Cruise Talk: Helicopter vs Floatplane

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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » Helicopter vs Floatplane - Inside Passage

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Topic: Helicopter vs Floatplane - Inside Passage

CaptB93
Just Boarded
Member # 65

posted 04-07-1999 05:00 PM

We are planning an inside passage cruise in Sept. Any comments on which is better in Juneau, Skagway & Sitka if you want to see wildlife.

Posts: 3 | Registered: Apr 99

jeanj101
Just Boarded
Member # 613

posted 05-03-1999 10:19 AM

I do not know about the helicopter - but I did take the floatplane in Juneau to Taku Glacier Lodge for a salmon bake, which was the Best experience in Alaska, and after dinner a large bear came to the outside grill where the salmon had been cooked. He burned is paw reaching for left-over salmon, and waved his paw in the cool air. Glad we were inside the lodge looking out of a very large picture window - also looking at the glacier, which was oly 1/2 mile across the water!! I highly recommend this tour! It was expensive, but worth every dollar!! There was also an eagle's nest down a path with baby eaglets!!

Posts: 2 | From: florida, usa | Registered: Mar 99

PAUL BRIERLEY
Just Boarded
Member # 355

posted 05-04-1999 05:03 PM

We did both. Both are exciting but the helicopter is a trip of a lifetime over the icefields. Don't miss it.

Posts: 3 | From: US | Registered: May 99

hscohn
Just Boarded
Member # 594

posted 05-13-1999 03:21 AM

The helicopter that lands on the glaciers is AWESOME! It was the highlight of our inside passage cruise. We got some great pictures and saw unimagnable scenery. The helicopter ride was fun, but nothing compared to being aomng all that amazing ice. (guess you can tell we liked it)

Posts: 1 | From: RPV, CA USA | Registered: May 99

Sherry
First Class Passenger
Member # 421

posted 05-20-1999 04:07 PM

Please specify which helicopter trips you are recommending. We are trying to plan our trip and there are several helicopter trips that are offered. Any specific information would be appreciated.

Posts: 66 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

pvh
First Class Passenger
Member # 739

posted 06-06-1999 01:32 PM

Just got back from Alaska June 4. We took an independent helicopter tour (Coastal) in Juneau--we purchased on the pier. It landed on Herbert Glacier and flew over the icefields. It was absolutely beautiful! We also took the Misty Fjords seaplane ride in Ketchikan. It was a toss-up. Remember, this will probably be your only chance--do both. We did, and will just eat macaroni and cheese for the next couple of months.

Posts: 22 | Registered: Feb 99

CaptB93
Just Boarded
Member # 65

posted 06-10-1999 05:03 PM

Thanks everyone for all your feedback. I think the floatplane will be our choice in light of the Helicopter crash.

Posts: 3 | Registered: Apr 99

pvh
First Class Passenger
Member # 739

posted 06-10-1999 09:20 PM

Before you decide on the floatplane instead of the helicopter, look at http://www.adn.com/stories/T99061033.html
apparently, floatplanes have had many more accidents that helicopters. I took both last week and really enjoyed them. The helicopter was on Coastal, and the pilot was very professional and careful.

Posts: 22 | Registered: Feb 99

Sherry
First Class Passenger
Member # 421

posted 06-21-1999 01:39 PM

We got back from our Inside Passage cruise on June 11. We did the helicopter glacier landing and would do it again in a heartbeat. It was the experience of a lifetime. I wish we had booked the float plane as well. Instead, we did the train trip in Skagway and the whale watch in Juneau. They were ok, but nothing to compare to the helicopter glacier landing. We saw as more wildlife on our own as we saw on the train or the whale watch. We saw a number of whales and eagles from the cruise ship. We saw bear in North Vancouver when we drove to Cypress Mountain. If I had it to do over, I would definitely go with the helicopter AND the float plane before I would consider any other excursions. Have a great cruise.

Posts: 66 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-24-1999 09:28 AM

Helicopters and float Planes are much safer than your Automibile! Don't worry, just enjoy whatever experience you choose.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

Peggy
Just Boarded
Member # 369

posted 06-24-1999 07:01 PM

My husband and I (early 40's) just returned on 6-13-99 from our Inside Passage cruise on the Regal Princess. We took the helicopter flight in Juneau and landed on the Norris Glacier. The company was ERA. The day after we were in port, the Coastal helicopter crashed and all were lost. I know that sounds scary, but I'm sure we were safer on that helicopter than we are on our Southern California freeways!! I just hope that someday I will have the chance to do it again. Words fail me when I try to decribe the beauty that we saw from up above the ice fields. Landing on the glacier was fun and informative and interesting. Enjoy!!!

Posts: 5 | From: Temecula, Ca. USA | Registered: Apr 99

Sherry
First Class Passenger
Member # 421

posted 06-30-2000 11:44 AM

We're going back in 2001. That will give us another chance to do the floatplane. It's pretty expensive, so it might be our only excursion, but we can't wait!

Posts: 66 | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

bubbles
First Class Passenger
Member # 1415

posted 07-09-2000 07:37 AM

Work hard and do both. We are going at the end of August and everyone said try to do everything it will be the trip of a life time. We are booked on helicopter (Temsco); Floatplace (via Princess); as well as canoeing and kayaking. We will need to take another break when we get back to recover but I can't wait.

Posts: 133 | From: England | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

Sherry
First Class Passenger
Member # 421

posted 07-10-2000 08:46 PM

Hi bubbles --
We did the glacier landing last year. It was wonderful, convincing us to do the floatplane next time. We also want to do Denali next time, so we can't justify doing the helicopter again. We'd definitely recommend it to anyone!

Posts: 66 | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

bubbles
First Class Passenger
Member # 1415

posted 07-17-2000 08:44 AM

We have just had excursions confirmed by Princess. We will be helicoptering and float planing around Alaska! I will definitely need a holiday when I get back!

Posts: 133 | From: England | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

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