Booked our first Cruisetour and feeling a bit lost.

[Kevin's girl]

This will be cruise number 21 for us and our second cruise to Alaska. We have done DIY pre and post cruise trips for our other cruises and have booked our first Cruisetour with Royal Caribbean. This ticks all of the boxes for what we want to see in the amount of time we have available.

 

I have always shied away from Cruisetours because I was intimidated by them. For those of you here with Cruisetour experience please enlighten me. Please tell me about luggage restriction for the land portion, timings, included and excluded meals, setting up extra tours not included in the land tour (I’ve been watching YouTube videos that refer to them).

 

I am a research and plan ahead kind of person and feel a bit lost with the “Land Tour” part of this trip. Please send along any helpful tips. Thanks

Edited July 12, 2020 by Kevin's girl

[cvpends]

To give an opinion I would need to know what cruiseline and where the tour part goes, and for how many days at each stop.  We drove up to Alaska last summer and "did" pretty much all the things that Princess and Holland America cruise tours do, so I might have some information.

[Budget Queen]

1 hour ago, Kevin's girl said:

This will be cruise number 21 for us and our second cruise to Alaska. We have done DIY pre and post cruise trips for our other cruises and have booked our first Cruisetour with Royal Caribbean. This ticks all of the boxes for what we want to see in the amount of time we have available.

 

I have always shied away from Cruisetours because I was intimidated by them. For those of you here with Cruisetour experience please enlighten me. Please tell me about luggage restriction for the land portion, timings, included and excluded meals, setting up extra tours not included in the land tour (I’ve been watching YouTube videos that refer to them).

 

I am a research and plan ahead kind of person and feel a bit lost with the “Land Tour” part of this trip. Please send along any helpful tips. Thanks

Frankly-  it might have been better to have had this information, prior to booking?

 

IF you want accurate information-  you need to copy and paste you ENTIRE Cruise tour.   There are a lot of details, nobody answering wants to guess at.  🙂    

 

Basic,  carry on has restrictions,  and checked, usually has a very early put out time.  🙂   RCI-  with Denali-  unfortunately has potential for what I consider one of the least desirable lodging locations.   No place I would ever consider without a car.    NO meals are included-  unless specifically mentioned as included.  Budget 50% more than you would at home.     IF you are going to Talkeetna-   RCI has a great lodging location-  BUT, make certain,  you know what you are going there for?   AND know what activities you want to include.    

 

Some points to perhaps get you started.    But, the precise itinerary details will give you much more information    

[Kevin's girl]

We are cruising with Royal Caribbean and booked the 3A Land Tour. In the brochure it mentions speaking to "your adventure specialist" for extra excursions and tours. When will we first talk with this "specialist"? Will there be contact with them like a concierge before the cruise or is it once on board ship as the land tour follows the cruise?

I did do a search here on CC and found size restrictions for luggage in the land tour but the posts were from 2014 and I am wondering if there is any updated info from people who have done these tours.

Here is the land tour description:

 

Edited July 12, 2020 by Kevin's girl

[Budget Queen]

35 minutes ago, Kevin's girl said:

We are cruising with Royal Caribbean and booked the 3A Land Tour. In the brochure it mentions speaking to "your adventure specialist" for extra excursions and tours. When will we first talk with this "specialist"? Will there be contact with them like a concierge before the cruise or is it once on board ship as the land tour follows the cruise?

I did do a search here on CC and found size restrictions for luggage in the land tour but the posts were from 2014 and I am wondering if there is any updated info from people who have done these tours.

Here is the land tour description:

 

You'd meet your "guide",  morning of debark after you exit the ship.   

 

A general question-   what is it,  that caused you to book this tour?   Was there some feature,  you know about and was interested in for touring?   

 

Frankly-  it might not have a lot going for it-  unfortunately-  your Denali tour isn't a good one.   The Natural History and only 1 night there is 2 strikes against it.    In my opinion-  it is worth far more with all the transit time involved getting there,  and especially where there is a lot to see and do there,  that you simply have no time for.   

 

What extra touring are you looking to include?   

 

 Transits,   are  2  hours   Seward to Girdwood.     3 hours   Girdwood to Talkeetna,,   (  Girdwood to Anchorage is 1 hour.  )       Talkeetna to Denali  is 3.5 hours.     Denali to Anchorage  5+ hours.      

