

The waterfall is the melting glacier 😱😱😱😱😱 that was the single most disturbing thing I have seen in a LONG TIME 😱😱😱😱😱

[@randolphh8005]

@@sharonm.2453 glaciers up there have been receding since recorded history. I grew up in the Great Lakes where we had multiple glacial grooves from prehistoric glaciers. All that preceded “man made” global warming which could only have started in the 1800’s. All glaciers melt some in the Summer. Pollution is a problem that we can control, the Earth’s temperature not so much.

[@OurDee]

If it is snowing in Skagway, get a hand dipped ice cream cone and eat it outside in the snow. Wonderful experience. Alaska consumes more ice cream per capita than any other State.

[@bradcolby3624]

Never go to the shopping talk.. I always looked for the authentic Alaskan shops. Went on a float plane and booked through the cruise line. Felt very secure and safe. We were all weighed in and handled professionally. This and the train tour were the highlights of our cruise. The Glacier float plane took us to a lodge for a fresh salmon lunch. Wonderful sights and in my opinion everyone must see our 50th State at least once in their lifetime.

[@mellocello187]

Wow. It’s been maybe 10 years, but we did Alaska on Princess and we had much longer port stays. We were able to enjoy active outings without feeling rushed at all. Glacier hike and then up through the woods to a beautiful view; another was a train up and bicycle down; another was a museum and town visit; another was a tram up to a beautiful view (there must have been more but I forget). There was also kayaking available but we kayak at home so that was not a big deal to us. Princess also told is that they and Norwegian were the only ones who did the inside passage, not sure if that is correct. Princess also had a land packages combo that sounds nice but we didn’t know about it at the time or do it.

[@aleahaleaha2593]

The only issue though whenever booking excursions outside of the cruise line is if there is any delays returning to the ship they do not wait for you. If you book with them, they do. Our good friend is a hotel director for a major cruise line and confirmed this.

[@marilynbeebe8249]

I went to Alaska using regent seven seas we where at each port for a long time. All the excursions we went on where included with our cruise fare. I do a lot my shopping online. In Ketchikan there is a store on the creek that sell only Alaskan made items I went to the web site order the things that I wanted and had them shipped to my house. In Skagway I was not allowed out of my room due to illness I went on line and ordered my suvineers on line.

[@KC2DC]

Its interesting...I am going to Alaska in October, for both the Skagway railway excursions and the Juneau tram, my NCL rate was much better than the public rate (before discounts or shore excursion credit). Glad I compared, though!

[@RevitupPhil]

Very useful Gary, thanks!

[@wisskier]

Diaz Cafe in Ketchikan was awesome and definitely local.

[@irishinusa1615]

Excellent advice and agree 👍 especially the timings in Port and "Made in Alaska"👊

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks!!!

[@awalker6471]

We've cruised to Alaska. I can attest that you've given solid advice. Great job as always Gary!

[@mhaskard6517]

I am very thorough researching trips and found your video's very informative. I haven't been on a cruise since I was 11 and that was last century. We upgraded to Orange Class in our Holland America cruise with separate dining room and other benefits which we found very handy. The train in Skagway was excellent, the helicopter trip in Jeanu was a waste of money , billed as a 2 hour excursion... time travelled to airport included so it was basically was a 6 minute helicopter flight up and 6 minute flight back, and 12 minutes on Glacier between helicopter shuttle service. On the first day/afternoon I also won one of the spa raffle prices $75 voucher sort of but then you have to spend another $130 plus for a massage, next time I will not bother. Staff were excellent, food was very good. Jeanu and Skagway I did not like and nothing really there besides endless tourist shops, Ketchikan was very good. And boarding in Vancouver and going through customs took over 2 hours... what a nightmare. There were 3 ships leaving that day.

[@cssr26]

My wife and i bought bus tix outside the pier in Juneau and got to see mendenhall glacier on our own. We went on a hike, saw the visitor center and saw the waterfall without feeling rushed. The cruise excursion didnt provide enough time to do all of that, even though we were in juneau for a long time.

