Photo Gallery Alaska

Known for its many Native American totem poles which are located all around the town and available to buy in many sizes. Ketchikan also has many salmon spawning streams and it is a sight to see them all fighting there way through the waters in the hundreds. Its also home to rich wildlife including black bears, wolves and bald eagles.  We visited this port twice and still found new things to do.

Excursions/Things to do:

The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show & Crab Feast (approx. 4 hrs)  (Ships tours do variations on this).   

Misty Fjords float plane 1.5 hr scenic air tour from Ketchikan.  Fly over cliffs and rivers of Misty Fjords. Communicate with the pilot via a two way radio and noise cancelling headphones.  Experience a fixed-wing DeHavilland Beaver (DHC-2) Alaskan bush plane with a guaranteed window seat for all passengers.

If your a fan of the Discovery Channel's hit tv show Deadliest Catch, where the Aleutian Ballad a commercial fishing boat escaped a rogue wave in the Bering Sea. A 3 hour fisherman's tour aboard the very boat show on tv. Navigate through the tranquil protected waterways of the inside passage. The crew have a variety of marine creatures in tanks onboard and the opportunity to handle King Crab, touch some of the catch and watch them haul the catch on to the deck. The crew prepare long-line barrel pots and 700lb king crab pots. This really is an interesting excursion for all ages.  We saw Bald Eagles, Seals and whales whilst out in the boat.

Ketchikan Ducktour… for kids and adults alike why not do the tour. An amphibian bus and a fun way to experience Ketchikan .. The tour starts on the road then plunges into the water.  The crew are are very informative and we laughed all the way.

Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer.  Explore Misty Fjords one of nature's most spectacular creations whilst cruising in luxury aboard one of the fastest sightseeing vessels in Alaska. Along the way you will stop to view an active bald Eagles nest, a Tlingit pictograph (and New Eddystone Rock

The town is easily accessed from the Port so why not wander around and take in the sights or

there is also a host of fishing trips all advertising in the port so if Salmon or Bass is your thing then you will find one to suit and within your time scales.

If you are arriving by cruise ship the town is just steps away! The town is filled with souvenir shops, restaurants, a bookstore, and a host of jewellery shops together with a beautiful soap shop "Glacier Silt Soaps" well worth a visit! and of course you can buy Salmon and associated products in the town.

There are so many things to do here and two of the my favourites in Juneau are Float Plane and Helicopter ride. 

Temperatures in Alaska are varied and you can find a list of packing tips in the menu.

Excursions:

Float Plane to Taku Lodge....You’re in for the journey of a lifetime. Fly in a classic deHavilland seaplane over 5 breathtaking glaciers flowing from the Juneau Icefield, deep blue crevasses, snow-capped mountains, and the lush Tongass National Forest. Seeing glaciers from the air is an Alaskan MUST DO, and doing so by authentic Alaskan bush plane is the quintessential Alaskan experience! The Taku River will be your “runway” as you land at the elegantly rustic historic Taku Lodge, built in 1923 and located across the river from the 5 mile wide Taku Glacier, Juneau’s largest glacier.  Savor a feast of Fresh Wild Alaska Salmon grilled to perfection, a chicken alternative, Taku baked beans, coleslaw, pioneer fruit compote, fresh herb biscuits and sourdough bread, all made from scratch. Drinks are chilled and served with actual glacier ice and special-recipe ginger cookies complete the meal. The scrumptious aroma of the alderwood grill attracts not only visitors daily, but also wild black bears.  Take a guided interpretative nature walk, stroll the trails or soak in the serenity of a place barely touched by time before your return flight to Juneau.   You can do it all with this exclusive combination tour of Alaska’s premier attractions.

Taku Glacier Lodge Lunch and Dinner Departures: The meal is served approximately one-hour after the Taku Lodge Flight & Feast tour departure time. Everything on the menu is made from scratch! •Wild Alaskan Salmon cooked over an outdoor alderwood fire •(Chicken as an alternative) •Special Slow Cooked Baked Beans •Fresh Coleslaw •Pioneer Fruit Compote •Alaskan Sourdough Bread •Savory Herb Biscuits •Famous Taku Lodge Ginger Cookies •Hot Russian Tea •Coffee •Lemonade or water chilled with actual glacier ice •Beer and wine available at a minimal cost

Duration: 3 hours of total tour time  Description: Includes 25 minutes of Glacier Flightseeing in route to the Taku Lodge, 2 full hours on the Taku Lodge grounds, and a 15-minute return flight past the glaciers to the downtown Juneau waterfront.

There are usually morning and afternoon flights and we chose afternoon as there can be early morning mist

Prices vary and I show a list of tour companies in the menu.

Juneau Whale Watching 

Our 2 hour whale watching adventure begins when we board a coach bus that departs downtown Juneau from the Mt. Roberts Tram parking lot. A 25 minute journey through the picturesque landscape of Southeast Alaska will take you to Auke Bay Harbor. “All aboard!” and you’re off to Alaska waters and the ultimate whale watching experience.

