AKStafford

I don't think the point of the post is to not go... I think it's to go with proper expectations of the season you are visiting in.

From Anchorage, from Willow, from Big Lake, from Talkeetna, from the South Denali Viewpoint, from the Veteran's Memorial, from the North Denali Viewpoint... All assuming the Mountain is not covered in clouds.

In addition to the advice you get here on Cruise Critic, I'd also suggest research on the TripAdvisor forum for Alaska travel: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g28923-i349-Alaska.html Don't underestimate your driving times in Alaska. Whatever Google Maps is giving you, add 30%. Where is your cruise departing from: Seward or Whittier? With 5.5 days, I don't think you'll have time for Denali National Park and Homer. You'll have to pick one or the other. Scenic Train Ride: You can use the Alaska Railroad to reach your port on the day of your cruise. This route south of Anchorage is scenic. If you want to do a train trip as a day activity, you can do the Glacier Discovery Train to Grandview.

What ports will you be in?

Whales are never guaranteed on the Kenai Fjord trips. They are guaranteed on the Icy Strait Point trips. I'd do whales there.

For dinner, you'll have to take a taxi or walk up the hill to downtown. F Street Station is my favorite if you can get a seat. You'll probably one of several groups walking from the hotel to the train station. You'll be fine.

I've got three flights booked with Alaska Air within the next four months. I generally tend to travel exclusively on Alaska Airlines. In my opinion, it's the best carrier out there. And with it's upcoming purchase of Hawaiian Airlines, it'll be the 5th largest airline in the nation.

Below was taken from a recent Facebook post in a group for advice for Alaska travel. I thought it was worth placing here as well: "Hola Travelers, As someone *very* active in the Alaska business & tourism field (and local to Juneau/Skagway since 2009), many of you chose to NOT book thru a travel agent and do not get the information I'm about to post; and the cruise lines and online booking sites don't know (or don't WANT you to know) this timeline of how business operates in Alaska. This includes TOURS, shops, TRANSPORTATION (including the TRAIN), etc). Our season has *always* been May 15 - September 15th. This is etched in STONE. Almost everything is open during this time period. Here's how they staff: April - workers start showing up, training commences. April 15 - maybe 25% of all tours/shops/excursions are open May 1 - 60%ish of businesses are open May 15 - 80% of businessses are open. Alaska Railroad opens. May 23/24thish: 100% of businesses are open September 4/5ish: We lose 25% of our staff and businesses September 15: About 50% of tours/businesses closed (including the Alaska Railroad) October 1st: We are probably at 20-25% of businesses and tours open Last Cruise: 5-10% of businesses are open (except for locals). Keep this in mind when you book your cruise if you are NOT going to book thru an Alaska-based agency or someone who has been up here a lot. In Skagway, it was rough on October 1st when we had only *** 2 *** full service restaurants open in town. JUST TWO. Yet we had 5,000 passenger ships still coming in. Most of our tours had already closed, except for a few ran by Skagway Tours, Southeast, and the railroad. I think Alaska X had a few still going. But it was NOT pretty for how the tourists were treating us (I even closed my shop due to how rude some of them were, and went on my own cruise in Florida). We had ships skipping ports due to horrible weather starting in late September, and every day I was getting an email from Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, or Sitka advising of another ship skipping a port that day or heavily delayed. There's a reason the cruise lines drop the prices SSSOOO low in our off-season - please keep this in mind when booking. If you are perfectly fine in NCL's Thermal Spa or doing onboard activities, then fantastic. You'll have a wonderful time."

When in May? Early May is still late winter... If you have a car, I'd head to the Matanuska Glacier for a guided glacier hike. Along the way you could include a drive up into Hatcher Pass. It'll be too early for the mine to be open, but it's still a great drive.

Yep. Travel in Alaska is expensive...

I was seeing $1,500ish when I looked earlier today.

If you are considering a land tour of Southcentral Alaska, I highly recommend planning that yourself using a rental car to get around. You'll have more options in dining, lodging and activities. There's lots of great advice available here and at the TripAdvisor forum for Alaska travel: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g28923-i349-Alaska.html

True. But if you are going to rent a car, now is the time to reserve it. Prices will likely only go up from here.

