booked princess alaska cruisetour; whats included

[1sweetp]

Hi I just booked 19n princess 14 day wilderness Alaska Cruisetour and I need to know what is included on the land tour besides lodging. Are any meals included?

are any of the land incursions included. If not about how much cash do we need for these extras?

Thanks in advance for your replys.

[Giantfan13]

Maybe this is a silly responce to your question, but you booked a 14 cruise/tour and you have no idea what it includes??. I would get on the horn with whomever you booked it with and ask them a few questions??. It's a lot of money, not to know what's going on and what you are getting.

[GlacierLady]

I sure wish there was more independant travelers supporting the state of Alaska instead of supporting the cruiseline agencies and foreigners with the majority of the bucks.I realize the majority of these people wouldn't be in this state if it weren't for the cruiselines but when the cruiselines are greedy and want every dollar they can get including charging outrageous prices, it does bother me what I see.Ask your travel agent if they have ever been to Alaska.Look at all your options before getting a salesperson just trying to make a commission.Alot of times "the locals" will give much better service and value.Ask yourself...Do you really wanted to be herded like cattle on and off a bus?..Enjoy Alaska! It's an awesome state with much to see and do,just do your homework first.

[cowtec]

1sweetp, we are doing 19S so I can answer a few of your questions. In Fairbanks I believe you will be responsible for your meals. The sternwheeler and the gold panning are included. The Natural HistoryTour is included in Denali - see if you can upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness Tour or try to do the shuttle if you can't. The most knowledgable people on this board will counsel you to avoid the NH tour because you simply don't go far enough into Denali to appreciate the Park. Anything you do elsewhere and all your meals are your responsibility. I think I am correct on that - anyone else have info? Hope you will write a review before we go!! :D

 

Sue

[1sweetp]

thank you Cowtec for actually answering the question(instead of making speeches) I am asking because I was not comfortable with the abswers given to me by the travel agency. Thanks again:) I

[Genessa]

Exactly what Cowtec said was included is what was included in our cruisetour. The Fairbanks excursions (both of which were great_ try to sit on the far left side of the river boat) and the Natural History Tour, which we upgraded to the Tundra Wilderness.

 

We have heard that food was expensive. We live in NY, so I don't know if that gives us different expectations, but while we didn't find the food cheap, it wasn't outrageous.

 

We picked up snacks at the Fred Meyer in Fairbanks (kind of like a Wal-Mart and large supermarket in one) and ate "lunch" on the riverboat.

 

So, basically, you are paying for your rooms and all transportation on your cruise tour and three excursions.

[SEPyle]

1sweetp,

 

I'm glad you've received some answers instead of speaches. I am a TA and this is our first trip to Alaska. We've lived in Europe and traveled quite a bit, so I'm not new to going on my own...but we too are going on a cruise tour (Celebrity cruisetour #13). I've read the posts that say cruisetours aren't the way to go and if you can't spend so many days in the interior of Alaska...on and on. I appreciate the advice given from people who have been there and done that. Valuable information and appreciated...but we all go to Alaska with different time frame restraints; different expectations, and so forth. You are sailing on a great cruise line, and I'm sure you will have a wonderful experience.

 

I do want to point out one important fact though. I called Princess the other day for a client and I don't think you will be able to upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness tour. Princess has used all their Tundra Wilderness allotment for this year. I believe in your case the best bet is the shuttle into Denali.

 

Glacier Lady, I understand your feelings for supporting the locals. My daughter lives in Key West and I have talked to locals and know how the cruise lines pay the tour operater way too little and charge passengers way too much. But please don't attack the person who goes on the cruise. Many people want to have the security of booking thru the cruise line. I really do feel many go back and then go out on their own. If it was my decision we would have done the tour portion on our own, but my husband doesn't want the hassle. I know traveling around Alaska is nothing like traveling in Europe, but he simply doesn't want the hassle. This time he wants go the cruise tour route and it will work for us!

 

Have a great day everyone!

Sharon

[Budget Queen]

As the people who have been there- you do NOT want the Natural History tour in Denali Park, so VERIFY first what you have listed on your itinerary and strongly consider skipping this. All meals are extra so budget 50% more than you do at home for a cushion. Anything NOT mentioned on your descriptions will be extra. I too am a VERY strong supporter of independent Alaska travel. In my opinion, cruisetours are certainly lacking and very costly for what you get- fact. It is hardly a hassel to travel Alaska on your own, extremely simple. ONLY one road- stop at your interests along the way, time out your lodging and take the info from this board. Basic routes are posted for those who ask.

