Review: Vancouver, Island Princess Landtour, Denali & Fairbanks

[shamrockace]

Thank you so much Eileen for you starting the last chapter in a terrific book. I hadn't read much about the discovery boat in Fairbanks and was a little worried. You've relieved my fears!

[wannasail4ever]

Eileen - great review! You've answered alot of questions that I have not seen addressed on these boards. We're starting out in Fairbanks for 2 days and then heading by train to Denail with HAL for a couple of days before heading to Anchorage and on to Seward for the Kenai Fjords National Park boat trip. Thanks for making your review so detailed!

 

I have a Canon Powershot G2 4mp/3x and a Canon Rebel XTi (10mp) DSLR. However, I'm not so sure that I want to invest in a 400mm lens with IS. That's more than the camera. What 12x camera did you use? I too want to get excellent shots of animals. I had thought I could always use a tripod with my 300 mm lens (no IS), but you've convinced me that I'm wrong! I did not realize that on the Tundra tour that you could not get off of the bus. So which side of the bus do you advise sitting on? And also, going South from Fairbanks, which side of the train do you suggest?

 

We leave on June 9 for our 14 cruise/tour on the Volendam, so you've helped to futher psych me up. Thanks!

 

Macy

[irisheileen]

Eileen - great review! You've answered alot of questions that I have not seen addressed on these boards. We're starting out in Fairbanks for 2 days and then heading by train to Denail with HAL for a couple of days before heading to Anchorage and on to Seward for the Kenai Fjords National Park boat trip. Thanks for making your review so detailed!

 

I have a Canon Powershot G2 4mp/3x and a Canon Rebel XTi (10mp) DSLR. However, I'm not so sure that I want to invest in a 400mm lens with IS. That's more than the camera. What 12x camera did you use? I too want to get excellent shots of animals. I had thought I could always use a tripod with my 300 mm lens (no IS), but you've convinced me that I'm wrong! I did not realize that on the Tundra tour that you could not get off of the bus. So which side of the bus do you advise sitting on? And also, going South from Fairbanks, which side of the train do you suggest?

 

We leave on June 9 for our 14 cruise/tour on the Volendam, so you've helped to futher psych me up. Thanks!

 

Macy

 

First off-I love your name!

I bought the Panasonic DMC-FZ7 and love it. It was perfect for me, a newbie with a nicer camera. The IS was one of the most important and used features on our Alaska trip. When you are in Denali or Mendenhall searching for the bear that was hanging around, you have to be spontaneous-not pulling out a tripod.

Either side of the bus is fine because you'll be coming and going! I thought it was more important to sit closer to the front were I could ask the driver questions. Once, the driver was stopped while we were looking at a family of Blonde Grizzly bears. She opened the doors and allowed me to momentarily sit on the steps (inside the bus). I got great shots that way because nobody's head was in the way!

 

I wasn't impressed by the scenary on the train ride from Denali to Fairbanks. The beginning, going North, was interesting and the best seat would have been on the right as we headed out of Denali. So, going south the seat on the left would be the best, but you'll have assigned seating! I just got up and took shots from the platform.

 

I wish I was going to the Kenai! That will be our next Alaska trip. someday...sigh....

Eileen

[cjnky]

You must be the one on this board that convinced me to get a Panasonic DMC-FZ7 :D So far I love it, but it hasn't been put to a REAL test yet. I'm trying to figure out what you're referring to here:

The IS was one of the most important and used features on our Alaska trip.

 

If it's that important, I guess I need to be figuring it out!! :eek:

[irisheileen]

You must be the one on this board that convinced me to get a Panasonic DMC-FZ7 :D So far I love it, but it hasn't been put to a REAL test yet. I'm trying to figure out what you're referring to here:

 

 

If it's that important, I guess I need to be figuring it out!! :eek:

 

The IS=Image Stabilizer.

