RCCL Cruisetours? Can someone give me the basics?

[Cheryl H]

I started checking out cruisetours and was shocked to bring up 80 tours for next Apr-June. I read a few of them. My original impression was that they are either by train or motorcoach and you get to see either the Rockies or Alaska. Is that right? How did you go about deciding what tour you wanted?

 

My preference would be to find a tour that is escorted and sees lots of sights up in Alaska. Is there a preference for train or bus?

 

Thanks for any info or helpful suggestions you can provide.

[Keksie]

I am just starting to plan for a RCCL cruise tour also. What I did was make an excel spread sheet of all the available Alaska cruise tours listing each stop and what activities were included and where each night was spent. This is really helping me narrow down my choice. Now I am just reading everything I can to figure out what is most important to us in the way of places and activities.

[candlelady]

Last month we did cruisetour #14, mainly because it offered two nights in Denali. It was our first time in Alaska and I wanted things planned for me because I felt I just didn't know enough about the area to do it myself. While I can say that RCCL did everything they promised, if I went back I would rent a car and do my own planning. Be prepared for a LOT of down time....loading and unloading the bus and waiting on room keys! That was my only complaint. You had to have your suitcases out side you door at least an hour before time for the bus to leave, so you had to be ready to go and then just kill time.

[Cheryl H]

Thanks each of you for the reply. The spreadsheet is a good idea.

 

That's a good point about the downtime. I guess I need to decide exactly what it is I want to see. Maybe I can find my own tours and spend some time 2 or 3 days ahead of the cruise. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Cheryl

[greatam]

Thanks each of you for the reply. The spreadsheet is a good idea.

 

That's a good point about the downtime. I guess I need to decide exactly what it is I want to see. Maybe I can find my own tours and spend some time 2 or 3 days ahead of the cruise. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Cheryl

 

Finding your own 2/3 day tour is the best idea. Lots of downtime loading/unloading buses, waiting for "dwadlers" (everyone is on the bus except one couple-ALWAYS the same couple). You will have a far superior experience doing it your self. You will save money. AND you will see what YOU want to see.

 

It is Alaska, after all. Not a foreign country. They even drive on the "right side of the road. Enjoy!!!!