Assistance on Princess Cruise Tour - Please

[flip side of fifty]

Just reviewed the 2016 schedule and would like assistance from anyone who has prior experience. Please!

I am looking at two Island Princess May 2016 departures ( I know its going to be cold but we are OK with that).

Northbound and the Southbound, both 15 days Cruise/Tour. Between the two there is a $1300 difference for the same cabin. Southbound is cheaper and that's a big difference in price, but here the difference in the itinerary:

1. Northbound leaves mid May / Southbound leaves the end of May

 

2. Northbound goes to College Fjord / Southbound goes to Hubbard Glacier

 

3. Northbound has the Alaska train from Whittier to Talkeetna and then the motor coach for the remainder / and Southbound has the Alaska train from Fairbanks to Denali and the remaining trip is by motor coach.

 

 

Is the Glacier that much more impressive than the Fjord, especially if you are spending another week in Alaska? and is that portion on the train more impressive than the other?

 

Any other comments regarding North or South is very much appreciated and Thank you in advance for your assistance

[jg21]

On our 2 Alaska trips, we've opted for the Southbound cruise. It's nice to unpack and relax on the ship after a week or more of going from place to place on a bus and living out of a suitcase.

[Assateague Island Princes]

The problem w/early May cruisetours is that the shuttle bus in Denali doesn't run far enough into the park (Eielson Visitor's Center) until the first week of June. How many nights are you staying in Denali, and what have they offered for your stay there? If it is only the Natural History Tour, which is basically worthless - getting less than the drivable distance into the park and not much chance of seeing wildlife - then I'd reconsider the date of your land portion of the trip.

[caribill]

 

Is the Glacier that much more impressive than the Fjord, especially if you are spending another week in Alaska?

 

It is not that one is more impressive than the other (although many will debate which is best), it is that the schedule going each direction dictates which one can be seen at times passengers would want to be awake.

[flip side of fifty]

The problem w/early May cruisetours is that the shuttle bus in Denali doesn't run far enough into the park (Eielson Visitor's Center) until the first week of June. How many nights are you staying in Denali, and what have they offered for your stay there? If it is only the Natural History Tour, which is basically worthless - getting less than the drivable distance into the park and not much chance of seeing wildlife - then I'd reconsider the date of your land portion of the trip.

 

Thank you for that information - didn't know about that!

[flip side of fifty]

It is not that one is more impressive than the other (although many will debate which is best), it is that the schedule going each direction dictates which one can be seen at times passengers would want to be awake.

 

good point!