ali_fafa

my boyfriend & i are thinking about going to alaska in aug 2011 for 10-12 days. it will be our first time. we are young (31-33) and pretty fit so we could go on a completely do-it-yourself trip (we usually backpack – we enjoy traveling in places like peru, costa rica, morocco, Egypt, india. We enjoy public transportation but hate hostels….we we’re backpackers but with slightly higher standards.) but i think Alaska might be too vast for us to see a good portion of it in our allotted time frame. After reading a few forum discussions, it seems that a cruisetour is probably the best bet for us. My coworker’s sister & husband (in their late 20s) went on a cruise (no land tour) and had a blast. They are young and active. However, a few discussions among fodorites give me the impression that the cruise and/or cruisetour is really more suitable for families or the older set. Is this true or not always the case? Is there still fun to be had on a cruisetour?

I’ve done research on the princess & Holland America cruisetours. I realize Alaska is super expensive but I’ve never been on a cruise or cruisetour before & am not sure of hidden costs. Can someone tell me how much I should expect to spend for a 12 day cruisetour for 2 people? I’m wondering if we should wait a few years to do Alaska…like when we have some more $ saved up and less energy so we can really appreciate a cruisetour.

Orlando_Vic

There is another alternative beside a cruisetour.

Take your cruise (I'm assuming 7 days, Inside Passage)and then add on your own land extension without paying the cruise line's markup (which can be considerable). You'll actually have more freedom in a rental car and with an itinerary of your choosing...and le$$ cost to you.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Amere

We met some people that live in Alaska and they recommended the best way to see Alaska was to fly there directly, spend as much time as you can taking in the sights you are interested in, and then take a 2-3 day cruise from there that still allows you to see glaciers so you would not be missing that part. Sounds like a good option - hoping to do this next year. Have an amazing time!

BudgetQueen

NO way would I recommend a cruisetour for you. The most significant reason, is, it's way to restrictive and limited.

I would suggest a one way cruise, with HAL or RCI/Celebrity an edge for getting Seward. Spend a day in Seward and take the train to/from Anchorage- direct booked. The Kenai Fjords boat tours are highlights.

In Anchorage, rent a car. This opens up all the opportunites for hiking, cheaper lodging and food options. Big plus.

Denali Park is at least a 2 night stop. Staying in Healy is a cheaper option. I like the Denali Park Hotel, nice clean basic lodging. Then book yourself on the park shuttle bus to at least Eielson. If there extended, plenty of hiking options, and you can get three entrys paying for 2.

This works out well with 12 days, and an overnight flight home. IF more of interior Alaska is of interest, then skip the cruise.

You need to decide these points first, then repost if you need any further information on planning.

NatalieM

We've been to Alaska a number of times. The inland passage and the interior are really different trips. Probably the best and only way to see both in your timeframe would be a one-way cruise as suggested above. My favorite trip so far, however, was about ten years ago when we traveled the Inside Passage on the ferry system. My concern with a cruise was that we wouldn't have time to explore the area on each stop, and that it would be so, well, cruisey. Instead, we flew into Ketchikan for a few days, then took the ferry north, spending several days each in Sitka, then Haines. Rented a car in each spot (traveling with a car on the ferry is super expensive) and stayed at b & b's. I also wanted to see glacier bay but couldn't figure out how to do it on our budget...We ended up taking a flightseeing trip out of Haines that remains one of the highlights of my life! From Haines we drove up into the Yukon and down to Skagway...spectacular drive. Then took the ferry from Skagway to Juneau. While there we did a two-night tour to Pack Creek Bear Observatory, Tracy Arm, etc. (camping trip). Then flew home from Juneau. The ferry was really fun...you can rent tiny cabins for cheap, and backpackers pitch tents on the deck. Given your timeframe this wouldn't allow you time to see Denali & the interior...but if I had to choose I'd pick the passage. This would NOT be a good plan if you don't really enjoy the planning stage, as it was a logistical challenge, dare I say nightmare, but well worth it. We were on a limited budget and this was by far the best bang for the buck. All the places you visit are small towns, so very easy to maneuver on your own, and there's tons of info on-line. If you're interested in the ferry system, everything you need to know is at www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/. That being said, cruise prices are so good right now that it might be cheaper to just take a cruise, but you will have limited time at each port and every activity costs a lot extra. Much cheaper to plan your own itinerary, provided that you have the time to plan! I'd be happy to share more info if you want to e-mail me directly.

OSUbuckeye

If you enjoy backpacking, I highly recommend some time spent in the Kennicott/McCarthy area of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It contains 9 of the 16 highest peaks in North America. My husband & I spent 3 days at the Kennicott Glacier Lodge (Buy 1 night, get l free w/ the Great Alaska Tour Saver)& it was the high point of our trip. We only regret going there before visiting Denali as nothing at Denali compared to our experience in the Wrangell-St. Elias Mountains. We left our car at Copper River Princess Lodge & took a 4 hour shuttle the 60 miles to Kennicott. It is very remote & you can fly there, but the McCarthy road was an adventure itself. We took a flightseeing trip while we were there, hiked Root Glacier, hiked up to Bonanza Mine & saw black bears and also toured the Kennicott Mine. We dream about going back to this beautiful part of Alaska that is definitely off the beaten tourist track & represents the true Alaska.