Polopup

My issue wasn't so much about Alaska hotels and that they might be lower standard. Other hotels I have stayed in Anchorage and Juneau were just fine. Its that Princess and Princess marketing materials really "sold" me that the "lodges" were better than they are. I don't feel Princess was really honest in what you were getting. I should have actually booked an independent tour of Alaska on my own and it would have been half the price, better quality and I would have seen MORE of Alaska. It wasn't Alaska that fell short here, it was Princess that fell short.

If you're considering book a cruisetour for Alaska this year just skip it and go on a cruise only. Princess handles the Alaska cruises just fine. Adding a land tour on to your cruise is an absolute waste of money. Here are the problems I experienced (that sucked so bad I almost never want to cruise again) 1) The "Lodges" are nothing of the sorts. They are like staying in a 3 star best western, perhaps doublewide might be better. They are NOTHING like a lodge or cabin style accomodations. Woefully dissapointed on the lodging. I've stayed in better Motel 6. 2) The bus transportation is slow and you don't "see" any more Alaska than you do on a regular Alaska cruise. 3) The train from Whittier up to Denali is 9 hours and I think being in solitary confinement in a prison would be better. All in all it was one of the worst experiences up my life. Don't do it. Yes, a Princess cruise to Alaska is great, but adding a land portion and making it a landtour with overnight stays was terrible. And you can see "all" of what Alaska is in an Alaska cruise only!!!