RRCL Cruise Tour #8

[WalleyeLJ]

Hey All,

 

We've been booked for our May 22nd 2009 RCCL CT#8 for a while now. What I'm wondering is if anyone has taken this particular CT, and what they thought of it - good, bad, etc.

 

The more I read, the more I wonder about doing the land portion on our own, but I haven't really been able to tell if it's any less expensive (our biggest issue) to go it on our own versus the CT. We really would like to take the train up to Denali, but it sounds like driving up and making our own way may be just as nice. Any thoughts will be appreciated!

 

L.J. & Bev

[GMoney]

It would be really easy to do the same trip as your CT on your own. Here's what I would do:

 

5/29: Disembark Radiance. Do a 6 hour Kenai Fjords boat tour (http://www.kenaifjords.com). Take the train to ANC (http://www.akrr.com). Overnight in ANC.

 

5/30: Rent a car (off airport to save $). Drive to Denali. Plenty of time to sightsee and make quick side-trips. Get the lay of the land at Denali. Overnight at Denali. With a car, you can look at more lodging options which can save $. Or consider taking the train to Denali (http://www.akrr.com).

 

5/31: TWT or Shuttle bus tour in Denali. Check http://www.reservedenali.com for options. This is much better than the NHT provided by your CT. TWT = 50 miles into the park; NHT = 17 miles into the park. Overnight in Denali.

 

6/1: Drive back to ANC, return car. Fly home.

 

You might also check http://www.graylinealaska.com/. They sometimes have good independent packages where can save money on a train + hotel package.

[Budget Queen]

Since you are asking for advice, this is a very poor tour choice. No time anywhere and all your time is in transit. You completely miss out on Seward, Anchorage, Denali Park and Fairbanks. What is it that you are looking for?? I will speculate way more than what this poor selection will give you. But if only fleeting looks out windows is what you want, then continue with this??

 

The Talkeetna/Denali Park rail portion just about parallels the Parks Highway. By far the most scenic portioin is Seward/Anchorage.

 

The above suggestion is really a significantly better option, but you would also do better with more time. I suggest you perhaps look at adding some days, if at all possible??

 

I don't recommend the TWT if you are looking at budgets. At around $100pp going on the Toklat shuttle bus to the SAME distance is around $35pp. You do have to take all your own food and drink with you, but in my opinion, you are best to do that as well with the TWT.

 

I suggest you do your homework and find out specifics about cruisetours. Especially with the highlight of your selection, Denali Park, in no way is going to cut it with your choice. It's all about distance INTO the park. The Natural History tour, is on the public road, the enhanced tour description is a crime in my opinion and in no way accurate. :) Farther is always significant for scenery and wildlife potential, the NHT in no way gets this.

 

If you can stay in modest lodging, you can definately get cost savings independent, but way more signficant, you will definately see way more. So even if funds are similar, decide for yourself what you want out of your trip?