Alaska Land Tour Itinerary Question

[garyl62]

We are booked on a Celebrity land tour this July (Tour 10B which is 6 nights & includes Denali, Homer plus other locations) and I'm looking for more details than what is listed on website.  Specifically wondering about times we arrive or depart different places.  The sailing portion always lists the times a ship is in port, but this just states what city you'll overnight in.  Is a more detailed schedule distributed closer to the tour date?  Or is there a way to learn more leading up to the tour date?  I'm looking at booking some additional excursions in one or two locations but without having a more detailed schedule it makes things difficult to know how much free time you'll have.  Considered posting this in the Alaska Forum, but since it is Celebrity specific I placed it here. Thanks for any feedback someone can provide.

Edited January 26, 2023 by garyl62

[PRH]

I am not home so I cannot give you the specifics but we did this last July.  Celebrity tells you very little.  3pm check-in amd “on your own”.  Next morning is train from Anchorage to Talkeetna.  Get off train and something like an hour and a half there.  We ate at the brewery—very good.  The bus meets you in Talkeetna on the way to Denali Lodge.  There will be a stop at a grocery store outside Talkeetna—take advantage for dinner and breakfast for the next morning as the Lodge buffet is $55 and breakfast is $21.  We also bought alcohol at the IGA as you won’t have many chances.  Once you arrive, there is an hour presentation before you get your room key—it was difficult to listen as there was a lot of sitting and another hour immediately after getting off the bus was tough.  We got put yogurt and fruit on ice in the room for breakfast—there is a coffeemaker in the room and the coffee was good.  The Denali bus trip is on a bus—a box lunch is provided even though Celebrity will tell you there is not.  Take binoculars!  We saw lots of animals.  We went to the dinner theater that evening—decent food and fun evening.  We asked for early seating but the guide said “full”—it was NOT but apparently all the ship tours were assigned the later seating.
 

 Then luggage out early to get on the bus and a lunch stop at the Talkeetna IGA—the sub sandwiches are huge—and on to Alyeska resort.  Beautiful resort.  Make reservations several months in advance for Seven Glaciers Restaurant—spectacular views and dinner includes the tram.  There were no available reservations for those who did not have them already.  Ate breakfast at hotel cafe—expensive.

 

The Wilderness Reserve was fantastic.  We were able to convince the guide to let us stay a little longer as they originally gave us 45 minutes and there is ALOT to see.  Then to visit a farm and see the peonies and chickens.  There was supposed to be a wine tasting with apps but that did not happen.  Then back on the bus for Homer—a long ride with a fast food stop along the way.  Immediately we were taken to an hour long presentation on the sea life at Homer—was nice to be outside!  The hotel in Homer has a guest laundry so many of us took advantage.  There is a kitchenette in the room so a number went across the street to the grocery so they could have salads, etc. for dinner.  We walked to a restaurant for a real sit down meal.  The next day we went to the museum next to the hotel and then the HOHO to the peninsula.  Walked a lot!

 

Luggage out to head for Seward.  We got to the ship around 3pm as everyone voted to not stop at a brief wilderness presentation and half an hour to walk around to see some cabins.  So we got to the ship an hour early.  Everyone was SO ready to have some real “not fast food” and to relax.  Homer was really the only place where you could arrange a tour—there is one full day there.

 

Alaska is huge so be prepared for two things:  long driving distances and very expensive food.  None is included in the 10b tour.  We saw moose along the road, many eagles, and so on.  Binoculars are your friend.  Dress in layers as the weather was very changeable.  If you have questions, please ask.

[Northern Aurora]

Interesting to read the post by "PRH."  

 

Celbrity uses the Denali Park Village in the Denali area.  This large complex has a number of buildings and room types.  One of the buildings is named the Denali Lodge.

 

And I am curious if the "Wilderness Reserve" mentioned is the Wildlife Conservation Center.

 

From the description of the Homer hotel I don't recognize the property.  Was it possibly the Land's End Resort?

[Jim_Iain]

For some details you might look at this PDF

https://www.celebritycruisetours.com/content/uploads/2016/06/Celebrity-Alaska_Cruisetour_Brochure.pdf

 

It is about the most detailed view pre-cruise that I found.

 

Pages 17 shows some of the properties and pictures.   They do show some times but you can count on Early Mornings - starting on page 20

 

If I recall we had to be up around 5:30 - 6:00 on first morning to get to the Trains.

 

When you first arrive at the hotel they will have a team and do small group meetings.   At that meeting they will give you the actual times of departue and hand out luggage tags.   You get 2 colors -  one for items to stay on the bus and one that will be delivered to your room at each stop.

[garyl62]

Thanks so much for the replies and details!  @PRH for not having access to your "specifics" you have provided a lot of detail and information which is great.  @Jim_Iain the attachment you provided has some of the details I was looking for related to arrival times which is very helpful.  I knew I had seen something similar before that gave suggestions about adding excursions and free time but I couldn't find again.  I'm sure that was it so thanks.

