Going on an Alaskan Cruise......Need advise

[rnjump]

  I told my wife that a visit to Alaska was on my bucket list so here we go on a cruise tour. I was wondering if anyone is familiar with daytime excursions or any must see locations in the following cities. On May 15 we will be docked in Ketchikan for eight hours, May16 in Juneau for 13 hours and Skagway the next day for 13 hours. We will also head on to Glacier Bay, College Fjord then on to Anchorage. From there it will be a guided tour to Denali and such.
  The first three days we will be looking for excursions or just something we can do our own. I like to fish but not sure about charters or if I want more time on a boat.
Any help would be appreciated from experienced travelers. Photos from the region would be cool. Maybe Barry can chime in with the inside scoop. 
    Thanks in advance!

[nvrbdn]

alaskan ta may be able to help.  my parents went on a cruise to alaska and had a great time. the pic's they brought back were beautiful. they also had some good time in each city that the ship docked in. i havnt gone yet, but want to do the camper wagon train they run through alaska for a month. hope you enjoy your trip.

[Bob T]

My NZ inlaws did the big Canadian trip last year, Calgary 100year anniversary, Vancouver Island, Whistler, then the inland passage cruise up the coast to the same places you mentioned. They loved it, the highlight for them was Denali park for 2? or 3 days, and the double decker train rides up through the park.
Have a great time, its one that we would like to do also. 

[Alaskan_TA]

Ketchikan - Float plane tour of the Misty Fjords National monument.

Juneau - Helicopter tour of the glacier.

Skagway - Train ride up the old gold prospectors route.

I have done all three & highly recommend them all.

[1970Moparmann]

Have a great time Rex.... How is the car??

[nh_mopar_fan]

We did that cruise last May.

We did the helicopter to the glacier for dog sledding in Juneau.

DO IT.

Other than that we did some hiking on an island when we were in Ketchikan, did a walking gold rush tour with the Rangers in Skagway and then mountain biking. Everyone does the train. One of the tour guides told us that something like 70% of all cruise passengers take that train tour which makes sense bacause most are older. We're not that old yet and prefer to be active and it helps with all the food on the ship... 

In Denali we stayed at the Princess Lodge. If you want to take the full tour of the park, BOOK IT IMMEDIATELY. It fills up fast. There's not much else to do at the lodge so all the tour book up quickly.

[green69rt]

Ketchikan - Float plane tour of the Misty Fjords National monument.

Juneau - Helicopter tour of the glacier.

Skagway - Train ride up the old gold prospectors route.

I have done all three & highly recommend them all.

We did the same.  I would add a tram ride to the park above Juneau, great view and nice hiking on top of the cliff.
Something to remember about Alaska during the summer.  The days are something like 20 hrs long.  we chose an inside cabin so we could sleep!

[ACUDANUT]

We have had enough of cold wet weather. Our Family is going to the Caribbean. Hot Babes and beautiful clear blue water.

[Ram07]

My buddy works on the cruise lines, he's been there, my Neice has worked there, shes an Environmentalist, so sight seeing, or nature?
I know she has some very cool (no pun intended) shots of Glaciers/nature ect...the other guy has been everywhere else. Can send a few pics if you would like?

[rnjump]

  This is all good to know. I have talked to many folks about Alaska and even the ones that don't like travel, love Alaska. I try to ride my Harley in Colorado once a year and they say this is way better. Can't wait!

[71ChallengeHer]

Stop by Barry's for some chili