Advice Needed - Post Trip Ideas Seward or Anchorage Areas

[Spork24]

My wife and I are going on a one way cruise from Vancouver to Seward for our Anniversary this summer.  We are really excited. 

 

I am really struggling with what to do after our cruise.  We arrive in Seward aboard the NCL Jewel on Monday June 17th.  We are open to pretty much anything for those 2 nights, but have a midday flight out of anchorage on Wednesday so likely need to be in Anchorage or nearby by Tuesday evening.

 

Anchorage itself doesn't look too appealing to me. I thought about staying a night in Seward, but the two nicest hotels are already booked up.  I thought about an Airbnb but rental cars are like $800 for the two days. 

 

I love the idea of taking the train, but the dome cars are sold out for the Monday evening ride.  I called NCL and they aren't even sure if they are doing the charter train Monday morning.  They told me to check 50 days out and they would "probably do one".

 

I am looking for pretty much any advice or experience anyone has and is willing to share.  Thanks in Advance for your help!

[AKJonesy]

This is kind of tough because you have not left yourself much time to do anything.  You will have to disembark in the morning which means that you can't check in somewhere until the afternoon.  I was going to suggest another place in Seward, but I don't think it's worth it with your time and you will just have to hassle the next day getting up to Anchorage.  

With the limited time you have, take the ship transfer up to Anchorage.  At least you will have a nice drive up and see some beautiful scenery.  Plus, you won't have to hassle with figuring out transportation.  

Find a place to stay in Anchorage (hotel, airbnb).  You are going to have plenty of daylight well into late evening so you could get a vehicle and head out from Anchorage for the afternoon/evening and the next day.  You really didn't mention your interests, and I could make some recommendations if I knew what you would like to do and your abilities.  Whatever you choose, it's going to be expensive so you just have to accept that and budget it in.  Midnight Sun Car and Rental has decent rates as compared to the National rental companies.  

Edited January 14 by AKJonesy

[Spork24]

1 hour ago, AKJonesy said:

This is kind of tough because you have not left yourself much time to do anything.  You will have to disembark in the morning which means that you can't check in somewhere until the afternoon.  I was going to suggest another place in Seward, but I don't think it's worth it with your time and you will just have to hassle the next day getting up to Anchorage.  

With the limited time you have, take the ship transfer up to Anchorage.  At least you will have a nice drive up and see some beautiful scenery.  Plus, you won't have to hassle with figuring out transportation.  

Find a place to stay in Anchorage (hotel, airbnb).  You are going to have plenty of daylight well into late evening so you could get a vehicle and head out from Anchorage for the afternoon/evening and the next day.  You really didn't mention your interests, and I could make some recommendations if I knew what you would like to do and your abilities.  Whatever you choose, it's going to be expensive so you just have to accept that and budget it in.  Midnight Sun Car and Rental has decent rates as compared to the National rental companies.  

Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately the two extra nights in Alaska was all our life schedule would allow.  
 

As far as our interests, we love “seeing the sites” during our travels, with nature being the focus of that for this trip.  In terms of activity, nothing too strenuous. But shorter easy hikes or walks are certainly doable. 
 

we looked at flightseeing from anchorage up to Denali, but I know the weather can have a big impact on the experience. 
 

honestly, I would be down to just relax in a room or cabin with an amazing view.  Seems like better views down towards Seward vs anchorage from what I’m seeing.

 

our domestic flight isn’t until 11:20 so we “could” technically drive up that morning if we did a one way rental or had an early morning transfer.

[torybruno]

You can stay in Anchorage and book a MICA guide tour that includes transportation from Anchorage.  It was hands down, the best excursion of our two trips to Alaska, the three hour glacier trek.  
I also believe there is a tour to Seward that includes transportation from Anchorage for the boat tour of Kenai Fjords.  Haven’t done that one yet, but it’s on the schedule for June, precruise.  

[nordicacres]

Keep watching for hotel cancelations in Seward. I was able to book a room at Harbor 360 on July 1st after checking their site randomly a few times per day for about a week. So it is possible, and dare I say likely, to grab a cancelation. We narrowed it down to Harbor 360 or Hotel Edgewater; both appear acceptable and get good reviews.

[Spork24]

12 minutes ago, nordicacres said:

Keep watching for hotel cancelations in Seward. I was able to book a room at Harbor 360 on July 1st after checking their site randomly a few times per day for about a week. So it is possible, and dare I say likely, to grab a cancelation. We narrowed it down to Harbor 360 or Hotel Edgewater; both appear acceptable and get good reviews.

 

Harbor 360 and Seward Gateway are both sold out.  Edgewater still has some rooms, but doesn't appeal to me as much as Harbor 360.....  I may end up booking Edgewater for 1 night and do the evening train to anchorage if I don't come up with something more fun.

[nordicacres]

I recommend doing that now because Hotel Edgewater offers free cancelation with no fees up to x days before check in. I was originally booked at Edgewater, but wanted to be closer to the marina. GL!

[Suzanne123]

We took the train from Seward and got off at Girdwood, spent a couple nights at Mt. Alyeska lodge and took a cab to the airport. Lots to see and do at the lodge.  Much nicer atmosphere than downtown Anchorage, IMO.  No need for a rental car.

[AKStafford]

What about this: get the early transfer to Anchorage that you can. If the cruise line is offering a train, that's nice too. When you get to Anchorage, pick up your rental car. Head towards the Matanuska Glacier and overnight in the area. Tundra Rose, Homestead Cabins or Sheep Mountain Lodge are all options. You'd probably have time for a drive into Hatcher Pass or up to Eklutna Lake. Or you could detour into the Butte and visit the Reindeer Farm.

