Alaska Cruise-Tour Help Needed

[CMcG]

I have been given a trip (for 20 years of crazy service on the job) and chose an Alaska Cruise even though we normally go hiking on our vacations. Princess is looking like my best match for timing and itinerary - probably the Island Princess leaving 5/23/12 with the BA tour.

 

Can anyone speak to the issue of time available at McKinley and Denali Lodges when taking the 10 day Cruise-Tour? It looks like we will only have evenings available and I imagine we might take up some of that time with dinner most nights.:) With the included Denali bus tour would we have any time left for hiking on our own or some sort of arranged excursion?

 

I don't seem to find a schedule anywhere that gives any idea of times - just "evening at leisure" or something equally cryptic and helpful.

 

I wish the 11 day On Your Own Cruise-Tour had the extra day at either McKinley or Denali Lodge rather than Fairbanks - is it possible to arrange similar transportation (motorcoach and/or trains) with out being locked into the Princess schedule? It is too much driving to want to do it ourselves and still consider it a relaxing vacation.

 

Appreciate any and all ideas - I'll probably be back a lot as the planning has just begun!

 

Cheryl

[rearadmiral]

I just looked up what the BA tour was correct me if I am wrong but you cruise first northbound and then do a day at McKinley, a day at Denali and then a day at Fairbanks?

 

In July 2010 I did a southbound cruisetour (AB) that began in Anchorage, had a day at McKinley (we arrived around Noon), day at Denali (also arriving arround noon) and then the train to the cruise ship. I can describe times and activities at Denali and McKinley.

 

McKinley Lodge is about 4 hours from Whittier so depending on when they have you disembark you should be there either late morning or early afternoon. Travelling in May you will have less daylight then we did in July but still plenty of time if you want to hike. Although there are a few trails on the property, an experianced hiker will not find them very challenging or lengthy (the one trail I went on reminded me of walking from my cabin to the mess hall at summer camp). There is an excusion desk that may be able to help with off property hiking. In addition to a number of excurions you can book (we went to visit an Iditarod musher's training camp), there is bus service back to Talkeetna (where you will transfer from the train to a bus to get to the lodge).

 

Travel from McKinley to Denali Lodge is about 2 hours and the bus tour of the park is likely the Natural History tour. It lasts about 5 hours and does not go very deep into the park. There are positive and negative comments about the tour on CC but my wife and I are neither naturalists nor outdoorsmen and found that 5 hours on a school bus and being able to get a taste of the park was just fine. We got a good appreciation of the flora and fauna and even saw a bear.

 

If you would rather forgo the tour I understand you can talk to your TA and opt out and receive credit for the value of the bus tour. Denali Lodge also has a tour desk and you can make private arrangements for tours or just walk the mile to the park. Be sure to look up the park hours/tours/rules online. for the procedures for unescorted hikers.

 

We were very happy with the efficiency of the Princess Land Tour and subject to qualifications that it is aimed at a more sedentary, relaxed type of traveller (My wife and I are in our early 30's but are not overly active) I highly recomend it.

 

In theory rather than doing a princess cruise tour, you could just book the cruise and arrange your own touring (car rental/train/bus) and hotel on your own. I had looked into that option when we went and it would have required a lot more in terms of planning. There are limited modes of transport in and out of most places as well as limted lodging options (although if you book early Princess does rent rooms at their lodges to people touring on their own) and there reall was no savings or time gain.

[dee66]

I have been given a trip (for 20 years of crazy service on the job) and chose an Alaska Cruise even though we normally go hiking on our vacations. Princess is looking like my best match for timing and itinerary - probably the Island Princess leaving 5/23/12 with the BA tour.

 

Can anyone speak to the issue of time available at McKinley and Denali Lodges when taking the 10 day Cruise-Tour? It looks like we will only have evenings available and I imagine we might take up some of that time with dinner most nights.:) With the included Denali bus tour would we have any time left for hiking on our own or some sort of arranged excursion?

 

I don't seem to find a schedule anywhere that gives any idea of times - just "evening at leisure" or something equally cryptic and helpful.

 

I wish the 11 day On Your Own Cruise-Tour had the extra day at either McKinley or Denali Lodge rather than Fairbanks - is it possible to arrange similar transportation (motorcoach and/or trains) with out being locked into the Princess schedule? It is too much driving to want to do it ourselves and still consider it a relaxing vacation.

