Cruise Ship Visitors
Ketchikan is the first (or sometimes last) stop in Alaska for Cruise Ships travelling the Inside Passage. Some days up to 5 cruise ships dock in Ketchikan which can mean that there are more than 10,000 in our small town. A quick look at the cruise ship schedule will show you how busy it can get. Cruiselines have contracts with many Ketchikan tour operators and sell excursions on board. Our kayak tours are not sold on board any cruise ships. We offer an alternative to the large group excursions sold through the cruise lines and the opportunity to escape the crowds and be immersed in the Alaskan environment.
Why Aren't Your Tours Sold on Board?
Southeast Sea Kayaks chooses to operate as an independent company so that we can offer small group experiences: if we were to contract with cruiselines we would need to take much larger groups paddling. Smaller groups are more personal and have a better chance of seeing wildlfe.
How Much Time Should We Allow for the Trip?
We ask that you allow at least 30 minutes between your ship's scheduled arrival time and the time of your trip. We actually pick up at the rain gauge on the cruise ship dock 15 minutes prior to the scheduled trip time. If you book the trip that begins 30 minutes after your arrival then you should plan to be ready to get off the ship as soon as it arrives. The cruise ship's "all-aboard" time will be 30 minutes prior to the departure time listed on your sailing schedule. We require that guests have at least 30 minutes between their trip's return time and the "all-aboard time" for their ship.
Here's an example: If Diamond Princess will be in Ketchikan from 10am - 6pm then guests travelling on this ship could book the 11am, 12noon, 1pm Orcas Cove trips or they could book Ketchikan Kayaking at either 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm or 2:30pm.
Should I book Ahead or will I Get a Better Rate on the Day?
The idea that you will get a super deal buying tours on the dock on your arrival in Ketchikan is a myth. In fact, if you wait until your arrival in town, many tours will be sold out. To avoid disappointment, book our tours as soon as you know your plans, because we only take 6 people at a time on the Orcas Cove trip it frequently sells out months ahead of time. However, if you arrive in Ketchikan and want to go kayaking, don't hesitate to call us, or go to the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau and use our direct dial phone to see if we have space available.
How will we find our Tour?
Southeast Sea Kayaks' 14 passenger van meets all our guests at the 20 foot tall "Liquid Sunshine Gauge" on the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau Building which is located on the Cruise Ship Dock. We take a 5 minute drive to our downtown store. From there, we'll take you beyond the herd, to see our Alaska!