 

I take exception to the above about "dismissing" the timeframes- YOU DO NEED enough time, cruisetours less than 7 days have WAY too much time in transit and no time at the destinations. I find way too many people who grossly underestimate this and are sorry later. It is extremely important that you do almost as much research picking a cruisetour as you do independent- way too much isn't mentioned and people don't know the significant differences. The more you know the better.

[SEPyle]

Budget Queen, then do you say people who simply don't have enough vacation time skip the interior of Alaska all together? In my case, I have to say I'm really pushing the envelope taking 5 extra days. Some if not most people simply don't have that much vacation time. I would rather include a 5 night interior add on; get a taste for Alaska and go back again!

 

I too recommended 1sweetp forget the Natural History tour as well, and go into the park on the Denali Shuttle. I'm afraid when agents/cruise line reps are selling Princess cruistours they don't point out that the Natural History tour is a waste. I do, and I try to do what is right for my client. By the way, when I have clients who are savvy travelers, I absolutely let them know that going on their own is the best way to go. No matter how easy independent travel in Alaska is, some people simply are too inexperienced to do so. Maybe inexperience is not the right word, a better word being independent enough to go that route.

 

I hope you understand I'm not trying to debate what you are saying. I'm just saying some people approach travel in a different way and for them, it isn't wrong.

 

[GlacierLady]

I didn't intend for a "speech".I was trying to open maybe atleast 1 person's eyes before they make a costly decision.Do your homework 1st. I was frustrated because people spend sooooo much $$$ to go on these cruises and excursions and they don't have a clue to what they already have spent hard earned money on.Very few of you have seen the things I've seen happen to people.(NOT trying to scare anyone)I'm here to try to help people make the best out of their vacation,just like others are,spending their "free"time to benefit others,and learn about Alaska.Alaska can sound intimidating but overall it's much easier to travel here than most other places.I'm sorry if I offended anyone but while I'm at it...my idea of a vacation isn't on a bus.I do understand the many varied reasons people may want to take that route.There is no right or wrong.I think this message board is great and I refer people to it all the time. How fortunate you were to find this place also.Tell everyone on your cruise,so they can know for next time.~~Enjoy Alaska~~

[Joy2Day]

cowtec,

I'm also on 19S, but in June. Do you have any idea what time we'll get to Denali? Since the NH tour is scheduled after we arrive, will the Tundra or the shuttle even be an option for us.

[cowtec]

Joy2Day, my itinerary shows arrival at Denali around noon and the Natural History tour from 4:30 to 8:30. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is at 2. I would guess that your schedule will follow a similar timeline. I know some of the experienced Alaska people on this board will be able to tell you more about the shuttle times than I can. :) Are you planning to do the Kenai Fjords Tour in Kenai??

 

Sue

[Budget Queen]

cowtec,

I'm also on 19S, but in June. Do you have any idea what time we'll get to Denali? Since the NH tour is scheduled after we arrive, will the Tundra or the shuttle even be an option for us.

 

 

Are you arriving by rail??? From Anchorage, gets in about 4pm, from Fairbanks gets in about noon. Again- GET OUT OF THE Natural History tour. There is a shuttle bus schedule http://www.nps.gov/dena

[Budget Queen]

Budget Queen, then do you say people who simply don't have enough vacation time skip the interior of Alaska all together? In my case, I have to say I'm really pushing the envelope taking 5 extra days. Some if not most people simply don't have that much vacation time. I would rather include a 5 night interior add on; get a taste for Alaska and go back again!

 

I too recommended 1sweetp forget the Natural History tour as well, and go into the park on the Denali Shuttle. I'm afraid when agents/cruise line reps are selling Princess cruistours they don't point out that the Natural History tour is a waste. I do, and I try to do what is right for my client. By the way, when I have clients who are savvy travelers, I absolutely let them know that going on their own is the best way to go. No matter how easy independent travel in Alaska is, some people simply are too inexperienced to do so. Maybe inexperience is not the right word, a better word being independent enough to go that route.

 

I hope you understand I'm not trying to debate what you are saying. I'm just saying some people approach travel in a different way and for them, it isn't wrong.

