Semi mm alaska

[lightbulbsun]

H and I went to Alaska in August 2022. We took a direct flight from Newark to Anchorage (around 8 hours) and rented a car. We were able to be there for 17 days which was amazing. We went to Anchorage, Seward, Valdez, Fairbanks, Denali, and ended in Palmer for the Alaska State Fair. It was the wettest August on record and rained at least a little every day we were there, but with proper rain gear it was fine.

I'm not a cruise person so I definitely preferred flying in and driving around. We took a ferry from Whittier to Valdez, so we did get to see Prince William Sound. There was also some cool stuff to do in Fairbanks and Denali which I don't think you'd get to see if you were doing a cruise. We saw a lot of museums, did a lot of hiking, and went to a lot of breweries.

The biggest disappointment was not getting a good look at a moose in the wild. I saw one from my window when the plane was landing, we passed two while moving quickly on the highway, and we kind of saw one that was hiding behind a tree at Denali. We did see grizzly bears, wolverines, salmon, seals, sea lions, puffins, otters, caribou, and bald eagles.

DM me if you want to see my itinerary spreadsheet with costs, accommodations, activities, travel times, etc. I believe the total cost was around $10k.

[chpmnk1015]

May 20, 2023 14:54:22 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

We are going later this summer for a 1 week interior passage from Seattle and booked about 3 months prior to the cruise. We chose it based on ports/excursions/ship and our schedule as there are lots of options all summer long. We booked very late so ended up getting a nicer balcony room at the back of the ship than we would have chosen to pay for if there were more options. The cruise (2 adults, 11&7yo) was about $7k and excursions were another $2500 (1 booked for each of the three ports and include sled dogs, glacier raft float, and zodiac boats). We used our southwest points to book our flights.

We did book all excursions through the ship but only because all of the top rated companies had black out days or no availability for the day our ship was in port. Also pricing was very similar to what the ship offered so it was easier to book it all through the cruise line. Sometimes by booking through the ship you also get priority off boarding so it can speed up some of the lines. I also found through pictures and reviews that many of the “nonship excursions” are run by the exact companies and same prices and many of the top things to do in a port are excursions offered by the ship. Trip advisor and cruise critic boards are both great for investigating excursions. There were cheaper excursions available but we wanted more adventurous ones that allowed 7yos so we had more limited options. We also didn’t want to spend $1k per person to do the helicopter sled dog tour so settled on the summer camp one instead.

We are around $10k all in for a family of 4 but that’s with free flights. We also are arriving in Seattle a day early to hit a few landmarks before we embark.

If we had all the time in the world I’d do a one way cruise with land tour and spend more time inland but that’s not possible now with our schedules.

I think by booking earlier you’ll have more options and get better prices.

Thanks..just messaged you

[sent]

We are doing this next month also from NJ but my kids are much younger. I booked my flights on United using points and the recommendation I would have is to book them as early as you can. The great thing about booking with points on United now is you can cancel anytime and get a full refund of your points + taxes. I booked in January/February for our July cruise and the points just kept going up and up for the flights I wanted. I did have to book the return flight on Air Canada as I never saw the code share flight show up on United. I just checked and the flight we are on doesn't even have any economy seats for sale with cash anymore.

Besides that, this our first cruise as a family. I'm the only one who's been on a cruise a long time ago. I booked a full suite on Royal Caribbean because I know my husband and kids (ages 9 and 5) and their vacation expectations. They would be miserable company in a standard sized balcony room for an entire week. I MM-ed a bunch of the cruise fare with various CC bonuses and a large balance of points on my Capital One Venture card but it's the same thing like the flights - the earlier you book, the cheaper it will be.

The excursions are definitely way more expensive than I expected. At the ages of your kids, I'd probably be ponying up for the cool ones. Right now, my husband and 9 year old DD are booked on one glacier tour through RCL but 5 year old DS and I are not booked for anything. I think we may go back to Alaska someday when they're older and do more stuff then, possibly not through a cruise.

