Torn between Tours

[sallygal2]

Northern Lights coupon book for sale on ebay under books/other.

[quackarina]

I can vouch for this. We are on the YB4 tour (tour first versus cruise first for YA4). Princess gave us a refund for the NHT and I booked a shuttle bus to the Eielson (sp?) center for I think 1/2 the price. I picked YB4 for the 2 nights at Denali

[nmg222]

I can vouch for this. We are on the YB4 tour (tour first versus cruise first for YA4). Princess gave us a refund for the NHT and I booked a shuttle bus to the Eielson (sp?) center for I think 1/2 the price. I picked YB4 for the 2 nights at Denali

 

Can you tell me wehn you cancelled the NHT and received a refund? I cancelled mine about 2 months ago and was told by Princess that they could not give me a refund, only apply the amount to a different tour. Thanks.

[soccerpch]

We booked our Princess cruisetour (tour vb4) about two months ago for a cruise date of 7/2/09. As others have suggested on cc I cancelled my NHT with Princess and booked the Denali shuttle tour to the Eielson center. I cancelled the NHT on 5/4 and received a credit card credit on 5/6 for $160.20 ($80.10 per person). I had to go through my travel agent since this is how I had originally booked the Princess cruisetour.

[nmg222]

We booked our Princess cruisetour (tour vb4) about two months ago for a cruise date of 7/2/09. As others have suggested on cc I cancelled my NHT with Princess and booked the Denali shuttle tour to the Eielson center. I cancelled the NHT on 5/4 and received a credit card credit on 5/6 for $160.20 ($80.10 per person). I had to go through my travel agent since this is how I had originally booked the Princess cruisetour.

 

 

Thank you!

[cardbucfan]

Sillysailor,

We are on HAL and had to just eat the cost of the NHT that is included in our cruisetour-they wouldn't refund the cost. Our timing is very tight because we arrive by train from Fairbanks at noon and we independently booked the 2:00 Eielson shuttle. This was the only way we could get farther into the park though because we leave at noon the next day.

 

It was not that much more money to book the shuttle because kids 14 and under are free (we have 2 of them) and we have a national park pass so the reservations person removed the entrance fee portion off the shuttle cost. You do need to book this ahead of time if you want to. I think somebody else posted the link to the website and the phone number.

 

We decided on the shuttle vs. the TWT. The buses aren't as nice but the shuttle goes farther and costs less and we will just plan to bring our own food.

[sillysailor 1955]

Sillysailor,

We are on HAL and had to just eat the cost of the NHT that is included in our cruisetour-they wouldn't refund the cost. Our timing is very tight because we arrive by train from Fairbanks at noon and we independently booked the 2:00 Eielson shuttle. This was the only way we could get farther into the park though because we leave at noon the next day.

 

It was not that much more money to book the shuttle because kids 14 and under are free (we have 2 of them) and we have a national park pass so the reservations person removed the entrance fee portion off the shuttle cost. You do need to book this ahead of time if you want to. I think somebody else posted the link to the website and the phone number.

 

We decided on the shuttle vs. the TWT. The buses aren't as nice but the shuttle goes farther and costs less and we will just plan to bring our own food.

 

Thanks I appreciate the good advice - have a great time!

[kenish]

OP- Why don't you make arrangements independently? As you've probably concluded from replies to your question, the arranged tours have a captive audience and do everything possible to make sure you buy their flavor of Kool-Aid. :) Building the lodge in the middle of nowhere was carefully planned. Last comment is the cruisetour buses we saw were constantly herding people around so they could rush to the next place. There were some amazing sights we stopped to see, and the buses just blasted by at 70mph. I'm sure people on the tour "saw" Alaska but hardly experienced it.

 

Roads are in outstanding condition, and it's no more challenging than a road trip in your home state. That way it's not an either/or, you can pick the best of both tours and do things the tours exclude. I priced out a cruisetour from ANC-Denali, and we saved about $500 per person doing things ourselves.

 

Of course if you have mobility problems and can't handle luggage or walk any distance, then a tour may be the way to do it.

[Perstef81]

OP- Why don't you make arrangements independently?

 

This sounds like a great idea, but also a bit intimidating. Did you take any tours while you were there or did you just visit the parks? Also, did you use a rental car or were you able to use the trains at all?

