Help with Princess Alaska cruise
 

My wife and I are taking the 13 night, Explorer: Copper River, Princess Cruise.
Has anyone taken this cruise?
We'd greatly appreciate any feedback or tips.
Or any useful links/photos.
This is the longest, and probably the most expensive vacation we've ever taken (to celebrate our 20th anniversary) and we'd like to make the most of it.
Thanks

First, get into the roll call in Cruise Critics. You have to register to be a member first, and it is free. The roll call goes by ship, and then departure date. If tehre isnt one started yet, start your own. Cruise critics also offers lots of reviews. The link to the roll call is below:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=106,

If you want to see some pictures. The link below is mine. From there, you can also find Alaska pictures from anyone else who posted their pictures at webshot as public.
http://community.webshots.com/user/e_s_c_h_e_w

Provide a bit more info about your trip or ask more specific questions and you will get more replies.

What actually is your itinerary and when?? The problem with Princess is their tour descriptions are very misleading and vague. Unfortunately with some of the Copper River itineraries, they take you on the fast ferry to Valdez, which misses out on all the scenic sailing, and then, no time in Valdez, which is very worthwhile. Another problem area is Denali Park- do NOT consider any itinerary with the Natural History tour- IF you want wildlife. I can't for the life of me, understand the selling of this tour anyway. It takes HOURS to get to Denali park, and everything about it is IN THE PARK and this tour- NHT, doesn't cut it. :( What a waste.

Another area- McKinley lodge has no activities, main reason, is a "holding area". Certainly superb with a McKinley view, but that is rare, less than 30% of the time. Nearest town is Talkeetna 50 miles away- so if going there plan carefully so as to not do the transfer more than once.

Budget 50% more for meals than you do at home, good ball park amount.

Be prepared to ride backward, 50% chance, if taking the train. Princess has table seating, so 4 people are assigned to sit together.

Plan all your port touring in advance. Make good choices for your priorities, the selections are endless. :)

Thanks very much for the tips and the links. I should have listed our itinerary.
May 29 - Board Coral Princess at Vancouver
May 30 - At Sea
Jun 1 - Juneau 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Jun 2 - Skagway 7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Jun 3 - Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising 6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Jun 4 - College Fjord Scenic Cruising 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Jun 5 - Catammaran: Whittier to Valdez; Coach to Copper River Lodge for 2 nights
Jun 6 - Day at leisure
Jun 7 Coach: Copper River to Denali 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - 2 nights at Denali Wilderness Lodge
Jun 8 Morning at leisure; Natural History Tour 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. or afternoon at leisure
Jun 9 - Morning at leisure; Rail to Mckinley Princess Lodge - 1 night
Jun 10 - Morning at leisure; Coach: McKinley to Anchorage 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. - 1 night at hotel in Anchorage.
Hmm...seems busy just keying this in. Oh well.