shandean

I feel "changed" as well, since my trip. Maybe we can be roommates for that year, Jane, since my husband does NOT want to go for the winter. :) I have 6 more years to get my kid through high school, then we should plan it. What will our location be? I grew up in Appalachia with rough winters and LOVE winter and am sure I would enjoy it as well. Also, the darkness all day in the winter really is fascinating to me.

So Middleaged, this is one issue I have. I know my trip to AK was possibly a once in a lifetime thing, as I have SO many places on my list that I'd like to see... and only so much vacation time and travel money each year. Next is probably Switzerland.

Anyway, glad to know I'm not alone!

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I had a very strong connection to Alaska... just got back Sunday. I'm seriously depressed and feel like I need to move there! Too bad my husband and child don't feel the same, and neither does my boss. :)

I'm watching every documentary I can find and just can't get this gorgeous place out of my head.

Needless to say, we had an amazing trip! I appreciate all the advice I found here that helped me tremendously when it came to planning.

There is one thing to consider about rental cars with luggage stored inside.... break-in's... especially downtown. I say save your money and store the luggage with cruise terminal or Panny (later pickup) to avoid the stress.

http://vancouver.ca/police/CrimeMaps/tfauto.pdf

 

If you still want a rental.... seriously look at how much luggage you have and decide early if you need a minivan. Minivan will inhale that luggage, but are short supply. Alamo/National is the preferred cruise terminal car rental and they run out of minivan's very early in their small fleet. I find I need book weeks or months in advance at times.

We will not be downtown, so I think we'll be fine. If by chance there is a break-in, thank goodness for insurance! And we have a full-size car in which all of our luggage should fit. :)

To each their own, however most of us Vancouver types really don't recommend touring the city in a rental car. Unfortunately or fortunately the city some 35 or 40 years ago decided against highways and freeways in favour of transit....but they forgot to implement the transit. Current councils have been closing traffic lanes on streets in favour of bicycles and then throw in the normal summer utilities reconstruction, the general building boom and you have the recipe for grid lock. Parking is often hard to find at attractions and can be expensive.

We've been talking more and more about the day we have in Vancouver, and have decided to venture to Grouse Mtn or Lynn Canyon Park, as opposed to touring around downtown. We have spent time in Vancouver in the past and it's a beautiful city, but we're more 'nature' people. Therefore, a rental car is the way to go for us. We won't have to worry about our luggage and other logistics, and we're on our own schedule.

even a nude beach if that's your thing...)

Might be my husband and 12 year old son's thing! :)

Wasn't sure which Sandman you booked

It is the Sandman closest to the airport. Gosh, thank you so much for all the great ideas!

Thank you so much for this thread & now idea! Since our flight was changed to MUCH later we have been trying to decide what to do; was leaning toward HOHO. Now we too are renting a car for the day! Pick up at dock & drop off at airport

So glad my thread helped someone else! Have a great trip!

I was able to find a very reasonable hotel (Sandman Hotel for $150) that has a free shuttle to the airport. The best thing is that they are letting us check in at 8AM, instead of the usual 4PM! Also reserved a car at Alamo for $60 (full size so we can fit all our luggage in). We can get the car right at the terminal and drop it at the airport. This seems to be the way to go for us, as we can have time to rest, as well as a car to do some sightseeing or drive to any activities we decide to do.

Now I'll be researching to find things to see or do along the route from the terminal to the airport... or somewhat so.

Thanks for your awesome ideas. I will look into these options.

That's a great idea! However, it looks like a rate of $145 for only a 6 hour use of the room. I'm thinking we will need longer than that... and I've found nice rooms for around $130. Would be nice if we could stay there for the 12 hours necessary for that price.

I know you guys have seen it all, so I'm reaching out for suggestions...

