frugaltravel

Sounds like you would rather see the cruise lines not sail to Alaska at all 🙂

If you tell the independent operators which cruise ship you are on, they will get you back to the ship on time. I have never heard of an independent operator in Alaska not getting their guests back to the ship in time. In fact, many have "guarantees" to get you back to the ship in time or they will pay for your food, lodging and costs to get you to the next port. Then they usually say that in their X decades of doing business, they have never had to use the "guarantee." I would aim to be back to the ship between 8.30-9pm since all board is usually 1/2 hour before sailaway.

No matter what, people should always have rain gear with them when in Alaska. The sun can be shining when you get off the ship and can change to rain by the time you reboard the ship. Same with exploring on land before/after the cruise.

I have found that independent operators are less expensive than the Princess transfers. I am using Alaska Cruise Transportation for my upcoming cruise.

I love wildlife and photography So much of my time on the ship is spent either outside toward the front or in a forward-facing lounge. I have binoculars and a camera and I'm constantly searching for wildlife. The more time I spend there, the more I can see.

Just realize the bus stop for the glacier is not the "last bus stop." That is deceiving. Definitely check the schedule and ask the driver for the correct stop .

Good question. Princess toll free number probably is just reading from a script. I don't think they hold luggage after the last departure from Egan Center to the ship, which is probably about 6 pm.

If you get to Anchorage airport about 3:30 p.m. you can leave your luggage there. Maybe your airline will let you check in that early but if not you can leave your luggage at a luggage storage facility on the arrival level. Go to The millennium/lakefront Hotel. You can have dinner there and watch float planes take off and land. You could also go downtown. Take a 1 hour trolley tour for $25. Eat downtown. Then head back to the airport. A public bus runs every 15 or 20 minutes and a taxi or Uber will cost about $20 each way.

You could spend the night in Anchorage and take the train or bus the next morning to Seward. You would still have a lot of time to explore Seward before you board the ship. The 6 hour Kenai Fjords trips are great, maybe Exit Glacier, maybe Sealife Center. Lots of options.

Why not walk to New Sagaya Market on 13th Avenue? That might be the best to give you variety.

When I cruise solo, I always get a shared table. But I specifically ask for a table of 6. Any more than that and you only have conversation with the person on either side of you. The larger tables are just too large to carry on a conversation with (or even to hear) others on the other side of the table.

Another example of why it's never good to fly in the same day that the cruise ship departs.

I guess it depends on each trip. I have had better experiences in ISP area (Pt. Adolphus) and better experiences in Juneau sometimes. YMMV.

The main reason to do whale watching in ISP is that there is a lot more to do in Juneau besides whale watching. In ISP your options besides whale watching are limited.

The issue with the natural history tour is that you can replicate 90% of that tour on your own for no charge normally when buses are operating. I strongly suggest you consider renting a car from keys to Denali. They will deliver the car to the canyon area where you are staying. Then you can drive on your own to mile 30. I would do that both in the morning and in the evening. I love Princess cruises but the land tours in Alaska leave much to be desired, even in the main tourist season which is memorial Day to Labor Day.