On our quest for whales, we will be on the lookout for bald eagles, seals, sea lions, black bear and more of Alaska’s wildlife. The star of the tour is the humpback whale, but we are always looking out for the playful orcas. Once we spot a whale, the captain will slow down and allow you to go on the spacious viewing decks for a great photo opportunity. Our custom design vessels provides unrestricted viewing from inside the cabin as well as outside. Although the cabin is enclosed and heated. we recommend you dress in layers, after all it is Alaska!

With our experienced captains and Juneau being one of the best ports for whale watching in Alaska, this tour will be an unforgettable experience.

Snacks and binoculars are also provided.

Helicopter flightseeing over the Mendenhall Glacier and icefields near Juneau is one of the most exciting shore excursions available to cruise passengers visiting Alaska. Add a glacier landing and a dog sled ride across the ice and snow, and you have an adventure to remember forever!

You start off being picked up at the cruise port and being taken the short distance to the helicopter terminal. 

Here you will be geared up with glacier boots and given a safety briefing . Load up into our state of the art helicopters and begin your bucket-list worthy adventure. Our highly-trained pilots will lift you off the ground and safely transport you over some of the most breathtaking sights you have ever seen. Lush green rainforests, alpine ridges, and glacier valleys pass beneath you as you make your way to the main attraction, the famous Mendenhall Glacier. Before touching down, you will have a birds-eye view of the awe-inspiring blue glacier ice, deep crevasses, spectacular ice falls and the jagged peaks of the Mendenhall Towers. 

You will not be allowed to take bags or selfie sticks onboard but do not worry they are locked up safe. Everyone has a window seat and headphones.  Once on the ground you will wander over the glacier and have a very informative talk and you can even drink glacier water from the glacier itself!  The glacier is very chilly and I would recommend hat and gloves and a warm coat.

This trip can incorporate dog sledding if you fancy getting up close to the beautiful husky dogs.

Tour approx 2 1/2 hrs

If you like crab Tracey’s Crab Shack a must but be prepared to queue! It’s right on the front and visible as a red wooden fronted building. You can’t  miss it! (see photo)

We visited Juneau in September and were lucky enough to see the Northern lights a 40 min light show which was the eeriest experience ever.

Icy Strait Hoonah

This tiny Alaskan port has a lot too pack in:  Accessed by a bridge from the port and only one cruise ship at any time its yours too explore.

Zip Line excursion is the 7th longest zip line in the world. A 20 minute informative  bus ride to the top on  route you will see some traditional Hoonah houses and take a look at what life is like for these people.  Once at the the top whilst waiting for your turn you  can warm yourself by the open fire and take photos of the stunning surroundings.  Once you are fastened into your harness be prepared for a thrilling ride back to town (a fantastic GoPro opportunity if you have one) Approx 2 hrs

Hiking For a slower pace why not wander along the waters edge and finish with some delicious cooked crab that it available.

Wildlife and Bear Search

Get ready for your fill of bears, deer, bald eagles and more on this exciting wildlife search! Your experienced guide will take you on an adventure to discover the secrets of Icy Strait and the vast history of the Tlingit Native population. This is a small group tour which provides you the opportunity to get up-close and personal with nature! Approx 4 hrs

Canoe and Culture Tour

Treat yourself to a small group excursion in a hand-carved Tlingit dugout canoe! Learn about the history and culture of Hoonah's Tlingit Tribe while paddling in an authentic 40 foot tribal canoe. Cruise the Icy Straits as it was done centuries ago!  2 Hr Tour

Stream Fishing

Relax and spend a few hours away from the crowds while on this fishing expedition. We'll supply everything you need, so there's nothing for you to worry about except for having fun and taking in nature at its best. There will be no shortage of fish in the cool, clear streams we'll take you on this trip. Approx 4 hours

Skagway

Another Alaskan beauty this quaint little town is such a lovely place to explore. From Totem Poles to Goldrush Visitor Centre plenty to see!

White Pass Railway

One of Skagways most popular tour is the White Pass Railway.  Get onboard this delightful train ride.

Relax in vintage passenger coaches as you retrace the original route to the White Pass Summit, passing Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch. Enjoy a breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites. See the original Klondike Trail of ‘98 worn into the rocks, a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls who passed this way in search of fortune.

Pass the border into Canada (Passport required for UK passengers) 

The trip we did was a one way trip with coach back and ideal if you have children. There are many variations of this and will depend on your timescales. This particular trip was approx 2. 1/2 hrs

Red Onion Saloon
It's easy to catch up on the cultural heritage of Skagway at the Red Onion Saloon. A popular bordello during the Klondike Gold Rush, the saloon has since softened its image and is now a lively bar/restaurant and a National Historic Building. Get to know some locals for even more ideas about what to do in Skagway.