[@kathryncashner3294]

We did this as an organized tour and had 45 minutes at the glacier and visitor's center. Either of the bus options would have been better, and cheaper.

[@paulgerrard9227]

Agree.

[@mydailyangel]

Really good tips. thank you!

[@DaveStroble]

EXCELLENT video. Have been to all these ports many times and am booked on the Majestic Princess in two weeks. Your suggestions are spot on. My favorite thing to do in Juneau is to tour the State Capital. Last time I was there I received commemorative State pins from a kind staffer and was invited into the office of a State Legislator because they had "too much smoked salmon" and needed more hungry people! Definitely go off the beaten track for a better experience. Don't miss the fish hatchery in Juneau because that's where the eagles gather.

[@estervider7295]

Thank you for all your great tips and advise/ One thing to keep in mind though - booking trip on one's own will save money. That said, if for some reason the trip is delayed the ship will sale without you. However, if you book the trip via the cruise line/aget you pay mote but the ship will not leave the port without you. I rather pay a little more and not port chase my ship.

[@chriswilliams6568]

Indeed, same for me and they are not that much more.

[@sandinewton1896]

Great advice to keep aware of.

[@InnocentsAbroad]

Oh boy - the 'port advisor talks'. Alaska is really bad about it (imo), and you document it well. Holly & I always make a point to patronize independent merchants, rather easily identifiable by their lack of appearance in a ship-distributed shopping guide map. Ketchikan's Creek Street is a good example for us, especially "Sam McGhee's"... just lovely.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Yes! I love going to watch the talks though as just so very very very bizarre!!!

[@markwestaway7207]

A thumbs up for Sam McGhee's too.

[@Richard2003]

I took the bus in Juneau to Mendenhall glacier . Minimal cost and I stayed a long time.

[@Mayasons98-ie6te]

Gary, great video. We are planning to fly out from London to Seattle to do the Alaska 7 days cruise on the Norwegian encore, I have checked the stop over at the ports, this is where your advice was very helpful. I think we have enough time in each stop, you couldn't advice if these tines are enough or is there any other giving us more time at the stops, we will be travelling with another couple who are in their mid 70s and are slow walkers and could do with more time to enjoy the stop overs. Thanks in advance.

[@AvaT42]

We are going on Alaskan cruise this August from Vancouver. We cannot afford many of the excursions, so decided go on the cable car up Hooney mountain. Hopefully not far to walk to it. Also thought of the walking tour of Ketchikan and creek street. All is in US money though, so will see. There are good tips on this video.

[@SC-lu6gx]

What do you think of Disney Wonder Alaska cruise

[@geeemm8028]

I am off to Vancouver today to catch NCL Jewel to Seward, my first Alaska cruise. For me, Glacier Bay had to be on the itinerary. I booked my few excursions through the cruise line because of $50 credit off each, double checking to make sure booking direct wasn't cheaper.

[@cherifurr3935]

Great tips, especially about short times in ports. Three hours is NOT enough time to see Butchart Gardens in Victoria, for example. And the tramway at Juneau is RIGHT there at the dock with their ticket booth! I went to Alaska on Regent, where all excursions but private and helicopter are included, and we had a long time in each port and cruised right into Glacier Bay. And of course, specific local stores are better for things they specify are made by local artisans (yes, easy to find if you look, especially in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan) instead of things actually made in China. We didn’t depart from Juneau until 10 PM, for an example. My cruise had no shopping talks or coupons for stores in the ports.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks for watching! Greta to hear Regent included those "premium" excursions there too! that is a big plus!!!

[@owensmith7530]

I wish I'd checked the Regent and Seaborne offerings when I booked our Viking cruise in Alaska next year. Never mind I'm sure Viking will be OK and we get plenty of time in port with one free included excursion (a basic one) in most ports.

