I'm appreciating this thread. I'm not trying to hijack it but it sounds like we have a lot of the same questions. And I have been researching for WEEKS but there are so many details to figure out! I'm hoping to book for June but will need a lot of things to fall into place with room prefs, etc.
Cruise line/ship: Holland America (Noordam or Nieuw Amsterdam), Princess (Sapphire, Majestic or Grand), NCL Jewel or Celebrity Millennium? I think Celebrity is only option that doesn't go to Glacier Bay.
Northbound (I've read the waters are rougher in the open waters up north and it's helpful to have your sea legs before you hit that portion) OR do we go Southbound so that we can have adventure and then relax on a cruise before we fly home. Assuming it's best to look at land vs open water? re: Starboard or port side. And down to availability at this point.
Land cruise, or do it on our own?
Fly into Vancouver or Fairbanks or Anchorage... Rental car looks to be around $2,000 for the week. I've read about gravel roads, etc. and not sure where that becomes a problem.
Cruise with balcony around $5,000 across the board and that's before excursions and airbnbs or other accommodations for the land portion.
Does anyone have recommendations for accommodations on land portion?
Train arrangements? Between Anchorage and Denali. Seward to Anchorage. Skagway to Whitehorse? Train options seem across the board too with levels of views or comforts?
The flight seeing opportunities with the landing on a glacier seems cool, but $500ish per person.
Matanuska Glacier sounds like a nice option for walking on a glacier?
Kenai Fjords boat trip.
And I thought it would be very cool to fly to Borrow and experience the 24/7 sun for a night... flight prices seemed fine. Has anyone done this? Limited accommodations, but what else is fun to see or do there?
Is this the time to visit Denali if we're so limited with the closed road due to the landslide project?
In the other direction, but the Top of the World Highway to Dawson City seems cool.
And you all have just taught me about this 26 glacier tour.
I'd love to know if anyone has done any of these things, suggestions? Thanks in advance!
