Alaska itinerary questions
 

We have planned an Alaskan cruise for the May 25, 2005. One of our proposed itineraries is to fly into Anchorage early and travel to Talkeetna and Seward before boarding the ship. Here is our plan:
Day 1: Land in Anchorage, rent a car and drive to Talkeenta.
Day 2: Do a half day fishing for grayling and flight-see Denali from Talkeetna.
Day 3: Drive from Talkeetna to Seward, possibly see Sea Life Center
Day4: Do a half day salmon fishing trip and the 4 hr. Resurrection Bay boat trip.
Day 5: See Exit Glacier and go to the boat in Whittier.
Doable? Too much? Worth driving to Homer and back on day 4 instead? Thanks for your advice.

I think all but the last question is feasible even if it is going to be a lot of driving in a short time. I would either take a couple more days than you have scheduled or drop the Talkeetna/Denali leg this trip and see it next time.

I love going to Homer but the value to me is being there, not so much getting there. The route from Seward to Homer is superb for the first third and the last several miles (the last curve coming into Homer is maybe the very best view I've seen anywhere in the world) but the long stretch in between does not compare well to the rest. If it were me, I'd take a bit more time sightseeing in and enroute to Seward and save Homer for another trip also. Not that Homer is not worth the visit - I go on each of my visits - but I do not think it is the best use of time to drive there and back on the same day. Like many things in life, it needs to be slowly savored to be fully appreciated. Just one person's opinion for what its worth.

Have a wonderful trip - I'll only be a few weeks behind you.

I agree. With only a few days don't even think about Homer for a day or even for one night only.
Also I don't think I would plan to fit both salmon fishing and Resurrection Bay boat trip on the same day. Is salmon fishing any good in May? Isn't a little too early for this activity to be really rewarding? Sometimes these trips are delayed for many different reasons such as rain, wind for instance. So I wouldn't plan them so close together.

I agree that Homer is too far to squeeze in. The scenery around Homer is spectacular and the town is very different from Seward but the drive itself is kind of dull.
We enjoyed the Portage Glacier visitors center and film but didn't take the cruise since we had already done a 9 1/2 hour trip out of Seward. You might consider this as an option if you skip the Resurrection Bay boat trip. We didn't go to Exit Glacier so can't compare. We missed the film about the 1964 earthquake in Seward but you can hear personal stories about it at the Portage Glacier visitors center. You will see the remnants of cabins in Portage. The town was abandoned after the earth quake.
Sounds like you will have a great trip!

I too agree- you need 2 nights in Homer but the Resurrection Bay- 4 hour tour is useless- little if any wildlife and you just see much more on the longer trips. I also have to say- Exit Glacier is significantly receeded-by at least 50% in the last 5 years- so that could possibily be skipped. I would also rethink your cruise option perhaps and consider HAL sailing out of Seward- would make better use of your time. With your schedule you will be with a costly Avis car the entire trip.

We went on the Reserrection Bay cruise and it was wonderful. We saw numerous wildlife and even got up close and personal with whales. I'd recommend it to anyone. Also, Exit Glacier is wonderful--I wouldn't miss it.

The Kenai Fjords cruise out of Seward has different trip lengths. The shortest doesn't get out of Resurrection Bay. The longer 6, 8 or 9 hour trips get out into the Gulf of Alaska where you'll see most of the wildlife.

Exit Glacier is okay and doesn't take much time--30 minutes or so. You can hike to the top of the Harding Icefield but it is a strenuous climb and takes several hours (never done it--just read about it).

When you say see Denali from Talkeetna, are you talking about seeing Mt McKinley or actually going to the Denali Park? That takes all day.

We did Denali and Seward, Seward being our favorite area by far. BUT, since you are about to be on a cruise, see the coast and wildlife, going up to Denali seems like a good idea to me.

Or, a great place to fish is on the Kenai/Russian Rivers, close to Cooper Landing on the Kenai Peninsula.

It's hard to go to such a wonderful place and not see all - but-think of yourself as a traveller and not a visitor. You will return !

I regret not spending more time in AK - now - I will have to go back --soon.

Take the advise of the more-well-travelled on this site. Enjoy what you can see and save the rest for 'next time'.

