We Skipped Every Alaska Excursion — Did We Miss Out?
Glacier Bay PortNorwegian Cruise Line Cruise LineGreat Stirrup Cay PortIcy Strait Point PortJuneau PortKetchikan PortSitka PortNorwegian Joy Cruise Ship
Can you experience an Alaska cruise without excursions? We explored every port independently to find out. 🔴 Join our FREE Elevate Motor Co Travel Newsletter for exclusive cruise tips, destination guides, and new video alerts: ➡️ https://www.elevatemotorco.com/newsletter ⭐️ Enjoy this video? Subscribe for more honest cruise reviews, Alaska cruise planning tips, and money-saving travel strategies. ============================= Watch Next 🎬 How We Booked This Alaska Cruise for Just $1.88 Per Day https://youtu.be/p40xtl1V5V4 🎬 MSC vs Norwegian: Is It Worth Paying More for Newer Ships? https://youtu.be/A8aPDkRXseI 🎬 NCL Ship Classes Ranked: Why Newer Isn't Always Better https://youtu.be/q-NklYtRZx0 🎬 We Expected the WORST - NCL Great Stirrup Cay Blew Us Away (2026) https://youtu.be/9AkMIfChjWk 🎬 NCL's Famous Steakhouse Has a BIG Problem https://youtu.be/Daiz5UMvpes 🎬 NCL's Newest Ships Have a GYM Problem (Luna, Aqua, Prima) https://youtu.be/Ga0PxDpu7ho 🎬 We Sailed NCL's Newest Ship at FULL CAPACITY - Honest Aqua Review (+ Luna Preview) https://youtu.be/AOWl9T5Er-M 🎬 NCL's Thermal Spa - Is It a RIP OFF? (Aqua Full Tour + Luna Preview) https://youtu.be/ukLkeZSoOnE =========================== Connect with Elevate Motor Co Travel 🌐 Website: https://www.elevatemotorco.com/travel 📬 Newsletter: https://www.elevatemotorco.com/newsletter 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Elevate-Motor-Co-Travel/61576429397742/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatemotorcotravel/ 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elevate.motor.co.travel 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevate-motor-company 📩 Contact Us: https://www.elevatemotorco.com/contact ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ 0:00 - Alaska Without Excursions? 0:32 - Exploring Sitka for Free 2:23 - Glacier Bay Without a Tour 4:31 - Juneau on Your Own 7:53 - Free Icy Strait Point Activities 10:27 - Ketchikan Without an Excursion 14:06 - Walking Victoria, British Columbia 15:46 - Is Skipping Excursions Worth It? #AlaskaCruise #NorwegianJoy #AlaskaCruiseTips #BudgetTravel #CruiseTips Can you really experience the best of Alaska without booking expensive shore excursions? During our 9-day Norwegian Joy Alaska cruise, we skipped paid excursions and explored Sitka, Glacier Bay, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, and Victoria independently. Instead of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on whale-watching tours, seaplanes, zip lines, gondolas, and organized bus tours, we walked, used free port transportation, explored local trails, and experienced each destination at our own pace. In Sitka, we used the free shuttle into town and explored the Russian cemetery, waterfront, gardens, and Sitka National Historical Park. During our Glacier Bay cruise, National Park Service rangers boarded Norwegian Joy and turned the ship into a floating visitor center with wildlife sightings, glacier commentary, history, and educational presentations. Juneau became one of our favorite stops after we walked through downtown, visited local parks, and hiked the Perseverance Trail to Ebner Falls. At Icy Strait Point, we skipped the paid mountain gondola and zip line but still enjoyed the free gondola, historic cannery, forest, waterfront boardwalk, and wildlife views. Because Norwegian Joy docks at Ward Cove, we used the complimentary shuttle into Ketchikan and explored Creek Street, the salmon ladder, local parks, historic buildings, and walking trails. We also walked from the cruise terminal into downtown Victoria, British Columbia, without paying for transportation or a tour. Our experience proved that an Alaska cruise without excursions can still include glaciers, waterfalls, wildlife, historic neighborhoods, hiking trails, local culture, and unforgettable scenery. For active travelers who enjoy walking and exploring independently, skipping expensive Alaska cruise excursions may actually create a more authentic and memorable trip. In this video you'll learn: • How to explore Alaska cruise ports without excursions • What you can experience for free in Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, and Ketchikan • What happens during a Glacier Bay cruise • How Norwegian Joy guests can get from Ward Cove to Ketchikan • Which ports are easiest to explore independently • How to save hundreds or thousands of dollars on Alaska shore excursions • Whether first-time Alaska cruisers should skip paid tours Our mission at Elevate Motor Co Travel is to help you experience 5-Star Travel on a 1-Star Budget through honest cruise reviews, practical travel strategies, and real-world buying advice.