[wanderingback]

chpmnk1015, sorry for the delay! This is the trip I did. Like I mentioned above my biggest expense was the rental car. There's a tons more you could spend on excursions too. Loved my trip!

-Flew in to Anchorage, arrived in the evening. I was supposed to stay a Voyager Inn per my notes, but it apparently shut down and I remember I got an email a few days before arrival, so I think I ended up staying at a Hilton or some other generic big brand hotel.
-2nd day spent in Anchorage. Went to Anchorage Museum (I think thats the name), highly recommend.
-3rd day got rental car and drove towards Denali, made some stops along the way (a lake, a little small town. Found recommendations on blogs). Stayed at McKinley Creekside Resorts, really liked! www.mckinleycabins.com/
-4th day did a tour of Denali. Just booked a national park tour, I think I did the longer day version where you go deeper in the park. You essentially take a school bus through the park and do a few stops all the way. I believe lunch was provided. Since I traveled alone I didn't feel super comfortable doing any major day trips or camping by myself in the park.
-5th day drive towards Seward. Again made stops along the way. Stayed at Bear Lake Lodgings Bed and Breakfast. Highly recommend. bearlakelodgings.com/
-6th day did a Kenai Fjords Glacier Boat tour, loved!
-7th day left Seward, drove through Girdwood. There's a cable car up a mountain, it was really cool!
-My flight didn't leave until late in the evening so I kept the rental car and also stopped off on some other sites. Also went to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, highly recommend too.

[eyesoftx]

I've been lucky enough to do 5 Alaskan Cruises in my life. While I am not a fan of cruises in general, I think they are great in Alaska. So much of the beautiful scenery is only viewable from water. Did you know that Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the lower 48 combined?

I have also never paid more than $500 base fare, per person. It can be done, and it helps if you are flexible and persistent. Figure in another $250 for taxes and gratuities, but even $750 is a deal when you consider that it includes lodging and meals for 7 days.

Some things I would consider:
I would absolutely choose a cruise that includes Glacier Bay if at all possible. There are only a handful of cruise ships allowed in there each day, and the cruise lines trade off. Look for one that features this. Your ship will not land anywhere, but a US Park Ranger will board the ship and narrate for you. We always get up early this day as we are entering the bay and have seen whales every time. It's also a good place to see other wildlife- otters, goats, and even bears.

I would also look for a cruise that goes up the Inside passage, and not around the back side of Victoria. The Inside Passage is much smoother, and if choose this route, you will likely be within view of the shore your entire cruise (and thus, less choppy and less boring!)

I prefer the one way cruises from Vancouver to one of the Anchorage ports. I don't have a preference for either one. I am not a fan of the ground packages once you get off the cruise ship. By that point, I am usually really ready to get as far away from cruise people as possible. We prefer to book a car from whichever port we land in and get a one way rental to Anchorage. We usually stay the first night in Anchorage, then drive to Denali. I absolutely love Denali, but if you are there fewer than 2 nights, it may not even be worth it. To really experience Denali, you need to take one of the shuttle busses into the park, and you need to catch it really early in the morning. Another fun (free) thing to do in Denali is to go to the sled dog demo. Food is crazy expensive in Denali, so make sure you stock up in Anchorage before going.

As far as cruise lines...

I have never cruised on Carnival. It has a reputation for a vibe as a party ship, and that's just not something I want to deal with. I have also never cruised with Disney. I would imagine it is awesome, but they never even come close to my desired price point.

If you are going with small kids, I would shy away from Holland America. The kids club was not that great. It is more geared toward older folks. We had a good kids club on Royal Carribbean, but the adult activities were less impressive.

Princess is the king of Alaska. They own so many of the excursion operators and shops in the ports. As such, they deliver a first class experience.

If you can go in early June or August, you can save money. I've seen plenty of offers for $399 during those times this summer. They also offer kids sale free (in the parents room.) I caution you on this, though, because the rooms are super small. If you go this route, you should consider booking at least an ocean view room to get a bit more space. It's really hard to find somewhere for 4 people to store their stuff in an inside room.

