Private Shore Excursions

Private Cruise Shore Excursions in Alaska

You’ve traveled a long way and paid a pretty penny for your cruise to be both a spectacular and an elegant experience—so why pull into port and cram onto a bus with 500 other people? The cruise companies do their best, but when you’re catering to thousands of people, there are only so many ways of doing things. So why not escape the crowds and let us take you on a private Alaska shore excursion? We’ll show you the most interesting spots (and ones you can’t take 500 people—or even 50), introduce you to authentic experiences, and generally give you the insider’s tour. What’s more, it’s dead easy, and involves no waiting around: we’ll meet you at the dock holding a sign with your name on it, then whisk you away for a private adventure of your choosing. Will the other passengers have Shorex envy? Absolutely. Will you enjoy bragging rights? Definitely. But most importantly, you’ll have an unforgettable experience, whether it’s dogsledding, spotting whales, climbing glaciers, viewing bears in a remote sanctuary, helicopter flightseeing, or kayaking among dramatic fjords.

It would be almost impossible for us to list all of the private shore excursions we offer here. However, scroll down to get an idea of the options in each port. As always, we can combine activities and customize experiences in numerous ways.

Seattle

There’s a lot to see in The Emerald City! We’ll pick you up at your hotel for a half-day or all-day city tour that takes in the National Historic District, Pike Place Market, Japanese Garden, Ballard Locks (the second largest in the U.S.) and more. Alternatively, let us drive you to nearby Tacoma for a tour of the unique Museum of Glass, or show you the highlights of Eastern Seattle—including the Bellevue Botanical Gardens and Washington’s most acclaimed winery.

Vancouver

Whether your focus is on the outdoors, cultural diversity, history or kids’ activities, we’ll give you a tour of Canada’s famously livable and multi-ethnic city that you won’t soon forget. (Given that our headquarters are here, it’s probably no surprise that we’re experts on its many faces.) Families can check out the totem poles in Stanley Park, head to the outstanding Aquarium, and browse among the stalls at Granville Island’s Kids Market. We’ll ferry you across to Bowen Island for a spectacular rainforest walk, then whisk you back via floatplane. Another option from Vancouver is a day tour to Victoria, Canada’s “City of Blooms.” Travel by ferry or floatplane to visit Butchart Gardens and take high tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.

Victoria

Even short stops in Victoria permit sightseeing for those who make the most of their time. Let us whisk you away to discover a bit of Old England…visit Buchart Gardens, take tea at the Fairmont Empress, explore Chinatown and the Parliament Buildings—or take to the sea for a private Zodiac adventure to view orcas (killer whales) as they swim alongside your boat.

Ketchikan

Surrounded by lush rainforest, dramatic fjords, abundant salmon, bears and other wildlife, “Alaska’s Gateway City” affords myriad opportunities for adventurers to fish, view wildlife, go sea kayaking—or just appreciate the majestic surroundings. We’ll fly you into vast Tongass National Forest to see bears in their natural habitat, take you fishing at a remote luxury camp, or arrange for you to paddle among spectacular marine life in Orcas Cove before boarding a floatplane for to soar above the 3000 cliffs and waterfalls of Misty Fjords National Monument.

Sitka

Sitka wears many hats. It is a traditional Tlingit Native center, the capital of Russian America, and the first capital of the United States’ Territory of Alaska. Set on the outer coast of Baranof Island—inaccessible by road—it offers exceptional opportunities for wilderness adventures. Call us for more information on Native-led cultural tours, boat trips through the wildlife-rich waters of Tongass National Forest, kayaking in Sitka Sound, deep sea fishing in the outer coastal waters, and any number of expert-led sightseeing tours and private cruises.

Juneau

Surrounded by mountains, sea, and the 3500-square-mile Juneau Icefield, Juneau might just be the most spectacularly positioned state capital in the Union—offering dozens of ways for you to experience the wild Alaska of your imagination. Helicopter flightseeing trips will have you soaring over giant crevasses and hanging glaciers, while marine expeditions afford opportunities to see humpback and killer whales, stellar sea lions, bald eagles and more. Other options include airboating along the Taku River, helicopter dogsledding, fly fishing, glacier trekking, kayaking, and brown bear viewing.