 

When you are shooting wildlife at a distance, you will be zooming in 12x, possibly. Just imagine how shakey and blurry those pics would be without a built-in image stabilizer! I used Mode 2 instead of mode 1. I forget why now but I believe that it was recommended by an online reviewer for some reason!

I practiced with my then 4year old grandson who is a ball of energy. We also had the occasional family of deer and I practiced on them running through the neigborhood! Worked great for the whale watch and Denali.

 

Also helpful was figuring out how to shoot "continuously" for whale watching and tracking cariboo walking. I have the most FABULOUS series of whale pics shot continuously while he was fluking in and out of the water!!! I did this by pressing 1/2 way down on the exposure button to set the autofocus. then is hold this focus until you see the whale again. then press down all the way and keep it down as long as it will let you. You'll get a shot somehow within these series of pics.

[cjnky]

Thanks! I've used the stabilizer on some zoom shots, and it really did surprise me how well it worked! I really appreciate the advice on the continuous shots - I'll be practicing that one. ;) (Is that the same thing as "burst" that I've read about?)

[irisheileen]

Thanks! I've used the stabilizer on some zoom shots, and it really did surprise me how well it worked! I really appreciate the advice on the continuous shots - I'll be practicing that one. ;) (Is that the same thing as "burst" that I've read about?)

 

Yes, burst-that's it! There are two options within that setting, I believe. I used the one that gave the most pics for the longest time, even though it used up a lot of power. I could always use my backup battery!

[Bily]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are amazing. I am enjoying reading your "book". It is just like reading a favorite book. Just can't wait to get to the next chapter. If you are not an author you certainly should think about it. Amazing. I just love love love it. I haven't read about your land based holiday yet but I am looking forward to reading it. I just have to take a break and let my eyes rest. You mentioned about posting your pictures. Did you do that, I must have missed it or maybe it was in with your land based review. I would love to see them. We are sailing from Vancouver on May 2oth. Thanks to you (and many more posters) I have been glued to my computer lately trying to absorb as much info as I possibly can. Now after reading about your cruise portion I can almost see those whales and glaciers. Can't wait to see them first hand. If you could point me towards your post of pics, I would just love it.

Thanks a million.

Bev

[jules71]

Eileen

 

Thank you for an amazing review. You have many great tips and it was fun reading--I am even more excited to go. Jules

[wow]

Eileen, wow thanks for all the great info and the enjoyable reading!! We leave in 5 weeks for our 2 week Alaska adventure. I am going crazy putting everything together, but because of these posting we have decided to do 1 week in Anchorage on our own with a rent a car before our SB cruise.

[Bily]

Eileen seems to be unavailable. Maybe someone else could help me. Does anyone know where she has posted her pictures. I would love to see them. Thanks:)

[irisheileen]

Eileen seems to be unavailable. Maybe someone else could help me. Does anyone know where she has posted her pictures. I would love to see them. Thanks:)

 

I have my Alaska pictures in Adobe and I had trouble posting them on a web site. I think it may be "me"! I forget, now, what the problem was but I was trying to find a way to post my slideshow with music added. I also ALWAYS had trouble putting pics of any kind onto email. I got so frustrated that I gave up. Adobe ALWAYS stopped short of sending them over.

I'm willing to try it again if someone would give me a tutoral from the "Complete Guide to Web Posting for Idiots"! (I am proud of my pics!)

Eileen

[wannasail4ever]

Eileen - Don't know which Adobe you're in, I always use Adobe Photoshop. Possibly it's because you've saved the photos as tiff files in 300dpi. That's the best form for printing on your own. If this is the case, maybe they're (the files) are just too large to upload to some of these site. Not really sure - just a thought.

 

Macy

[Retired 07]

Eileen,

I've just finished reading your entire review, and it was like enjoying a great story. I especially enjoyed your passion for Alaska.

My wife and I will be taking our first cruise next month on the Island Princess. It will be our honeymoon, and we are SOOO excited!!! (even more so since reading your review). I will be going over it again, and making notes on some of your recommendations.