 

 

 

It depends- and my opinion only, you need time in Alaska. If you don't care about spending all day on a bus then leaving again the next AM for another day, getting the Natural History tour, spending a LARGE sum of money. Then fine for the short tours. It is interesting- where did you FIND out about the Natural History tour and NPS Shuttle buses??? FEW agents are knowledgable. I too am not trying to cause "problems", but from years answering questions on Alaska travel- there are WAY too many travel mistakes that people are getting themselves into. I totally agree with Glacier Lady.

So my bottom line will be- to understand FULLY what you are buying, this is a COMMON mistake I see over and over. From not realizing that meals aren't included to no clue on the differences into Denali Park. Every trip is a compromise- just don't shortchange yourself on priorities of Alaska travel.

[Gator83]

Maybe this is a silly responce to your question, but you booked a 14 cruise/tour and you have no idea what it includes??. I would get on the horn with whomever you booked it with and ask them a few questions??. It's a lot of money, not to know what's going on and what you are getting

 

 

I totally agree with Giantfan. How do you book a trip w/o knowing what is included??????????????? Common sense tells you that you get food on a cruise.

[SEPyle]

It depends- and my opinion only, you need time in Alaska. If you don't care about spending all day on a bus then leaving again the next AM for another day, getting the Natural History tour, spending a LARGE sum of money. Then fine for the short tours. It is interesting- where did you FIND out about the Natural History tour and NPS Shuttle buses??? FEW agents are knowledgable. I too am not trying to cause "problems", but from years answering questions on Alaska travel- there are WAY too many travel mistakes that people are getting themselves into. I totally agree with Glacier Lady.

So my bottom line will be- to understand FULLY what you are buying, this is a COMMON mistake I see over and over. From not realizing that meals aren't included to no clue on the differences into Denali Park. Every trip is a compromise- just don't shortchange yourself on priorities of Alaska travel.

 

I guess the answer to your question as to where I found out about the difference between the Natural Histoy Tour vs NPS Shuttle Busses is a result of research. My love of travel and cruising led me into the job of my dreams. I have had the good fortune of traveling in many different areas and have found out that researching before you go is the difference between a trip and an incredible adventure. When I became a TA (I work for an internet agency that takes pride in customer service, and not simply order taking) I turned calls over to other agents when clients wanted cruise tours to Alaska. I didn't want to do them an injustice.

 

I've learned so much from these boards and in fact I often direct my clients to cruisecritic as well. I've also learned to weed out the people who think they are experts (ie, making one trip to Alaska for instance) from people like you whose passion is Alaska. I absolutley agree...with what you said about people not understanding what they are buying. It's a huge mistake, and that's probably why I take time with people to help them understand what they are purchasing. The biggest lesson learned in my business has been to listen to what the customer is looking for. Not to sell him my favorite cruise line or cruise, but to listen to what they are looking for and then match the cruise (or cruisetour) to what they are looking for. I feel it's a skill and that's why I'm good at what I do!

 

Gosh, in looking at my reply I bet you are sorry you asked! I'm simply letting you know where I'm coming from and most of all want to say thank you on behalf of so many first time Alaska-bound cruisers...THANK YOU for taking the time to answer the same questions over and over!

 

By the way, before I started to really research Alaska, I only wanted to go to Alaska because my husband wanted to make the trip. Only after researching, I find myself getting more and more excited! In just over 2 months we will be on our way! Oh yes, he posted on one thread and I found out going to Alaska has been a dream of his since he was a child! It's going to be a special trip, that's for sure!

 

Have a great week!

 

Sharon

[nycruisefan]

If you go to the Princess website (make sure you have your booking number which you get from your travel agent), you can see your complete iternary. It shows the tours included as well as the scheduled times of the tours. Have a wonderful time!

[alaskagain]

Ok, so here is what I want to do, or learn how to do. We are booked on tour 19 S July 17. This is our 3rd tour in as many years. I am not the one writing the checks or I would be going independent. So I try to make the best of it. How do I get out of the Tundra tour and which shuttle should we take. We are booked for the afternoon Tundra tour, 4:30? If we arrive from Fairbanks around noon, would we have time to check in and then catch a shuttle? Also, my FIL enjoys the dinner show, so I know we will be doing that. Actually it isn't bad, even have the CD! Don't know if there is time to do another shuttle.

