In my registration package, I have received the big booklet on all optional port excursions on the 3 stops (on a 1 week cruise, on Dawn Princess - we will be going on that cruise in a few weeks).

Should one go on an optional excursion at each of the 3 stops? Which ones - at each stops, it has innumerable options. Obviously, we did not prebook - are some popular enough that we should book soon after going on board the cruise ship, or those excursions' tickets will be sold out?

Can one do some of these excursions on one's own (there will be 6 familes - almost 20 people, in our party), more practically?

Depends on the stops
Did Southbound on " Jubilee" a few years ago stopped at:
Valdez - no much to do there, besides visiting the town and pipeline terminal.

Skagway: nice old "western type" town, took the train up into to Prince Rupert, spectacular, would highly recommend this trip as the only one if only did one, stopped at gold mining camp on way back( return trip by bus)

Juneau: did 3 hour wildlife tour on boat, loads of humpback whales, dozens of Dahl porpoises and eagles, seals and at least 12 killer whales, one within 3 feet of boat.

Ketchicam: visited native village and totem pole makers, quite good.

Had no trouble booking tours on boat, but cannot tell for sure if you can get on tours landside but I am almost positive you can (may be cheaper too)
Mike


[This message has been edited by MIKESILV (edited 07-15-2002).]

We did the NCL cruise to Alaska in May of this year.

We took a helicopter ride in Juneau and landed on a glacier. We did not buy it thru the boat:it was too expensive. We went thru www.coastalhelicopters.com (http://www.coastalhelicopters.com) You need to book it in advance before you get to Juneau. The ride was great. We have some great pictures for our Christmas card. The glacier was awesome. We also drank some glacier water.

In Juneau-ride the Mount Roberts Tram. It takes you to the top of a mountain where you can look down on Juneau. The price for the tram was the same as the shore excursion price.

Take the Skagway White Pass train in Skagway.

In ketchican, you can buy tours at the tourist info center as soon as you get off the boat. Take a tour of the Totem Bight Park to see the totem poles.

Do a google search on all the ports you are visiting and order all the visitor info that you can order for free. You'll learn a lot about each city.

You'll love Alaska. Have fun

Do the train in Skagway. One seat in each car has no seat across the aisle. Get this one. You'll get the view both ways.

You can do your own shore excrusions if you want, just search for Alaska Cruise Shore Excrusions in any search engine, there are many companies offering them. Your travel agent may know of some too.

I don't remember the ports, but we did the kyack on the mountain lake that was incredibly nice, and taku lodge was well worth it.