HAL Alaska CruiseTour Question

[ArtM]

We are booked on cruise tour 5 which starts with us disembarking from the Zuiderdam at 7 AM in Skagway. This is followed by an included town tour from 9 AM to 10:30 AM.

 

Now, the questions especially for those who have been on cruise tour 5. We have done a lot of cruises, but this is our first try at something like this so please forgive me if the questions seem naive :)

 

Are we locked in to doing the supplied town tour? if we are, is it feasible to arrange a private tour for the afternoon/evening?

 

Is the town tour worthwhile, or are we better off booking a more comprehensive private tour that includes the town tour?

 

Assuming we can do/choose to do something on our own, what is the procedure for claiming and transferring our luggage to the hotel, and getting our room?

 

Thanks

 

Art

[catl331]

we did tour 14. HAL takes care of your luggage. They will let you know where and when to put it. Just follow their directions. We have done a ship excursion of Skagway and learned quite abit. It is not a large town and you will have time to explore after your tour.Try http://Alaska.kweenkaren.com where a member of CC is writing a blog of her current Alaskan 14 day cruise. Click on Skagway and she presents some gorgeous pics of the area. She and a friend went up to the border on a tour and came back on the train. You will be doing the train on your next day. This is the most popular tour but it is included in your vacation. You never know what the weather will be so dress in layers and bring rain gear.

[ksc1984]

We did tour #3 last year, which is very similar to yours. We skipped the town tour and went on a different excursion to Haines that left at 7:30am. We also changed an excursion away from the group near the end of the trip. I had called HAL prior to making my reservations to see if this could be done and was told that nothing that is planned on the cruisetour is "required" (except when it comes to catching the train or coach to the next place of course.)

 

Your cruisetour includes all luggage transfers until the morning you fly out of Anchorage, so your luggage is aways waiting for you at each hotel room in each new town. (Well, sometimes you beat your bags to the room.) You should be able to pick up your room key at the Westmark desk in Skagway if your cruise director is not in the lobby. In most cases, the cruise director hands out everyone's room keys in a packet with important information for the day and the following day, like luggage out times and meeting times.

 

Any free time that you have in any town is available for you to arrange your own excursions and tours. Some places you have time, some places you do not. You can tell by the website what will fit. You have the whole day in Skagway, I think. But you must let your tour director know if you plan to not be at a designated place so that they won't look for or worry about you. This is especially true on the morning of disembarcation.

 

They do watch over you very carefully. You will meet your cruise director for the land portion early in your cruise on the Zuiderdam. They have a way of finding you, so don't worry, and you will probably have a M&G prior to Skagway. HAL cruisetours are top-notch. Your cruise director will make sure that everyone has a safe and memorable trip.

 

You will have a wonderful time and see more of the Yukon and Alaska than you thought imaginable in such a short period of time. There is so much more to Alaska than cruise ports. Keep your camera ready for wildlife everywhere! I'm very envious!

[ArtM]

ksc1984

 

Thanks. That's the information i was looking for.

 

Art

[Catridge]

ArtM - Can you give more details on your cruisetour. We're booked on #5 this year and would love information.

 

Thanks!!

[RuthC]

ArtM hasn't posted to the HAL board since last October. Since this is an old thread, he may not see your question. Don't be surprised if he does not reply.