Alaskan cruise

[wiscoleeds]

Any tips, stopping in Juneau and Skagway. And looking for excursions that don't run $200 a person...adds up quick for a family.

Cheers
Wiscoleeds

[Finsupinfla]

In Juneau visit Mendenhall Glacier...



then go have a beer at the Red Dog Saloon...



in Skagway we took a tour to a place called Carcross in the Yukon. It was a tourists trap, but the ride to and from was great. Anything with a helicopter involved is expensive, so with a family we passed as well. Where else are you going? If you have any ?'s just ask.

[digitalprintman]

Not sure how much the train trip out of Skagway is. We rode the motorcycles in and took the ferry up to Haines when we came into Alaska. Then we rode back into Skagway on our way out and took the ferry to Juneau and then down to Prince Rupert, BC, Canada. The inside passage was very cool. The ferry was pretty good but I am sure it does not have the amenities that the cruise ships have. The ferries do have inside and outside cabins (no private balconies) and have a cafeteria with real good food. You canalso forego the cabin and just ride in the seats that recline for sleeping or camp on the deck of the ferry.

Be prepared to see whales and plenty of eagles. It is beautiful country.

There was a large enclosed gondola (ski lift) ride up to a real nice area and fancy restaurant on the southern edge of Juneau. We did not go up but it did look pretty cool. Plenty of Bars and Restaurants downtown.

While in Skagway checkout the Red Onion Saloon

http://www.redonion1898.com/

If you are looking for reasonable rates on rooms in Juneau and Skagway check the Alaska Hostels. We stayed at both in 2007 on the motorcycle trip. Both were nice. Juneau was $10 per person per night in June.

http://www.alaskahostelassociation.org/

The ferry ride from Juneau to Skagway takes just a few hours but is very pretty. You don't really get the inside passage feel though. It is somewhat open water with some real nice snow capped mountains around..

Maybe check into flights to Juneau and then take the ferry up to Skagway and maybe take the ferry back down from Juneau to Bellingham, Washington

If costs are a real factor you may want to explore the ferry alternative rather than the cruise ship. Not sure how the costs compare though.

Here is the site for the ferry system

http://www.akmhs.com/

Enjoy the scenery it is great!!!!

[digitalprintman]

Another good resource for info on Alaska is the Milepost Book. They have these at Barnes and Noble (a little pricey roughly $29.95) but you can just take a look at it there. Check the local library they may have a copy. Here is the website

http://www.milepost.com/