We are planning our first Alaskan trip for next summer--June/July--and are beginning to realize we may have to make 2 trips--1 land, 1 cruise instead of one trip for both. If this is the case, what are the opinions for our FIRST trip--cruise w/glaciers/ports or land w/more options than a combined trip? I am thinking a 'land' one first, as we can see glaciers then, too. Thanks!

We did our first trip to Alaska this past July. We did a two-week land trip. Starting in Anchorage, we visited museums, did some biking and took some trips down to Whittier for kayaking and glacier cruises. Then to Katmai to see the bears. After that we headed up through Talkeetna and spent some time in Denali. Then back down to Seward (a big driving day!) where we did another glacier cruise and hiked the Harding Icefield. Finally over to Homer for a couple of days. While there, we headed out to Halibut Cove (artist's community) which we both felt was a wonderful ending to our trip.

It was absolutely amazing. The scenery, the animals--everything. Not nearly enough time to see Alaska--but a good start. Even just driving is wonderful in Alaska because everything is so beautiful.

I think we'll come back another time to cruise the Inside Passage--and that's how we'll see Juneau, Skagway, etc.--on shore excursions. I think we would look into the smaller cruises for people who aren't really into the whole big cruise ship experience.

I am really glad we visited on land first--that way we got to spend all our time actually IN Alaska--experiencing everything firsthand, all the time.

Thanks 'caligirl56' for your input--it was very helpful, especially since it seems we like the same type of things to do on trips.

Alaska should never have been one state. There are two Alaskas. The panhandle which is where most cruises go is almost totally isolated from the larger portion. Your choice on which portion to go to really depends on one thing. Do you like to travel on roads or on water? As far as I remember there are only two small towns in the panhandle accessible by road.

We did our first Alaska trip as caligirl did. Flew to Anchorage and stayed in that part of Alaska for three weeks ... Talkeetna, Denali, Seward, Homer, Valdez. We were there in September and also caught the State Fair. In Seward we took a 6 hour boat trip which went right up to glaciers while we watched them calve, we saw a lot of wildlife and had a baked salmon lunch on an island. I forgot to mention that we did this in a rented motorhome, a 22-foot Class C, which we liked because it gave us so much flexibility on where to spend the nights.

In May of this year, then, we took a cruise of the Inside Passage, which is a completely different experience. We did, however, go with Cruise West, in a small ship which only holds 100 people. It can get into places the huge cruise ships cannot and has the flexibility to stop and circle when a whale sighting occurs. On two occasions we had rangers on board who had kayaked out to the ship. Take a look at their web site.

Our first trip was a "cruise" on the state ferry combined with a land trip. We missed the activities that cruise ship passengers would enjoy in each port although departing at each stop for a day or two is possible. We departed at Skagway for two overnights. Even the ferry (Columbia)has several wonderful lectures each day. I think the advantage of anything with good lectures is the educational advantage of learning more about what you are doing and seeing.
For scenery however, a land trip such as described by caligirl56 is far better as well as the opportunities to spend as much time as you like in places you like best when you are on your own schedule. If I could do only one trip it would land only.

Depending on how much time you have, you could do a 1 way cruise (7 days) to see the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay NP and afterwards (or before) do the land portion--Seward, Denali, Homer, Katmai, etc. The landscapes in the Inside Passage and the northern section are different, but both beautiful.

I would love to go further afield in Alaska one day--the Artic Wildlife Refuge and other wildlife preserves and parks. But they must be harder to get to.

We combined by doing a land-then-cruise with Princess. Flew into Fairbanks, then for a week wended our way south by train via Denali and Talkeetna to Anchorage, then a one-way cruise to Vancouver. It was a great way to get a taste of what is there, and convince us that we should go back for a longer trip next time!

Matss,
How long are you planning for trip #1 and trip #2? With some time frames more specific answers can be given. Also, what are your goals, such as wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, scenery, etc.?

I think the answer to your question is at least 2.

I did 60% land and 40% water on the first trip. Subsequent trips have spent more time on land and less on water.

Thanks for all your inputs! We have decided to do a 2-3 week land trip first. It seems we can do more, see more, and be more flexible to see the "real" Alaska. The 'ship trip' will have to wait until another year.
This forum has proven to be great for 'first time there' travelers!
Happy travels to everyone.....