Help/Advice Itinerary Cruise/Cruise Tour

[Alushar]

Alaska has long been a bucket list destination and as we are booked up cruisewise this year and 2022 we've decided to plan for 2023 probably between June-August. Our favourite cruise lines are Celebrity and Princess and it looks like Princess will be better as they offer longer trips and Glacier Bay?

 

My main question relates to land tour everything I read suggests this shouldn't be missed. My DW has limited mobility she is fine boarding busses and boats and short walks so hiking is out. Of the Land Tours offered which would be best for us? I noticed that Princess do an escorted tour for example. We are very happy to view from a coach or train but want to experience as much as we can. Budget isn't really an issue.

 

Any advice gratefully received.

[oaktreerb]

On a cruise tour your luggage is handled for you.  You are told when to have it ready for pick-up and it will be ready for you at your next location.  You will carry a small bag or backpack with your important paperwork, camera, snacks, waterproof jacket, etc with you on the bus or train.  You will be given your room keys at each location (no checking in and out of hotels).  These tours are very well organized.  You might prefer an escorted tour if budget is not an issue.  The escorted tour will be a more cohesive group and you will have someone to provide assistance if needed.  I have only traveled with Holland America but the two companies are closely linked in Alaska.  Plan enough time at each location so that you are not rushed.  Two or three nights at Denali are minimum.  

[oaktreerb]

6 hours ago, Alushar said:

Alaska has long been a bucket list destination and as we are booked up cruisewise this year and 2022 we've decided to plan for 2023 probably between June-August. Our favourite cruise lines are Celebrity and Princess and it looks like Princess will be better as they offer longer trips and Glacier Bay?

 

My main question relates to land tour everything I read suggests this shouldn't be missed. My DW has limited mobility she is fine boarding busses and boats and short walks so hiking is out. Of the Land Tours offered which would be best for us? I noticed that Princess do an escorted tour for example. We are very happy to view from a coach or train but want to experience as much as we can. Budget isn't really an issue.

 

Any advice gratefully received.

See my response above.  June, July, August are all good.  Denali is good from the second week of June, earlier may not have full access to the park.   Glacier Bay is amazing and always accessible with  National Park rangers coming aboard to enhance the experience.  

[Alushar]

Thanks @oaktreerbvery helpful

[Cg52]

Not many cruise ships can go into Glacier Bay as it’s protected. We did this on our first cruise and it was awesome. We were on Princess and the captain slowly rotated the ship so no matter where you were standing you had the opportunity to see everything.

 

We did the train from Skagway. It picked us up on the dock and dropped us back their too. No walking at all really.

[donaldsc]

Since you say that budget is not a problem, have you thought about a truly private tour instead of a group tour.  That way you can tailor a tour to your wife's abilities and also do exactly what you want to do.  I have never done such a private tour and I am not recommending this specific tour company as I have not taken anything from this company and I don't know anything about them  but this is an example of what I mean - https://alaskantour.com/vip-custom-tours/.

 

It will take a bit of planning for any tour company to set up your tour but you will get exactly what you want and exactly the length of the tour that you want.

 

Just a thought.

 

DON

[oaktreerb]

1 hour ago, donaldsc said:

Since you say that budget is not a problem, have you thought about a truly private tour instead of a group tour.  That way you can tailor a tour to your wife's abilities and also do exactly what you want to do.  I have never done such a private tour and I am not recommending this specific tour company as I have not taken anything from this company and I don't know anything about them  but this is an example of what I mean - https://alaskantour.com/vip-custom-tours/.

 

It will take a bit of planning for any tour company to set up your tour but you will get exactly what you want and exactly the length of the tour that you want.

 

Just a thought.

 

DON

Some people enjoy meeting other travelers with whom they can share a common experience.  

[donaldsc]

2 minutes ago, oaktreerb said:

Some people enjoy meeting other travelers with whom they can share a common experience.  

 

I was just presenting a possible alternative that the OP might not have thought of.  Just trying to help.  Depending upon the OP's wife's limitations, they might have a better experience on a private tour.

 

DON

Edited August 18, 2021 by donaldsc

[Alushar]

Thanks guys the Alaska Tour Co looks awesome we will definitely consider that. We are thinking July 2023 at moment with Princess for the cruise part