We will be doing essentially the same cruise tour as you did, except southbound. Fairbanks, 2 nights in Denali, then the train to the ship.

We've already booked a kayaking excursion in Ketchican, and whale watching in Juneau. Skagway is still up in the air. We want to make sure we leave enough time to see each port.

Thanks again for bumping up your review, it was a pleasure to read.

[tapia]

Eileen,

 

I've been a reader since the beginning--glad I kept the subscription going now.

 

I'd love to see your pictures since I bought a camera just for Alaska as well. I've been trying to learn to use it, but it takes a lot of work....

 

Did you go to snapfish.com or some of those sites, register, and then pick the pictures to upload? It's a free site for storing pictures and I'd LOVE to see them as well :-)

 

Good luck! and thanks again!

[picruiser]

Eileen, We bought the camera too !! My husband and I were practicing with the camera the other day, as I had him running around the kitchen and I was taking "action" shots....getting ready for the whales and bears!!! We're leaving on our cruisetour on June 20, on the Coral Princess. I printed out this whole thread !! It's 33 pages long!! Great suggestions and a great review.....:D

[scottam]

Eileen,

Thanks for the great review! I was having trouble visualizing the area around Denali Princess Lodge - I just figured it was out in the middle of nowhere with nothing else around. Your description of the area really helped me visualize things. Thanks for the tip on picking up sandwiches for the bus ride.

 

A question ... you mentioned ending your tour with a visit to see the dogsled demonstrations. Did the bus drop you off there? And if so, how did you get back to the lodge-the shuttle?

 

Thanks again for a great report!

[Aussie Gal]

Eileen,

 

I have just found your wonderful review of your Alaskan trip last July. We are in the process of planning a similar trip for next year and I am still in the learning stage of what to see and do. We too are going to do a Cruisetour.

 

I have cut and pasted your review and am now going outside in the lovely sunshine to read the diary. Thanks so much for spending the time and effort in giving us an insight into your adventure in Alaska.

 

If I have any questions after reading I will get back to you. By the way I have the Panasonic DMC TZ1 and love it. I bought it last year before we cruised up the Amazon and the photos are amazing, especially long distance as it has the stabilizer built in and has a 10X digital zoom.

 

Jennie

[Aussie Gal]

Eileen,

 

I have just finished reading your wonderful 21 page diary and I do have a few questions to ask.

 

First of all, could you give me the email address for Misty Fiords Floatplane in Ketchikan and what sort of price we would be expected to pay.

 

Secondly, the email address for Whalewatching with Captain Larry and also the price and

 

Thirdly, the email address for the helicoptor ride and dog sledding in Juneau. Again what is the cost for this excurison.

 

This will be our one and only time to Alaska and as it is such a long journey from home, we want to see as much as possible. Can you or anyone tell me how does one choose which Land cruise tour to do having decided on the port of embarkation and the ship we want to cruise on.

 

We are not limited to time but do not want to feel as though we are wasting days doing nothing if we decide to take one of the longer tours eg. 8 days.

I would appreciate any input into this decision as we are complete novices in this area of the world.

 

Jennie

[nisky]

Eileen,

Just wondering if you would fill us in on the El Dorado Gold Mine and the Alaska pipeline. Was the latter a part of a land tour or did you visit it on your own? Thanks for your informative review.

nisky

[wannasail4ever]

