Booking Excursions Independently vs. Booking with the Cruise Lines

For some, the best part of a cruise is the excursions. Excursions and tours are fantastic ways to broaden your perspective, experience something new, and connect with the people and places that make Alaska so special. Based in Juneau, Alaska, Alaska Shore Excursions is a local alternative to booking excursions through a cruise line. In many ways, booking independently with Alaska Shore Excursions offers the same, if not better, benefits as booking through a cruise line.

 

Built Around Your Ship’s Schedule

We make scheduling your excursion easy. Like a cruise line, our excursions are scheduled around your ship’s port call, and we factor in buffer time for disembarkation and reboarding. Once you enter your ship details into our website, it will only allow you to select tour dates and times that align with your ship’s time in port.

To offer our customers peace of mind, we guarantee your on-time return to your cruise ship. You are guaranteed to return for your ship's departure in each port as long as you provide the correct cruise itinerary information during the booking process. If your tour were to return late, causing you to miss your ship, we will pay for the necessary expenses to transport you to the next port of call to meet your cruise ship the following day, including hotel, transportation, and food. In over 12 years of business, we have never had a guest miss their ship’s departure.

 

Open Booking, No Waiting

Some cruise lines prohibit cruisers from viewing or booking excursions until as little as 3 months before their cruise date or give booking priority to loyalty members. For many cruisers, this causes undue confusion, worry, and stress. By comparison, Alaska Shore Excursions is completely transparent with our sales. Excursions can be purchased as early as 9 to 12 months before the cruise date, allowing you to purchase your dream excursion as soon as you are ready.

 

Fair Prices, No Surprises

As an Alaska-based company, Alaska Shore Excursions is proud to offer all of our excursions at the local wholesale price. This is the same rate you would receive if you booked directly with a tour company. These rates are often 10% to 40% less than those of cruise lines. No hidden fees. No Gimmicks. Just fair and honest pricing.

 

Intimate Tours by Design

We specialize in small-group excursions that offer a more intimate, personalized experience. 70% of the tours offered accommodate up to 24 guests, and 35% accommodate groups of 12 or fewer. This is especially important for wildlife-viewing tours, where small groups are less likely to startle wildlife. For instance, our whale-watching tours typically carry ⅓ as many passengers as similar tours sold through the cruise line.

 

Local Experts, Exceptional Care

Our customer service agents are true Alaska Excursion Experts. When you contact Alaska Shore Excursions, you’ll speak with knowledgeable agents with 3 to 7 years of experience in Alaska travel. Our agents have traveled throughout Alaska and have firsthand experience with many of the excursions we offer. They truly enjoy helping guests select the best excursion for their needs and interests.  If an issue arises, such as a late ship arrival or itinerary change, our proactive team is available 7 days a week to provide guidance and support.

 

Choosing the right excursions can transform a great cruise into an unforgettable Alaskan adventure—and that’s where Alaska Shore Excursions truly shines. When you book with Alaska Shore Excursions, you’re not just reserving a tour—you’re investing in authentic experiences, personalized service, and memories that will last long after your cruise ends. If you have any further questions or concerns about booking independently please check out our Frequently Asked Questions or give us a call at 1-888-586-8489.

 

Booking Independently FAQ

1. What is your refund policy?

Excursions canceled for any reason up to 7 days before the tour date are fully refundable. Within 0-7 days before the tour date, cancellations are eligible for a full refund only in the following scenarios:

• The tour is canceled by the tour operator for any reason (for example: bad weather or mechanical issue)

• You experience a medical emergency during this window and can provide documentation (documentation must be submitted within 30 days to receive a refund)

• Your ship changes port itineraries, causing you to miss an excursion

Refunds will not be issued for missed departures or check-ins unless covered by the exceptions listed above.

2. What happens if my ship is late?

If your ship arrives late, we will work with our local tour provider to reschedule your tour. We will contact you at the phone number you provided at checkout with updates. If your tour cannot be rescheduled, a full refund will be issued.

3. Does the excursion pick me up from my cruise ship?

Most of our excursions will pick you up from either your cruise ship dock or a central meeting location within a 5 to 15 minute walk from your ship. Please note that in the following locations, a complementary shuttle bus is required to get from the cruise ship docks to the meeting location: Sitka, Ward Cove, and Juneau’s AJ Dock. The specific meeting location for each tour is listed in the ‘Things to Know’ section of its description.