Alaska Cruises - Please Help!!!

[KAYZA]

My husband and i would like to go to Alaska next summer 2009. We cant decide whether it is best to do the cruise only option and organise our land based tours pre/after the cruise ourselves or to book a full land/cruise package deal. - If doing the latter we had thought of Princess Cruises. According to cruisegossip people are suggesting the package deal is best. What do you think? Has anyone used Princess cruises to do an alaska cruise? Any comments would be greatly appreciated!!

[kitty9]

I think booking a complete package is the best, and easiest way to go. Princess was the pioneer for cruise/land tours in Alaska, and they do a fantastic job.

[Toyz711]

on the alaska boards:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

they can really help. but read a few posts, some of your questions may have been asked/answered, recently.

also, suggestions on how to do things yourself, if you find the land tours are too pushed or not enough time in one area.

[agabbymama]

I agree, I don't think you can go wrong with Princess or HAL for a complete cruisetour package. Princess has been doing Alaska the longest, with HAL a close second. Both have a huge presence in Alaska with hotels, tours, rail etc. If you have done bus tours and liked them (40 people on a big bus) then you will love the Princess cruisetours.

 

There are others on these boards that advocate independant land touring, but for me with four of us going, I just didn't want the hassle. It was easier to find a tour I liked, that went where I wanted to go (the Yukon and Interior Alaska) then let HAL schlepp the luggage, tell me where to be and what time to be there, then sit back on the coach and enjoy the ride and the scenery. No driving, no hassles.

 

I did a HAL cruisetour and absolutely loved it.

[Buddy01]

My DH and I are planning on a possible cruise to Alaska next May or June '09' also! We figured we'd better start now on the plans and we can't decide on a cruise-tour or tour-cruise. I think taking the tour first and then relaxing for a week on a cruise would be good. We have been looking into the HAL packages.

 

Buddy

[ComputerDad]

Kayza;

 

I am going in July. I did an extensive review of every HAL and Princess option and as you would expect it comes down to time, cost, and personal preferences. The land tours are pretty expensive, especilally the escorted ones with meals because of the high cost oif everything in Alaska. That said, the only way to really see at least some of the interior of Alaska is a cruise tour or independant traveling. The cruises are just quick stops at the ports. I narrowed my choices down to Princess using either tour 20E (high cost, but escorted and including meals) because it had two days at Dawson City. Unfortunately I just couldn't spare that much time so I am taking a 10 day R/T San Fran. If you take a cruise tour be aware that taking the tour first is what most people do so the southbound cruise at the end is more expensive then taking the northbound cruise first and then the tour. You can't lose. Just do what ever is best for your schedule and budget.

[kaudrey]

Where is Budget Queen when you need her?

 

I'd say it depends on many things. I am going in July on Princess and have opted to do a cruise and then tour around independently with my friends. However, my aunt and uncle, who are also going on the cruise, are doing a cruisetour after the cruise.

 

Factors (IMHO):

 

1) Ability/willingness to plan: My aunt would stress out in trying to plan the land portion of the trip, whereas I love doing that stuff. She likes when others take care of the details.

 

2) Amount/what you will see: They are OK with the fact that they will only be in places for a short time and will be on a bus a lot. Whereas my friends and I want to spend three days backcountry camping in Denali and the idea of being on a tour bus for a week makes us think "moo..." (cattle cars). If flexibility is important, do it on your own.

 

3) Costs: Cheaper to plan it on your own - My aunt and uncle are retired and can afford it, my friends and I can't imagine spending what they are spending. (Of course, we are somewhat biased here, because we will be tent camping - the cheapest option of all!)

 

4) Activity Level/Age: An Alaskan vacation to me is all about being active in the outdoors. You can do this much more if you plan your own activities. But, of course, not everyone is interested in the very active things. A friend of my aunt's told her that her cruisetour was full of 60 and 70-year olds. Might be fine for you, not me (and I love my aunt and uncle).

 

Just some things to consider...

[RetireeWannabee]

... If you take a cruise tour be aware that taking the tour first is what most people do so the southbound cruise at the end is more expensive then taking the northbound cruise first and then the tour.

 

A couple years ago when we did the cruise, Northbound and Southbound were the same cost. Are you referring to the tour+cruise package being more expensive for one way or the other?

[GORDONCHICK]

I would say that if you don't like feeling like you are being herded like cattle, doing the inland tour independently would be the best option. If you don't want to worry about anything and don't get the herding feeling in large groups, then the cruise/tour package may be the best bet. If budget is a large concern, doing it independently will definitely be less expensive.

[packercruising]

And if you do a cruise/tour, do the tour first. If you are doing a southbound cruise get a port side balcony. This is not the time for an inside cabin.

 

If at all possible stay at least one day at Alyeska! :)