NCL Icy Strait Point excursions: are they worth it?
We compared NCL's own shore excursion prices in Icy Strait Point with the five most relevant independent tours of the same type on GetYourGuide. Across 2 tour types prices are roughly level.
Ship price vs independent price by tour type
| Tour type | NCL priceper adult | Independentper person | Savingper person | Safe to go independent? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature / waterfall / parke.g. "Spasski River Valley & W" | $158€141 · $158–$196 · 3 options | $157$133–$181 · top 2 | $1+0% ship markup · small sample | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Whale watchinge.g. "Waking Up With Whales" | $247€221 · $197–$306 · 4 options | $246$225–$267 · top 2 | $1+0% ship markup · small sample | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Fishinge.g. "Halibut Fishing" | $394€353 · 1 option | no close match | – | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| ATV / buggy / jeepe.g. "Back Country Jeep Advent" | $296€265 · $286–$306 · 2 options | no close match | – | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Ziplinee.g. "Scenic Mountain Ascent &" | $266€238 · 1 option | no close match | – | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Kayak / paddlee.g. "Icy Strait Point Kayakin" | $197€177 · 1 option | no close match | – | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Party / sunset cruisee.g. "Evening Wildlife & Sunse" | $177€159 · 1 option | no close match | – | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| Food & tastinge.g. "Seafood Feast & Tribal C" | $168€150 · $89–$275 · 3 options | no close match | – | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
| City / island toure.g. "HOONAH SIGHTSEEING & TRI" | $128€115 · $128–$128 · 2 options | no close match | – | 5/5 Very safe | Compare |
Ship price is the median "starting at" adult price of NCL's excursions of that type, recorded 2026-11-02. Independent price is the median per-person price of the top GetYourGuide results of the same type (checked 2026-11-02). Family of 4 multiplies the per-person gap by four; child prices are often lower on both sides. How we compare.
NCL prices were read from NCL's European website in euros on 2026-11-02 and converted at the ECB reference rate of 1 EUR = 1.1172 USD (2026-10-30). NCL's US site may show slightly different dollar prices.
What to check when comparing
- Nature / waterfall / park: Theme-park and national-park trips vary a lot in what the ticket covers. Check whether transport and entry fees are included on both sides.
- City / island tour: City and island tours vary from short trolley loops to full-day drives, so compare durations too.
Is it safe to book independently in Icy Strait Point?
Ships here dock alongside. All-aboard is normally 30 minutes before departure on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL and MSC (check your daily planner). Plan to be back at the pier at least 60 minutes before the ship sails.
Every tour type here scores 5/5: transfers are short and there is no tender queue. Still book a tour that finishes at least an hour before all-aboard.
How far is the pier from the main sights?
| From the pier to | Straight line | Approx. travel time |
|---|---|---|
| ZipRider | 483 m | ~10 min walk |
| Hoonah village | 2.1 km | ~10 min by road |
| Spasski River bear viewing | 12.9 km | ~35 min by road |
Distances are measured from Icy Strait Point docks, Hoonah. Travel times are estimates for normal traffic, not including ferries or tender queues.
Icy Strait Point is a small Tlingit-owned port. Independent supply on GetYourGuide is very thin, so most visitors book locally.
Questions
Are NCL excursions in Icy Strait Point worth it?
On price alone, usually about even: comparable independent tours cost $1 less per person on average. The ship's main advantage is the guarantee that it will wait for its own tours if they run late.
Is it safe to book an independent excursion in Icy Strait Point?
Most popular tours start within a short ride of the pier, so the risk is low if you finish an hour before all-aboard.
How far is the Icy Strait Point cruise pier from ZipRider?
About 483 m in a straight line, roughly 10 minutes on foot.
Work out your family's saving All cruise lines in Icy Strait Point · All NCL ports