Budget Queen - Just curious

[ElaineB2]

How many times have you been to Alaska? # of cruises only, # of cruises & land, # of land only.

After our 1st cruise on Infinity 6/20, I know DH and I are going to want to do a cruise/land or maybe just a land next year, can I bother you for advice when it comes time to planning? Thanks.

Elaine

[Budget Queen]

You mean I have to do math on this board too?? 17 trips, 10 cruises- 6 of those cruises only- 4 cruise/land. 7 interior only. Do I pass??? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[ElaineB2]

Yes, you passed [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] What is your favorite - cruise, cruise/land, land only? Where have you visited on land and when is the best time to go if you are doing land only. Also, again, if land only, is it best to concentrate on a few areas and get to know them real well or hit the highlights of several areas. Before we booked the cruise on Infinity, we had been looking at land on our own for some time. Actually, the cruise appeared to be the better value at the time. Now as we are approaching the cruise, we have spent much more than we anticipated. Would of loved to do cruise/land, but vacation time won't permit. Would love to do a cruise on Cruise West, but too pricey. Probably will do land on our own next time and stay in tourist class accommodations. However, between this cruise and our next Alaska trip, our son is graduating from highschool and wants to do a Northern European cruise which looks like that would cost more than this Alaskan cruise with all the shore excursions. Anyways, thanks for advice.

Elaine

[Budget Queen]

I have to say my 2 winter trips far surpassed all the others. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Interior- I have been to most of the drivable areas- (not the Haul Road though), plus, Barrow, Ft. Yukon, Bettles and Anaktuvuk Pass. I will be spending over two weeks interior end of August this year. You can do it on a budget- I kept within $80 on my lodging. I take a cooler for cheaper drinks and love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for one meal- with a nice meal purchased once/day. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] I do like my costly flights and go on usually 2 per trip, maybe 3 this time. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Look at the Toursaver coupon book for some significant savings. I have never used them for lodging- again I greatly prefer the B&B's and these are mainly for big properties 2 for 1 off rack rates. There is a wealth of information from first hand experiences on this board. Plenty of help too. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Keep reading and head to your library, get THE MILEPOST and take a look- purchase a current new book if desired before you go. The more you know the better your trip will be for you. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[ElaineB2]

Thanks BQ - I enjoy reading all of your informative posts. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]