I think this applies to alot of areas not just AK.

You have gotten alot of great advise here but only you know the interests of your family. From my own experience I too would vote not to go to Homer, even thought it was one of our favorites , because you simply don't have the time. Exit Glacier is a fun, quick hike, and the Sea Life Center is a great 1-2 hour pre or post Resurrection stop.YOu pass throught the bay to go fishing so don't do both. I agree, May is a great time to go but a bit early for salmon fishing, try halibut. My family went on a 6 hour tour, we saw tons and that was perfect for us. Others swear by the 9 hour tour. Didn't do Denali because of time we had, but if that is important to you make it a priority. Have fun!

With the time- the Northwestern tour of Kenai Fjords offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities and they use the fastest boat- a BIG consideration. I respectfully continue to disagree- the Bay cruises are far lacking, and if you have not been on the longer tours- how can you compare??? Overall- longer is better viewing the Kenai fjords, go with what fits your time frame best but I have to say- the views and wildlife opportunity no way compare to any cruiseship viewing.

Thanks to all who responded with advice. Homer was just and idea if Seward wasn't what we thought. I am locked into Carnival cruise out of Whittier. Princess and HAL were twice as expensive with early booking. So Avis is it for a car. Our current plan is to stay at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge for two nights; fishing for grayling for half day. We don't have any specific plans for the afternoon. We will take our time driving to Seward the next day and stay for two nights at the Breeze Inn. I may switch to the Windsong if I get a good package deal. We plan to fish for salmon/halibut [whatever is biting best] for half day adn have no specific plans beyond that. If we took the Kenai Resurrection Boat tour [4 hrs] it probably goes the same place as the fishing boat so am hesitant to book early. Also there is a wildlife viewing boat off the cruise at Sitka which I have heard was good; also Larry's out of Juneau. I was thinking of driving to Hope on the way to WHittier the nest day. So any suggestions for half days at Talkeetna and Seward would be welcome. Again, thanks to all. I appreciate it.
Alaska05

You might want to check Alamo for rental car. I checked all for June trip and Alamo was much cheaper. Also, check often and reserve and cancel as necessary. Prices fluctuate often. I had a Buick Century and averaged 30 mpg.

Avis is the only operator out of Whittier. $175 drop off fee. Compare and see if it is cheaper to get a round trip car out of Anchorage and turn it in for Avis for only the time you need it. As for halibut- most are full day trips and you would be best to consider one- 1/2 day trips just don't get far enough out. As for boat tours- there is no comparism with Kenai Fjords, Sitka or Juneau. Wildlife is more varied and you get an excellent glacier view- superior to your cruise ship, but you need a trip with at least 6 hours on the water. My opinion only- any shorter isn't even worth going on. I would remain flexable on your cruiseship. HAL and Princess both offer superb discounts far exceeding Carnival in Alaska. Especially in May they are very common. I would keep a look out- Seward is definately my preference and HAL shines in deck space and passenger space.

We just returned from a trip to Talkeetna & Seward. Spent 2 days at the Seward Windsong and 1 night at Breeze Inn. Both great. Windsong better. Loved the walk to Exit Glacier. The Sat we planned to take the 8 hour tour on Major Marine it was windy, so we drove to Homer making stops on the way. Will never regret it. The next day was calm and loved the Nat Park tour with Major Marine. Saw lots of wildlife including both humpbacks and orcas only the glacier did not calve on schedule. Spent several nights at Alaskan Talkeetna Lodge, a definite plus, but took all our meals in town. Don't miss the cemetery and the Talkeetna Historical Society. Latitude 62 serves the best Halibut sandwich. We did not fish, so we had lots of time to make stops in Wasilla and Independence Gold Mine in Matsu Valley. We used Talkeetna Air Taxi for our Grand Denali flightseeng tour. Jonathon was a great pilot. Read Don Sheldon's Wager with the Wind before you go. I think just one boat trip is enough. Spend any free time exploring and don't forget to bring The Milepost with you. We also hiked the Portage Pass Trail. It is your first left (gravel)after you get through the tunnel to Whittier. Hope you have as much fun as we did.