Last year I took advice I found here and we took the shuttle to the dogsled demo at the NPS headquarters. It is free and the kids loved it. They took us straight to the train station from there. Thanks for that advice.

 

Some day we will do Alaska independent, until then I will make the most of what I have been given. Read as much as I can on the boards and have fun.

 

Thanks again

[Joy2Day]

Laura,

I'm doing 19S on June 13. I just asked the same question this afternoon at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=150271.

 

The Natural History tour is the shorter one that most people caution against. The Tundra tour is the longer guided tour. There is a 2pm shuttle to Fish Creek and a 3 pm shuttle to Toklat which is the same route as the Tundra tour.

 

I originally chose the cruisetour route because I would be traveling solo on the land part, so I chose to go with a group my TA is escorting. Even tho' I have a friend and her family joining me on the land portion now, it is still a good choice overall for several reasons. Like you, some day I hope to go back and do an independent tour.

 

On the sleddog program, you did that in the morning before you caught the train? Did you shuttle over to the park from the lodge, then the park's shuttle took you to the train station. That program will be a big hit with my friend's daughter.

 

Karla

[alaskagain]

Karla,

Yes, I had checked the day before to see when the sled dog show was. We took the shuttle to the National Park Headquarters then they took us to the dogs. We had left our luggage to be taken to the train station as we were taking the 1? pm train to Fairbanks. Then after the dog sled demo the shuttle took us straight to the station. We met my in-laws there as they had not gone. Actually I think this was on the 4th of July last year.

[Budget Queen]

There are 3 dog sled demos per day with the shuttle leaving from the visitor center. the 10am demo drops off at the depot for the Anchorage train. I may be misreading- you want to cancel the Tundra Wilderness tour??? I doubt this is your time unless you are looking at the Natural History tour?? If so, I would be VERY SURE you can get a refund??? This tour is costing you over $75.

 

For clairfication- for those who have been there- EVERYONE "cautions against the Natural History tour". :)

[Joy2Day]

Natural History tour is included. I am assuming (but double-checking) that I won't be able to upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness tour. That leaves me with the budget-minded shuttle options.

 

Like you say, every trip is a compromise. I just want to know what viable options I have to consider.

[Budget Queen]

Natural History tour is included. I am assuming (but double-checking) that I won't be able to upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness tour. That leaves me with the budget-minded shuttle options.

 

Like you say, every trip is a compromise. I just want to know what viable options I have to consider.

 

 

 

Sorry, but that is way more than a compromise in Denali Park. The shuttle is an excellent option and way superior. Do consider it. To compare the Natural History tour is like sitting in the parking lot at Disneyland, and not going in. :)

[Joy2Day]

BQ, I hear you. I may not get the Natural History refunded and end up paying a little extra for the shuttle on-my-own, but when I look at the overall trip and getting to travel with the people I'll be spending time with, a few extra bucks for me to take the shuttle that afternoon is small potatoes. THAT'S the compromise that I meant. :-)

[tee_wrecks]

Okay, this may be a SWAG on my part but I suspect that 1sweetp's question was more geared towards what's included in the way of transfers, transportation and that kind of thing.

 

I've not been on a cruisetour so I only have the information I've gleaned from a few hundred hours of web research as well as my own opinion. (which with an additional $5 will get you a cup of coffee at just about any Starbuck's around) Someone slap me if I'm wrong but here goes:

 

The cruise is not quite the no brainer it appears. Basic food, water, and beverages like coffee and tea are provided, some on a 24/7 basis. Special meals, sodas, and icey cold adult beverages with little umbrellas are all an additional price.

 

The land tour is a different story. All transportation and lodging as well as assorted excursions listed are inclusive. Meals, tips, trinkets, and stuff like that are extra so don't forget to budget for them. My interpretation is that they will get you from ship to hotel, from hotel to bus, and back again as part of the tour. Everything else is on your tab.

 

We looked at booking a land tour after our cruise and elected to initiate our own tour. My wife and I both decided we didn't want to be saddled with the restrictions of being at a prescribed place at a prescribed time or else! We're considerably less structured in our travels. Besides, one of the reasons we're going there is for the photographic opportunities and I MUST have the flexibility to sit in a location until the light is favorable rather than having to shoot what's there and move on due to someone else's arbitrary schedule.

 

I suspect we'll be spending just as much money taking the tour on our own but if we don't like what we see or do, there's a direct pipeline to the to tour director for all our complaints.