Independent land tour of the Interior from Seattle?

[Lovingtravel]

Has anyone done an independent or escorted land tour from Seattle that would include Denali, Talkeenta and Kenai Fjords? We have friends that are sailing on NCL's Pearl roundtrip Seattle who we would like to join, but we were really looking forward to seeing part of the Interior Region (Denali, Fairbanks) also seeing Kenai Fjords (Seward). The problem is we only want to be gone for about 12 days which would include the 7 day cruise. Not sure cruising roundtrip Seattle would be the way to go.

 

Any info would be appreciated!

[NancyIL]

As far as I know, ALL Alaska cruises out of Seattle are roundtrip - so you wouldn't be able to do an interior land trip in conjunction with the cruise. You need a one-way northbound (out of Vancouver) or southbound (out of Seward or Whittier) to be able to do the land portion on the same trip.

 

However, there are lots of Seattle - Anchorage flights on Alaska Airlines, so you could do the land portion that way - but certainly not the most convenient way to do so!

[Budget Queen]

You have no option for interior Alaska out of Seattle, unless you fly round trip to Anchorage. With a one way, and only 5 days, I would strongly suggest a Seward cruiseline. Take the RR to Anchorage, then rent a round trip car with 2 nights at Denali Park. Spend 1 night in Anchorage, Seward and Talkeetna perhaps??

 

 

I'll be on the Pearl myself next year, but also probably a one way too with interior touring.

[Lovingtravel]

Thanks for the info!

 

Budget Queen - I'm assuming if you're doing the Pearl with a land tour, you're giving yourself more time than just 4-5 days???? We really wanted to join the group, but it doesn't seem worth it in time or money to try to do some interior land touring in the few days we have.

 

Another question - if we decide to take a cruise that offers a cruisetour and we want to take the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali we found we will pay a lot more for this. Has anyone else found this to be true?

[Budget Queen]

Thanks for the info!

 

Budget Queen - I'm assuming if you're doing the Pearl with a land tour, you're giving yourself more time than just 4-5 days???? We really wanted to join the group, but it doesn't seem worth it in time or money to try to do some interior land touring in the few days we have.

 

Another question - if we decide to take a cruise that offers a cruisetour and we want to take the Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali we found we will pay a lot more for this. Has anyone else found this to be true?

 

 

This will be two separate trips. I am booked on the Pearl for May, the combo trip will most likely be August. Yes I always add more than 5 days. Last trip was 19 total, but always at least 14.

 

Yes the Tundra Wilderness tour will be more costly, it has about a $95 value vs the Natural History tour about $50. But the SHUTTLE buses going farther are 1/3 the cost. If you do decide to consider independent, I never recommend any tours, always the shuttle. Min. distance in Fish Creek. http://www.nps.gov/dena You can significantly cut your costs and see more independent, an option for significant cost savings is http://www.toursaver.com