Include Meals on Alaska Land Tours Or Not

[charlielinda]

The difference for the five day land tour is $500 and includes 5-Breakfast, 2-Lunch and 4-Dinner (including Music of Denali Dinner Theatre), the Tundra Wilderness Tour and a Tour Guide. We are trying to decide if this is something we should do or go on our own. Has anyone does this and have opinions? Thanks so much!

[Loonbeam]

You had asked this already and we answered...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1331116

[charlielinda]

I'm sorry -- I'm still looking for information. What type of meals does the meal plan provide -- buffet, ordering from menu, boxed lunch on the train or dining car? What type of restaurants? Someone said that vouchers are provided -- are they provided for all meals? These are some of these questions I'd love to find out before we make a decision to spend $500 each for the meal plan.

[Budget Queen]

In my opinion, going on cruisetours is the most costly way to tour Alaska and sees the least.

 

If you are open to independent, then do so. It is definitely an enhanced trip, that allows you to spend your valuable time where you wish.

 

Some extras to be aware of. Factor in your transit times, they are significant in Alaska. IF you are at the McKinley Lodge, it is rare to have a McKinley viewing. It is also a 2 hour round trip from the nearest town, Talkeetna. This is actually a "holding" area in some ways, especially if you have two nights here. 1 is enough and don't consider 2 here, unless you also have 2 at Denali Park, where there is far more to see and do. Be advised that Princess trains are set up with table seating groups of 4, assigned seats. So two ride backwards the entire trip. The train on the Whittier/Denali/Fairbanks, just about parallels the Parks Highway, so no advantage going by train, scenery wise. This also is the "least" scenic portions. Lots of trees and more trees. :)

 

Budget 50% more for meals than you do at home. I wouldn't lock myself into any meal plan, as I don't like being so restrictive. Depends what YOU want?

[Loonbeam]

I know it varies slightly according to the lodge in question. For example, one of your meals at Denali will be the Denali Dinner theater so I don't beleive you get a dinner voucher for that meal.

 

At McKinley, we saw an Escorted group (or some of them) eating in the fine dining sit down restaurant.

 

On the train I am reasonably certain that it was Dining Area, the escorted group was all in the car ahead of us and they were eating below as we were.

 

Pia can probably give you more specifics, we were supposed to go escorted but it was full our run.

 

 

I'm sorry -- I'm still looking for information. What type of meals does the meal plan provide -- buffet, ordering from menu, boxed lunch on the train or dining car? What type of restaurants? Someone said that vouchers are provided -- are they provided for all meals? These are some of these questions I'd love to find out before we make a decision to spend $500 each for the meal plan.

[Loonbeam]

I'm of the complete opposite view. When on vacation I want as little hassle/driving as possible. If the provider offers a good package I am happy to let them handle moving the luggage, etc, even if a little more expensive.

 

In my opinion, going on cruisetours is the most costly way to tour Alaska and sees the least.

 

If you are open to independent, then do so. It is definitely an enhanced trip, that allows you to spend your valuable time where you wish.

 

Some extras to be aware of. Factor in your transit times, they are significant in Alaska. IF you are at the McKinley Lodge, it is rare to have a McKinley viewing. It is also a 2 hour round trip from the nearest town, Talkeetna. This is actually a "holding" area in some ways, especially if you have two nights here. 1 is enough and don't consider 2 here, unless you also have 2 at Denali Park, where there is far more to see and do. Be advised that Princess trains are set up with table seating groups of 4, assigned seats. So two ride backwards the entire trip. The train on the Whittier/Denali/Fairbanks, just about parallels the Parks Highway, so no advantage going by train, scenery wise. This also is the "least" scenic portions. Lots of trees and more trees. :)

 

Budget 50% more for meals than you do at home. I wouldn't lock myself into any meal plan, as I don't like being so restrictive. Depends what YOU want?