 

Appreciate any and all ideas - I'll probably be back a lot as the planning has just begun!

 

Cheryl

 

Hi, Take a look at my review of a 10 day cruisetour. You can book your own land tour via www.princesslodges.com

 

Do not underestimate the time it takes to get from Whittier to Denali and returning. Our last night at Mckinley lodge was just about a waste due to the amount of time it takes to get there. Arranage your land tour to what interests you. One thing I would have liked to have done would be a Prince William Sound Tour once getting off the ship at WHittier. Feel free to ask any questions.

[CMcG]

RearAdmiral - thanks so much for the ideas about times and options - that gives me ideas of what is possible and direction for more research. While we may be relatively experienced hikers it is not terribly strenuous experience - we live in Orlando so are used to flat and usually once a year we vacation in the Blue Ridge & go hiking - so laid back cruise line experience should be fine. I'm pretty well convinced not to do the land portion on our own - I want easy.

 

Dee66 - your review has already been helpful - so glad you took as much time as you did. I'm sure I will be reading it again & sending it to my husband.

 

Cheryl

[pilotdane]

We choose to go without the tour portion and were very happy we did. I just did not like the "canned" itinerary and seeing nature & wildlife with a buss load of others just did not seem right.

 

We flew into Fairbanks, rented a car, and paid the fee to drop it off at the airport in Anchorage where we caught the cruise line transport to the ship. It worked out quite well for us. We drove the "other way" down from Fairbanks and saw much more wildlife than those that did the tour and visited Denali. We had an animal guide book and started out checking off the things we saw but soon it was "oh, another eagle, moose, lynx, bear..." What people saw on the tour they said they saw as a small speck in their binoculars, quite often we were slamming on the brakes to avoid hitting.

[Alaskanb]

We will be on the 5-23-12 Island Princess NB and have chosen to do our own land tour. The Roll Call is quiet and I chat with the guys on the May 30 SB roll call --they are way out planners like me.

Our land portion is not to Denali as it takes so long to get there and back and you are on a shuttle bus while in Denali. We also wanted light hikes and to explore at our own pace. This is a brief outline of our excursions:

Vancouver for 2 full days (3 nights) --we will do whatever is weather appropriate. Lynn Canyon Park and several of the gardens sound wonderful.

Ketchikan: City bus to Totem Bight, explore shoreline, and wander around the town.

Juneau: Orca Enterprises Whale watch and walks at Mendenhall glacier. Alaska State Museum.

Skagway: Chilkoot Charters 9 hr bus/train excursion --time to walk at Bennett Lake

Post cruise:

Princess transfer to Anchorage airport--pick up car rental (Alamo)

Back track to Alyeska resort in Girdwood--two nights stay to explore Turnagain arm, Portage glacier, take Winner Creek Tail and maybe Bird to Girdwood trail. Lots of walks along Turnagain Arm.

Drive through Anchorage on Glen Highway to visit cousins in Palmer then onto Sheep Mountain Cabins to see Matanuska Glacier. Will visit Musk Ox farm on the way.

Hope that helps.

[Budget Queen]

I have been given a trip (for 20 years of crazy service on the job) and chose an Alaska Cruise even though we normally go hiking on our vacations. Princess is looking like my best match for timing and itinerary - probably the Island Princess leaving 5/23/12 with the BA tour.

 

Can anyone speak to the issue of time available at McKinley and Denali Lodges when taking the 10 day Cruise-Tour? It looks like we will only have evenings available and I imagine we might take up some of that time with dinner most nights.:) With the included Denali bus tour would we have any time left for hiking on our own or some sort of arranged excursion?

 

I don't seem to find a schedule anywhere that gives any idea of times - just "evening at leisure" or something equally cryptic and helpful.

 

I wish the 11 day On Your Own Cruise-Tour had the extra day at either McKinley or Denali Lodge rather than Fairbanks - is it possible to arrange similar transportation (motorcoach and/or trains) with out being locked into the Princess schedule? It is too much driving to want to do it ourselves and still consider it a relaxing vacation.

 

Appreciate any and all ideas - I'll probably be back a lot as the planning has just begun!