 

The things we have heard about that we were trying to see if we'd have time to add were something in Denali like the Dinner Theater or maybe even a late afternoon rafting trip, making a dinner reservation at Seven Glacier's Restaurant in Alyeska, or while in Homer taking a flight to Brooks Falls one day.  With the mix of experiences you all have provided and the brochure I'll be able to work on some added experiences.

 

Thanks again, I may pick your brains some more as time goes on.

[D. B.]

22 hours ago, PRH said:

I am not home so I cannot give you the specifics but we did this last July.  Celebrity tells you very little.  3pm check-in amd “on your own”.  Next morning is train from Anchorage to Talkeetna.  Get off train and something like an hour and a half there.  We ate at the brewery—very good.  The bus meets you in Talkeetna on the way to Denali Lodge.  There will be a stop at a grocery store outside Talkeetna—take advantage for dinner and breakfast for the next morning as the Lodge buffet is $55 and breakfast is $21.  We also bought alcohol at the IGA as you won’t have many chances.  Once you arrive, there is an hour presentation before you get your room key—it was difficult to listen as there was a lot of sitting and another hour immediately after getting off the bus was tough.  We got put yogurt and fruit on ice in the room for breakfast—there is a coffeemaker in the room and the coffee was good.  The Denali bus trip is on a bus—a box lunch is provided even though Celebrity will tell you there is not.  Take binoculars!  We saw lots of animals.  We went to the dinner theater that evening—decent food and fun evening.  We asked for early seating but the guide said “full”—it was NOT but apparently all the ship tours were assigned the later seating.
 

 Then luggage out early to get on the bus and a lunch stop at the Talkeetna IGA—the sub sandwiches are huge—and on to Alyeska resort.  Beautiful resort.  Make reservations several months in advance for Seven Glaciers Restaurant—spectacular views and dinner includes the tram.  There were no available reservations for those who did not have them already.  Ate breakfast at hotel cafe—expensive.

 

The Wilderness Reserve was fantastic.  We were able to convince the guide to let us stay a little longer as they originally gave us 45 minutes and there is ALOT to see.  Then to visit a farm and see the peonies and chickens.  There was supposed to be a wine tasting with apps but that did not happen.  Then back on the bus for Homer—a long ride with a fast food stop along the way.  Immediately we were taken to an hour long presentation on the sea life at Homer—was nice to be outside!  The hotel in Homer has a guest laundry so many of us took advantage.  There is a kitchenette in the room so a number went across the street to the grocery so they could have salads, etc. for dinner.  We walked to a restaurant for a real sit down meal.  The next day we went to the museum next to the hotel and then the HOHO to the peninsula.  Walked a lot!

 

Luggage out to head for Seward.  We got to the ship around 3pm as everyone voted to not stop at a brief wilderness presentation and half an hour to walk around to see some cabins.  So we got to the ship an hour early.  Everyone was SO ready to have some real “not fast food” and to relax.  Homer was really the only place where you could arrange a tour—there is one full day there.

 

Alaska is huge so be prepared for two things:  long driving distances and very expensive food.  None is included in the 10b tour.  We saw moose along the road, many eagles, and so on.  Binoculars are your friend.  Dress in layers as the weather was very changeable.  If you have questions, please ask.

This was our Experience on 10B last summer.

 My only suggestion would be on Tours Starting in Fairbanks to Arrive a day or 2 Before the tour. Stay in the Same Hotel X uses. Spend time in and around Fairbanks as there is a lot to see there and the X Tour spends only a few hours there.

Our only SNAFU was how X handled the Covid testing but that should no longer be an issue!

Edited January 27, 2023 by D. B.
added content.

[PRH]

17 minutes ago, D. B. said:

This was our Experience on 10B last summer.

 My only suggestion would be on Tours Starting in Fairbanks to Arrive a day or 2 Before the tour. Stay in the Same Hotel X uses. Spend time in and around Fairbanks as there is a lot to see there and the X Tour spends only a few hours there.

Our only SNAFU was how X handled the Covid testing but that should no longer be an issue!

10B starts in Anchorage.  I would suggest spending a few days in Anchorage.  Incredible flowers and lots of history.  We took the trolley tour (hour long) and went into the NP museum to see the videos of the earthquake and the building of the railroad.  Cafe 817 near the Anchorage Marriott (Celebrity uses)has great coffee and sandwiches.  Alaska is so vast that more people fly than drive.  Costco is near the lake where many seaplanes come in for supplies.

[PRH]

21 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

Interesting to read the post by "PRH."  

 

Celbrity uses the Denali Park Village in the Denali area.  This large complex has a number of buildings and room types.  One of the buildings is named the Denali Lodge.