Below was taken from a recent Facebook post in a group for advice for Alaska travel. I thought it was worth placing here as well: "Hola Travelers, As someone *very* active in the Alaska business & tourism field (and local to Juneau/Skagway since 2009), many of you chose to NOT book thru a travel agent and do not get the information I'm about to post; and the cruise lines and online booking sites don't know (or don't WANT you to know) this timeline of how business operates in Alaska. This includes TOURS, shops, TRANSPORTATION (including the TRAIN), etc). Our season has *always* been May 15 - September 15th. This is etched in STONE. Almost everything is open during this time period. Here's how they staff: April - workers start showing up, training commences. April 15 - maybe 25% of all tours/shops/excursions are open May 1 - 60%ish of businesses are open May 15 - 80% of businessses are open. Alaska Railroad opens. May 23/24thish: 100% of businesses are open September 4/5ish: We lose 25% of our staff and businesses September 15: About 50% of tours/businesses closed (including the Alaska Railroad) October 1st: We are probably at 20-25% of businesses and tours open Last Cruise: 5-10% of businesses are open (except for locals). Keep this in mind when you book your cruise if you are NOT going to book thru an Alaska-based agency or someone who has been up here a lot. In Skagway, it was rough on October 1st when we had only *** 2 *** full service restaurants open in town. JUST TWO. Yet we had 5,000 passenger ships still coming in. Most of our tours had already closed, except for a few ran by Skagway Tours, Southeast, and the railroad. I think Alaska X had a few still going. But it was NOT pretty for how the tourists were treating us (I even closed my shop due to how rude some of them were, and went on my own cruise in Florida). We had ships skipping ports due to horrible weather starting in late September, and every day I was getting an email from Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, or Sitka advising of another ship skipping a port that day or heavily delayed. There's a reason the cruise lines drop the prices SSSOOO low in our off-season - please keep this in mind when booking. If you are perfectly fine in NCL's Thermal Spa or doing onboard activities, then fantastic. You'll have a wonderful time."

Instead of an organized cruise tour from the cruise line, would you consider putting together your own trip using a rental car for the land portion of the trip? There's nothing on a cruise tour that can't be booked independently, often for cheaper.

Is there a question here , or was it just a comment?

I'd include several days before/after the cruise in Southcentral Alaska. You could include a hike on the Matanuska Glacier, visit Knik Glacier and do a Prince William Sound glacier cruise.

Something like this: https://hoonahtraveladventures.com/product/alaska-brown-bears-and-wilderness-tour/

Major Marine Tours and Kenai Fjords Tours both offer great trips. Either one would work.

From the Anchorage Airport to your hotel: some hotels offer a shuttle, otherwise there is Uber, Lyft or taxis. There'll be a line of taxis outside of baggage claim. Hotels in Anchorage are expensive. Be prepared for sticker shock. To get to Whittier: several different options. A one-way car rental with Avis with a hefty drop off fee. Cruise line transfer. ACT Bus ( https://alaskacruisetransfer.com/schedule/ ). Bear Valley Road Runner (https://www.bearvalleyroadrunner.com/ ). Or my preference would be the Glacier Discovery train from the Alaska Railroad, along with a Prince William Sound glacier cruise with Philips Cruises. https://phillipscruises.com/26-glacier-cruise/

You'll be tired from your flight and the time change. And you'll have an early morning the next day. So factor that into what you do. When I travel though, I try to squeeze every moment possible out of the experience... Sometimes to my own harm. So, if it was me, I'd see if the hotel could hold my luggage or check me in early. And then I'd use a rental car for a drive to Hatcher Pass, about 90 minutes north of Anchorage. You'd need a mini-van or SUV for all seven of you. You could dinner in Palmer on your way back to Anchorage. Hotel near the train station: Wingate by Wyndham Anchorage Downtown/Ship Creek is closest. The Anchorage Grand or the Anchorage Hilton are next closest. On the 24th, do a Kenai Fjords wildlife cruise before boarding your ship.

Hotels in Anchorage in the summer are expensive... But getting off the train that late in the evening, you'll probably want to stay in Anchorage. The Copper Whale Inn used to have some more affordable rates, but I haven't compared in a while. Susitna Place B&B was another one that seemed more reasonable on rates. Gardyloo gave you some great suggestions. Another one is the visit the Matanuska Glacier north of Palmer and stay the night in that area.

Maybe in Juneau rent a mini-van and do some exploring on your own? The drive out to Eagle Beach with a stop at the Shrine of St. Therese is nice.

What ports will you be at?

Just one minor note: Alaskans usually refer to Highways by their names, not numbers. Most Alaskans have no idea what the highway numbers are. So from Seward to Anchorage is the Seward Highway.