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Independent excursions do cost less. Sometimes this occurs because the ships have the clout to get local companies to offer a better quality experience because they are guaranteed a certain number of tourists at a higher price. For example: in Ketchikan, there is a Saxman Native Village tour. Independents will take you on a tour that is identical to the Ship's tour - EXCEPT: You will not view the 13 minute video that explains about Native Culture and the history of Saxman - You won't view the Native Dance performance - you will not be allowed into the Carving Shed to meet the Totem Pole Carvers. The extra money paid for the Ship's tour will pay for those 3 experiences.Some people choose independents because they are local. All the excursions - whether sponsored by the ship or independent - have to rely on "summer Alaskans" as tour guides. Most of the owners of the independent tours go "South" for the winter, so there is very little difference between a local company and the ship's sponsored excursions in this respect.With the Ship's tour, you can select from a choice of scheduled time for the tour so you can fit in more than one activity. With the Independent tours sold on the dock, you don't know when the tour will start. Often, the Independents will wait until they can get at least 10 people before they will leave. The Ship's excursions will leave with just 1 person if they must.Hope this answers your question. If I have a lot of hours in a particular port, I'd go with an Independent tour company - and take 2 different tours at the same port. It's a matter of personal choice.
Independent excursions do cost less. Sometimes this occurs because the ships have the clout to get local companies to offer a better quality experience because they are guaranteed a certain number of tourists at a higher price. For example: in Ketchikan, there is a Saxman Native Village tour. Independents will take you on a tour that is identical to the Ship's tour - EXCEPT: You will not view the 13 minute video that explains about Native Culture and the history of Saxman - You won't view the Native Dance performance - you will not be allowed into the Carving Shed to meet the Totem Pole Carvers. The extra money paid for the Ship's tour will pay for those 3 experiences.
Some people choose independents because they are local. All the excursions - whether sponsored by the ship or independent - have to rely on "summer Alaskans" as tour guides. Most of the owners of the independent tours go "South" for the winter, so there is very little difference between a local company and the ship's sponsored excursions in this respect.
With the Ship's tour, you can select from a choice of scheduled time for the tour so you can fit in more than one activity. With the Independent tours sold on the dock, you don't know when the tour will start. Often, the Independents will wait until they can get at least 10 people before they will leave. The Ship's excursions will leave with just 1 person if they must.
Hope this answers your question. If I have a lot of hours in a particular port, I'd go with an Independent tour company - and take 2 different tours at the same port. It's a matter of personal choice.
