Depending on where your ship docks, you could be a long way off from the shopping area. Fortunately, there is a shuttle which runs to dock from the shopping area. The Mendenhall Glacier is gorgeous and we were able to view it from afar. We went whale watching and saw four or five whales. Our driver to the Whale watching excursion boasted how Juneau now has a Walmart, McDonald's and a Fred Meyers. 


Juneau

Skagway is a tiny town with more jewelry stores per capita than anywhere else on the face of the earth. If you look up, the scenery is breath taking. We chose to take the White Pass Railroad trip up and down. The train just crossed over the Canadian Border and returned. Since we were considered a 'closed container', we did not need our Passports for this trip. All other Railroad trips with alternative ways back down to Skagway do need to take their Passports and must go through customs when re-entering the U.S. 
I must say the Railroad trip revealed some of the most stunning scenery I have ever seen. It was incredible. 


Skagway

Ketchikan was a pleasant surprise and possibly the largest Alaskan port we visited. Unfortunately this was the port with the shortest time allowed ashore. We took an outside excursion to Totem Bite State Park. The guide we had was amazing and had so much knowledge to share about the Native American culture of SE Alaska. The number of Totem Poles were unbelievable along with a recreated lodge house. My partner and I decided that this was the absolute best of the best of the excursions we took. 


Ketchikan

Victoria is a pretty town. We saw the Embassy Hotel and Parliament. Our $7.00 shuttle promptly let us out in the middle of all the touristy shops. Just like Ketchikan, there is not enough time to do much in Victoria. Some folks went to see Butchart Gardens, but due to the fact we docked at 6:00 PM and the sunset was not too far away, we chose not to go. Instead, we ate dinner aboard the ship (one of the few times we were not packed in the Garden like sardines) and then took the shuttle into town. We bought a couple of obligatory T Shirts and then tried a couple of the locally brewed beers. 


Victoria

Ample Storage, quiet little hallway of three cabins, right next to mid ship entry/exit in certain ports, has porthole and not large window.

Our cabin was in a short hallway of three cabins, just outside the Medical Center, which allowed for little if any traffic in front of our cabin.We did participate in the unlimited soda pop program, unlike in the Caribbean where all outside bars are open, during this chilly cruise many of these bars were closed making it more difficult to find a place refill your glass.

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