Skagway

Another spot ideal for its easy access to pristine wilderness, Skagway also boasts an interesting history as the jumping-off point for the 1898 Klondike God Rush. Learn more about the region’s exciting past, or head to the backcountry for wildlife viewing, dogsledding, hiking, rafting and more. Take a catamaran along steep-walled fjords between Skagway and Haines, or fly to Glacier Bay’s Lost Coast for a beach walk in complete isolation.

Seward / Whittier and Anchorage

Seward and Whittier are embarkation points for many cruises out of Vancouver and Seattle—and as such, we offer a wide variety of day trips between both cities and the airport in Anchorage. Call us for more details on transfers that include dogsledding, ATV touring, bear viewing and more. Any of our excursions can be enjoyed before or after the cruise portion of your trip.

Glacier Dog Sledding

Grizzly Bear Viewing

Kayaking with the Whales

Native Carvings

• Juneau

  Alaska's Capital City, Juneau is nestled in a spectacular wilderness of mountains rising from the sea. An extraordinary population of whales and other marine mammals frolic and feed in the sea nearby, and offshore wilderness islands are everywhere, complete with their resident wildlife. High above it all is the Juneau Icefield a sea of ice covering nearly 3500 square miles! Almost anywhere you look you can catch a glimpse of one of the dozens of massive glaciers that pour from the icefield into the valleys below. It is truly the perfect base for an adventure in the Alaska wilderness!

  Juneau
• Ketchikan

  Ketchikan is Alaska's Gateway City and is perhaps most famous for its reputation as the Salmon Fishing Capital of the World. It is also home to a large population of Alaska's Native people. The surrounding wilderness is blessed with lush rainforest, dramatic fjords, abundant salmon and equally abundant bears and eagles which dine on the salmon feast. We have organized these extraordinary private experiences in Ketchikan to allow you to meet with the Native people and to enjoy the salmon, bears and majestic surroundings.

  Ketchikan
• Seattle

  Seattle is the U.S. gateway to Alaska and the home to some of America's most intriguing companies like Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Chihuly Glassworks and Amazon.com. Enjoy the convenience and comfort of private transportation between the airport and cruise ship dock. Or even better, take an insiders' look at this eclectic and dynamic city on a private tour, including the major sights as well as some sights off the beaten track.

  Seattle
• Seward/Kenai Peninsula/Anchorage/Whittier

  Seward is the embarkation and disembarkation point for most cruises from Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle. We've arranged for a wide variety of day trips that can be enjoyed pre- or post-cruise en route between Anchorage and the cruise ship terminal in Seward. Southcentral Alaska is one of the best areas of the state to explore, and we've designed our tours to make the most of the time you'll have in the area before or after your cruise. Each of them offers a relaxing and private alternative to the mass transfer options offered by the cruise companies.

  Seward/Kenai Peninsula/Anchorage/Whittier
• Sitka

  AA traditional Tlingit Native center, the capital of Russian America, and the first capital of the United States' Territory of Alaska, Sitka retains the flavor of each of these historic periods. It is located in an exceptionally picturesque setting on the outer coast of Baranof Island. The three tours listed below are examples of the extraordinary private excursions in Sitka taking you deep into the pristine backcountry for fishing, marine wildlife viewing and beachcombing.

  Sitka
• Skagway

  Skagway, the jumping off point for the 1898 Klondike Gold rush, is a charming gold rush town steeped in colorful history. But with a population of under a thousand souls and just one main street, it can get very crowded when more than 10,000 people come pouring off the cruise ships on a busy summer day! Our collection of private tour options are designed to allow you to take in all that Skagway has to offer without getting lost in the crowds!

  Skagway
• Vancouver

  Vancouver is a grand international city. Even if you're just passing through as you embark or disembark an Alaska cruise, we can make the transition from the airport to your ship comfortable and luxurious with or without a tour en route. If you have a free day prior to or after your cruise, enjoy a guided Vancouver city tour with a picnic lunch. You can even upgrade the experience to include your own private helicopter! Any way you choose, you'll savor Vancouver in the comfort of our private guided luxury SUVs.

  Vancouver
• Victoria

  A bit of Old England in the natural splendor of the Pacific Northwest! Victoria's history and many of the city's beautiful character buildings, such as the Parliament buildings and the beloved Empress Hotel make it one of the most romantic destinations in the province. Some date as far back as the early years of 1843, where the city was established as a British fur trading post. The British colonial influence is still very evident, but with West Coast flavor.

  Victoria