We read in advance that you could take a free shuttle around the downtown area and so we started with that tour (enjoyable). We then took the public bus out to the totem park and enjoyed the tour, walking trails and spending time on the rocky beach before returning by bus. :)

There weren't many options in Juneau and we aren't shoppers. We walked around the port and returned early to the ship for onboard activities.

In Skagway they have a cruise shuttle bus that takes you all around the town for $5 all day. We took it out to the WPYR roundhouse and then walked out to the gold rush cemetery. If you stay to the left trail in the cemetery it takes you to Lower Reid Falls. It is an easy, short hike to a beautiful waterfall. Afterwards we went to the Park Service Visitors Center and watched their gold rush movie (free) and went on the Ranger Walking Tour (free). This walking tour fills quickly and so it is best to get your tickets early in the morning. We walked around town, saw a few stores and explored the Dewey Lake trail before returning to the ship for lunch.

Glacier Bay was gorgeous! It has to be seen to be believed!

In Hoonah (Icy Strait) you are tendered in to the port. They have converted the old cannery buildings into a museum, stores, and a restaurant. There are easy, flat hikes in the surrounding woods and along the beach. We wish we had known that for only $10 you could do the huge zipline! By the time we realized that you could do the zipline without the other packages, it had a long wait. It looked like it would have been worth it but next time we will buy the tickets immediately after we get off the tender.

Sitka probably would have gotten 5 stars if it hadn't been absolutely pouring. There was a free shuttle from the ship to the town (5 miles away) and then another free shuttle in the downtown area. We walked alongside the waterfront and visited the Park Service Cultural Center. They had a free movie, totem carving demonstrations and beautiful woodland paths to walk around. On our way back it began to really pour so we ducked into the library. We waited out the worst of the rain and checked our email for free. By the time we made it back to the shuttle, we were sopping wet. It was a disappointment that we couldn't see the surrounding mountains due to the weather but it was still a beautiful town.

We have been to Victoria many times and absolutely love it! We walked from the ship to Beacon Hill Park. It is a large park with ponds, bridges, fountains, horse drawn carriages and gardens, gardens, gardens! It may not be Butchart Gardens but it was still a relaxing and gorgeous way to spend our time (for free). For those who haven't seen Butchart Gardens, yes it is a fortune but worth doing at least once in your life. Also, we walked around the waterfront and explored the Empress Hotel.

I always love walking around downtown Seattle, especially on the waterfront. They have a large area with free buses and it is a walker friendly city. We live south of Seattle and took the bus to the port and only had to walk a couple blocks. Very easy to do. We arrived too early to check in but there was a coffee shop just past the terminal and we enjoyed a leisurely coffee before we embarked.