 

Cheryl

 

8 Whittier/Mt. McKinley

Disembark in Whittier and board the McKinley Express rail direct to Talkeetna. Continue by motorcoach to the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure.

9 Mt. McKinley/Denali

Enjoy a scenic motorcoach ride to Denali National Park. Upon arrival, take a Natural History Tour into the park. Overnight at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.

10 Denali/Fairbanks

This morning, travel by scenic motorcoach to Fairbanks. Soak up some local color and history on a Sternwheeler Riverboat cruise.

11 Fairbanks

Your tour ends this morning in Fairbanks.

 

 

This is the tour you are looking at? Some details you need to consider. It is about a 5 1/2 hour train ride Whittier to Talkeetna. Then a one hour bus shuttle to the lodge. By road from McKinley to Denali it is about a 2 hour bus ride. 2 1/4 hour approx bus Denali/Fairbanks.

 

Frankly, if Fairbanks isn't of great interest, then I question why you would go there? You are already too short on time with your interior Alaska visit to use this valuable time, where it may not fit your touring priorities best. Second, big problem with your choice is the worthless Natural History tour. There is no point in even going there in my opinion.

 

I would suggest you take a hard look at your hiking interest perhaps? There are so many places that are not to be missed in my opinion.

 

Only suggestions- rethink your "driving" concern. You can do FAR more, with short time going on your own. All your time, will be based on your personal schedule, not wasted time on a general point to point group tour. It is darn simple to go on your own, and not of any big issue to do some of your own planning. There is ONE road to Denali park, you ideally need two nights there (also, determine "why" you would be going to the Princess McKinley Lodge, it is far superior to have your own transportation). So the planning involves, likely in your case, having 3 nights? All you do, then is plan on 2 in Denali park- plenty of lodging to consider- and most important- getting INTO the park. I suggest you look at getting to Denali Park for access June 1 or later, so to get to Eielson, which would involve extending your stay or taking a later cruise. You will have PLENTY of daylight with only a few hours of "dusk", very similar to July actually. :)

 

There are many variations to consider as you probably have found out, but all follow the "basics" for Alaska interior Alaska touring. It is easy to figure out once you understand what the areas offer, time and distances involved, and what you want out of an Alaska visit. :)

 

If going next year, there is PLENTY of time to plan this. Just be certain you don't settle for a lack luster visit. Don't waste your valuable time and money. Do it right for you. :)

[Alaskanb]

http://www.bellsalaska.com/myalaska/index.htm

http://alaska.org/driving/magnificent-drives.htm

I found these sites to be invaluable-- along with help from the Alaska board on CC. The drive times are just for the actual point-to-point time on-road. We prefer to puts-along and explore areas. I have had to put the times and distances in familiar contexts so that I can make decisions about what to do. BQ is correct--do it right for you!

[cruisercathy]

We did the Island Princess SB a few weeks ago. I would do land portion first.....you need the cruise to relax and unwind...........

 

I would have loved the 2 nights in McKinley and 2 nights in Denali.....we only had 2 in McKinley and 1 in Denali.......We didn't even have 18 hours in Denali...7 of it was the TWT and 7 sleeping....so not much time for anything else................

 

Have fun planning..............

[CMcG]

AlaskanB & BudgetQueen & PilotDane - wow, you guys make me belive we should do it! I was sticking with the canned tours to try to make it easy but it is beginning to look like trying to force a round peg into a square hole - especially since neither of us suffers fools & crowds well. Guess a lot will depend on my husband - he does most of the driving when we're on vacation.

 

AlaskanB - thanks for the drivetime info - I'll be putting that into some sort of spreadsheet to see what makes sense for us.

 

BudgetQueen - thanks for your input on travel time also. Unforfunately the timing depends a lot on my work and that week in late May-early June works really well. I was supposed to go this year and don't really want to put it off any later due to other concerns at work. May have to leave something for a second trip. :)

 

Guess my homework tonight will be Denali National Park website and searching here for old posts for ideas of what to do on our own. Looks like the spreadsheet of potentials just got bigger and more complicated!

 

Thanks again - I'm sure I'll be back soon looking for more advice!

