NEED HELP > planning Mom’s 60th surprise to ALASKA
 

Hello All,

I am in the process of booking a trip to Alaska, as a 60th birthday surprise for my Mom. She’s obsessed with Alaska and all of the Alaska TV shows, so this should be a hit... if I can pull it off.

1. Time frame is flexible, I’m thinking May or September so it’s not so busy. However I’m not sure if I should go more of the winter route or summer? She’s not too particular of being over-heated but I want to make sure that everything is open and we have fun excursions we can go on.

2. I tried to do a cruise, but unfortunately I’m no Rockefeller so that was a little too costly... so I’m planning on flying in and doing train or ferry trips to possible other locations...

which brings me to my next question:

3. I don’t know whether to do Anchorage/Fairbanks and try to catch the Northern Lights in May or if it’s better to go the route of a place like Ketchikan (sans Northern Lights )- which seems to be more “authentic Alaska” and not so City-like?

So my questions are Winter or Summer, Anchorage/Fairbanks or a different location? Again this is the beginning stages of planning so go easy on me, any advise is welcomed and needed!

This is what I’d like to accomplish:
1. Whale watching
2. Glaciers
3. Wildlife in general (she loves)
4. Maybe some sort of “ Deadliest Catch” fishing tour?

Thank You!

What is your planned budget? Asking because things are pricey in Alaska, and a cruise is often the most economical choice. Here is a thread that has been very helpful for others in how to avoid paying for those expensive shore excursions through the cruise line:

https://www.fodors.com/community/cru...-cheap-982419/

Hello Sludick,

I would say my budget is about $3k or so. I wanted to do about 5 days because I don’t think she will be able to get 7 or 8 days off of work, nonetheless I researched about three cruise lines both for May and September. They all only had the 7 day offerings (which I suspected would happen) so I went through the steps of booking. The cost came to about $4,400 . I do realize I could have saved a couple hundred by doing an inside State Room, but to me what the point of a cruise in Alaska, without a balcony view to take it all in? Then if you equate in $400 (at the very minimum) round trip flights (each) to get from Chicago to Seattle to deport, that’s another $800... it’s all adding up very quickly.

Also so thank much for the link.. I will start reading up on it now!!


[QUOTE=sludick;16649009]What is your planned budget? Asking because things are pricey in Alaska, and a cruise is often the most economical choice. Here is a thread that has been very helpful for others in how to avoid paying for those expensive shore excursions through the cruise line:

The reason May and Sept cruises are cheaper is because the weather is very (VERY) iffy then. Cruise lines take their ships off the Alaska routes by about the middle of Sept and reposition them. I once went an a AK cruise that left Vancouver on Aug 31 and it was cold and rainy most days (though 2 days were very nice) and downright wintry in Glacier Bay. LOVED the cruise anyway but just so you know there is a reason the prices are lower then.

Alaska is not a cheap place to visit (or live for that matter) so your budget may be just a little too low :(

Oh just noticed you only have 5 days. I don't think there are any Seattle or Vancouver cruises less than 7 days. Where are you flying from - airfares could eat up a big chunk of your $$.

Here's what I'd suggest, given your budget and timing: Fly from Chicago to Anchorage, either nonstop or via Seattle (nonstop will be a little more expensive but will save quite a few hours.) I'd do it in September, as early in the month as possible. You're not going escape other visitors in either case; the tourist season runs from early May to mid-September. Forget the northern lights - it doesn't get dark enough in May and in September the clear skies late at night are iffy. If you see them in September, great. (Hint - if your flight home is a red-eye, sit on the left hand side of the plane and your chances of seeing the aurora from the air will be much greater than on land.)

I'd fly to Anchorage and get a car. Depending on when your plane arrives, probably spend the night in Anchorage. The next day, drive to Whittier with a stop in Girdwood, and go on a "26 glacier" cruise (several offerings by a couple of companies.) After the cruise, drive to Seward for the night. The next day, take a Kenai Fjords cruise - glaciers, whales, other wildlife - and spend a second night in Seward.

The next day, drive back toward Anchorage with a short stop in the old mining village of Hope, so you can see what small villages look like, then make a second stop at the Wildlife Conservation Center (at the junction to Whittier.) See the beasties then return to Anchorage. Note if you want to splurge for your Mom, instead of going all the way back to Anchorage, spend the night at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, and have a celebration dinner at the Seven Glaciers restaurant at the top of the gondola - stunning views and excellent food.

Spend the rest of the time in Anchorage, possibly taking a day trip north to Palmer to visit Hatcher Pass, and stopping at the fascinating cemetery in the Native village of Eklutna on the way back, and nearby, if the leaves on the trees have started to turn, a stop at beautiful Mirror Lake can be terrific.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6f0cde94e9.jpg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9abaf4c512.jpg

I'd also suggest a visit to the Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, to get a feel for the remarkable cultural diversity of the place. And if the budget is still intact, a final splurge might be a flightseeing trip on a float plane from Lake Hood, using a company like Rust's. This would be a marvelous thing to end on.

That's five pretty full days. It doesn't include Denali because you don't have time, but it ought to give you a good feel for the incredible variety Alaska offers.

One note about airfare: you might look at Alaska Airlines' Visa card which gives you an annual $99 ($122 after taxes) companion fare certificate, as well as a bunch of Alaska FF miles at signup. One person pays the normal price, the other pays $121, so the average cost is quite good. It's only good on Alaska Airlines-operated planes, and only in economy, but it might save you a couple hundred bucks or more. Worth exploring, I'd say.

Thank you so much Gardyloo!!! Sorry for the delay in response... it only lets me do two responses in 24 hours. I so so appreciate all of your advice. I’m excited now that I have some sort of direction and that the costly cruise is out. Thank you again!

I think Gardyloo has made some great suggestions. We enjoyed visiting Independence Mine which is north of Anchorage. The restored buildings have an informative display of what life was like in a mining town years ago. If you can do only one boat trip, I would choose Seward over Whittier since I think Seward is a prettier town with more to see and do. We liked the Sea Life Center there, too. Eating out can be very expensive. We usually just had b&b bagel/muffin breakfasts and sometimes picnic lunches. What you are going to miss if you go in May or September is watching fishermen fish for salmon. A salmon run is incredible. You'll be in areas where you can see fishing but not the right time.

On the contrary, September is a great salmon fishing time in the Seward area. The big silver salmon runs that lead to the Silver Salmon Derby in Seward in mid-August will be tapering but by no means finished.

One other thought would be if you could travel around the Labor Day weekend, the state fair in Palmer is running then. It's a lot of fun - giant vegetables, typical state fair stuff - competitions, exhibits, rides - but with an Alaska twist. Alaska State Fair .

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c9c49296e0.jpg

You'd just reverse the plan I made above - Palmer and Hatcher Pass/Independence Mine first, Whittier and Seward second.

Thank you ;)
 

Hello @gardyloo Thank you so much- Labor Day might actually be perfect. I’m sorry about the delay- I can only make one reply in a certain amount of time unless I change my subscription on Fodor’s.

WHAT? You mean this "great" new platform won't let you post as you wish unless you upgrade? Or pay? Could someone please explain?

Yes yes it’s weird, I can’t reply more than once or twice in 24-48 hours (I can’t remember the exact time frame) and an error comes up.

Bookmarking for the Alaska itinerary suggestion. Sounds like an awesome trip!