There are some lovely shops along the Main Street and side streets. Coffee shop Bites on Broadway amazing coffee! And sweeties Sugar Mammas and fabulous ice cream Kone Kompany. Visit the Train Shoppe and so much more

If you have never seen a glacier this will astound you ! We sailed as close as possible which was pretty close ... The ship stopped and we were all invited on the helipad for a closer view.  This enormous glacier stunningly blue right in front of us, what a sight. Within 10 minutes we heard what can only be described as rolling thunder but it’s actually the ice breaking off the glacier and boom  it drops crashing into the water. Calving is an amazing sight and sound. This happened a few more times while the ship’s tannoy gave us interesting facts and history of its location.. The ship did a 190 turn and we sailed away on route to our next destination. (See pic for Hubbard Glacier)

Inside Passage

Southeast Alaska — a network of sheltered waterways, spruce-covered islands, snow-capped mountains, glacier-fed rivers, and small, beautiful coastal communities, all within America’s largest national forest. This is the most tranquil day of cruising sat watching whales breaching, bald eagles in flight and glorious forest.

(See pic of Hubbard in gallery)

Victoria BC (Not Alaska but included in a lot of alaskan cruises)

This ship docks in the outer harbour of Victoria which is located about 1 mile from the inner harbour and downtown area. The port offers inexpensive shuttle buses but it is a nice walk through Fishermans Harbour.   Victoria is known as the garden city of Canada but is steeped in English charm. Flowers fill every area it has special and endearing qualities that set it apart from other cities in Canada and the rest of the world. For one, as part of its downtown core it boasts the world-famous Inner Harbour, complete with the Royal British Columbia Museum, the historic ivy-covered Empress Hotel, the B.C. Legislative Building, as well as theatres, galleries, restaurants, gardens and parks. A short drive or beautiful walk through impressive turn-of-the-century architecture of the downtown core, you will find yourself in James Bay and on the edge of the Juan de Fuca Stait. Views of the ocean and the Washington State's Olympic Mountains abound.

After dark, Victoria, BC, becomes a magical place, with spectacular views of breathtaking boats in the Inner Harbour, the lights of the Legislative building, and many of the beautiful sights to be seen lit up in nighttime displays. The romantic appeal only increases as you wander along clean and safe cobblestone streets. Stop in to enjoy one of the many excellent cafes, quality bistros, and haute cuisine restaurants with something on the menu for everyone. Be sure to also sample one of the many excellent seafood restaurants this ocean-front city has to offer.

One very popular tour is Butchart Gardens!

a sweet-smelling stroll through Victoria’s famous Butchart Gardens, spanning 55 acres (22.2 hectares) of beautifully designed flower beds, lily ponds, footbridges, and thematic landscapes. With a convenient pickup location and a flexible return shuttle schedule, it’s an easy way to experience one of Victoria’s most popular attractions. Visit during summer or holiday season evenings to witness special luminous displays that add an extra touch of enchantment to the gardens.

Many ships tours do day and evening tours .

Whale Watching

Orca Spirit excursion

Victoria, BC is the best place on earth to view whales in the wild. The nearby Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits are home to three resident Orca (killer whale) pods. With over 70 whales belonging to these families, transient orcas, and humpback whales – you’ll have plenty of opportunities for an encounter with these magnificent creatures. During peak viewing months, our success rate for spotting whales is greater than 95%.

Local marine wildlife also includes Dall’s porpoises, Harbour porpoises, Stellar and California sea lions, harbour and elephant seals, otters and a variety of birds such as cormorants and bald eagles. There is also a very good chance of sighting Humpback, Minke and Gray whales.

Every Orca Spirit tour is led by a certified marine naturalist with deep knowledge of Vancouver Island’s marine wildlife. And, every vessel in our fleet is equipped with a hydrophone to help bring the underwater experience alive.

We did this tour and saw so many transient Orca’s close up and pictures we didn’t capture where taken by there onboard photographer and put up on Flicker (photo sharing app) so you can look 

at your leisure. Would recommend this excursion it was amazing.

Pedicab Tour (a really fun excursion)

Explore British Colombia’s Victoria by pedicab with a guide on this 2.5-hour tour of the city, including convenient pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship terminal. Travel through one of Victoria’s oldest neighborhood, James Bay, to one of its oldest grocers. Then pass through Beacon Hill Park, and see the peacocks there. Plus, catch a glimpse of the famous Empress Hotel. Free port pickup and drop-off included Cycle the streets to absorb the local atmosphere Perfect introduction for first-time visitors

Kayak

A  new perspective on Victoria’s 

beautiful, bustling harbor on a guided 3-hour kayak tour. Glide through the historic waterways in a state-of-the-art sea kayak, soaking up fantastic views of where Victoria’s stately skyline meets the harbor’s wild aquatic landscape. As you paddle, join the local traffic of seaplane, ferries and whale-watching boats, and keep an eye out for native wildlife like river otters and harbor seals. 3-hour kayaking tour of Victoria Harbour Capture prime views of Victoria’s downtown area and see sites like the BC Parliament Buildings and the Fairmont Empress hotel Spot wildlife, including river otters, cormorants, harbor seals and herons Learn about some of the Victoria’s iconic sights from a knowledgeable guide Choose between a morning and afternoon departure to suit your schedule All kayaking and safety equipment included. No experience necessary

If you just want to wander about this is the place there is so much to see and beautiful architecture everywher