Cheryl

[CMcG]

CruiserCathy - thanks - looks like land first then SB cruise works better for our schedule - since we have to fly from Orlando I'd rather fly into Fairbanks and start almost right away than have to fly into Vancouver the night before so we don't miss the cruise. But I'm still wrestling options!

 

Was TWT part of your package or were you able to upgrade from the Natural History Tour?

[Budget Queen]

CruiserCathy - thanks - looks like land first then SB cruise works better for our schedule - since we have to fly from Orlando I'd rather fly into Fairbanks and start almost right away than have to fly into Vancouver the night before so we don't miss the cruise. But I'm still wrestling options!

 

Was TWT part of your package or were you able to upgrade from the Natural History Tour?

 

Here is a case of you being unaware of details. IF you are continuing on going in this same timeframe, you are far better off going southbound IF you are going to Denali park. As I mention above, the later you plan on being there the Farther you get into the park. You do not want to be there too early. Even though the TWT may be listed, VERIFY this with the Denali Park tour bus schedule. Too many people ignore this, then claim, it's on their schedule when in fact the tour isn't even running. The TWT usually starts during the third week of May. IF you are looking at going on your own, especially beneficial with a short time, then, frankly, I don't recommend the triple cost "tours". Instead taking a shuttle bus, to Toklat is the superior choice, in my opinion prior to June 1. After June 1 it would be Eielson.

[Budget Queen]

We did the Island Princess SB a few weeks ago. I would do land portion first.....you need the cruise to relax and unwind...........

 

QUOTE]

 

This is not good advice, if it impacts on the distance you can get into Denali park. It is a significant difference between only 30+ miles and the 53 of the TWT.

 

I don't "relax" on the cruise, and some other people may also want to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities available for touring the ports.

 

The key point is good planning. In my opinion, it is poor planning to be rushed in areas, of which, my itineraries never are. Really, look critically at routings, distances and time at destinations. Too many cruisetours, in my opinion, are poor choices, depending on priorities for the visit. I never advocate "practice trips", claiming it gives you an excuse to "return". Do it right to begin with, money and time traveling is significant.

[cruisercathy]

Budget Queen

 

You have your opinion and I have mine..I am entitled to say what I want and so do you whether my advice isn't what you think is right.Everyone has different opinions and it is up to the poster to decide from everyones advice.I went on excursions while on the cruise and was very busy, however I had three days at sea to relax. I met people at the lodges who did their cruise FIRST and were wishing they did the land tour FIRST.

[cruisercathy]

The Natural History Tour was part of our package, however we upgraded it to the TWT and we loved it..............The driver/guide was wonderful and we saaw plenty of wildlife, near and far. The guide has a video camera that he zooms in on the widlife that is far away and shows it on the bus screens.

 

We were about a group of about 15 of us so the TWT was the best choice for us...

 

BTW

 

If you do decide....go to Subway and purchase a sandwich from there....to me what they give you was not very enticing....LOL

[Alaskanb]

Vancouver is a wonderful city--we will be there for three nights--two full days of exploring!!!!! I have cousins there so this is our second visit to the area but our first cruise. I chose a northbound cruise simply because it felt right to go north to Alaska and I wanted to acclimatize from the heat of New Mexico before our ports of call. The May 30 SB Island Princess Roll Call is an interesting read as they are also planning their land portion first. If you choose the May 23 NB we will be on D deck in a minisuite on the starboard side.

[Budget Queen]

Budget Queen

 

You have your opinion and I have mine..I am entitled to say what I want and so do you whether my advice isn't what you think is right.Everyone has different opinions and it is up to the poster to decide from everyones advice.I went on excursions while on the cruise and was very busy, however I had three days at sea to relax. I met people at the lodges who did their cruise FIRST and were wishing they did the land tour FIRST.

 

The point was, access into Denali Park, with your, northbound recommendation, that was not considered for going in May.

 

It can be a significant negative, IF Denali Park is a priority, and a poster did not know about it in the overall planning.

[Alaskanb]

If I ever go to Denali this is how I would want to do it:

http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/field-seminars.htm

[cruisercathy]

Budget Queen

 

I am sorry, somehow I took it differently............

[CMcG]

If I ever go to Denali this is how I would want to do it:

http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/field-seminars.htm

 

 

That looks lovely - I'll have to check back to see when they are offering things in 2012 - maybe I'll get lucky for some of their one day or evening offerings.

