Is this reasonable - after 3 nites at Denali, have 3 nites prior to cruise. Day 1 - drive all the way from Denali to Homer. Stay there. Then work back towards Anchorage, where we need to return car, staying second night at Seward and third night in or near Anchorage? We don't mind staying in 3 different places, since we will have just had 3 nites at one place at Denali and then will be 7 nites on cruise.

You would probably be better off staying in just seward or just homer. You could stay at Alyeska for one of those nights as it is on your way. Consider taking the train on your return from Seward to Anchorage.

If we just stayed in Seward, considering the limited time we have, would we miss much? Train from Seward to Anchorage sounds appealing, but car needs to to back to Anchorage airport and that is where we expect to pick up transfer to Whittier for cruise.

Hoping to stay at Alyeska Sunday night (cruise leaves Monday). Thanks.

Are you looking to mainly drive around for 3 days, or do you want to get out of the car and explore places? Your plan is a lot of driving. You will spend much of your time in the car for those 3 days. Also, you will cover the same area, Anchorage to almost Whittier, 3 times by the cruise departure with your plan. Anchorage to Homer is a long drive. The roads are 2 lanes, and it's not interstate driving. You are likely to get stuck at times behind RVs and trucks. Also, there's usually road construction going on somewhere in the summer. Distances that seem quite doable in the lower 48 tend to take much longer in Alaska.
I would probably just go to Seward for a couple of nights and spend a night at Alyeska.

Thanks again - I know it is a lot of driving. Obviously we do not want to just do a drive-by of the state, so it seems to make sense to limit to Seward and then last night at Alyeska. It would be a lot easier if we did not have to go back to Anchorage, but that seems unavoidable.

Just from Anchorage to Homer is about a 5 hour drive. But the prettiest part of the drive is between Anchorage and almost to Seward along the Turnagain Arm. I would stop at Independence Mine which is north of Anchorage near Wasilla on my way back from Denali. (Assume you have also stopped in Talkeetna). Maybe get to Alyeska for the night. The tram ride is great. We didn't see hang gliding when we were there but it's something you might look for. Several Fodorites have recommended dining at the top. You could still spend half a day getting to Seward if you stop and do other things. Get to Seward in time for dinner. Maybe walk around, visit Sea Life Center. It's small but very nice. Take wildlife/glacier cruise next day. Spend another night, which is now third in Seward. Hike exit glacier, etc and do other stops on way back to Anchorage. If Salmonn are running I would make small detour to Russian River ferry. Don't forget attractions in Anchorage itself.
If you had a big budget you could take a commuter flight to either Kenai or Homer and rent a car there but that adds $$$ to the trip. The flight itself isn't very scenic, at least to Kenai, unfortunately. But Homer to Seward is about 3 hours drive so it's probably not worth the expense. I think you will find lots more to do per mile between Anchorage and Seward than between Seward and Homer.

Thanks once again. I think plan will be Denali-Seward where we will spend 2 nights and then to Alyeska for final night. the more research I do, the more I almost wish we had skipped the cruise and spent the entire 2 1/2 weeks on land - but then we would miss Juneau, Skagway, Ketchican. (Will be stopping at Talkeetna on way from Anchorage to Denali). I have told my family since it will be light for 20 hours/day in June, they should plan on catching up on their sleep on the cruise since there is too much to see on land during the first week.

Dear gail:

I think your plan to go as far a Seward is a wise choice. We are kind of in the minority, but liked Seward much better than Homer. We stayed 2 nights prior to a week's fishing trip on the Kenai River. We went out on a Fjord's cruise, visited Seavey's sled dogs, and saw the Exit Glacier. I also think your choice of a cruise to see Skagway etc. will also be very nice. You will get a different perspective seeing Alaska by land and by sea.

Have a good trip and bring a sleeping mask.

MY

Gail, Michelle is right. It's going to be a great trip and you'll be glad to see the Inside Passage. Read up on Skagway before you visit to get an idea of what the gold seekers faced. We found ourselves eating later and going to sleep later. Just felt like we were on a different clock.