 

Only a suggest-   if you've found out some information,  you weren't aware of,  and you'd like a different touring itinerary,  I'd suggest you change it.   

 

[donaldsc]

49 minutes ago, Kevin's girl said:

We are cruising with Royal Caribbean and booked the 3A Land Tour. In the brochure it mentions speaking to "your adventure specialist" for extra excursions and tours. When will we first talk with this "specialist"? Will there be contact with them like a concierge before the cruise or is it once on board ship as the land tour follows the cruise?

I did do a search here on CC and found size restrictions for luggage in the land tour but the posts were from 2014 and I am wondering if there is any updated info from people who have done these tours.

Here is the land tour description:

 

 

To add to what Budget Queen has said and to be more blunt - basically the tour stinks.

 

1) There is much too much driving and way too little seeing

 

2) You don't spend enough time at any location

 

3) Just my opinion but I feel; that any time in Talkeetna is wasted time

 

4) The Denali Natural History tour only gets you 29 miles into the park and is a waste of time

 

5) You don't have enough time in Denali.

 

6 You do not have enough time at the Seward Sea Life Center or the Alaska Wildlife Center.

 

Cancel the tour.

 

DON

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cvpends]

I agree with others that the tour covers way too many miles in too little time.  But contrary to Don's opinion, I feel that Talkeetna is the saving grace of the tour as it is likely to be the only place on the tour from which you will have a good view of Denali.  You will never see the mountain from your Natural History Tour in the park.  You don't have much time at the Sealife Center or the Wildlife Conversation Center, which is a problem, especially since there is nothing of interest in Girdwood so why rush there?

[oaktreerb]

1) If you keep this itinerary be sure to upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali if you want to see the animals they talk about.

 

2) You won’t have much time to add any optional excursions since you will be on the go constantly.  Every night this tour seems to be at a different lodge so you will be on the road a lot.  You’ll see a lot of interesting places but don’t have much time to enjoy them.  

 

3) I haven’t been on any RCI cruise tours but have traveled with HAL which has an extensive tour  network in Alaska.  Generally I recommend two nights  minimum at Denali.  I’m not even sure that you will have time for the Tundra Wilderness Tour!  The Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood is beautiful, be sure to take the tram to the top for amazing views of Turnagain Arm.

 

4) You may get better responses if you ask on the RCI forum.

[Budget Queen]

15 minutes ago, oaktreerb said:

1) If you keep this itinerary be sure to upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali if you want to see the animals they talk about.

 

 

Unfortunately=  it's a $60 difference in price,  that I don't know what RCI will charge?    It does list the option on the tour page.

 

But a huge negative I already mentioned in my first post is the lodging location.   Without a car-  in my opinion, it's essential,  to be in "glitter gulch",    not 7 miles away like this property.  

 

An only positive,  would be if this were a VERY cheap add on?      But, in most cases a very poor choice-  IF there aren't plans for repeat visits.   The op mentions,  this is the second time to Alaska?    It seems very doubtful, they did any mainland touring,  however-  with making this tour choice?       Was it a round trip Inside Passage Alaska cruise?   

[Budget Queen]

1 hour ago, cvpends said:

I agree with others that the tour covers way too many miles in too little time.  But contrary to Don's opinion, I feel that Talkeetna is the saving grace of the tour as it is likely to be the only place on the tour from which you will have a good view of Denali.  You will never see the mountain from your Natural History Tour in the park.  You don't have much time at the Sealife Center or the Wildlife Conversation Center, which is a problem, especially since there is nothing of interest in Girdwood so why rush there?

It is not that common to see Denali,  so I hardly see that as a high light with this tour.   Fantastic views are around mile133 on the Parks as well.  🙂        In my opinion,  a Talkeetna inclusion with a cruisetour-  "should" have some tour interest involved-  for the REASON for going there.    Otherwise,  it's just holding time, taking away perhaps from time dedicated to other areas      Talkeetna  means,  flights for me,  so my fun going there-  with a car,  or RV.  🙂   

[cvpends]

To get you excited, in case you decide to keep this tour, here are a few snapshots of things you might see on your particular route, taken during our RV trip up to Alaska last summer.  The first two pictures of Denali were taken from Talkeetna, the third on taken while driving north towards Denali, the musk ox pics are self evident, and the last picture is a typical sight taken in the eclectic and very cute town of Talkeetna.