Aussie Gal - Macy here. We are doing a Holland America 14 day #18 Southbound cruise/tour beginning in Fairbanks on June 9, 2007. The reason that we chose HAL is because they do AK so well and we have traveled with them 7 times and love the excellent food and service. We are young 50 and feel that we like their upscale experience. Don't get me wrong, we also have cruised with Princess, Celebrity, RCCL, Carnival and NCL. Don't think we've ever had a bad cruise and this will be number 20. So, in order to pick one out, I say get all of the brochures from the different lines and LOOK AT the photos well. They typically show the ages of passengers on the trip. HAL has been known as an older person's cruiseline, but.......I don't really find this to be true. AK will have many families on the cruise because it's summer vacation. As for the tour part..... I wanted to make certain that we were in Denali for a great length of time 2.5 days. (Wanted to make sure that we "at Least" got to do the Tundra Tour and a whitewater rafting canyon run. I also wanted to be certain to make it to the Kenai Fjords Nat'l Park. This is included on this tour and these are 2 must-do things for AK. Just do your research on the AK board and ask lots of ???s. There are lots of people here willing to help.

 

As for the websites, we are doing Captain Larry's Whalewatching Adventure and also the Misty Fjords Floatplane. You may also want to look at the WhitePass/Yukon bus/railroad trip in Skagway if that's on your itinerary.

 

Orca Adventures (Captain Larry): http://www.orcaenterprises.com We are paying $103.95 pp for the 3 1/2 hr. trip

Misty Fjords Floatplanes: http://www.southeastaviation.com Jim Kosmos is the owner and they are giving an early bird discount at $189. pp for the Misty Fjords Nat'l Monument Flightseeing Tour. It's a 1 hr. 30 min. trip and does land on water.

Chilkoot Charters: http://www.chilkootcharters.com Kathy or Larry

Pierce

 

All of these charter companies get great reviews on cruisecritic.

 

Good Luck!

 

Macy

[xanadu seeker]

I so appreciate your in detail review. I leave on the same trip in 50 days and your review was so wonderful to read. Thank you for taking the time to put it all down.

[Aussie Gal]

Macy,

 

Thanks so much for helping answer some of my questions. I also posted on the HAL Board but I don't think many on that Board have done the Cruise Tours mainly just the cruise.

 

We are HAL Mariners of over 100 days so know their ships well. We have also cruised on Princess a few times so either line is fine with us for Alaska as I know that both of these have the best Cruise Tours. We are also young 60 pluses and very fit and healthy. We never use the elevators when cruising only the stairs and are not overweight.

 

Unfortunately down here, it is not easy to get the brochures for the Cruise Tours so I have had to download what I can from the net and learn from C.C.

 

Since Friday, I have been doing some research and do know that we want to stay in Denali longer than a day and also want to do the Tundra Tour. I did find one Princess tour of 8 days that does include it plus it will take us further north and is fully escorted which is one of the advantages of the HAL tours. As the prices are both similar, except that Princess does have the mini suites which are larger than the verandah cabins on the S and R ships of HAL, there is not a lot between them. We do not want to go on the mega ships, only the Coral and Island Princess and the Ryndam, Statendam class of ship of HAL.

 

Any input at all will be a big help in making our decision. We do know we want to do the Southbound cruise and finish in Vancouver.

 

Thanks for your reply, I have printed it out.

 

Jennie

[irisheileen]

 

 

A question ... you mentioned ending your tour with a visit to see the dogsled demonstrations. Did the bus drop you off there? And if so, how did you get back to the lodge-the shuttle?

 

Thanks again for a great report!

 

When the TWT is returning to the Denali Lodge, the driver will ask who wants to be dropped off to go to the Dog Sled area. I think that there was one connection between, I'm not sure! (do your homework beforehand to make sure that you will arrive before the scheduled exhibition). When you are done, the shuttle will take you back to the Denali Wilderness Lodge.

[irisheileen]

Eileen,

 

I've been a reader since the beginning--glad I kept the subscription going now.

 

I'd love to see your pictures since I bought a camera just for Alaska as well. I've been trying to learn to use it, but it takes a lot of work....

 

Did you go to snapfish.com or some of those sites, register, and then pick the pictures to upload? It's a free site for storing pictures and I'd LOVE to see them as well :-)

 

Good luck! and thanks again!

 

I'm gonna try again! (well, after I get all my mulching done!)