 

And I am curious if the "Wilderness Reserve" mentioned is the Wildlife Conservation Center.

 

From the description of the Homer hotel I don't recognize the property.  Was it possibly the Land's End Resort?

You are correct on the Denali information—going from memory.  True also on the Conservation Center—moose, musk ox, brown, black and grizzly bears, reindeer and caribou, buffalo and Alaskan deer (smaller) among the animals you will see.  There were two baby moose whose mothers had been killed by cars who were there to rescue.

 

The Homer hotel was the Aspen Suites—very basic but included kitchenette.  Also pretty centrally located with the hoho shuttle across the parking lot so easy to get down to the peninsula.

[PRH]

Found the handout they gave us.  Times were not always adhered to.  Luckily everyone on our bus was pretty prompt so that was great.  

[lexmiller]

We had the great pleasure of enjoying the 10B land tour this past June, 2022.  You're getting lots of great info here, but let me speak up for the Seven Glaciers at the Alyeska Resort for dinner - OH MY GOSH YES, book far in advance!  Spectacular in absolutely every way!!  SO glad we did it, worth every penny, a tremendous experience.  OK, maybe just a few more tips from our experience - when you take the Wilderness Express glass domed railcar to Talkeetna - DEFINITELY eat the breakfast on the train, delicious!  We highly recommend the blueberry pancakes and the Denali scramble with reindeer sausage.  We shared each dish so we could taste both - possibly the best pancakes we've ever had.  And once at the Denali Park Village, there is an opportunity to go with your whole group (or you can book separately) to the super fun and yes, super kitschy, Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre - loved it!  

[Jim_Iain]

22 hours ago, garyl62 said:

Thanks so much for the replies and details!  @PRH for not having access to your "specifics" you have provided a lot of detail and information which is great.  @Jim_Iain the attachment you provided has some of the details I was looking for related to arrival times which is very helpful.  I knew I had seen something similar before that gave suggestions about adding excursions and free time but I couldn't find again.  I'm sure that was it so thanks.

 

The things we have heard about that we were trying to see if we'd have time to add were something in Denali like the Dinner Theater or maybe even a late afternoon rafting trip, making a dinner reservation at Seven Glacier's Restaurant in Alyeska, or while in Homer taking a flight to Brooks Falls one day.  With the mix of experiences you all have provided and the brochure I'll be able to work on some added experiences.

 

Thanks again, I may pick your brains some more as time goes on.

You should be able to add Denali Dinner Theater.   When we were on the tour if I recall we arrived about 4:00 PM and were on our own for the evening.  

 

When we checked in at the hotel they gave us a full list of all the Extra Charge excursions and you could sign up for them in advance or on the way if space was still available.    We took the Extended Denali bus trip the morning after arrival.   It was really fun and saw all the Big 5 -   Grizzly Bears, Longhorn Sheep, Wolves and Wolves as well as Caribu.   The driver has a Video Camera attached to monitors on the bus to help point out the wildlife when hard to spot.    Much of the viewing was at a distance.

[D. B.]

2 hours ago, lexmiller said:

We had the great pleasure of enjoying the 10B land tour this past June, 2022.  You're getting lots of great info here, but let me speak up for the Seven Glaciers at the Alyeska Resort for dinner - OH MY GOSH YES, book far in advance!  Spectacular in absolutely every way!!  SO glad we did it, worth every penny, a tremendous experience.  OK, maybe just a few more tips from our experience - when you take the Wilderness Express glass domed railcar to Talkeetna - DEFINITELY eat the breakfast on the train, delicious!  We highly recommend the blueberry pancakes and the Denali scramble with reindeer sausage.  We shared each dish so we could taste both - possibly the best pancakes we've ever had.  And once at the Denali Park Village, there is an opportunity to go with your whole group (or you can book separately) to the super fun and yes, super kitschy, Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre - loved it!  

Yes to the Alaska Cabin Night Dinner Theatre.😊 The Dinner on the Wilderness Express train was Very Good also.

 We have done Both the X Cruise/Tour and the other way-Tour/Cruise that starts in Fairbanks.

  I liked the Tour first because we spent time pre tour in Fairbanks and once the cruise part was done our trip Home was shorter!

[Swordfish1949]

On 1/26/2023 at 6:07 PM, Jim_Iain said:

For some details you might look at this PDF

https://www.celebritycruisetours.com/content/uploads/2016/06/Celebrity-Alaska_Cruisetour_Brochure.pdf

 

It is about the most detailed view pre-cruise that I found.

 

Pages 17 shows some of the properties and pictures.   They do show some times but you can count on Early Mornings - starting on page 20

 

If I recall we had to be up around 5:30 - 6:00 on first morning to get to the Trains.

