Sheltiepawz

We were just at these places the last week of July. We did lower Reid falls while in Skagway in addition to a long excursion to bennet lake with a tour company. We had a long port time that day. Much of the hike is through town to get to the trail. We really enjoyed the waterfall. We would do this again. Beautiful waterfall.

In Juneau,we went out to Mendenhall on our own with one of the colored buses. We really enjoyed spending time at the visitor center and at nugget falls. Enjoyed seeing salmon also. We didn’t feel like it was to crowded and that we had our own space even though there were a lot of people visiting out there also.

Ketchikan we did on our own. We did the self guided walking tour and ate lunch at a local place. I did not personally care for this port day. It was really crowded all throughout the town with the ship visitors. We could barely walk along creek street. Loud noises all throughout town during our walk from lots of traffic. If I had it to do over, I would either book a fishing excursion or find a trail far away from the crowds. We did get into port at 9:30, so maybe that had something to do with the crowds. Our other two ports days were a lot earlier.

Enjoy your time. We had an amazing time!

I just returned from a princess cruise tour last night. I believe it was called ebx 10? We went to talkeetna and Denali. I think when I was shopping the cruisetours, princess was able to give me an itinerary with times when I called to inquire before I booked. If not, I got times right after I booked. What was offered on land was my deciding factor in which line to go with.

The land really was the most favorite of our trip! Loved every second! Next time we go it will just be land on our own.

I thought the train was very scenic!!!! I have tons of pictures and videos from the train and spent lots of time on the platform enjoying the view and getting fresh air. The view is great from train also, the glass just interfered with my camera lens and I’m picky about my picturesx

I did not ride the Fairbanks to Denali section.

I thought my bus ride from anchorage to McKinley princess lodge was not very scenic at all.

I loved the train! A major highlight of our trip!

The train was a real highlight of our trip. We just got back last night. We were only supposed to ride once from talkeetna to Denali. We enjoyed that so much we upgraded on our cruise tour from bus from Denali to Whittier to the train. Loved every second of the train!!! I even enjoyed the train as much as my grand tour flight around Denali! We saw the whole Alaskan range on the way down to Whittier on the train. It was a very special day.

I will be on the same ship! Our first cruise and first time to Alaska. I am so thankful to cruise critic also. Awesome advise on my questions! I also learned so much reading through others questions. Here’s to an awesome trip!

Amazing! I leave next Tuesday and can’t wait!

Thank you for this! We leave in 6 days for our first cruise and I had no clue what to pack to wear for dinner.

Good news... I just saw a link posted on the TripAdvisor forum for Alaskan travel for a shuttle that would get you to Byer's Lake: http://denaliriverguides.com/denali-shuttle/

Awesome! Thank you. I will check it out.

We will be in talkeetna with the princess cruise tour in July. Since this is our first stop, I know we will be ready to do things. I am not very sure there is a lot to do though. I believe we arrive at around 12:30-1:30 the first day. We have a flight tour schedule for 6 p.m. The first evening. I already asked princess if we could just be dropped in talkeetna first on way there instead of going to lodge and then take shuttle back, but was told no. This is when I regreted booking land with princess instead of doing it on our own:mad:. Live and learn lol. Maybe that will change once we are there??? We leave for Denali the next day on the train at 12:30.

Anyway, looking for things to do the next morning till we leave, assuming our glacier flight goes off without a hitch the previous night. Is there any transportation out to Byers lake? I don't feel like we need a guided hike, just need transportation to get to the hiking sites. Or any hikes in the town of talkeetna itself. We would be will willing to take a taxi. Anything else I am missing worth doing?Thanks in advance. You all were so helpful in helping me plan my Denali days!!!

If the OP reads the threads with the trip reports from the last several years (located at the top of this page organized by year) they will find that many posters have described their activities in Denali in detail, including photos. It won't take much time to skim over them, even the ones on cruise lines other than Princess, and they contain a vast wealth of information.

Thank you!

How are you getting to Talkeetna? from what direction? Reason is, you aren't staying in Talkeetna- you will be an hour away and it's best to avoid that transit more than you have to. I always always book direct, since usually the rates are more favorable and more flights are available. There are huge differences between flight routes. Some assume there is just one flight.

 

An option I have not heard this season, but in the past, Princess has refunded the TWT/NHT which I always recommend. (you don't say, what is included with your tour???) Ideal to then just book yourself on a shuttle bus. The beauty of this is the ability to get to the Eielson Visitor Center and, Wonder Lake. Princess won't get you to either.

 

There are numerous activities in Denali that a lot of cruisetour people don't bother with. Ranger programs, hiking , the free Savage River Shuttle bus etc. Of course you must be willing to go independent, but, your experiences could be very worthwhile.

We don't have any package with the land portion of our cruise except our accomadations and transportation by princess. We choose the do it on your own. Thank you for the national park link. That is exactly what I was looking for! These options are not apparent from the princess excursion page. I think we will take a shuttle bus to Eielson visitor center for our full day and hopefully hike some that day also. The ranger hike looked appealing.

I have booked most of our excursions privately and not through princess. I only booked with princess if it was the same price as privately which so far has amounted to two excursions. I was warned by some friends though that this might not be the best thing to do though if the cruise line gets off schedule.

As far as talkeetna, we will have to take the princess shuttle back into town after we arrive at the lodge. I had spoken to princess about this before, asking if we could be dropped off in town we when made the quick scheduled stop there before arriving at the lodge and the phone operator told me it was not possible😫. Our flight is with talkeetna air at 6 p.m. We will be arriving at the lodge at 1 p.m.that day I believe.

Thank you for all the help!

For Princess excursions at the Denali and Mt. McKinley (Talkeetna) lodges check out the Princess website: https://www.princess.com/learn/excursions/index.jsp. Enter your destination (Alaska) and then select your destination (Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge). Even if you aren't interested in a Princess excursions, it may give you some ideas on what to do at each lodge. If your budget, schedule and weather permit, the summit flight over Denali from Talkeetna is magnificent!

Thank you! I just booked the grand Denali from talkeetna. Very excited about that😀.

Princess has information about excursions and things to do at Denali if you are a cruisetour customer.

 

Make a concerted effort with your TA or with Princess (if you booked direct) to obtain this. Jump up and down, whine, cry...all the regular stuff....;p:cool:

 

I have a vague memory that some of our information was included in the many pages of what we thought was our cruise contract. That was long ago...things may have changed.

Thank you.

Thanks budget queen. I am referring to things to do in Denali. We won’t have a car to get around. I’m having trouble finding information specific to Denali. I will check out the parks web page.

I just booked the glacier flight for the night we are staying at talkeetna.

Hi all! This will be our first cruise for both me and my husband, plus first time to alaska. We are doing the one night princess wilderness lodge/ 2 nights Denali before our cruise starts. We will be there July 18,19,and 20 leave the 21st for our cruise portion. Ideas what to do? What not to miss? I am having a hard time finding information out on what to do up there. We are in our early 40's. We are up for anything really and am thinking we are going to want active adventures since we will be doing a lot of sitting/ traveling before arrival and to cruise ship. We do like to hike. I am looking into the grand Denali flight from talkeetna for our first night there. I appreciate all advise!!! Thank you!