tram1002

My husband and I are planning a cruise to Alaska in the summer of 2008. It's on the Diamond Princess - the ports include Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Whittier, then cruisetour to Mt. McKinley, Denali and Fairbanks.
What excursions or places are a "must see"? We may never get back to Alaska, so we want to experience as much as possible. We chose Princess because it's considered a luxury cruise. Thank you for your responses!

Debi

I just got back from Alaska - went with Celebrity - LOVED it!!!! Anyway, I recommend you go over to cruisecritic.com - they have a whole Alaska thread, and there is everything you ever wanted to know - plus you can put your name on the Princess roll call for your sailing date, and start meeting people that are going on your same cruise. Alaska was gorgeous - and I assume you're doing the train through Denali to Fairbanks - LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT!!! Definitely plan on going to Vancouver a few days early - great city....

Giovanna

We took a very enjoyable whale watch in Juneau with lots of sightings.

Highly recommend the White Pass & Yukon train trip in Skagway. Fun riding on the train and the scenery was gorgeous.

BudgetQueen

I STRONGLY suggest you CAREFULLY go over your cruisetour, that you booked. Factor in everything, including times in transit and make sure you know everything about what you have purchased. Most people don't.

At all costs, you DO NOT want a cruisetour that includes the Natural History tour- IF you want scenery and wildlife- or think you want, what you see in the brochures. In my opinion, it is a completely worthless tour.

Sorry, but Princess in not considered a "luxury" cruise by me. It is mainstream and large like most all the others. They do do a good job in Alaska, but if you want personal service and luxury, this probably is going to fall short of expectations.

Consider some smaller, and most costly lines, if this is a priority.

jacketwatch

Actually we cruised the Sapphire Princess which is the Damonds sister ship and she is a beaut. I think you will really enjoy that ship Luxury cruise lines include Regent, Crystal, Seaborne and a few others I suppose. Princess is considered one of the mass market lines but we have always found their service to be very good so I think you will be fine with them. Do look over what tours appeal to you the most as there are many and are varied. Popular tours, just to name a few are coptering to the Mendenhall glacier in Junea and the White Pass RR trip in Skagway. However do look over what is offered to make the best choice for you. Cheers, Larry

Dreps

We took a terrific cruise on Regent's Mariner a couple of years ago. I'd be happy to send you a review. We did our own tour in the Denali area before the cruise (with the help of Budget Queen). It's very simple in Alaska. As others have said, Princess may do a good job in Alaska, but it is not considered a luxury cruise line. If you want a more personal, all-inclusive experience on a sizable ship with beautiful cabins, great food, and relatively few passengers consider Regent. [email protected].

togetherforever

If ever I return to Alaska, the Diamond Princess would be my carrier. From NCL's Pearl(casino boat atmosphere), we watched the Diamond Princess' swan dance. Ever so graceful in appearance, even the passengers seemed well relaxed. On the Inside Passage, Taku Lodge in Juneau is a must. Contact Mr. Kos @ Southeast Aviation in Ketchikan for a floatplane tour and discount. The White Pass Yukon Railway into Canada is historically scenic, but a 3 to 8 mile hike and WPYR is exciting! Go to GOOGLE, then click VIDEOS, and search for ULTIMATE ADVENTURES or just ALASKA. Free videos abound. OR GOOGLE IMAGES, then type ALASKA. Keep in mind, pictures never show the magnitude of God's creation in Alaska. Only the mind's eye can capture the true beauty of a place so far from reality. After the cruise, Alaska will haunt you as a long lost love on the seas of life; ever wooing you back with her song.

Theresa

Princess does an awesome job in Alaska. Princess, HAL and Celebrity are considered "premium lines".

FYI - Crystal (luxury line) does not sail to Alaska and hasn't for several years.

marilee12

We jsut got off the diamond princess alaska cruise a week ago....it was great! We had an amazing time. We booked all our excursions on our own. We also went up early about a week before and went to Denali for a few nights, and the kenai penn. I would definatley do a whalt watching trip in Juneau with Marv and Harv. Only 6 people on the boat and they pick you up and take you back. Then do a temsco helicopter trip - Pilot's choice...amazing. My husband also did a float plane trip in Ketchiken, but preferred the helicopter trip. We also did classic tours in Ketchiken with a lady who has lived there for 30 years. We enjoyed seeing the back streets, etc. of their town. Doing the tours alone also gave us the feeling of not being with a huge group in these small towns. There will be 3-5 cruise ships in port each day. Try booking Denali and Mt Mckinley on your own and you will save ALOT of money. It is very easy. I got tour saver coupon book and got 2 for the price of one for the same train and stayed at the same princess hotel for a fraction of the cost. Check it out.

marilee12

email me with any questions. [email protected]