[@catistrolling7333]

I was on the cruise at ketchican when the planes crashed and it was my cruise - I walked around town that day - best place to buy gifts

[@stevenelson3515]

We always found that cruising to or from Vancouver or r/t Vancouver was far better than cruising from Seattle.

[@Dedaskitchen]

Totally agree with this! Though it is more expensive to fly to Vancouver and customs are horrible there! This is why we aren’t doing it next year with friends, opting for Seattle instead. But we warned them of the difference.

[@ddraigmafon4725]

We went on the Holland America New Amsterdam a few years ago, our first time on a cruise. I went along to a presentation billed as an overview of the ports we’d be visiting, thinking I’d find out something interesting about what we could see. But no, it was pretty much all a presentation on shopping for jewellery at each port and the audience were there for it. I bailed after 10 minutes and we did our own thing at each port, had some fantastic experiences …… and didn’t buy any jewellery!

[@leslindelgado6124]

Thanks for the tips. I’m planning on taking my kids on a cruise to Alaska within the next 2 years and I needed to know this. ❤

[@jopiaspieder1184]

I have an Alaskan cruise 🛳 with Royal Caribbean with stops in Juneau from 1:00pm - 11:00pm, Skagway from 7:00am - 7:30pm, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier from 7:00am - 12:00pm anf Victoria British Columbia from 8:00am - 6:00pm which to me is plenty of time to explore each port.

[@TheAnadromist]

Pro-tip: Holland America and sometimes Princess have stops in Haines Alaska, instead of Skagway. Do that! Haines is the real thing. It's actually an Alaskan town without the gauntlet of dockside stores etc. They have their own brewery (try the spruce tip ale , or their root beer), distillery (absinthe!) local pizza places (the Fireweed is my favorite) and lots of truly local creative products. And they have stunning tours of the bald eagle preserve, the local mountain environment, and in late summer bear viewing. And the locals are quite friendly. And they have much better grocery stores etc. than other towns and within walking distance of the boats. Plus the area is spectacular. Best small town in Alaska. And if you are stuck going to Skagway there is a ferry taking people to those tours or you can just go visit Haines. Follow the Tips For Travelers advice about booking tours there. Do some research! And enjoy!

[@chriswilliams6568]

We have driven there, took ferry from Skagway, but found Haines really boring and did not stay long.

[@stevemattson4988]

If you are going to buy anything from a store,look for a brown sign that states it is owned by a native or tribal family.

[@deeannlett-neal3325]

Will do.

[@kristinevazquez7840]

Gary, great video! Loved it! ❤

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks!!! Great to hear. Appreciate you watching!

[@charlesdavis1080]

I've been living in Alaska for several years I would say the best souvenirs is original artwork by Alaskan natives.

[@denniscima2418]

Gray, thanks for your advice. I ended up cancelling my NCL cruise which was nearly the same as the one you described. Great video and great channel!

[@jonathanbott87]

I'd recommend a one-way 7-day cruise VancouverSeward as they are not rushing to loop back.

[@tedlaurvik3765]

The was (at least) another crab shack about a half mile away from the dock. This location was almost deserted. The three of us only saw six other people while we were enjoying Russian crab ( there was a prohibition on Alaskan crab last summer).

[@tinman67641]

I went on an Alaskan cruise years ago with Holland America I think. I took the local bus at Juneau to the glacier. Easy. Also I bought a jacket on the cruise. It just says Alaskan on the left breast. I actually still wear it. It’s good in the fall but also great in the winter.

[@paulgerrard9227]

Its probably chinese

[@tunnelrat6809]

The short time in ports is EXACTLY what happened to me on my trip (on the same ship). :(

[@davidperrott4502]

yep, our cruise does just as you say, late arrival at one port and only there for a short time. Juneau only half day and late arrival in Victoria. Oh well to late to change.

[@supersuperwendy]

We are planning our Alaska cruise for summer 2024, HAL is charging the same price for lumberjacks as they sell on their website. Tickets purchased at the show are also the same price. We have other plans that day and may just pop in to see it depending on the weather :)