The next day do a guided glacier hike. From there you could explore that MatSu Valley a little more, head to Talkeetna or head back to Anchorage, and then further south along the Turnagain Arm.

[Spork24]

3 hours ago, Suzanne123 said:

We took the train from Seward and got off at Girdwood, spent a couple nights at Mt. Alyeska lodge and took a cab to the airport. Lots to see and do at the lodge.  Much nicer atmosphere than downtown Anchorage, IMO.  No need for a rental car.

I would love to hear more about this.  I was considering this, but wasn't sure if we would still need a car.  Did you take the evening train?  (or did the cruise line operated one in the morning also stop?)  If so what did you do during the day in Seward and what did you do with your bags?  What all did you do in Alyeska?  

[AKJonesy]

The problem with STAYING in Girdwood at the Alyeska Hotel is going to be sticker shock.  I just checked and your two day stay is $1100 and trust me, as much as I love Alyeska, it is not worth it.  However, you could stay in a BnB but it is more conducive to having a car.  I didn't check on prices for Bnbs, but they will be probably half the price of Alyeska.  I'd give Midnight Sun and Car Rental a CALL and see what kind of prices they have on rental cars, then you can get out of town (Anchorage) and either head to the valley or down to Girdwood area.  Both the valley and Girdwood would be great options and you would not be disappointed.  If you do the rental car, I'd spend that last day out and about after your late check out since you have a late night flight.  Then, return the rental car before you head to the airport.  Also check Airbnb in Seward but look for a place close to downtown and not north of town.  

[Suzanne123]

I had already bought the train tickets, so after the cruise I took our bags over to the depot in Seward.  ( I can’t remember if the free bus dropped me at the depot or if I took a cab.  It isn’t far from the pier, but I know I wouldn’t have walked.) I had to tell them we were getting off at Girdwood so that they kept our bags separate from those going to Anchorage.  As I recall ( this was a few years ago, and we have been to Seward many times), the Kenai Fjords folks had a kiosk in the terminal, and they took my daughter to one of the Kenai fjords tours, and after dropping the bags, I went with Exit Glacier Guides out to the glacier and then walked around town.  DD and I met later and went to the Sealife Center, and then took the town shuttle back to the train depot.

We got off at the stop in Girdwood, and took the Girdwood Shuttle up to the lodge.

On that trip we only had two days at the lodge, so the next morning we took the 26 glacier tour in Whittier ( r/t bus from the lodge). The next day we rode the tram and hiked one of the trails behind the lodge.  The concierge arranged a cab to the airport ($125).

There are loads of things to do in the area. The concierge can arrange anything.  
https://www.alyeskaresort.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/alyeska-summer-activity-guide-2023.pdf

 

In May, we are flying in to Anchorage on a Wednesday and will stay at the lodge for four nights and boarding our cruise in Whittier on Sunday.

 

 

[Spork24]

6 minutes ago, AKJonesy said:

The problem with STAYING in Girdwood at the Alyeska Hotel is going to be sticker shock.  I just checked and your two day stay is $1100 and trust me, as much as I love Alyeska, it is not worth it.  However, you could stay in a BnB but it is more conducive to having a car.  I didn't check on prices for Bnbs, but they will be probably half the price of Alyeska.  I'd give Midnight Sun and Car Rental a CALL and see what kind of prices they have on rental cars, then you can get out of town (Anchorage) and either head to the valley or down to Girdwood area.  Both the valley and Girdwood would be great options and you would not be disappointed.  If you do the rental car, I'd spend that last day out and about after your late check out since you have a late night flight.  Then, return the rental car before you head to the airport.  Also check Airbnb in Seward but look for a place close to downtown and not north of town.  

Thanks for the advice.  My issue with rental car pricing is specific to picking up in Seward.  Once I get to anchorage via the train or transfer I can get really good pricing from National via my business rate.

 

I see what you are saying on the pricing for the hotel, but that doesn't really seem out of line vs the other hotels in Seward and/or anchorage for those dates....

 

I'm also looking into "glamping" near the Matanuska glacier, but I cant decide if we are still rugged enough for sleeping in a tent in Alaska with no heat (even in June).

[edinburgher]

On 1/14/2024 at 1:34 AM, Spork24 said:

so likely need to be in Anchorage or nearby by Tuesday evening.

Reading this quite recent thread could give you ideas from/around Anchorage as there are. several good suggestions on it.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2980981-anchorage-recommendations/#comment-66645100

 

[Spork24]

Hey guys.  I wanted to thank all of you for your ideas once more.  We ended up booking a rental car out of anchorage and a cabin up in Palmer for 2 nights.  We are going to do a ATV tour up to a glacier during our full day in Palmer.  We are using the cruise provided airport transfer.  Hoping they still do the train, but a motor coach wont be the end of the world.

 

We are a little more comfortable getting to the airport direct from Palmer Wednesday morning than we would be from Seward since its quite a bit closer.

 

Thanks again for all your help

[kjmcneil89]

On 1/14/2024 at 11:14 AM, Spork24 said:

 

Harbor 360 and Seward Gateway are both sold out.  Edgewater still has some rooms, but doesn't appeal to me as much as Harbor 360.....  I may end up booking Edgewater for 1 night and do the evening train to anchorage if I don't come up with something more fun.

If you're interested in taking a glacier/wildlife boat tour in Seward, both of those hotels package the day cruise with Major Marine and almost always have room available for that if you call them.