Edited July 13, 2020 by cvpends

[cvpends]

I guess I would like to add that although your tour will be very rushed, it will give you a taste of Alaska, and I predict that the tour will inspire a longer future trip -- and there's nothing wrong with that!  I wish you were going to Fairbanks, but since you aren't you can save that for next time 🙂

[Budget Queen]

16 hours ago, cvpends said:

I guess I would like to add that although your tour will be very rushed, it will give you a taste of Alaska, and I predict that the tour will inspire a longer future trip -- and there's nothing wrong with that!  I wish you were going to Fairbanks, but since you aren't you can save that for next time 🙂

This strategy-  depends.  🤩🤩😀.   Unfortunately I also see some visitors-  with too severe compromises.   Especially if it already took years to get there.   It’s money spent-  which can be another factor.   
 

Ive always been of the mindset-  if you find out-  previously unknown information that was wrongly assumed-   Fix it.   🤩.     Sure there may be costs involved- but the cost of time can be much higher.  
 

This is general information ONLY.   The OP may have all the facts and this is the choice they want?    

[cvpends]

2 minutes ago, Budget Queen said:

This is general information ONLY.   The OP may have all the facts and this is the choice they want?    

That is exactly why I don't want to tell her not to do it.  It wouldn't be my preference but for her it could be the best option she has, so I might as well give her what information I have and give her some pictures to get her excited about her choice.

[Budget Queen]

7 minutes ago, cvpends said:

That is exactly why I don't want to tell her not to do it.  It wouldn't be my preference but for her it could be the best option she has, so I might as well give her what information I have and give her some pictures to get her excited about her choice.

Accurate- Facts are posted.  🤩.    It’s easy to make wrong assumptions and some descriptions are vague.
 

   Some of us don’t sugar coat.   🤩.  But-   That is what some are looking for.   So reason why I clarify.    🤩

[geoherb]

I knew when I booked our cruise tour several years ago that it was not the best option for seeing Alaska--but it was the best option for us based on our budget and our available vacation window. We were on a Princess cruise tour that only had one night at the Princess Denali Lodge. It included the Natural History Tour. Thankfully I knew from here to ask about upgrading to the Tundra Wilderness Tour. It was great, although DH did not think so. We were the last ones on the bus and separated. I sat with a great family who happened to be from our state. I was with the husband on the right-hand side of the bus. He insisted I sit closer to the window. His wife and son were opposite us on the left-hand side. His brother- and sister-in-law were behind them. They were great about letting me see anything interesting was on their side, and of course I did the same for them on my side. Here are some of the wildlife photos I got that day.

 

I thought the prices at the Princess lodge restaurants were reasonable. They lodges had different types of restaurants, and we always chose the casual option with more reasonable prices. DH did not like that I economized by bringing things we could eat for breakfast, but that saved us a bunch of money. 

 

 

[reallyitsmema]

On 7/12/2020 at 4:11 PM, Kevin's girl said:

We are cruising with Royal Caribbean and booked the 3A Land Tour. In the brochure it mentions speaking to "your adventure specialist" for extra excursions and tours. When will we first talk with this "specialist"? Will there be contact with them like a concierge before the cruise or is it once on board ship as the land tour follows the cruise?

I did do a search here on CC and found size restrictions for luggage in the land tour but the posts were from 2014 and I am wondering if there is any updated info from people who have done these tours.

Here is the land tour description:

 

 

We did a cruise tour with Royal Caribbean in 2018.  Finding information beforehand can be difficult but I found this website to be helpful:  http://www.royalcaribbeancruisetours.com/  It has a brochure that will show you all the excursions that you can book once you meet your tour guide the first day.  http://www.royalcaribbeancruisetours.com/content/uploads/2016/06/17059544_AlaskaOptionalTours_Update_Doc_v2_LR.pdf

 

You will be given a form that lists the excursions and cost when you meet the tour guide.  They are all first come, first served, so we found it helpful to know what we wanted to do in advance.  It is light until late at night, so as long as you have the stamina, you can do a lot.  We did a river float in Denali that ended just after 10pm.  Yes, in Denali, you are at a distant hotel, but all the excursions include the transportation to get you there.  Under each description on the excursion brochure it lists which cruise tour is able to book the excursion.  You can upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali as I saw 3A listed.

