Alaska CruiseTours

[ladyonboard]

Trying to get as much information ahead of time as possible regarding the land portion of the Alaska Cruisetours.  Any info anyone reading this can share would be appreciated!!!  Generally speaking, how many guests are traveling with us on the cruisetour portion?  Do you kindof stick together, or do folks preplan additional excursions independently?  Are the hotel accomodations nice, or minimal?  Do you receive any itinerary information beforehand, or are we on our own once we arrive in Anchorage?  We are on the 5/31 - 3B tour.

Thank you in advance for answering questions that I haven't thought of to ask!

 

[Jim_Iain]

We did the Denali 3 day pre-cruise tour an was one of the best tours we took.  I'm sure each tour will be different according to interest and time of year.    For our tour there were approximately 80-100 people (3 bus loads).  For the most part you stay with your bus group for most of the trip.   The buses schedule their stop so as not to over crowd stops.

 

Hotel's were generally very nice but the one at Denali was a bit rustic.  

 

When you arrive at the airport there will be representatives to meet you and collect your luggage.   When they get all the passengers from your arrival flight you are whisked away to the hotel.

All on the tour initially meet at the Hotel which you stay at the first night (part of the tour) and they break you out into 3 groups.    You are given a introductory meeting that will outline when you need to have you luggage outside your room and two type of luggage tags.   One tag for luggage you will not need until the ship and the other tags for items you want delivered to your room each night.     The will also give you a list and cost of all the optional tours.

 

You can get a good idea of things from my Blog  starting at post 40 (lots of picture and you may get a good feel to the type of hotels etc.     Feel free to ask any question.   BTW one thing I earned is you accumulate CC points at the same rate as the room you are booked on the ship.

 

 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

The cruise tour will include some excursions and the tour guide will have a list of other excursions you can book for a fee.  It's hard to plan on booking something on your own because you don't know what time the included excursions will be.

 

Food on the land portion is not included and Alaska can be expensive.

 

When you are packing, try to pack everything you will not need on the land tour into one suitcase.  That case will be put on the bus and will not be brought to your hotel room each day.  

[ladyonboard]

Thank you for your responses!  The blog was VERY informative and helpful!  The pictures are great!  We too are in a suite.  Really looking forward to the views from the new Retreat Deck area.  Wouldn't it be nice if they had heaters on the deck!!  We loved the old Michaels, very warm and welcoming.  Hope to find the new Retreat lounge ambiance as enjoyable.  Thank you again!!