Anchorage > Seward > Whittier >curise
 

We have few days before heading onto our cruise (07/22 - 07/24). After reading the forum, we plan to:
07/22 day 1 - arrive at PM, overnight at Anchorage
07/23 day 2 - pick up car (Avis) at airport the next AM to head to Seward as I learned that Avis is the only rental car can be dropped off at Whittier. Visit Exit Glacier, Mt alyeska, Sealife Center, etc.
07/24 day 3 - take Northwestern Tour from Kenai Fjords as recommended by Budget Queen
07/25 day 4 - get ready to drive to Whittier to catch our cruise

Please advise if above plan is do-able? Any suggestions on rental car and other places to visit around Seward area other than those mentioned above?

Were going to Homer but decided to spend more time at Seward instead. Really appreciate all the information provided on this forum.

Do-able as long as you can drop the car off in Whittier. Homer is about 3 hours from Seward. You don't really have the time. What you have planned is a good for a short amount of time. There is a lot to see and do between Anchoragen and Seward.

Thanks, dfrostnh. I reserved Avis and it is expensive due to $100 extra drop off fee at Whittier. Total $473 for 3 days rental!

I am looking at Soo's B&B and Bell in the Woods B&B. Any one has experiences with these two places?

Any other suggestions on the transportation that can be more economic?

Your itinerary is almost perfect except day 2. Mt. Alyeska is 10 miles north of the Whittier turnoff. You will literally drive three-quarters of the way back to Anchorage to visit Mt. Alyeska.

Day 2) Pick up car at Avis. Drive to Mt. Alyeska, Exit Glacier and Sea Life Center. Can be done in a day.
Day 3) Tour Kenai Fjords.
Day 4) Drive to Big Game Alaska then onto Whittier and get ready for cruise. This game reserve is located at the Whittier turn-off. Big Game AK is a great place to visit to see animals in their natural habitat that have either been orphaned or injured at some time of their life and are not ready to return to the wild. Black and Brown bears, moose, buffalo, caribou etc. Much better than a zoo.

Check out www.tripadvisor.com for reviews on Bell in the Woods B&B and for Soo's B&B. Bell in the Woods has been the number one B&B in Seward for going on four years now. However, they're nearly booked up for the summer.

Yes, your itinerary is very doable, and makes great use of time. Not sure what Patriot is referring to about driving 3/4 back to Anchorage, unless it's your "order" which I'm assuming is just a list??? They are picking up the car in Anchorage, then driving the Arm, passing right by Alyeska for a stop. Next would be Portage Glacier visitor Center, then Seward.

I would also recommend a PWS boat tour out of Whittier, if of interest. This is a fantastic glacier viewing opportunity, far superior to anything seen from your cruiseship. :)

This timeframe does not have any time for Homer.

Thanks to everyone's replies. It is truly helpful.

My original post of Day 2 is just a list, not the real rout to take. Thanks to Patriot for being so careful. Big Game AK is very interesting. I will check it out.

BQ - what is PWS boat tour? How long will the tour take? Will it be the same experiences provided by the NW Kenai Fjord tour?

We decided to save Homer for our next visit due to shortage of time this round.

Prince William Sound boat tours out of Whittier, fantastic for glacier scenic viewing, very different from Kenai Fjords and far superior to anything seen from your cruiseship.

You may want to consider a coupon book purchase for 2 for 1 deals. Both these boat tours have them.

Thanks, BQ. Do purchase coupon book at the local book store.

I am in QC, Canada and, therefore, didn`t reply eariler. I am having trouble using this keyboard because it has French on it.

BQ - my last question was `do I purchase coupon book at the local book store (question mark)`.

I don't think any stores sell them. We got ours off the web @ toursaver.com.