beginnercruiser2018

Thanks, everyone! I went with the princess itinerary! I honestly don't have much time to plan (almost 30 days until the trip!) and have 3 babies at home, so I just decided to do the land/cruise as planned. If I had more time, I would definitely research planning my own land portion (in fact, I bought fodors guide to do this!) Thanks for all your help. I am SO excited!

I sounds like you've booked a land/cruise. If that's correct, some excursions are included (especially if it's a "connoisseur" cruise). The connoisseur includes most meals as well.

Try a google search for connoisseur land/cruise...you should see some links to Cruise Critic reviews.

Also, go on the Princess website and find your cruise (there's a separate button for the land/cruises). The description will tell you what it is.

AND have you joined your roll call (if one has been started)? They could answer your questions.

If you have more questions on any of this...post your date and ship here and someone will have an answer.:D

No I haven't found my roll call yet. Sept 1, 2018 golden princess whittier to vancouver (sept 8th)

They were included on our regular cruise tour. If you booked through a travel agent, check with him or her about upgrading from the Natural History Tour to the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali. We were glad we did.

Thank you so much! I am definitely going to do this!

Thanks all! Ya'll are probably wondering why I had such a stupid question, sorry! I found out I held a "connoisseur" land/cruise tour without realizing that meant certain excursions are booked for me already. Apparently that's why my itinerary had them on a booking confirmation, but when I signed into my princess account, they were still available on the website to purchase separately (for those not utilizing the connoisseur option). The more I know...:rolleyes:;p

When are you sailing and what ship? There are many here who can help you find your roll call.

Thanks! Sept1-Sept8th Golden Princess from Whittier to Vancouver ;) I am so excited!

thank you! I have not found my roll call yet but will look!

I don't see that notation anywhere on my booking confirmation - I called to make the reservation through princess and was told these were part of the plan, but being a 1st time cruiser didn't know to ask about specific times/transportation and such. I was under the assumption the land portion was fixed but the website is confusing me! haha. I can call back tomorrow when there are hopefully decreased wait times.

I meant, why would they be offered as excursions on the website for the same days if they are already supposed to be in the itinerary? is the itinerary a suggestion? The princess lines are busy at the moment. Thanks!

Princess itinerary states excursions are preselected i.e."am gold dredge, pm riverboat" "national history tour depart between 2-330" however these excursions are offered for a price on the website for the same days, as well. Are these already booked or do I have to choose a time and pay a separate fee? I am not understanding. Thanks!

Princess itinerary states excursions are preselected i.e."am gold dredge, pm riverboat" "national history tour depart between 2-330" however these excursions are offered for a price on the website for the same days, as well. Are these already booked or do I have to choose a time and pay a separate fee? I am not understanding. Thanks!

Oh my goodness, thanks everyone! I will definitely look into more denali time,renting a vehicle & ditching the land tour. Our limit is the tiny timeframe within which we can sail. I have been cleared to sail by both the companies and my dr (thank you for checking though!) and will definitely get an insurance policy. The rooms we have on hold are starboard (phew - I didn't know this when booking!). @celoplyr I'm sorry to hear about your aunt, but what a wonderful, memorable, experience you had with your uncle. Thanks again for all your input. Hoping to finalize plans today!

Thank you! I figured the trip will be exhausting but will prepare him, too. We are actually in the process of applying for his (rush) passport because he didn't think he would need one! haha. Good information and thanks!

Thanks so much for all the replies! We moved our trip back to this August and can only make a 10 day trip (my grandmother recently passed) but all your information was extremely helpful and I've applied it to my August trip (which is still in the works). Thanks again, everyone!

We are booking a cruise tour last minute to Alaska. I have 2 options on hold and would appreciate feedback on which you believe is best. Grandpa just lost his wife and is finally cruising for the 1st time at 87yo. I am pregnant and a 1st timer, too! We don't hike or drink, we go to bed early and we LOVE food. ;) Dock times are similar for the following 10 day cruise tours:

Holland America Noordam D8L (website refuses to give me details on itinerary) vs Princess Golden CB3

Day 1 Fairbanks vs Fairbanks

Day 2 Denali(coach) McKinley Chalet vs Fairbanks(gold pan and riverboat)

Day 3 Seward vs Denali Wilderness Lodge

Day 4 at Sea vs Whittier (Rail through princess)

Day 5 Glacier Bay vs Hubbard

Day 6 Haines vs Glacier Bay

Day 7 Skagway vs Skagway

Day 8 Juneau vs Juneau

Day 9 Ketchikan vs Ketchikan

Day 10 Inside Passage vs "at sea"

Day 10 Vancouver vs Vancouver

Is the railway a must?

The biggest differences I see are that Princess has the gold/riverboat/railway scheduled on land and visits hubbard whereas holland visits haines. I know both ships are very old (we don't care about this unless there are major issues) and have heard quite a few complaints about the golden. I haven't seen recent noordam posts. Any help is greatly appreciated. This will likely be Grandpa's first and last cruise. Thank you so much for your input.

I will gladly continue taking any advice!

Thanks so much, everyone! I had no idea the land portion was so labor-intensive. Grandpa really wants to get on a train, but maybe I can arrange that on the front end and cruise the rest of the time? It's not a deal-breaker if we don't do it, but this is likely his first and only tour of Alaska. I want it to be perfect! More days in Denali - got it! I heard the buses were a pain and was worried about this; thanks for the confirmation. I am from TN, trying to meet grandpa who is flying out of Chicago. Seattle might be a better option, I actually never considered it! I have 3 babies under 3 at home and hate to be away from them for long, but if I can arrange care for 14 days it might be worth considering for grandpa's long-awaited trip. My grandma has had Alzheimer's for over 11 years, she's bedridden & at home. He takes care of her 100% and hasn't left her side. He had quite a few troubles with his own health last year so we are trying to plan and get on a boat asap! I have searched Coral Princess tours, which seem to have better pricing right now & similar itineraries. I am not opposed to any line!

Hope I answered all of the questions. I am looking into the 14 day cruise now. You all have helped me tremendously. Thank you!

Hello! I'm taking my grandfather (87) and possibly his sister and her husband (late 70's) to Alaska in May 2018. This will be our first cruise and our first time to Alaska. I need to plan quickly so was hoping you all would have advice! I have read nearly every article and review out there for ships, ports, etc, but am still stuck on the following:

Which itinerary would you choose, and which ship? The ones traveling with me cannot hike, bike, or even walk a mile easily. We will be doing low key excursions. I read about recent ship renovations but am still unsure which is best. Thanks for all your help!

Holland America Westerdam/Noordam D6L 11 days with this itinerary:

Anchorage

Denali by rail

Denali

Seward by bus

At sea (gulf of AK)

Glacier Bay

Skagway/Haines

Juneau

Ketchikan

At sea

Vancouver

Or Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam/Ms Volendam Y5L 11 day with this itinerary:

Anchorage

Denali by rail

Denali

Fairbanks by bus

Dawson City by plane

Whitehorse by bus

Skagway by rail

Glacier Bay

Ketchikan

At Sea

Vancouver