Private tour in Ketchikan Cruin M
5.0
(5) reviews
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Cruin M.
4.9
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121
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30 hrs
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About me: I grew up in Scotland. Then, at 17, I went to Canada for while. I lived in the Laurentian Mountains, in a cabin in the woods, and I worked as a freelance journalist and columnist. I moved to Ketchikan, Alaska 18 years ago, and finally found a home. I worked on the Alaska State Ferry System for about 8 years. But I married a local girl, a beautiful Tlingit Raven-Clan woman named Elizabeth. She did not like me spending weeks away from home, so I left the Ferry System. I started work as a tour guide, driving large tour groups, 40-60 people, around Ketchikan. I love being a tour guide - every human being has a story to tell, and as a tour guide, I get to hear those stories. But coordinating large groups of tourist often left me too busy to hear some of their stories. I am pleased that ToursByLocals gives me that opportunity to conduct smaller, more intimate, tours. That gives me the time to get to know people a bit better, and to hear their stories. I hope you will come and let me show around Ketchikan, and tell you about South East Alaska, the native culture and carvers, and the plants and animals of the Tongass National Forest. I look forward to hearing your own stories. I have had many jobs in my life. I have been a Journalist and writer, SE Alaska Ferry Worker, a professional tour guide. I have taught writing, and biology. I have loved life (and I still do). I speak marginally well in English (Scots) I write well but speak poorly in French (Quebecois). Bidh mi a’ sgrìobhadh agus a’ bruidhinn beagan Gàidhlig. (Scottish Gaelic). Driving tours max of 5 or 6 travelers (although sometimes I can charter larger vehicles for custom tours). Walking tours max of 25 people, or even more – contact me for walking tours with more than 10.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Cruin M.
*** A special tour for travelers cruising with Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Regent Seven Seas, Virgin, Oceania, and Viking and docking 20 minutes north of Ketchikan at NCL Ward Cove Dock *** I will pick you up and NCL Ward Cove Dock, and drive you south, showing you "North Town" as we go. Then I will show you around Ketchikan. I will tell you some of the stories behind the Totem Poles, and show you the carving tools that I forged. I will show you the historic red light district, Creek Street. July, August, September the Salmon are running, and I will show you them, and a ladder that was built to help them climb the stream. You will see areas that most travelers never see! On the way back, I will show you a beautiful pond, in front of a mountain. Note: You might catch an NCL shuttle buss to Ketchikan, and pick up a tour of Ketchikan, but I thought some people might like a combination tour that starts right from the ship, and delivers you back to the ship at the end.
What follows is the itinerary for a "usual" tour. We can change it if we want. * Pick up at NCL Ward Cove Dock * South to Wolfe Point. Great view of the Narrows, the airport, and the sight of the "Bridge to Nowhere. " * North Ketchikan (New Town) * Downtown Ketchikan. * Whale Park and nearby Creek Street, we shall look at some totem poles. * I shall tell you the stories portrayed on these poles, and about the carvers * A demonstration of carving tools with my own, hand-forged tools. * Ketchikan Creek & Creek Street | from mid-July a large salmon run. *Back of town, City Park, the high pass. Some great views. * Back North A wee pond, a mountain, and a story. * Back to your ship.
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I conduct small tours in a 2025 Toyota Sienna. There is one driver seat and six passenger seats: 1 up front, 2 bucket seats second row, and 3 row seats in the third row (the middle one is for a skinny person). I can fold away a back seat or two if we need to carry a wheelchair or scooter (I am happy to do so).
Alaska, Alaska, United States
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: NCL Ward Cove Dock -- Bus Loading Park
5 reviews
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