Alaska cruise with cruise tours or buy land tour separately, whAt would you guys sugg

Hi all,

I have some questions to bother you again.

I am interested to stay longer in alaska after cruising. I am still confused myself between buying cruise-tours or buy land tour from other operators.

Do you think it is worth to pay for cruise tours. Some points I don’t understand whether cruise tours are all serviced or we still have to buy tours on our own. i mean cruise tours sometimes include only accommodation and transfer.

I will go with my mom, 80yrs old. She can walk but not long walking distance. So we would not prefer that much adventure.

I am Thai, so sometimes or often I can’t use English that well.

Thank you

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Depends on your comfort level, your interest in planning, budget, time available, etc. We dont know which option is best for your circumstances.

I usually recommend renting a car for land travel. A car gives the ability to travel at YOUR pace, on your schedule, to visit places that interest you, and you are able to stop for scenery and wildlife along the way. There are only a few hwys in alaska and for the most part they are only 2 lanes. Impossible to get lost.

If you arent comfortable with driving you can plan a land trip by using the Alaska Railroad and/or the Park Connection Bus.

Cruisetours arent the only way to buy a land tour. Ie the Alaska Railroad offers pkg tours, as does Princess Lodges. The state of Alaska web site lists a number of tour companies/pkgs (www.travelalaska.com)

My caution with any tour is to be mindful of the details.......Alaska is a big state and the short tours have you travelling most of the day with little time to enjoy each destination. So learn the various locations, the distances between, and their sights and activities. And often times, your days start vety early as your luggage needs to be the hallway by 6/7am.

Whichever you decide, a lot of research is necessary.

Because you are from another country and you may need assistance while on your tour I recommend that you do a cruise tour.

I am only familiar with Holland America. I would recommend the following tours which you can find on their website. D1,D3,D4,D5.

You would have time before the cruise to see Vancouver if you cruise first and have time in Alaska at the end of the cruise. Cruise first may also be cheaper.

If you start your trip in Alaska for the land tour you can spend the last days in Vancouver.

For these tours you will need from 12 to 15 days minimum. These tours will include some activities and give you time to rest or plan other activities.

Holland America will take care of your lodging and luggage on the land tour. You will have to purchase your food on the land tour.

Depends on your comfort level, your interest in planning, budget, time available, etc. We dont know which option is best for your circumstances.

 

I usually recommend renting a car for land travel. A car gives the ability to travel at YOUR pace, on your schedule, to visit places that interest you, and you are able to stop for scenery and wildlife along the way. There are only a few hwys in alaska and for the most part they are only 2 lanes. Impossible to get lost.

 

If you arent comfortable with driving you can plan a land trip by using the Alaska Railroad and/or the Park Connection Bus.

 

Cruisetours arent the only way to buy a land tour. Ie the Alaska Railroad offers pkg tours, as does Princess Lodges. The state of Alaska web site lists a number of tour companies/pkgs (www.travelalaska.com)

My caution with any tour is to be mindful of the details.......Alaska is a big state and the short tours have you travelling most of the day with little time to enjoy each destination. So learn the various locations, the distances between, and their sights and activities. And often times, your days start vety early as your luggage needs to be the hallway by 6/7am.

Whichever you decide, a lot of research is necessary.

Thank you for your help

Honestly, i am afraid to drive out of my home country. Afraid of doing something wrong and will be fined a lot.

Yes i am concerned a lot regarding my luggages. Maybe one of my big problem. I have to take care of my mom too.

I just want any tours which make me feel comfortable and manage good transfer for me, like pick up and send to the airport or so.

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Because you are from another country and you may need assistance while on your tour I recommend that you do a cruise tour.

 

 

 

I am only familiar with Holland America. I would recommend the following tours which you can find on their website. D1,D3,D4,D5.

 

 

 

You would have time before the cruise to see Vancouver if you cruise first and have time in Alaska at the end of the cruise. Cruise first may also be cheaper.

 

 

 

If you start your trip in Alaska for the land tour you can spend the last days in Vancouver.

 

 

 

For these tours you will need from 12 to 15 days minimum. These tours will include some activities and give you time to rest or plan other activities.

 

 

 

Holland America will take care of your lodging and luggage on the land tour. You will have to purchase your food on the land tour.

Thank you for your again help

For cruise tours, do I need to manage anything more? Example, buy more tours as cruisetors may give me only accommodations or most of cruisetours prepare for all.

If cruisestours manage everythingI think it would be better choice as I have no idea how to do it. Reading more and more also make me dizzy while also get more information.

Yes i will have few days in vancouver.

Thank you

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I highly recommend booking the Princess 15 day connoisseur escorted cruise tour. 8 day land tour and 7 day cruise. It includes a tour director who takes care of all the details about travel, meals, lodging and provides plenty of narration about what you are seeing on the tour. Travel between the lodges will be on both motor coach and railroad.

We have done this in the past and have it booked again for the future.

I highly recommend booking the Princess 15 day connoisseur escorted cruise tour. 8 day land tour and 7 day cruise. It includes a tour director who takes care of all the details about travel, meals, lodging and provides plenty of narration about what you are seeing on the tour. Travel between the lodges will be on both motor coach and railroad.

 

We have done this in the past and have it booked again for the future.

Thank you, could you please give me a link to that itinerary?

I am now getting confused with the things.

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Thank you, could you please give me a link to that itinerary?

I am now getting confused with the things.

 

 

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Yes i found the link in alaskacruises.com

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I highly recommend booking the Princess 15 day connoisseur escorted cruise tour. 8 day land tour and 7 day cruise. It includes a tour director who takes care of all the details about travel, meals, lodging and provides plenty of narration about what you are seeing on the tour. Travel between the lodges will be on both motor coach and railroad.

We have done this in the past and have it booked again for the future.

Sounds like a good tour. Holland America has tour directors for their Yukon itineraries but I don’t think they do for only Denali tours anymore. There is always someone available to assist travelers with transportation and accomodations along the way on a Holland America tour. They are very well organized and work closely with Princess in the Alaska tour network.

Thank you for your again help

For cruise tours, do I need to manage anything more? Example, buy more tours as cruisetors may give me only accommodations or most of cruisetours prepare for all.

If cruisestours manage everythingI think it would be better choice as I have no idea how to do it. Reading more and more also make me dizzy while also get more information.

 

Yes i will have few days in vancouver.

 

Thank you

 

 

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The Princess escorted tour would have a tour director to assist you. This might be the best solution.

Holland America will have representatives along the way but not always the same person. Your luggage will be taken care of and your room will be ready. You will receive a schedule/itinerary at the beginning of your land tour and you will travel with a group. You will be able to plan for your free time. You will take the Tundra wIlderness Tour in Denali and the bus will pick you up at the hotel. If you want to go rafting or to visit Husky Homestead in Denali you can make reservations and you will be picked up at the hotel.

The Princess escorted tour would have a tour director to assist you. This might be the best solution.

 

 

 

Holland America will have representatives along the way but not always the same person. Your luggage will be taken care of and your room will be ready. You will receive a schedule/itinerary at the beginning of your land tour and you will travel with a group. You will be able to plan for your free time. You will take the Tundra wIlderness Tour in Denali and the bus will pick you up at the hotel. If you want to go rafting or to visit Husky Homestead in Denali you can make reservations and you will be picked up at the hotel.

Thank you for your supporting.

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