 

Cheryl

[Alaskanb]

Re Denali: The daughter of a close friend worked at Denali NP for a season and cf's sister, a teacher, lives in Anchorage so my idea of "doing" Denali has a slightly different take. I like to spend time in a place to understand it and not just whiz through somewhere so special. BTW --I've been a biologist since I was a little girl... The question of including Denali on this trip was not of whether I would like to go to Denali but of would I be able to experience it in the way I would enjoy in the time we had. One of the multi-day seminars would be great as a focus of another adventure.

I have spreadsheets too! One thing I kept asking myself when I looked at time and distance is how tired would I be after that?

Don't forget to put together an expenses spreadsheet --there are a few threads on all the extras that can stack up on a cruise and excursions. I did mine by day and several headers Flights, Cruise, Hotels, Activities, Insurance, Car rental etc, Misc.

[CMcG]

OK - now I'm getting confused - too much information headed my way and too much research without my spreadsheet :)

 

Based on my desire to cruise late May-early June I'm getting the impression that we'll have a better Denali experience if we cruise first so that we have some days in Denali in June - correct?

 

So I'm back to my original idea of Island Princess leaving May 23 but doing the land portion ourselves. If we get in to Whittier May 30 at 12:30 I'm guessing that we should spend the night in Anchorage area then drive to Denali the next day. My gut feeling is to spend a few days in Denali then continue north to Fairbanks to get a flight back to Orlando on June 3.

 

Since the last few days of the cruise are Glacier Bay & College Fjord we will be able to rest up from Shore Excursions and prepare for the land portion. Hopefully at our age we've learned how to pace ourselves!

 

Cheryl

[CMcG]

Re Denali: The daughter of a close friend worked at Denali NP for a season and cf's sister, a teacher, lives in Anchorage so my idea of "doing" Denali has a slightly different take. I like to spend time in a place to understand it and not just whiz through somewhere so special. BTW --I've been a biologist since I was a little girl... The question of including Denali on this trip was not of whether I would like to go to Denali but of would I be able to experience it in the way I would enjoy in the time we had. One of the multi-day seminars would be great as a focus of another adventure.

I have spreadsheets too! One thing I kept asking myself when I looked at time and distance is how tired would I be after that?

Don't forget to put together an expenses spreadsheet --there are a few threads on all the extras that can stack up on a cruise and excursions. I did mine by day and several headers Flights, Cruise, Hotels, Activities, Insurance, Car rental etc, Misc.

 

I will have all kinds of spreadsheets before this is done! I'm an accountant & hubby is a computer professional - we have a 4 page spreadsheet for packing for a regular vacation - people think we are nuts but it works for us! I always do one with all the things we want to do on vacation complete with times open, ticket cost, how long to allow based on AAA guide & online reviews, etc. Imagine a similar one will be started for this trip.

 

I'm lucky in that this trip is a gift and the bulk of the expense covered. I've already been looking at the "extras" and we should be pretty good there - probably wine will be our only downfall and we may bring a few bottles for in the room to keep it reasonable.

 

Cheryl

[Alaskanb]

That sounds right to me--but BQ and the others are the ones with the experience. You have to know your own pacing. We are fairly active 60-70 yrs young but have to consider that our endurance has shortened. We are looking forward to exploring a little in Anchorage.

The Island Princess gets into Whittier at 12:30 am and we disembark around 8:00 am. You will have car rental questions once you have the first step done of booking the cruise. There are a few threads about it.

[Alaskanb]

I will have all kinds of spreadsheets before this is done! I'm an accountant & hubby is a computer professional - we have a 4 page spreadsheet for packing for a regular vacation - people think we are nuts but it works for us! I always do one with all the things we want to do on vacation complete with times open, ticket cost, how long to allow based on AAA guide & online reviews, etc. Imagine a similar one will be started for this trip.

 

I'm lucky in that this trip is a gift and the bulk of the expense covered. I've already been looking at the "extras" and we should be pretty good there - probably wine will be our only downfall and we may bring a few bottles for in the room to keep it reasonable.

 

Cheryl

Must be the "scientist" in us! LOL . It will be fun to get to know you if you book the May 23 NB. Jennifer