But, if it's just two of you, an inside room is perfectly fine. You will likely spend most of your time on deck anyway. Fine a cozy spot on your first day and stake it out! Most people stay inside. They have blankets outside and you can usually get away from all the crazy cruise people! The view is great- not obstructed by side panels like on the cabins and you don't have to worry about people smoking on the balcony below yours.

Excursions:

Excursions can really add on $$$ to your trip. It is totally possible to have a great experience without spending a fortunate if you are willing to do a bit of work.

For Juneau, if you are looking to save money, I would highly recommend booking a car. I would do it as soon as you can, as they regularly sell out. There used to be a local company that rented right at the cruise ship docks, but I'm not sure if they survived COVID. With your car, I would drive yourself to Mendenhall Glacier and spend as much time there as you like. I also enjoy a trip to the Alaskan Brewing Company. We also usually stop by the big grocery store (like a WalMart, but can't remember the name) to get whatever we've forgotten (swim goggles last time!)

Skagway is known for the Gold Rush. The National Park system has a presence here to teach about the Gold Rush. There is a whole store front for kids to experience it interactively. They also offer free walking tours with very interesting park ranger tour guides. The tickets are free (or maybe a minimal booking fee?) but I would reserve these as soon as you know what day you are going to be in Skagway. Skagway also has a great kids playground downtown. One of our favorite things to do in Skagway is to walk around the back side of the airport to the city park and walk out to Yakatania point. We love to sit on the huge rocks and watch the wildlife. It is not uncommon to see whales and eagles out there.

Ketchikan is a tourist trap. We like to walk up the boardwalk to the very end and watch the salmon climb the ladder. This is also the best stop for souvenier shopping. There is also a tee pee village that you can visit via the public bus, if you are adventuresome enough to try that. There is also some great (free!) hiking to do in Ketchikan if you are up for it.

Alaska is all about the outdoors and being rough and rugged. If you are willing to go it on your own, you can have a fabulous vacation without breaking the bank. The key is to be flexible and book early. If you find a deal on a cruise, lock it in!

[chpmnk1015]

May 29, 2023 14:48:25 GMT -5 eyesoftx said:

I've been lucky enough to do 5 Alaskan Cruises in my life. While I am not a fan of cruises in general, I think they are great in Alaska. So much of the beautiful scenery is only viewable from water. Did you know that Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the lower 48 combined?

I have also never paid more than $500 base fare, per person. It can be done, and it helps if you are flexible and persistent. Figure in another $250 for taxes and gratuities, but even $750 is a deal when you consider that it includes lodging and meals for 7 days.

Some things I would consider:
I would absolutely choose a cruise that includes Glacier Bay if at all possible. There are only a handful of cruise ships allowed in there each day, and the cruise lines trade off. Look for one that features this. Your ship will not land anywhere, but a US Park Ranger will board the ship and narrate for you. We always get up early this day as we are entering the bay and have seen whales every time. It's also a good place to see other wildlife- otters, goats, and even bears.

I would also look for a cruise that goes up the Inside passage, and not around the back side of Victoria. The Inside Passage is much smoother, and if choose this route, you will likely be within view of the shore your entire cruise (and thus, less choppy and less boring!)

I prefer the one way cruises from Vancouver to one of the Anchorage ports. I don't have a preference for either one. I am not a fan of the ground packages once you get off the cruise ship. By that point, I am usually really ready to get as far away from cruise people as possible. We prefer to book a car from whichever port we land in and get a one way rental to Anchorage. We usually stay the first night in Anchorage, then drive to Denali. I absolutely love Denali, but if you are there fewer than 2 nights, it may not even be worth it. To really experience Denali, you need to take one of the shuttle busses into the park, and you need to catch it really early in the morning. Another fun (free) thing to do in Denali is to go to the sled dog demo. Food is crazy expensive in Denali, so make sure you stock up in Anchorage before going.

As far as cruise lines...

