Thread: Ketchikan

Ketchikan is the self proclaimed capital of world as well as Alaska's first city.

It is also probably one of the best shopping cities in Alaska for those of you who like to shop.

Ketchikan is also one of Alaska's rainiest cities with an average 1/2 inch of rain a day! The locals like to call it liquid sunshine.

There is a great Native heritage in Ketchikan. There is a greater concentration of Totem poles in and around Ketchikan than anywhere else in the world. Two of the most popular places to visit when coming to Ketchikan is the Saxman Native Village and Totem Bight State Park. You can sometimes see actual totem poles being carved as well as witness traditional native dances and ceremonies.

Being the salmon capital of the world, you can take a fishing expedition from Ketchikan for all varities of salmon and you can even go out crabbing in the area as well.

Nearby the cruise ship dock a popular attraction is the Great Alaskan Lumberjack show featuring some big names in Lumberjacking as seen on TV. Its an entertaining and fun show.

Ketchikan is also home to Creek Street, the famous former red light district of Ketchikan just a few short blocks from the pier. There you can take a tour of the infamous madam Dolly's house. Or you can take the $2 roundtrip funicular ride to the top of the Cape Fox Lodge for a great view back towards the city and the pier.

Additionally, a popular excursion from Ketchikan is to take a float plane trip to the very beautiful and pristine Misty Fjords National Monument which is part of the expansive Tongass National Park.

Alisa, see? You ARE a travel writer!!



As you know, Ketchikan was my favorite port, not because of the shopping, but because of the general feel of the town. I could very easily live there! It didn't rain the day (or half-day) we were there -- it had rained the night before, so the air was crystal clear. I would also recommend the funicular -- the grounds of the lodge are beautiful, and it's an easy walk back down (not that we walked, but it LOOKED easy! ). We didn't go on the float plane, as our cruise included going into Misty Fjords. I think that had we not had that included in our itinerary, we might have considered a closer look (and a ride in a float plane).

Laurie

Laurie:

As you've heard me say time and time again. Alaska is one thing that I could talk about until I was blue in the face. I think over the past year you've heard me talk about it enough to know what I mean.

Like you, I too have never gone on a float plane trip to Misty Fjords. One of the major reasons I choose the Serenade itinerary is that it included a trip through Misty Fjords the night we left Ketchikan. I had heard about how gorgeous it was that I wanted to see it for myself.

I do understand though that for people who take the float plane trip that its an amazing experience. The float plane lands on the water for about 15-20 minutes and you sit there in the middle of this vast park land and just take in the scenery and the beauty of mother nature and the power of what a receding glacier can do to shape the land.

I'm sad to see that RCI is no longer offering cruises that include Misty Fjords cruising.

Originally Posted by jstducky

Laurie:

I'm sad to see that RCI is no longer offering cruises that include Misty Fjords cruising.

No? Why not? That was one of the high points for me (I have no clue where Shawn was during that time). It was so beautiful and peaceful. We saw rainbows and wildlife, including a bear!). Captain Frank did a great job. That's really disappointing, but I'm glad we were on one of the last cruises to go there.

In 2005, RCI had 3 ships in Alaska, Radiance and Serenade doing Saturday and Sunday roundtrip departures from Vancouver and Vision doing alternating northbound southbound cruises from Anchorage to Vancouver.

In 2006, due to the popularity of Seattle as an embarkation point, Vision will be doing roundtrip departures from Seattle, Serenade remains doing roundtrip departures from Vancouver, and Radiance will do alternating southbound northbound cruises from Anchorage to Vancouver.

I also beleive that its more beneficial to the float plane tour operators that a cruise ship refrains from sailing through Misty Fjords so that they may get more passengers for their shore excursions.

Either way, for those who have not been to Misty Fjords, it was a real highlight of my cruise as well and certainly not to be missed!

Ducky, I will be picking your brain about Alaska after I come back from my cruise next month. I am booked for an ALaskan cruise in August of next year, have never been and am real excited about it.


Annieeee

Annieee pick away! i love talking about alaska and would be happy to give you any help that i can. I'm glad to see that you'll be going next August. I know that you'll have an amazing time!

Neither cruise I was on in the Inside Passage offered cruising thru Misty Fjord. I did take the float plane trip however the last time we were in Ketchikan and I have to say if you haven't seen Misty Fjord by air-you haven't seen it! There are so many penensulas and islands that you can't possibly see from the deck of the ship. Someone else mentioned the touchdown in a lagoon or bay and that was spectacular. I would highly recommend anyone going to Alaska to take the float plane trip in Misty Fjord.

Originally Posted by jstducky

Annieee pick away! i love talking about alaska and would be happy to give you any help that i can. I'm glad to see that you'll be going next August. I know that you'll have an amazing time!

Now thats an understatement. You are the Alaskan queen of info.

Thanks Hanna, I appreciate the compliment. I really wish I were the Alaska Queen of info, but I'm not. Hopefully one day, after a few more trips under my belt, I will be!