 

As far as luggage and the bus, I packed one suitcase that had what we were going to use on the ship and that suitcase was tagged as such and we never saw it on our cruise tour.  I had one suitcase that had what we wanted on the cruise tour and that was delivered to us at each hotel.  The bus does have a luggage rack above seats that will hold a day pack with no issues but any rolling carryon has to go under the bus.  Bag pull each day was early, 6am some days, so that was tough and you had to learn to pack accordingly.

 

Cruise tours get a bad rap in this forum but we are glad we did what we did. We would do things on our own in the future if we had the time to plan it out but would also do a cruise tour too if we saw one that met our needs.

[Kevin's girl]

51 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

We did a cruise tour with Royal Caribbean in 2018.  Finding information beforehand can be difficult but I found this website to be helpful:  http://www.royalcaribbeancruisetours.com/  It has a brochure that will show you all the excursions that you can book once you meet your tour guide the first day.  http://www.royalcaribbeancruisetours.com/content/uploads/2016/06/17059544_AlaskaOptionalTours_Update_Doc_v2_LR.pdf

 

You will be given a form that lists the excursions and cost when you meet the tour guide.  They are all first come, first served, so we found it helpful to know what we wanted to do in advance.  It is light until late at night, so as long as you have the stamina, you can do a lot.  We did a river float in Denali that ended just after 10pm.  Yes, in Denali, you are at a distant hotel, but all the excursions include the transportation to get you there.  Under each description on the excursion brochure it lists which cruise tour is able to book the excursion.  You can upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali as I saw 3A listed.

 

As far as luggage and the bus, I packed one suitcase that had what we were going to use on the ship and that suitcase was tagged as such and we never saw it on our cruise tour.  I had one suitcase that had what we wanted on the cruise tour and that was delivered to us at each hotel.  The bus does have a luggage rack above seats that will hold a day pack with no issues but any rolling carryon has to go under the bus.  Bag pull each day was early, 6am some days, so that was tough and you had to learn to pack accordingly.

 

Cruise tours get a bad rap in this forum but we are glad we did what we did. We would do things on our own in the future if we had the time to plan it out but would also do a cruise tour too if we saw one that met our needs.

Thank you SO much. This is exactly the information I was looking for. 

[Kevin's girl]

On 7/13/2020 at 10:44 PM, geoherb said:

I knew when I booked our cruise tour several years ago that it was not the best option for seeing Alaska--but it was the best option for us based on our budget and our available vacation window. We were on a Princess cruise tour that only had one night at the Princess Denali Lodge. It included the Natural History Tour. Thankfully I knew from here to ask about upgrading to the Tundra Wilderness Tour. It was great, although DH did not think so. We were the last ones on the bus and separated. I sat with a great family who happened to be from our state. I was with the husband on the right-hand side of the bus. He insisted I sit closer to the window. His wife and son were opposite us on the left-hand side. His brother- and sister-in-law were behind them. They were great about letting me see anything interesting was on their side, and of course I did the same for them on my side. Here are some of the wildlife photos I got that day.

 

I thought the prices at the Princess lodge restaurants were reasonable. They lodges had different types of restaurants, and we always chose the casual option with more reasonable prices. DH did not like that I economized by bringing things we could eat for breakfast, but that saved us a bunch of money. 

 

 

Thank you for your help and for the pics. We are excited about the tour.

[Potstech]

One problem I see with the entire cruise tour is you are cruising first.  We did that and wished we had done the tour portion first so that we could have some rest time while cruising. The land portion is very busy and can take a lot more energy than you think with all the traveling. If possible switch to a land first then cruise option. Also agree with a switch to the Tundra Wilderness tour.

[Budget Queen]

47 minutes ago, Potstech said:

One problem I see with the entire cruise tour is you are cruising first.  We did that and wished we had done the tour portion first so that we could have some rest time while cruising. The land portion is very busy and can take a lot more energy than you think with all the traveling. If possible switch to a land first then cruise option. Also agree with a switch to the Tundra Wilderness tour.

i'll disagree.    Touring should be even.   IF you have a portion that is "very busy",  taking "more energy",   you maybe have bigger problems.   FIX the itinerary.     Especially with Cruisetours-  the wasted time-  is a crime.  🙂    Be certain-  you WANT to be at each of the stops,   unfortunately many people aren't interested in the entire itinerary.     Why settle for time,  at the expense of somewhere else you want to tour and be?    

 

    My trips-  are even.   I'm not doing any "relaxing" on a ship.  🙂   I'm enjoying each and every day,  with my planned activities.    My time is very valuable in Alaska 🙂 🙂