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Best Alaska Excursions

Whether you’re looking for relaxing vistas or a thrilling adventure, Alaska is full of stunning experiences. You’ll find everything from casual walking and train tours to exhilarating dog sledding rides and helicopter tours during your vi... READ MORE...

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How Early Should I Book my Shore Excursions?

We get asked all of the time by guests how early they should book their shore excursions. The simplest answer? As soon as you know you're going on a cruise! Every year we see guests wanting to book their shore excursions with us earlier and earlier. ... READ MORE...

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White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

Climbing aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway is among many travelers’ favorite things to do in Skagway, especially when visiting from an Alaskan cruise. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, the White Pass & Yukon Route (... READ MORE...

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Best Alaska Wildlife Tours

If we had to describe Alaska with just one word, it’d probably be wild. The Last Frontier boasts some of the most beautiful scenes nature has composed, with a bevy of beasts and a cacophony of creatures large and small. So, are you ready to get... READ MORE...

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Best Alaska Whale Watching Tours

Some of the largest creatures in the world’s oceans reside in the nutrient-rich waters of southeast Alaska: humpback whales. These gentle giants feed on krill, which they isolate by streaming ocean water through filter-like plates in their mout... READ MORE...

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Glaciers in Alaska: Juneau Icefield, Mendenhall Glacier, & More

Experiencing the majesty and splendor of an Alaskan glacier is a must-do activity in Juneau and surrounding ports. Rugged crevasses, azure blue ice, and the sheer expanse are humbling and awe-inspiring, giving you glimpses of what the Ice Age was lik... READ MORE...

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Best Alaska Kayak Tours

Sea kayaking tours in Alaska allows you to get close to marine wildlife, including seals, sea otters, and fish. You’ll see birds soaring in the sky and sometimes even spot bears or goats on land as you paddle along Alaska’s shores.These l... READ MORE...

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Booking Excursions Independently vs. Booking with the Cruise Lines

Your cruise ship likely offers excursions as additions to your cruise package, so you may be wondering what the difference is when you book directly with an excursion company, like Alaska Shore Excursions. You may be told that booking independently i... READ MORE...

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Best Alaska Helicopter Tours

Helicopter tours in Alaska are popular shore excursions. Though a helicopter trip can be an investment, almost everyone agrees that they’re worth every penny and are a once-in-a-lifetime experience that the whole family can enjoy. In Alaska, sc... READ MORE...

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Alaska Cruise Weather - What to Expect

Though weather can be hard to predict, especially in Alaska, there are trends that’ll help you know what to expect during your summer cruise. So, check the weather before you pack, but these will give you a guesstimate. The best time for an ... READ MORE...

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Best Juneau Helicopter Tours

Juneau is a port that has a lot to offer guests. From whale watching to tasting tours to incredible flights via helicopter, there's something for everyone while they're here. The once-in-a-lifetime experience you get on a small group helicopter fligh... READ MORE...

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What to do at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is a hub for exploring Juneau’s wildlife and nature via scenic walking trails, endless information from knowledgeable U.S. Forest Service Rangers, and stunning views of the Mendenhall Glacier itself. Locate... READ MORE...

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Best Place for Whale Watching in Alaska

The best place for whale watching in Alaska is Juneau, because there are so many whales that seeing whales on your excursion is guaranteed. Icy Strait is also very good for whale watching, but there are no guarantees for this port (though most tours ... READ MORE...

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Best Alaska Dog Sledding Tours

Dog sledding in Alaska is the most popular shore excursion. Dog sledding tours typically include a helicopter trip into the mountains and a dog sledding ride with Alaskan sled dogs on a glacier. These trips offer a glacier tour experience most people... READ MORE...

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Top 10 Alaska Cruise Excursions

Alaska offers adventures that range from mild (a peaceful train ride) to extreme (riding a dog sled across a glacier, after traveling via helicopter). Outlined below are 10 of our favorite Alaska adventures, perfect for tourists and cruisers ready fo... READ MORE...

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Misty Fjords National Monument

Misty Fjords National Monument is a quiet, pristine protected wilderness area in Southeast Alaska, near Ketchikan. Its rugged landscape is breathtaking, featuring mountain views, fjords, forest, and wildlife, making a visit one of the best things to ... READ MORE...

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How to Choose a Helicopter Excursion

A highlight for many travelers visiting Alaska, a helicopter tour offers a unique opportunity for guests in search of that “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. However, once the decision has been made to take a helicopter tour, a few more con... READ MORE...

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Whale Migration Patterns throughout Alaska

Alaska’s seafood-rich waters are the summer home of many different kinds of whales. Though endangered worldwide, the most commonly seen whale in Alaska is the humpback. These gentle giants are around 49 feet in length and can wei... READ MORE...

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Best Port for Fishing in Alaska

Fishing tours in Alaska include salmon fishing offshore (on a boat) and onshore cast fishing. The best ports for fishing in Alaska are: Ketchikan: Ketchikan is the best port in Alaska for salmon fishing. You can also try crab fishing her... READ MORE...

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Common Questions Answered!

We here at Alaska Shore Excursions receive a lot of the same questions from our guests and we wanted to make sure that these answers have an easy place to live. Below are some of the most common questions we are asked: How early should I book my t... READ MORE...