[quackarina]

Can you tell me wehn you cancelled the NHT and received a refund? I cancelled mine about 2 months ago and was told by Princess that they could not give me a refund, only apply the amount to a different tour. Thanks.

 

I canceled the NHT after our final payment (sometime the last week in April). We were given a credit card refund. I booked the tour directly with Princess and therefore called the cruise planner I work with at Princess to take care of this cancellation.

[Touring N June]

I changed to the Tunder Wilderness Tour at a cost of $60.00, but it was difficult to convince the TA that I had the time and that it was an option. Hang it there with these folks. Sometimes after they get your money they are not as helpful as before.

[oceanbabe]

Hi Silly: We are not going on the Natural History Tour, as doesnt go far enough. Instead, even though we dont get a refund, we will go on Tundra Wilderness. According to the Boards, will get more in depth look at area/wildlife. Is about 8 hours instead of about 3 or 5. Take DEET with you, no matter which tour. Hope you have fun. We are going on RCCL in July

[vbmom87]

Hi Silly: We are not going on the Natural History Tour, as doesnt go far enough. Instead, even though we dont get a refund, we will go on Tundra Wilderness. According to the Boards, will get more in depth look at area/wildlife. Is about 8 hours instead of about 3 or 5. Take DEET with you, no matter which tour. Hope you have fun. We are going on RCCL in July

 

You could save money and take a shuttle to Eilson, which goes a bit further than the TWT. You need to pack your own lunch, but from what I have heard the lunch that comes with the TWT is more of a snack and it is recommended you bring some additional food with you.

[EliseRN]

Thanks but unfortunately that is what is included in our land tour. Has anyone had any luck changing the natural history tour to the tundra wilderness tour? Thanks again:)

I should think you would be able to change. We are on Grand National Parks tour on Princess end of August and we cancelled the Tundra Wilderness tour that came with the package in favor of taking the park shuttle to Wonder Lake. We are really excited. Heard Wonder lake is not to be missed. Sorry...i digress :-). Anyway, they refunded our $...but we did it before final payment was made and not sure if that has anything to do with it.

 

At worst, they would probably let you change but not give you refund. They made the change to our itinerary and everything!

[EliseRN]

My husband and I are taking the Grand Natl Parks Tour with Princess at the end of August (Aug 23rd it starts I think...we are arriving a little early).

 

It is escorted, but you do have some freedom to change the excursions. We chose it because the itinerary was so perfect.

2 nights in Fairbanks, 2 nights in Denali, 2 nights in Copper River and 2 nights in Kenai...then the 7 day cruise.

 

It's a thought ;)

[Napi's Mom]

I should think you would be able to change. We are on Grand National Parks tour on Princess end of August and we cancelled the Tundra Wilderness tour that came with the package in favor of taking the park shuttle to Wonder Lake. We are really excited. Heard Wonder lake is not to be missed. Sorry...i digress :-). Anyway, they refunded our $...but we did it before final payment was made and not sure if that has anything to do with it.

 

At worst, they would probably let you change but not give you refund. They made the change to our itinerary and everything!

Usually they credit onboard account for canceled tours, if done before the deadline (between 24-48 hrs before tour) or while on board!

[KIM448]

We are going on a princess cruisetour this June and staying at Denali for 2 nights. My husband, myself and 2 boys cancelled our NHT and booked to Eielson the second day we are there. Princess credited us before our final payment.

 

My inlaws decided this week to cancel their NHT also and when I called princess they said that the Tundra Wilderness Tour wasn't available that day but still could be cancelled. I just had to ask my travel agent to do it for us. Princess credited thier visa.

 

Then I proceeded to book my inlaws TWT seperatly through Denali National Park Services http://www.reservedenali.com/ They will even pick up my inlaws at the Princess lodge. No clue why Princess just didn't upgrade them for me and make the money themselves.

 

I also called the lodge myself and free shuttles go from Princess to the Visitor center every hour starting at 7am and mid morning to mid afternoon they also add a second shuttle running 1/2 past the hour.

It is only a 15 min walk though.

 

I also found out that the train ends at the Visitor Center and you don't need to go to the lodge to check in. Princess takes your luggage to your room for you and you will receive your room keys on the train and once off the train, take your backpack and go and explore.

 

That alone saved what I was thinking would take 1 + going from train to lodge and then to Visitor center to start our activities.

 

Hope that helps. Enjoy!