laurachr Posted November 1, 2006 #1 Share Posted November 1, 2006 i'm in the early stages of planning an alaska cruise for 2008. i'll probably be with a group of maybe 10. i want to do a land portion. i've quickly learned that the majority of you would recommend doing it independently. i'm thinking it would be alot easier to use a pkg deal (although, i recognize this isn't the ideal) with a large group. so my question is: are there any of you who have done a land package(through a cruiseline) and would recommend it? or maybe should i think about a land package through an independent company? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 1, 2006 #2 Share Posted November 1, 2006 The key with a cruiseline tour is to go for as long as you can afford. It is way more enjoyable to have 2 nights at locations and not be on buses and trains the entire time. You can also look at http://www.toursaver.com, I do believe they have another train/Denali park coupon this year??? Look at small tour operators, http://www.explorenorth.com can perhaps offer some ideas as well?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Posted November 1, 2006 #3 Share Posted November 1, 2006 With a group that large, also check out charters such as Eagle Custom Tours, which has a small bus and excellent driver/guide/owner - http://www.arctic.net/~eagle/ That may give you the best of both worlds - packaged, but to your exact specs. Murray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caligirl_41 Posted November 1, 2006 #4 Share Posted November 1, 2006 i'm in the early stages of planning an alaska cruise for 2008. i'll probably be with a group of maybe 10. i want to do a land portion. i've quickly learned that the majority of you would recommend doing it independently. i'm thinking it would be alot easier to use a pkg deal (although, i recognize this isn't the ideal) with a large group. so my question is: are there any of you who have done a land package(through a cruiseline) and would recommend it? or maybe should i think about a land package through an independent company? I took the Princess land tour this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I stayed one night in Fairbanks, Denali and Mt. McKinley. My only suggestion would be as BQ states; stay at least 2 nights. At least, in Denali. Princess has their act together. They made it very easy for me with my two elderly mothers. I needed to be able to stay with the mothers and not worry about transfers, tours, flights, hotels, etc. The mothers had a fabulous time. So did I, but I will be returning in 2008 to do Alaska independently, with my sister. Yep that is how beautiful Alaska is. It's worth a few return trips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 1, 2006 #5 Share Posted November 1, 2006 I took the Princess land tour this year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I stayed one night in Fairbanks, Denali and Mt. McKinley. My only suggestion would be as BQ states; stay at least 2 nights. At least, in Denali. Princess has their act together. They made it very easy for me with my two elderly mothers. I needed to be able to stay with the mothers and not worry about transfers, tours, flights, hotels, etc. The mothers had a fabulous time. So did I, but I will be returning in 2008 to do Alaska independently, with my sister. Yep that is how beautiful Alaska is. It's worth a few return trips. Also be well informed, a lot of Princess cruisetours have the Natural History tour only, completly lacking in my opinion since you only get in as far as the public road- 16 out of 90 miles. My min. distance in is Fish Creek mile 63 for me, never would ever consider any less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurachr Posted November 1, 2006 Author #6 Share Posted November 1, 2006 will princess or holland cruise tours allow you to switch from the natural history tour to the regular shuttle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted November 1, 2006 #7 Share Posted November 1, 2006 will princess or holland cruise tours allow you to switch from the natural history tour to the regular shuttle? Princess, in the past has been noted to refund. BUT you need the time at Denali Park for longer buses in. One night cruisetours are not ideal for this. Most of HAL cruisetours include the Tundra Wilderness tour, which is to mile 53. A few Princess cruisetours also include it, read all the details of tours of interest to you. Factor in all transit time, it is significant on shorter cruisetours. It pays to go for as long as you can afford. If you do get the refund, then you would just book the shuttle bus yourself. Princess does not do this for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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