 

When you first arrive at the hotel they will have a team and do small group meetings.   At that meeting they will give you the actual times of departue and hand out luggage tags.   You get 2 colors -  one for items to stay on the bus and one that will be delivered to your room at each stop.

Thanks very much Jim - extremely helpful for an Alaskan rookie

[lyndarra]

Cabin Nite gets my vote too. Great food and fun and not too "kitsch" for this foreigner. +1

[Jim_Iain]

45 minutes ago, Swordfish1949 said:

Thanks very much Jim - extremely helpful for an Alaskan rookie

 

When I booked a couple years ago I found it really difficult to get any information about the land tours.

 

One thing I did learn was that you get the same number of points per night on the land tour as your booked cabin.  

[Swordfish1949]

Just now, Jim_Iain said:

 

When I booked a couple years ago I found it really difficult to get any information about the land tours.

 

One thing I did learn was that you get the same number of points per night on the land tour as your booked cabin.  

That's great to know - by chance do they assign hotel rooms based upon cruise cabin class?

[Jim_Iain]

1 minute ago, Swordfish1949 said:

That's great to know - by chance do they assign hotel rooms based upon cruise cabin class?

No -   the only difference in room and service I noticed was when we arrived at the ship they called out our name and asked others to remain seated for us to get off the bus first and escorted us to our Suite.   We were traveling in a RS.

 

[Swordfish1949]

25 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

No -   the only difference in room and service I noticed was when we arrived at the ship they called out our name and asked others to remain seated for us to get off the bus first and escorted us to our Suite.   We were traveling in a RS.

Thanks...just curious

[garyl62]

For those of you who mentioned going to the dinner theater, or signing up for additional excursions with the tour guide after you arrive, would you recommend booking as many things as you can before your trip, or do you feel there was adequate room to sign up when you arrive? 

 

For example, sounds like there could be a good selection of thing to do through the guide in Denali including the theater, but something more specific like the Seven Glaciers restaurant reservation needs to be done on your own early.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, garyl62 said:

For those of you who mentioned going to the dinner theater, or signing up for additional excursions with the tour guide after you arrive, would you recommend booking as many things as you can before your trip, or do you feel there was adequate room to sign up when you arrive? 

 

For example, sounds like there could be a good selection of thing to do through the guide in Denali including the theater, but something more specific like the Seven Glaciers restaurant reservation needs to be done on your own early.

Personal experience there was plenty of time for booking.   Many booked early and ended up cancelling some as they were worn out.  

Make sue you pack some clothing for possibility of drizzle.    The day we arrived Denali it was 100 mile visibility and even the guides were taking pictures o Denali from a look out as they had never seen it so clear.   Next day it drizzle all day while we were in the park.

[Northern Aurora]

7 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

.....   We took the Extended Denali bus trip the morning after arrival.   It was really fun and saw all the Big 5 -   Grizzly Bears, Longhorn Sheep, Wolves and Wolves as well as Caribu.   The driver has a Video Camera attached to monitors on the bus to help point out the wildlife when hard to spot.    Much of the viewing was at a distance.

 

 

Ok -- Mrs. Aurora is stickler for accuracy as Jim and Iain should know since we actually have met.  That being said, there is absolutely no chance that Jim and Iain saw a "longhorn sheep."  There are big horn sheep in North America, but their range is no where near Alaska.  What they saw was Dall sheep.  Different species.  Totally different.

 

Dall sheep are quite interesting as they live so high in the mountains they have  virtually no predators and are fearless.  We have been in Denali on a private lottery permits (which allows folks to drive the entire length of the single park road in a private vehicle)  and one time we had several Dall sheep on the road in Polychrome Pass.  We didn't try to touch them but they walked within inches of us.

 

For folks who are interested in Denali you cannot see Denali itself from the entrance to the national park.  And at this time the the single road into the park is closed at Pretty Rocks and will apparently be closed until 2025.  For perspective Eielson Visitor's Center is at mile 66.

 

Our poster Gary has been asking about Brooks Falls.  Folks should also consider bear watching opportunities out of Homer to McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, and also Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.  Today the Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened the lottery application for McNeil River and we have applied.

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Your absolutely correct --  they were Dall.   Thanks for the correction.

[garyl62]

Thanks again to everyone who has chimed in.  We've booked our excursions on the cruise portion and almost finalized everything on the land portion.  We will go to the theater at Denali but decided to wait to book until we arrive as we feel it might be nice to stay with everyone else on the tour, we do have Seven Glaciers dinner booked, and just decided to do the Brooks Falls fly-in so I'll make that reservation tonight. 

 

We're doing a whale watching and glacier trip, electric bikes for a day, small group cooking experience, and a crab boat trip on the cruise portion.

 

We like to pre-book some things, but also leave some open days in case we're tired or want to just take the day as it comes.  It's funny, we have a trip on Apex in March, but DW is already shopping for "cruise needs" for Alaska 😄