First time cruiser need help with land portion on princess

[Sheltiepawz]

Hi all! This will be our first cruise for both me and my husband, plus first time to alaska. We are doing the one night princess wilderness lodge/ 2 nights Denali before our cruise starts. We will be there July 18,19,and 20 leave the 21st for our cruise portion. Ideas what to do? What not to miss? I am having a hard time finding information out on what to do up there. We are in our early 40's. We are up for anything really and am thinking we are going to want active adventures since we will be doing a lot of sitting/ traveling before arrival and to cruise ship. We do like to hike. I am looking into the grand Denali flight from talkeetna for our first night there. I appreciate all advise!!! Thank you!

[Budget Queen]

Your question is way too general. There is endless hiking available and loads of activities to consider. IF you are referring to Denali- http://www.nps.gov/dena

 

As for flight seeing out of Talkeetna, I'd suggest you schedule this for either just after you arrive, or before you leave Talkeetna- IF you are traveling by train. You are a 2 hour round trip transit from Talkeetna from the McKinley Princess.

 

If you are referring to your ports- then take a look at your shore excursion list, and narrow down your interests. Once you find specific touring you are interested in, then look further for trip reviews and vendor recommendations.

[Sheltiepawz]

Thanks budget queen. I am referring to things to do in Denali. We won’t have a car to get around. I’m having trouble finding information specific to Denali. I will check out the parks web page.

I just booked the glacier flight for the night we are staying at talkeetna.

[thinfool]

Princess has information about excursions and things to do at Denali if you are a cruisetour customer.

 

Make a concerted effort with your TA or with Princess (if you booked direct) to obtain this. Jump up and down, whine, cry...all the regular stuff....;p:cool:

 

I have a vague memory that some of our information was included in the many pages of what we thought was our cruise contract. That was long ago...things may have changed.

[Sheltiepawz]

Princess has information about excursions and things to do at Denali if you are a cruisetour customer.

 

Make a concerted effort with your TA or with Princess (if you booked direct) to obtain this. Jump up and down, whine, cry...all the regular stuff....;p:cool:

 

I have a vague memory that some of our information was included in the many pages of what we thought was our cruise contract. That was long ago...things may have changed.

 

 

Thank you.

[capriccio]

For Princess excursions at the Denali and Mt. McKinley (Talkeetna) lodges check out the Princess website: https://www.princess.com/learn/excursions/index.jsp. Enter your destination (Alaska) and then select your destination (Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge). Even if you aren't interested in a Princess excursions, it may give you some ideas on what to do at each lodge. If your budget, schedule and weather permit, the summit flight over Denali from Talkeetna is magnificent!

[Sheltiepawz]

For Princess excursions at the Denali and Mt. McKinley (Talkeetna) lodges check out the Princess website: https://www.princess.com/learn/excursions/index.jsp. Enter your destination (Alaska) and then select your destination (Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge). Even if you aren't interested in a Princess excursions, it may give you some ideas on what to do at each lodge. If your budget, schedule and weather permit, the summit flight over Denali from Talkeetna is magnificent!

Thank you! I just booked the grand Denali from talkeetna. Very excited about that😀.

[Budget Queen]

How are you getting to Talkeetna? from what direction? Reason is, you aren't staying in Talkeetna- you will be an hour away and it's best to avoid that transit more than you have to. I always always book direct, since usually the rates are more favorable and more flights are available. There are huge differences between flight routes. Some assume there is just one flight.

 

An option I have not heard this season, but in the past, Princess has refunded the TWT/NHT which I always recommend. (you don't say, what is included with your tour???) Ideal to then just book yourself on a shuttle bus. The beauty of this is the ability to get to the Eielson Visitor Center and, Wonder Lake. Princess won't get you to either.

 

There are numerous activities in Denali that a lot of cruisetour people don't bother with. Ranger programs, hiking , the free Savage River Shuttle bus etc. Of course you must be willing to go independent, but, your experiences could be very worthwhile.

[Northern Aurora]

If the OP reads the threads with the trip reports from the last several years (located at the top of this page organized by year) they will find that many posters have described their activities in Denali in detail, including photos. It won't take much time to skim over them, even the ones on cruise lines other than Princess, and they contain a vast wealth of information.

[Sheltiepawz]

How are you getting to Talkeetna? from what direction? Reason is, you aren't staying in Talkeetna- you will be an hour away and it's best to avoid that transit more than you have to. I always always book direct, since usually the rates are more favorable and more flights are available. There are huge differences between flight routes. Some assume there is just one flight.

 

An option I have not heard this season, but in the past, Princess has refunded the TWT/NHT which I always recommend. (you don't say, what is included with your tour???) Ideal to then just book yourself on a shuttle bus. The beauty of this is the ability to get to the Eielson Visitor Center and, Wonder Lake. Princess won't get you to either.

 

There are numerous activities in Denali that a lot of cruisetour people don't bother with. Ranger programs, hiking , the free Savage River Shuttle bus etc. Of course you must be willing to go independent, but, your experiences could be very worthwhile.

 

We don't have any package with the land portion of our cruise except our accomadations and transportation by princess. We choose the do it on your own. Thank you for the national park link. That is exactly what I was looking for! These options are not apparent from the princess excursion page. I think we will take a shuttle bus to Eielson visitor center for our full day and hopefully hike some that day also. The ranger hike looked appealing.

 

I have booked most of our excursions privately and not through princess. I only booked with princess if it was the same price as privately which so far has amounted to two excursions. I was warned by some friends though that this might not be the best thing to do though if the cruise line gets off schedule.

 

As far as talkeetna, we will have to take the princess shuttle back into town after we arrive at the lodge. I had spoken to princess about this before, asking if we could be dropped off in town we when made the quick scheduled stop there before arriving at the lodge and the phone operator told me it was not possible😫. Our flight is with talkeetna air at 6 p.m. We will be arriving at the lodge at 1 p.m.that day I believe.

 

Thank you for all the help!

[Sheltiepawz]

If the OP reads the threads with the trip reports from the last several years (located at the top of this page organized by year) they will find that many posters have described their activities in Denali in detail, including photos. It won't take much time to skim over them, even the ones on cruise lines other than Princess, and they contain a vast wealth of information.

 

Thank you!

[Midwestoalaska]

Budget Queen. We are with a Princess Cruisetour Southbound in August. We did cancel the NHT tour and received credit. We booked shuttle to Eilsen to do on our full day. We get to Denali around 4-5 pm the day before. Wondering what is the best way to get our food for lunch in Denali the next day as no food after WAC. Worried that if I plan to get food at WAC it may be pretty sparse by 8 am. Was thinking maybe the sandwich shop across the street to get something for the next day and keep it on ice after having dinner. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.