We finish up our cruise on the morning of Sat. 6/20 (I'm guessing around 7AM like other cruises I've been on). I have a feeling that we'll be BEAT after 12 days of activity, and ready to get home. However, our flight to RDU isn't until 11:30PM that night. Was thinking we should get a hotel reserved so that we can check in as soon as they let us (hopefully closer to noon than the usual 3PM!), should we need it. That way we can hang out in the hotel and rest.

And if we don't need it, and are feeling full of energy and ready to hit the town for 15 hours, I'll cancel it!

I've found a hotel that's somewhat close to the airport that has a free shuttle to the airport and have reserved that. Should we look for a shuttle from the cruise port to the hotel? Or do a cab?

Wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and, if so, what did you do to handle the LONG layover?

Yes, but I meant the bags for the land portion. You only keep a small bag with you as you move between stops. The rest of the bags that you need on the land travel to the next stop on a truck. So be sure to keep any snacks that you need with you and don't pack them in the bags you set out each morning that you travel. Sorry if this is obvious, but I have seen other questions on this recently. :o

Gotcha! Thanks. :)

We carried snacks and water in our backpacks, which we kept with us on the bus or train. The rest of your luggage is transported separately, usually on a truck, to show up at your room. Just wanted to make sure you knew that you won't have immediate access to those bags.

Thanks! I do realize that but I appreciate you pointing it out. I definitely don't need food on the cruise portion. :)

Good job making me second guess everything I've posted though! :rolleyes:

This hopefully is an additional list? It should be a "given" getting at least to Eielson, in my opinion. No point in even going there otherwise. :) (my Disneyland analogy- if anyone would plan a trip there and not get past Main Street?, I highly doubt it :) )

Looks like 2.5 hours from our lodge to Eielson. There just doesn't seem to be time. I appreciate your opinion, but there's not time to do everything!

Are you sure you don't want to go into Denali Park? You will travel a loooong way to get there and back.

We do plan to go to Denali Park... hence the shuttle to the visitor center.

Keep in mind that public transit isn't very convenient to Lynn Canyon. If you want a hike/walk , take the walk from from Canada Place to Science World via the Seawall . Then continue on to Granville Island . Then back to your hotel.

Thanks! I will look into that now.

Alright! I've been working hard to nail down an itinerary and finally have all our days scheduled (to the extent we WANT them scheduled). Only thing remaining is our last day after the Princess cruise is over (EARLY), and we have until our 11:30PM flight in Vancouver, so my next focus is to fill up that full day.

-Anchorage: Morning/afternoon, Rent bikes for the day and do the entire length of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (hoping to see moose!). Evening, go to 'Bear Tooth Theater Pub' for dinner/beer/movie'.

-McKinley: Arrive in afternoon, then Byers Lake Paddle Trip (through Princess).

-Denali: Shuttle to Denali Park Visitor Center. Evening 'Covered Wagon Adventure with Backcountry Dining' (through Princess).

-Travel to Anchorage, board ship, next two days Scenic Cruising.

-Skagway: Rent a vehicle and drive to Emerald Lake, then back down to Dyea if we have time.

-Juneau: Get shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier. Also walk around the city as we have time, or maybe a trolley tour.

-Ketchikan: Duck tour at 11:30 (90 mins), meander and get shuttle to 'The Point' for lunch and art looking/buying. Then hike Rainbird Trail if we have time.

-Day at Sea

-Vancouver: Do some hiking in Lynn Canyon and general sightseeing around the city of Vancouver. ???

Another specific question: Are you prohibited from taking food in your land portion luggage? I'm strictly low carb and not sure I'll have a lot of choices for snacks.

Has anyone stayed at Princess Lodge in McKinley or Denali? We have a day at each. I'm particularly interested in whether we have independent excursion options while staying there. Or, since the lodges are owned and operated by Princess, do they kind of have a monopoly on what you do while staying there?

If we get a shuttle from the lodge to Denali park visitor center, is there anything worth doing within walking distance of the visitor center, since we won't have transportation? Maybe hiking?

What is fun to do in Anchorage (in town)? We are staying at Captain Cook and have one full day. Would rather not do a shuttle to elsewhere, but experience the Anchorage area.

