Author: marleyzoemom
Date: 01/05/2008, 12:14 pm
We will be spending May 31- June 14th traveling Alaska.
Our agenda includes Seward, Homer, Valdez, Wrangell St Elais, Denali, Talkeetna, but we are not tied to this.

THe only reservations I have done are the 1st night in Girdwood, and our Bear trip on Emerald.

Do you think we need to book every hotel in advance? We would love to be able to have flexibility to seize a moment if it presents....

Thanks, you are all so helpfull!
Author: BudgetQueen ([email protected])
Date: 01/05/2008, 01:21 pm
I do recommend having most of your routing and reservations in place. It is pretty simple to figure out where you will be and what is of interest, request visitor guides.

I think you are underestimating lodging availablity. It isn't like roadside america with Mom and Pop motels lining the roads, it isn't. You can drive a 100 miles with NOTHING. Many of the small lodgings B&B's are fully booked all season. You will be wasting an amount of time in searching.

IF you continue to go with this lack of a plan, then it is absolutely necessary you have THE MILEPOST and a prepared list- beforehand of all possible lodging in your areas. And a cell phone.
Author: marleyzoemom
Date: 01/05/2008, 03:29 pm
BudgetQueen,
We would not be so foolish to set off with no destination- we LIKE a nice warm place to rest! My question, better phrased, is do you think availability will be a problem if we call a day in advance at that time of the year.....

You absolutely need to book your accomodations in advance. Places in Alaska book up very quickly. We went to Alaska around the same time you did, and we never saw a "vacancy" sign anywhere.
Alaska is a wonderful destination. You won't be disappointed in the least, but you really can't be "flexible" as far as accomodations. You really do have to have all of them set well before you leave.

I'm very much a seat-of-the-pants, spur-of-the-moment traveler and while there are plenty of places I've not reserved rooms ahead ... Southcentral Alaska in summer is not one of them.

A day ahead is dicey anytime the cruise ships are dumping throngs of folks.

Or just carry a tent

Thanks to all, I get it!
Have just solved a bit of an issue, was able to book a cabin in homer for 4 nights, but can check out after 3 if the ferry runs, We will love this trip!

NOW, where to stay in Valdez.....Hmmmm!

make certain you have reservation in Wrangell/St. Elias NP. Agree with others. Why would you want to spend your time looking for lodging on arrival and then stay at one available place? There may be a reason why this one place wasn't booked. Having your cell phone wouldn't help every time since there is no reception in many parts of Alaska.

We are in process of booking accomodations for latter part of that time period in Alaska - and are finding some places already booked.