Alaska Cruise and Denali Tundra Wilderness Tour

[Arwen]

Hi everyone!

 

We are about to book our fifth cruise to Alaska.

 

This time, we are going with another couple and we also want to book a Denali tour through H.A.

 

I have done some research about the two to three day options for Denali.  I have read mixed reviews on TripAdvisor about these tours.  The complaints were about the old school buses used for the tours.  Complaints were:  couldn't open windows, claustrophobic, blocked views, dirty windows....etc.  No mention of potty stops for a trip that apparently is about 6+ hours.

 

My husband and the wife of the friend, both have balance issues,  They can walk but limited and best on level paved ground. 

That is why we thought this particular shore excursion via bus would be best.  Also, being in the 'older' group, and with active bladders, not having an option to use a potty during a six hour trip is questionable.  I would imagine the bus driver does make periodic rest stops for that? 

Please advise me if you have already done this tour and your thoughts.  

Price is not an issue, if we need to upgrade to something better.  Just want some honest opinions.  I did read about the 'Fat Truck' tours.  Anyone taken that tour?

[Mary229]

Those buses are National Park Service concessionaires and are the absolutely only way to go past mile 12 into Denali park. Denali park is very regulated, this is not the policy of the cruise line, it is your government .  The accommodations and transport by HAL are very good.  One must be aware that they are not going to get NYC luxury hotels as they don’t exist in Denali yet  they are very good and the food at the lodge is excellent 

 

 

there are two rest areas, one stop on the way in,  one stop on the way out    Again this is a government regulation 

Edited December 29, 2023 by Mary229

[Arwen]

23 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Those buses are National Park Service concessionaires and are the absolutely only way to go past mile 12 into Denali park. Denali park is very regulated, this is not the policy of the cruise line, it is your government .  The accommodations and transport by HAL are very good.  One must be aware that they are not going to get NYC luxury hotels as they don’t exist in Denali yet  they are very good and the food at the lodge is excellent 

 

 

there are two rest areas, one stop on the way in,  one stop on the way out    Again this is a government regulation 

I understand there is government regulation, but I still would hope someone would answer about the school buses and what their opinion of the tour.

 

I do not mind being on a school bus for an hour or so...but six hours?  Nope.

I have found an alternative called 'Fat Truck' Tours.  I would imagine they have to comply with the government dictats?

[Mary229]

4 minutes ago, Arwen said:

I understand there is government regulation, but I still would hope someone would answer about the school buses and what their opinion of the tour.

 

I do not mind being on a school bus for an hour or so...but six hours?  Nope.

I have found an alternative called 'Fat Truck' Tours.  I would imagine they have to comply with the government dictats?

Those do not operate inside the park, those operate outside of the park.  The rest stop periods in the park are also regulated.  If you want to go to Denali where the wildlife is truly spectacular you need to go on the bus.  If you don’t want the National Park your best bet would be to just rent a car and tour the region independently.

 

i wanted to visit the park so I was fine with the bus.  It is what it is

Edited December 29, 2023 by Mary229

[Shmoo here]

6 minutes ago, Arwen said:

I understand there is government regulation, but I still would hope someone would answer about the school buses and what their opinion of the tour.

 

I do not mind being on a school bus for an hour or so...but six hours?  Nope.

I have found an alternative called 'Fat Truck' Tours.  I would imagine they have to comply with the government dictats?

As far as I can see, Fat Truck tours doesn't actually tour inside the National Park.

 

We've taken 2 of the tours on the school busses.  It was fine.  There were potty stops.  There were also "get out and take pictures" stops (about every 1 1/2 to 2 hours).   Yes, it's quite possible the windows get dirty as the roads are generally dirt/gravel packed.  If it's raining the mud does get on the the windows.  When we stopped the driver would "clean" the windows with a bucket and squeegee.  He asked for helpers, as it would go faster that way.  There were many who helped with this.

Edited December 29, 2023 by Shmoo here

[sue1898]

@Arwen Denali is a national park and all tours inside the park are through the parks service. We did it a few years ago and the buses are basic but not awful and if you want to experience the interior of Denali National Park that’s your only option.

[trivia addict]

We did this  Denali Park tour through HAL last summer.

All 6 of us are70+ and no one was uncomfortable. The two rest stops were adequate and everyone was too interested in the scenery and wildlife to worry about being on a school bus.
Our guide was terrific. He gave out lots of information and tried hard to spot any wildlife and would stop often whenever he spotted something interesting. The bus is equipped with a camera and tv screens that can show close ups of any animals that may be in the far distance.

We had a wonderful time.

Not luxury transportation, but hey, remember where you are, and aren’t you there to see and experience the wilderness that you can’t see at home?!

Don’t forget to  bring a good pair of binoculars. This is not Disney World, the animals are in their real habitat and not always up close.

 

[auntmeg]

5 hours ago, Arwen said:

I understand there is government regulation, but I still would hope someone would answer about the school buses and what their opinion of the tour.

 

I do not mind being on a school bus for an hour or so...but six hours?  Nope.

I have found an alternative called 'Fat Truck' Tours.  I would imagine they have to comply with the government dictats?

The converted school buses are the only way to get a tour deep into the park. Private vehicles are not allowed to drive past the 15 mile mark.

 

As noted by others, the buses stop at the designated point to restroom breaks on the way in and on the way out. The rest area is at milepost 30.

 

The buses are comfortable enough for most people and they stop at various points to allow you to get off and take pictures if you choose. The windows open and do not obstruct the view.

Edited December 29, 2023 by auntmeg

[lcand1923]

I’ve done this tour twice.  The first time was with my Dad, who had mobility issues and used a cane.  He had to be careful walking to and from the rest stops, but considered the tour the high point of his trip to Alaska.  The second time I was traveling solo, 12 years after that first trip.  The only change was the addition of the camera and TV screens.  

