Princess to Alaska

[lovetotraveltx]

I highly recommend you head to your library and find some Alaska travel books. The more you know the better you will be able to figure out "what' you are reading when you look at different options.

 

I do not agree with some of what is "recommended" above, due to some of it, not having a lot of experience traveling there, and knowing other, perhaps seperior options. There are numerous choices to make, make the best choices depending on why you are going there. :)

 

You will find a lot of raves about Alaska it is spectacular. But the more you know the better your choice will be. Do not rush into reservations until you have your entire itinerary figured out. Go for as long as you can afford and take your time. Rework and rework your itinerary. The fine tuning is of benefit.

 

There is a some Denali notations above. Some of it not too clear. For wildlife and scenery it is all about getting INTO the park. http://www.nps.gov/dena some people don't care, but then why go there. There is a reference to Princess having the "best" cruise tours. In my opinion, couldn't be farther from the truth compared to what is overall available. Kantishna- is referenced which is excellent for overnights. I highly recommend the Skyline Lodge. :) This is not a day trip area in my opinion.

 

The min. distance I recommend is Eielson, which none of the cruise tours go to. All entry is via basic buses. Most do have separate seats, but vinyl. The Denali TOUR buses- which are the Natural History and Tundra Wilderness, included with cruise tours ( some do allow the option to purchase the high cost Kantishan day trip, again, not recommended by me). The Natural History, which Princess mostly includes- does NOT get into the park. So, a major decision needs to be made, the priority for this location. The bargain- is if you can break away from the group travel and go on your own, Princess refunds the Denali tours. Be certain to take a close look at the different buses and distances available.

 

for meals budget 50% more than you would at home.

 

Read through several trip reports. Then you can determine what your style of travel might be, to narrow down your selections. Good luck.

 

Thank you!

I bought a mile post a book and gathered a lot of information! Right after the holidays my husband and I will look through all the stuff a make a loose starting plan. We are also going with another couple that might have less time and different ideas.

 

Traveling to kantishan would be after Denali? And, that would be to see more wild life?

[yyjguy]

It will be some time before the 2015 schedule is released to the public. I do know that owing to the changes that prohibit Grand and Royal class ships from entering Venice in 2015, that major changes to deployments can be expected. Inside word has it that one of those changes might be Princess sending Coral and Island to the Med as they are permitted into Venice. Two replacement vessels for Alaska would be either Sun, Grand or Royal class ships. We will have to wait and see what Princess will do. Royal Caribbean International as already decided to not send Rhapsody of the Seas and Celebrity Century to Alaska in 2015 and instead of crossing the Pacific from Australia they are headed to the Med via the Suez. No word on what is heading up to Alaska yet, but they will be 100,000+ tonners for sure.

[castlegetaway]

We did the Land Tour first, started in Copper River, then to Fairbanks, Denali, Mt. McKinley, and to ship. We did the 7 day off the beaten path and absolutely loved it! We were on the Diamond and it was a great ship. Loved touring the glaciers and we were able to get up very close. Our trip was in July.

 

Sandy

[Ginger Pepper]

Alaska is such a special place that I feel one should go all out and book the 15 day escorted Connoisseur tour. It has 8 days on land and then the 7 day cruise. That is what I am doing next year but I have taken a shorter land tour/cruise in the past plus two cruise-only cruises. Have no idea what ship will be there in 2015. My favorite ships are the Sapphire and the Coral. We will be on the Crown next year because it is the one that the tour meets up with on the dates we can go.

Which date Connoisseur are you on? We are six family/friends starting the Connoisseur in Fairbanks on August 29. Anyway, have a wonderful trip - it's our second trip to Alaska and love it!

[Budget Queen]

 

Traveling to kantishan would be after Denali? And, that would be to see more wild life?

 

No Kantishna is NOT for a wildlife priority.

[cruisedreamer29]

You should be able to book VERY soon. I am booked on the Coral for a CruiseTour beginning in Fairbanks - land portion for 6 days, then Southbound Cruise beginning 09/13/14 for 7 days. Seeing how I'm a solo traveler, I will be booking all my excursions with Princess and staying in their lodges.

 

I was able to book my trip last March (2013) for my September vacation, so keep your eyes open if you're an early booker! :)

[Ginger Pepper]

What date is your Cruisetour starting in Fairbanks? We are six family and friends on the Connoisseur Cruisetour starting August 29.

[Ginger Pepper]

Alaska is such a special place that I feel one should go all out and book the 15 day escorted Connoisseur tour. It has 8 days on land and then the 7 day cruise. That is what I am doing next year but I have taken a shorter land tour/cruise in the past plus two cruise-only cruises. Have no idea what ship will be there in 2015. My favorite ships are the Sapphire and the Coral. We will be on the Crown next year because it is the one that the tour meets up with on the dates we can go.

 

What date is your Cruisetour starting in Fairbanks? We are six family and friends on the Connoisseur Cruisetour starting August 29.

[pklein9747]

We did the SB cruise-tour (5 day tour/7 day cruise) in June 2011 on the Island Princess (and going back this coming June 2014!). I still have my review and Princess Patters available if you are interested. I also have the Patters and maps for each of the Princess lodges. I'd be happy to send them to you. Just email me at beh614@gmail.com and put "Alaska" in the subject. Never too soon to plan!

 

NY Nana...I sent you an email requesting a copy of your patters, review and maps but haven't heard back from you. Please send your info to pklein9747 at gmail.com

[grandma101]

My husband and I did the southbound cruisetour in 2011 on the Milly with Celebrity. I have never been on a Princess tour/cruise but the reason we are going back again is because I loved one particular Hotel on our tour that I so want my family to see. It is the Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood. So this year I am considering in 2015 the 11 day tour. I also loved the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Everything was top of the line. I wished Celebrity ships had self Laundry on them and that was one reason I looked into Princess. But decided against it when I saw it does not go to Hotel Alyeska. I am waiting on prices to come out. I thought I read that Royal Caribbean was sending Radiance of the Seas there and they also stop at Hotel Alyeska but maybe I need to recheck that. We did the long Wilderness into Denali (8 hrs) on a school bus. It was so very long and we did see lots of animals but I think this time we will just do the 3.5 one saving our time to explore other options and enjoy the lodges. We are skipping Fairbanks to shorten our trip a bit (family going with us need a shorten time off work) but hope to plan somewhere else to experience panning for gold. We so loved our trip to Alaska and this is exciting to plan a trip for my family to also experience it. Plan well!