Ketchican was a little bit different from other ports in that Christina and I signed up for a 9:30 Duck tour of Ketchican and Marge went on a tour to Orca Beach which is on tour at 10:30 to another island from Ketchican and has a nature walk there. So we enjoyed a breakfast on the Lido deck at Unicorn Cafe and Christina and I headed off for our tour and Marge went to hers later. The Duck tour was okay if not great. I mean it was very informative and showed us historical Ketchican and we enjoyed the drive into the water and tour by Ketchican harbor. It is just that the tour guide was one to get us to be a little crazy waving to people, quacking our quackers (plastic duck quackers) as I have seen groups do in Seattle. Then again that just might be a factor of how Alaska does things or the fact that we had a fairly older group on the tour. Anyways we enjoyed the hour and half and learned a lot about Ketchican.

One of the more interesting facts for me was that the flat land near the harbor where the old town was build and where there are many newer parts of town away from the cruise harbor was build on piers . The cold water preserved the wood for long periods. This was done as there are cliffs and hills going right down to the water where the town was built and little flat land. Lumbering and fishing were big reasons for Ketchicans formation. Now that there is no longer any logging tourism and fishing are the main industries. The tour guide showed a picture of the oldest church in town with the water right up to the front door. Now it is several block inland from the port.

Also enjoyed the stories about the Red Light district in Ketchican. It appears that prostitution was legal in Ketchican until the early 1950s. Earlier in the century in order to control better the trade a law was written that prostitution would only be allowed on the far side of the Ketchican Creek on Creek Street. This moved the trade away from what was becoming the more respectable part of town. The guide said high heels were outlawed on the peers and walks by the port in order to reduce the number of prostitutes visiting that section of town . The original homes of many of these madams still exist and there are historical plaques on them telling stories of the more famous of the ladies. There was a trail through the woods to Creek Street which was called the Married Man trail supposedly as men could use that trail to enter the houses on Creek Street without being notice. Also it was said men would row up to the houses and use trap doors to enter the houses unseen. A fun saying on Dollys house refers to this practice, Dollys house where both men and salmon come upstream to spawn.

After the Duck tour we had some time as Marges tour went for 4 hours and she started an hour later than us. So Christina and I wandered around town visiting tourist shops, looking for Totem Poles, Ketchican has many many Totem Poles around town. We also took time to visit Creek Street. The stories were interesting about the houses although they have a much more tamer use today as tourist shops, galleries, and restaurants. Dollys House remain as a museum but at $10 dollars we really didnt feel like entering instead we decided to head for a little rest at a local coffee shop .

Marges tour involved taking a bus to where she picked up a boat, one of those hard sided inflatable crafts that took to Orca Beach. Where it sounds like the guide on the bus and nature trail walk was very informative about the area. She very much enjoyed her tour. When we got back together we visited some of the tourist shops that we hadnt already visited and also took Marge to Creek Street to get a view of that area of Ketchican.

As it was a cruise elegant night we went back to the ship in time to get ready for that. All in all a very nice stop. Ketchican did not have the same feel as Skagway where I felt I could spend a number of days in the town and walking trails in the area yet we thoroughly enjoyed the stop. Again we took some photos for the cruise elegant evening at one of the photographer stops. They have any number of photograph backdrops set up for formal pictures if you want them. There are definitely many many ways to get photos on the cruise . Any time you leave ship you have an opportunity, any evening they have at least some backgrounds set up if not as many as on cruise elegant evenings. We had an enjoyable dinner and took in the last production show for the cruise.

The production shows have all been very good. Christinas favorite was The Brits with songs from the Bristish Invasion. I am not sure I like them all and enjoyed many of the songs from The Brits but also many from Rock which was tonights show. Coming up to our last day and day 2 at sea.

Excursion Details: "DUCK" A HISTORIC CITY & HARBOR TOUR 
 A state-of-the-art amphibian will get your Ketchikan visit off to a "splash", taking you through the rustic streets and into the scenic harbor for a fun filled tour.

Depart from the cruise ship dock and experience this unique boat/bus will take you through the historic downtown of Ketchikan, driving past the Deer Mountain Hatchery and City Park .

Stop at the Salmon Ladder and Creek Street for photo opportunities (guests do not disembark the vehicle during these stops).

Continue through downtown towards Bar Harbor to the Duck's launching ramp for a unique experience.

Next take on the water portion of the tour will take you into the Tongass Narrows, past local canneries, seaplanes, fishing boats and look out towards Pennock Island with an informative narration from the crew of the "Duck".

Look out for wildlife in the water, theres a great chance of seeing something! Finally, take a short stop allowing you to disembark for a photo opportunity before returning to the cruise ship dock.

ORCA BEACH NATURE TRAIL 
 Join an experienced Alaskan trail guide for a hike through natural, unspoiled beauty in the coastal forest.

On this amazing excursion you will:

-         Experience a trail that takes you through a beautiful old-growth forest, by way of a secluded beach .

·         Hike this gently sloped historic trail, enjoy a light snack and take some time to explore the natural beauty that surrounds you.

·         Take a motorized inflatable which provides a short exciting cruise along the coast via Clover Passage.

·         Be alert for whales, Stellar sea lions, harbor seals, porpoises, and migrating seabirds that may be spotted on this route.

Note: Bring your camera and binoculars! This trail is mostly boardwalk, about one mile long and well maintained.

Dress comfortably with sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and warm, waterproof clothing. Rest-room facilities are limited. 

Moderate to good physical condition is necessary for participation in this excursion. This trail has a gradual slope.