 

Yes, it is a school bus.  But, the trip is worth the slight discomfort that a school bus brings.  The guides are outstanding.  The scenery is beautiful.  The opportunity to see the wildlife is fantastic.

 

 

[CNSJ]

Although I can't say it's the reason for sure, but I think they use school buses because they are much lighter than traditional tour buses.  We were plenty comfortable for the trip.  

 

Take the Denali Wilderness tour! Go for an early departure, we were able to watch sunrise in park which was wonderful.

 

[Gsel]

We have done Denali and the school buses twice. Not at all uncomfortable, too busy looking at wildlife and scenery to think about comfort. We even saw the mountain which is unusual, it is behind the clouds most of the time. If you skip this you might regret it!

[Shmoo here]

6 minutes ago, Gsel said:

We have done Denali and the school buses twice. Not at all uncomfortable, too busy looking at wildlife and scenery to think about comfort. We even saw the mountain which is unusual, it is behind the clouds most of the time. If you skip this you might regret it!

Our first tour in Denali it was clear before we got to the place where we could see the mountain it wasn't going to happen.  I asked the guide to point where the mountain would be, if we could see it.  I have this nice picture of the edge of the parking area, and a big fog cloud behind it.

 

 

[Gsel]

Next time take a flight up to the mountain, it is spectacular!

[Crew News]

As noted in previous posts, once inside the park the bus passengers are fully engaged in spotting wildlife.  Windows are easy to open.  Once wildlife is spotted, the bus will stop and point a video camera with zoom lens at them.  The bus has a number of TV monitors so you can see the wildlife up close.  In most cases, wildlife is far away and require a long telephoto lens on your camera to capture them. On one occasion, a grizzly sow and cub decided to pause no farther than ten feet away (pictures below) from our parked bus.  The bus passengers held their collective breath, remained totally silent, took lots of pictures, and the two bears never looked at the bus.

 

Bring some granola bars with you.  The provided free snack box and and water may not be enough to keep you from craving food.

 

Since the bus ride is round trip there is no special side on which to sit.  FWIW when wildlife is spotted, passengers on the opposite side of the bus will just lean over you to get a picture

 

Here is a link to my Holland America Line Denali experiences photos:  Denali Experiences

 

 

 

 

Rest stop facilities

 

Park road

 

 

Edited December 30, 2023 by Crew News

[canuck742]

Is this tour on HAL excursion list? We are adding Denali 3 days on our cruise and do not see this on our excursion list.  We are not interested in small plane/helicopter excursions. We enjoy hiking.

[0bsessed]

6 minutes ago, canuck742 said:

Is this tour on HAL excursion list? We are adding Denali 3 days on our cruise and do not see this on our excursion list.  We are not interested in small plane/helicopter excursions. We enjoy hiking.

This tour was included as part of our HAL 18 day Land and Sea Tour last year.  We had plenty of time to hike after the tour ended at the base of the park.  The hiking was quite enjoyable, lots of options.

[Mary229]

@canuck742  call HAL to book the bus tour - it is well worth it and is usually included with the various packages.  Once you finish that you will have all afternoon to hike. There are numerous trails from the Visitor Center where you can elect to be dropped off at the end of the “  bus tour”.   HAL runs a shuttle continuously from the visitor center to the lodges during daylight hours, it may run later but do check.  Here are the hiking trails

 

https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/dayhiking.htm

[canuck742]

Thank you, Happy New Year!🎉🎉

[auntmeg]

2 hours ago, canuck742 said:

Is this tour on HAL excursion list? We are adding Denali 3 days on our cruise and do not see this on our excursion list.  We are not interested in small plane/helicopter excursions. We enjoy hiking.

All Holland America two and three night Denali cruise tours include the Tundra Wilderness Tour.

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/cruise-destinations/alaska-cruises/alaska-land-sea-journey-cruise-tours/tundra-wilderness-tour

[CNSJ]

Because we had my one and only casino deal (they must have figured out I wasn't a player), we booked the land portion through Princess Tours/Lodged which included all the transfers, trains, and hotels. It also included the Wilderness Tour, and had options for other tours.   The only thing that wasn't included was transfer from Anchorage to Whittier at the end.  Arranged that through local transfer bus.  

 

A great trip.

[oaktreerb]

On 12/29/2023 at 10:14 AM, Arwen said:

Hi everyone!

 

We are about to book our fifth cruise to Alaska.

 

This time, we are going with another couple and we also want to book a Denali tour through H.A.

 

I have done some research about the two to three day options for Denali.  I have read mixed reviews on TripAdvisor about these tours.  The complaints were about the old school buses used for the tours.  Complaints were:  couldn't open windows, claustrophobic, blocked views, dirty windows....etc.  No mention of potty stops for a trip that apparently is about 6+ hours.

 

My husband and the wife of the friend, both have balance issues,  They can walk but limited and best on level paved ground. 

That is why we thought this particular shore excursion via bus would be best.  Also, being in the 'older' group, and with active bladders, not having an option to use a potty during a six hour trip is questionable.  I would imagine the bus driver does make periodic rest stops for that? 

Please advise me if you have already done this tour and your thoughts.  

Price is not an issue, if we need to upgrade to something better.  Just want some honest opinions.  I did read about the 'Fat Truck' tours.  Anyone taken that tour?

The restrooms in the park are roomy, well maintained, upscale outhouses.  Easily accessible for most people.

 

When you get on the bus, make sure you are not sitting in a wheel-well row (limited legroom, and ok for children).   The bus will be full.  You don’t want to wait to board last.  

 

The Tundra Wilderness Tour is the best transportation into the park.