We just got back Sunday from same cruise although we went to Sawyer Glacier instead of Glacier Bay. Here's what I know of tours and this includes knowledge from first Alaskan cruise we did a few years back.
Juneau - We took the City/Mendenhall glacier tour. It was mostly a drive through town, a stop at a fish hatchery and the glacier. We have lots of experience with fish hatcheries and this one wasn't much. The glacier is certainly worth the visit and our bus driver made the trip fun. We've visited the Alaskan State Museum before which is very interesting. Back to the glacier tour, We heard you can get a bus at the dock for $5.00 each way out to the glacier which is a lot cheaper than the ships price. You won't stop at the hatchery but you won't be missing much. We did talk with one couple who did the wildlife quest and enjoyed it.
Skagway - We took the train last visit and enjoyed it although it does seem a little long. This time we did the helicopter trip to the glaciers and loved it! What a great experience!
It was worth the $215.00.
Ketchikan - Last time we went to the Totem Pole park (Bight State park?) It was interesting. This time we didn't plan any tours. We walked up to the fish hatchery. (Can you quess my husband is a fisherman?) It was probably better than the one we payed to see in Juneau. Otherwise, just walked around town. One tip is to ride the little red tram up to the hotel. (you will see it from the dock) Not really much up there but it is a good place to take a picture of the ship.
This was our 4th cruise, 1st NCL. I had read lots of reviews as I'm sure you have and didn't really know what to expect. We enjoyed it. the ship is beautiful. The food was fine. You have to remember they are feeding 2000 people. We ate in the dining rooms 4 nights and didn't have a bad meal. The meals in the alternative restaurants was better but you do have to pay. One tip - we really like desserts and didn't think the selections in the dining rooms was very good. We found the selection in the buffet much better and they were all yummy so we tended to go up stairs for a second dessest although we didn't eat too many actual meals up there. The two or three we had were OK. We just prefer to eat in the dining rooms and relax . It is nice to sit outside if the weather is good.
We really enjoyed all the shows. All the entertainers were very good. We especially liked "Twice as Nice" who were usually in the Observation lounge at night. All 3 productions by the Jean-Ann Ryan Co. were great. Go to the show on the first night which will give you a review of the entertainment and then you will have an idea of what you want to see. We really liked Steve Teague who sings wonderful broadway hits.
We are older and didn't stay up late enough to do any late night activities.
Except for no Jeans in the dining rooms at night, I would say wear whatever you are comfortable in. Except for formal night, I wore slacks and a sweater almost every night which seemed to be pretty much middle of the road. We weren't going to take formal cloths but we were told that was the night they would serve lobster so we did as we didn't want to miss out. Well, that was wrong. We got lobster on Friday night at the farewell dinner. If we had known then I think we would have just skipped taking the formal cloths and eaten at one of the alternative restaurants.
Well, we are all so different in what we like and expect that it is hard to make suggestions to other people but hopefully this will give you some ideas. We sure hope you are as lucky weather wise as we were. Except for the first day when we boarded, we had sunny skies all week!
If you have any more specific questions, let me know. Have fun!!!
VCC
