"Escorted" Alaska Cruisetours?

[elycelynne]

I saw these advertised on the Princess website. Apparently they cost a bit more than standard cruisetours, but supposedly they provide a guide for the whole duration (at least the land portion) and more meals are included. Is this something new for Princess, or have these been offered in the past? If they're not brand new, has anyone ever been on one, and does the extra service justify the price difference? I was thinking that something like this might be a good option for someone who might want to do a cruisetour solo with some added security of knowing that they wouldn't be wandering aimlessly by themselves during their land portion.

 

Thoughts? Opinions?

[prophotogirl]

I don't think it's new. If I were going as a Solo this time, I would still do a regular cruisetour. I've been on one before back in 2003 with family. It's a great mix alone time & w/ other people. I would not be concerned with my security at all (just use common sense and know your surroundings every where you go without the group). You could make more new friends that way too as Escorted Cruisetours have limited people. Consider it like going to Disney World by yourself. I did that back in Sept last year. Staying @ a Disney Resort is like staying @ a Princess Lodge and using Disney Transportation is like Princess making sure you get to either your included excursion or the next lodge or the rail depot where you board Princess rail cars. No need for a cab at either Disney or on a Princess Cruisetour, they'll get you to were you need/want to go.

[Arlened236]

we took a escorted cruise tour in Alaska (7 days on land and 7 days at sea) from Anchorage,to Dinalli, Fairbanks, Seward. There were 5 couples and our guide. We were given vouchers for food, and all land tours were included (including food on the train from Dinalli to Fairbanks). We stayed at the Cook Hotel in Anchorage, stayed at the Princess Lodge in Dinalli for 2 nights. And 2 night in Fairbanks Princess lodge . It was wonderful, our guide was excellent, her grandmother was a full Tinglet. She knew so much about Alaskan history and its people. She was even with us on the cruise. It was well worth the extra money.

We took this tour 12 years ago, so this is nothing new. My husband still says other than our Far East cruise this was the best.

[Coral]

They have been offered for years but there are very few of them. Pia from this board did a "live posting" from hers last year. All I remember is that she thought the food on the land was very good. You may want to try to do a search for her live post. It was in August or Sept of last year.

 

I found the link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1054906

[knittinggirl]

We've booked the Escorted Cruisetour. I believe two meals a day are included, and several excursions. We're wondering if the escorted upgrade is the one for us, since we often share meals when dining at home. We decided we wanted to try this way for our first cruisetour. I've been on a couple of foreign trips back in college (one chartered everything, while the other used public transportation), and a wonderful tour of China back in 1984. Sitting with some very experienced cruisers (40+) them mentioned that a lot of people are upset when they realize the food isn't included on most cruisetours.

 

A recent price check for the cruisetour vs the escorted cruisetour showed only about $100 price difference for the same locations. However, we did notice a huge difference between the cruise only and our cruise tour depending on category. Between $1400 difference to $2300 ($1400 being the Minisuite and up category.

 

We also have to set aside a $60 tip for our escort guide.

[Fargo55]

We did the escorted tour last year and it was fantastic. our tour guide was great, we had 21 people so plenty of room on the bus. The vouchers are for meals in the lodges and the food was topnotch. Well worth the extra money.