Papatt

We just returned from our Nieuw Amsterdam cruise tour. In skagway we were originally scheduled to be in port from 7am - 3 pm, but with demand for the train, we were in port an additional 6 hours, until 9pm. Didn't know until night before. So I am assuming that there was plenty of people that was on a wait list and they worked it out to add more times. I wouldn't count on it, so if you want to do something in particular, book it when available as they fill up fast.

Try to be at least 20 minutes early as they will fill up. We cruised on Nieuw Amsterdam, and almost everything at BB Kings venue was full every night, with people spilling out into the hallway. And don't miss Step One Dance group, very nice and less than an hour.

Tundra busses are old school bus type with engine in front. No facilities on them. They stop about every 90 minutes, or currently twice on the 5 1/2 hour tour. Also required to wear seatbelts in the park. Nice window could slide open when wanted. The other busses we were on both had facilities in back.

Just got back from a cruise tour with 2 nights in Denali. We started and ended in Seattle. We did not take the train in skagway. From Whittier, we took a motorcoach to Denali. This included a lunch stop for luncheon sandwiches (deli ham, turkey, roast beef) with chips and salads and beverage-coke products, coffee, tea or lemonade. Travel time is most of the day, about 7 hours. Shuttle busses run at the chalet to take you to your assigned building area or anywhere on property the shuttle stops. All 2&3 night Denali stays include the tundra bus tour. Currently 5.5 hours long due to a rock slide that they are repairing on the road at mile 46, so only go to mile 43 and go back. Otherwise it is a 8 hour tour going to mile 62, but repairs are not expected to be done until 2026. When you get on the bus you get a box. In ours we got a turkey meat stick, cheese puffs, brownie brittle , trail mix and a kind energy bar. After the restroom stop, about 90 minutes, when returning to the bus, there was a bottle of water for us. Tour driver had a zoom video camera connected to drop down video monitors so we could see dall sheep up high on the mountain, also could see the movement and face of a grizzly, very nice. We then went to Anchorage for a night aboard the McKinney explorer domed railcar. Again all day, 7-8 hours. See pictures for items available on car. They will send you a price for land dining based on your length of stay. I don't remember what it was other than seeming expensive. The breakfast buffet at karstens at Denali square was $23 each.