I'm starting to look into an Alaskan cruise for my family (husband and 2 college age kids) for late May 2010. (grad family trip) We've never been on a cruise or to Alaska and I need help with cruise line (I hear the smaller boats can navigate the water better)and itinerary. Would you recommend a cruise then train to Denali? Many thanks for your time!

We'll let you know in about a month. We depart on Sept 22 for a 14 day cruise to Alaska and points south on the return trip on Celebrity Millenium We've never been there and are so excited. I have family who did the cruisetour from Fairbanks up to Denali and connected with Millenium in Seward and some of their comments are below

"Basics--from MY viewpoint Alaska was exactly what I thought it was going to be. Vastness, sparsely populated, interesting residents. We saw Mt. McKinley 3 times (three of the four sides)

Our land pre cruise tours were nice but a bit to tame. The Fairbanks sternwheeler trip was only highlighted by seeing a musher demo (from the ship) WOW those dogs sure are energetic. The 9 hour Danali trip was good in the fact that we saw Wolverine, Grizzly Bears, Dall Sheep, Moose and Caribou--with an assortment of small critters. Saw a male bear go after two 1.5 year baby bears with mama warding off the attack--not sure what the people on the bus would have done if the male had been successful.
Our bus driver and guide both had many interesting stories to tell, including the need for the infamous bridge to nowhere.

The cruise trip portion was a good experience, prompting carol to express a desire to go on similar "sailings'. The on board shown demos etc where very well delivered. The food was good and copious--I'll never understand with all the good food why some folk could not wait to get a hamburg. The Scagway train tour was OK-4 hours on a trip to nowhere looking at a hundred feet of old walking trail used by the gold rush miners a hundred years ago. We had panned for gold 10 years ago but at least we found $17 worth --which could be placed in a 35 dollar locket.The Glacier walk was super and I'll save comments on that with the holiday message. The Misty Fjords air/boat trip was also quite good, but saw no mist--you may recall we could not book that trip through Celebrity (so I paid $100 less) directly to the shore vendor--seamless dock transfer for that tour activity--Spent (lost) the savings at a 3 dollar blackjack table. I think Steve could handle all the things we did except 2 hours of walking on the Mendenhall Glacier/Juneau Ice field--only 4 people showed up for that one (two 20 somethings and Carol and I). The Icy Straits Point stop was a tourist trap--but Carol and I went whaling, seeing many whales, several in full breach of the water.

Special things: A super dinner at the ships specialty Olympic" restaurant. I do not believe they were more than 2/3 rds full on any night. Had the best Riesling wine in my life that night. Met a German couple and became quick friends with them and we were invited to Berlin, when we next visit Europe-- a few more such meetings an we will not need to stay in hotels while visiting that continent. The wait staff at the hotels were from Eastern Europe and several were happy to make comments on things to see in Serbia, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, etc. We had 17 different staff nationalities onboard the ship. Our visit to the Buchart Gardens in Victoria was super. And had some great tasting at the Granville City market in Vancouver--whose population how in 51 percent Asian.

Hi mtnestr -

We did a cruise on Princess and then rented a car for a week of hiking/camping in Seward and Denali. How much time do you have? With 4 people, it might be more convenient to rent a car than take the train.

What are your interests? We felt the cruise was a great way to see part of Alaska and do some fun excursions (whale watching, flightseeing, hiking).

I thought the do-it-yourself cruise then land trip was a great way to go, but I don't know anything about what you hope to get out of the trip, so take it with a grain of salt.

We did Alaska trip in June with me, DH and 18 and 22 year old kids.

Flew into Anchorage and spent one week in rental car on land - half at Denali, half in Seward. This was the perfect split of time and scenery.

Then took Princess cruise Whittier-Vancouver. Lots to see, plenty to do. Spent 3 days in Vancouver post-cruise, which was also a good choice.

One thing to factor in - even though we knew Alaska was expensive and that the excursions on the cruise were what made it special - the cost of the land portion and the excursions was far more than we had anticipated - some things like the helicopter landing on glacier I would do again in a minute - butr it cost the 4 of us many hundreds of dollars to do so.

This will be my first Alaskan Cruise too. My family and I leave in 2 weeks. I can't wait to see Vancouver and our cruise. There are a lot of cruise lines that do this. My advice is to do research on them and find out which offers fits your description. I'm sorry to say, I won't be doing the train ride in one of the ports. I heard that is the best of the best in an Alaskan Cruise adventure.

I suggest you educate yourself all about Alaska, before you jump into bookings. Head to your library and take out Fodor's Alaska, Frommer's Alaska and Alaska by Cruiseship. With a late May timeframe, I only suggest you consider a one way NORTHBOUND trip since you mention Denali Park. You want an entrance into Denali after June 1 in my opinion, so to get into the park. The train is limiting, can't stop along the way and costly for a group of 4. You may want to consider a car rental, or RV?? Which works out perfectly with families in Alaska. TIME is important, don't underestimate distances and time needed for attractions. Denali Park needs at least 2 nights and 2 transit days, in my opinion. Adding Seward is excellent to also consider, along with many other wonderful Alaska areas.

We took Holland America a few years ago. Some things may have changed, but things like weather do not. We went north from Vancouver at the end of July. The weather was great,but don't underestimate the cold. On deck, facing glaciers, it was cold. A sweater and light jacket didn't quite make. Part of our trip involved a cruise on a small tour boat down the Kenai peninsula and it was wonderful, but cold. really cold. The train from Anchorage to Fairbanks was not to be missed. Driving yourself, I think misses a great deal. Spend as much time as you can on a trip inside the park. Another reason to go near the summer solstice is that the days are very long and it is fascinating to see light at midnight. WE were on the Statendam and really enjoyed it.