NCL 14-Day Authentic Alaska northbound cruise-tour

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone here has done this cruise-tour, and would please elaborate on what to expect! My fiancé and I are planning on doing this cruise sailing on August 20 aboard the Jewel for our honeymoon. Neither have us have cruised NCL or to Alaska before, and I would love to know what to look forward too

Just a thought,, I can't imagine honeymooners, wanting to be on a fixed- group point to point mainland tour of Alaska? Is it a consideration to perhaps just go on your own? Very simple to do.

Another question- does your tour, offer a day in Seward? I know some have Homer. Can't really comment without the actual itinerary posted.

The cruise itinerary:

Mon Vancouver,British Columbia

Tue Cruise InsidePassage

Wed Ketchikan,Alaska

Thu Juneau, Alaska

Fri Skagway,Alaska

Sat CruiseGlacier Bay

Sun Cruise HubbardGlacier

Mon Seward, Alaska

The tour itinerary:

Mon Seward/Homer (Overnight in Homer)

Tue Homer (Overnight in Homer)

Wed Homer/Anchorage (Overnight in Anchorage)

Thu Anchorage/Denali (Overnight in Denali)

Fri Denali (Overnight in Denali)

Sat Denali/Fairbanks (Overnight in Fairbanks)

Sun Return HomeFrom Fairbanks

We did consider a DIY tour, but I appreciate the planned guided tour where all we have to do is enjoy ourselves.

There are two ways to construct a cruise and land tour package.

One is to cruise first and then tour (OPs plan)

Two the reverse of the above - tour and cruise.

Typical the tours are anywhere from two to 5 days in conjunction

with the cruise.

Consider your comfort level of living out of suit case for the tour

having new hotel accommodations every night and then relaxing

on the ship for the balance.

This is generally the southbound format itinerary.

Northbound it is cruise first and then live out of your suitcase the

remaining time.

I personally prefer the former not ending my vacation tour package

in a chaotic packing unpacking every night.

The OPs planned itinerary is cruise then tour.

Not bad in that the hotels are every other night.

The cruises with the tour packages are the Seward-Vancouver ones.

The land tour packages are centered at the port of Seward.

Tours cover a large trek of Alaska some starting at Fairbanks others

at Anchorage - the prime attraction is Mt. Denali these are composed

of up to 5 days/nights before ending the tour at Seward and the cruise.

Cruises arriving at Seward begin the tours and have the reverse of this

format just like the OPs plan.

Cruises out of Seattle are generally closed loop (begin and end at

same port) and the land tours are simply at Seattle.

There are two other bigger cruise line players in the Alaska cruise market.

Holland-America and Princess - if the NCL tours are not quite what fits

your plan agenda check with them - Tours are not combinable between

cruise lines unless a deal is worked with your travel agent.

The Alaska cruise market is very limited in time from about mid May to

the first week in October - best weather although no guarantee is in the

months of August and September. Generally the best fares are in the

beginning of the season and end - for something unique consider a

ship positioning cruise from the lower 48.

As for the honeymoon aspects of the cruise there are no guided tours

cruises recommended - you are on your own in uncharted territory and

Alaska is a world full of wild wide open places to embrace !