We reserved our car through Avis and the address for pickup is in the Goldbelt Hotel, which doesn't look too far a walk.

 

I did some searching on this site about Dyea and the reviews seem mixed. Not a lot there still, but the history is intriguing. The lady I spoke with from Green Jeeps mentioned they give you the maps and guide for Dyea and the road to Emerald Lake. It was, however, $60 more than the rental car. :/

I'm seeing $139 (160 once all their fees are added) for an Avis car. And $180 for two-door Jeep. However, I've emailed the Green Jeep agency and they haven't emailed me back. I have a reservation at Avis, so we will probably just go with that.

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We have a similar cruise itinerary as to you, and seem to have some shared interests. :)

 

We have a 4-door Jeep rented in Skagway. A car or small SUV would've been a cheaper option, but those in my party were willing to splurge because apparently a Jeep sounded more fun. Plus, we plan to drive down to Dyea after returning from Emerald Lake.

 

In Juneau we rented a car and plan to see several sites including the fish hatchery, Shrine of St Therese, Mendenhall and Eagle Beach, if there's time.

 

In Ketchikan we just plan to walk around Creek Street, maybe take the bus to one of the parks, and my husband wants to see the Lumberjack show so we might get tickets for that too. We aren't in Kethikan very long, but from everything I've read here it seems to be a city you can do on your own if you aren't sightseeing by plane.

 

Your Denali timeline sounds great, and I wish I could be of some help in Vancouver but we'll only be there one day before our cruise so we're probably just going to get tickets to one of those hop-on, hop-off bus tours to see and enjoy the most of the city we can.

 

Have fun! Don't stress! :)

Thank you! Enjoy your trip as well! Question for you: Looking into renting a car in Juneau and it looks like there is not a rental agency close to the port, making a $50 taxi ride to get the car necessary. Are you finding that as well?

Will google Dyea. :)

you really don't need a tour in Ketchikan. but thy have some fun tours there.. like DUCK tour and we ro gig Geo Caching.. but you can walk the town and see a lot.. get past the docks away from the typical caribean jewlrey stores.. you can take a bus to Saxamns village or the other way to Bright totem park.. i did the research.. if you want to see Misty Frjords you will need a tour and they are pricey since a plane will be inolved.

 

you do not hav to buy tours from the ship.. many local tour operators are right there at the dock berth 3 i think.. i did that research to.. Since calling Alaska is free and i have talked to a few on the phone..

 

Same thing in Juneau and Skagway.. unless u o to the Yukon you do need a tour, but you can buy one at the dock cheaper than the ship.. whale watching yu shold research.. not all whale watches are equal .. you can get a bus to Mendenhall cheap.. and walk to Mt Roberts and the town of juneau for free.. they have trolly for cheap to.. anything that involves a plane is costly;)

Thank you... I will look into an independent whale watching expedition in Juneau!

There is nothing special about Beyers Lake. I'm just commenting- that in my case- it is only a fill in, cheap option, since I had a RV there. I would not be paying any big money for this. FAR superior, if you like to "paddle", would be a kayak rental on Mendenhall Lake, Now that is spectacular scenery and definitely a highlight.

 

Just a suggestion- with your independent touring, if you haven't, I would definitely cancel your TWT and get the full refunds from Princess. Then book the shuttle bus to Eielson. Nice bonus- cost a fraction of your refund, with the superior option to see and do more, including a ranger hike, if of interest?

 

I truly meant- I hope you enjoy your mainland visit. Maybe return independent next time.

Alrighty, feeling overwhelmed now, as we're running out of time for planning...

What is "TWT"?

If we don't do the Princess Lake Byers paddle excursion, what other options do we have at Mt McKinley (though I will take your advice and stay in Talkeetna as long as possible)?

As far as Denali... only one day there. What do you suggest there that we can do on our own in an afternoon?

As far as the Jeep goes, it's just a preference... about the same price as a car.