I have never cruised on Carnival. It has a reputation for a vibe as a party ship, and that's just not something I want to deal with. I have also never cruised with Disney. I would imagine it is awesome, but they never even come close to my desired price point.

If you are going with small kids, I would shy away from Holland America. The kids club was not that great. It is more geared toward older folks. We had a good kids club on Royal Carribbean, but the adult activities were less impressive.

Princess is the king of Alaska. They own so many of the excursion operators and shops in the ports. As such, they deliver a first class experience.

If you can go in early June or August, you can save money. I've seen plenty of offers for $399 during those times this summer. They also offer kids sale free (in the parents room.) I caution you on this, though, because the rooms are super small. If you go this route, you should consider booking at least an ocean view room to get a bit more space. It's really hard to find somewhere for 4 people to store their stuff in an inside room.

But, if it's just two of you, an inside room is perfectly fine. You will likely spend most of your time on deck anyway. Fine a cozy spot on your first day and stake it out! Most people stay inside. They have blankets outside and you can usually get away from all the crazy cruise people! The view is great- not obstructed by side panels like on the cabins and you don't have to worry about people smoking on the balcony below yours.

Excursions:

Excursions can really add on $$$ to your trip. It is totally possible to have a great experience without spending a fortunate if you are willing to do a bit of work.

For Juneau, if you are looking to save money, I would highly recommend booking a car. I would do it as soon as you can, as they regularly sell out. There used to be a local company that rented right at the cruise ship docks, but I'm not sure if they survived COVID. With your car, I would drive yourself to Mendenhall Glacier and spend as much time there as you like. I also enjoy a trip to the Alaskan Brewing Company. We also usually stop by the big grocery store (like a WalMart, but can't remember the name) to get whatever we've forgotten (swim goggles last time!)

Skagway is known for the Gold Rush. The National Park system has a presence here to teach about the Gold Rush. There is a whole store front for kids to experience it interactively. They also offer free walking tours with very interesting park ranger tour guides. The tickets are free (or maybe a minimal booking fee?) but I would reserve these as soon as you know what day you are going to be in Skagway. Skagway also has a great kids playground downtown. One of our favorite things to do in Skagway is to walk around the back side of the airport to the city park and walk out to Yakatania point. We love to sit on the huge rocks and watch the wildlife. It is not uncommon to see whales and eagles out there.

Ketchikan is a tourist trap. We like to walk up the boardwalk to the very end and watch the salmon climb the ladder. This is also the best stop for souvenier shopping. There is also a tee pee village that you can visit via the public bus, if you are adventuresome enough to try that. There is also some great (free!) hiking to do in Ketchikan if you are up for it.

Alaska is all about the outdoors and being rough and rugged. If you are willing to go it on your own, you can have a fabulous vacation without breaking the bank. The key is to be flexible and book early. If you find a deal on a cruise, lock it in!

Wow. Awesome information. Appreciate it

[chpmnk1015]

Thanks everyone for all the amazing tips and information...I've taken many notes

[mrsd2006]

Cruise Critic is a great source of info for all types of cruising. They have boards for specific ports, specific cruise lines, etc. They even have a Roll Call for your specific sailing date= you can meet up with others who will be on the same cruise (if you want to explore sharing excursions, etc).

[dutchgirl678]

I've only ever taken one cruise in my life and it was an Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver with Carnival. We went in May and spent almost a whole day in Glacier Bay just staring at the glaciers. It was amazing. I know Carnival often gets a bad rap, but we had an amazing time, the best lobster ever for dinner.

We booked a train ride in Skagway and saw a lumberjack show in Ketchikan and explored Juneau on our own.

[egeiger]

May 19, 2023 5:27:12 GMT -5 chpmnk1015 said:

Does anyone have a travel agent they would recommend?

Me  

[chpmnk1015]

Jun 7, 2023 7:27:42 GMT -5 egeiger said:

May 19, 2023 5:27:12 GMT -5 chpmnk1015 said:

Does anyone have a travel agent they would recommend?

Me  

Oo pm me your site or details please