Newbie needs help on Alaska Cruisetour

[stuNYC]

I want to book a cruisetour to Alaska for my sister's 65th birthday. I have never traveled on Princess so please pardon my ignorance.

 

The cruisetour that I am concerning is 14 days and starts in mid May with an escorted 7 day tour of the Canadian Rockies, with overnights in Banff, lake Louise, Jasper and the Rocky Mountain train with overnight in Kamploops and ending with an overnight in Vancouver and continues with the typical Northbound Voyage of the Glaciers Cruise. My sister has never been to British Columbia or Alaska

 

Questions, please:

 

1. Has anyone taken this escorted tour of the Canadian Rockies through Princesss? If so pros and cons would be appreciated.

 

2. If you had a choice, would you take this tour, or the one that starts in Fairbanks and stops in Denali, Mt Mckinley and Anchorage.

 

3. For those of you who have gone to Alaska in mid -May how is the weather?

 

4. Is two weeks to long for active seniors. Is the tour part too regimented?

 

5. How is the Island Princess? Minisuite- Calyso Deck -mid ship

 

6. How does Princess compare to HAL in ALaska

 

For those of you who made it to the end of my questions, I really would appreciate , and thank you in advance for, your input.

 

I really want this to be a very special trip for a very special sister.

 

Stu

[Budget Queen]

Two weeks is necessary. :) I have traveled the Ca. Rockies, twice, but independent. I think I would have not been happy without a car to explore all the areas. Be sure you have several tour options available to you at each city. As for interior Alaska, you are too early for Denali Park, ideally you need an arrival there after June 1 for the roads to be open enough. Again a 7 day add on is necessary- don't consider any less. If you are adding a one way cruise- I still would plan on some sightseeing interior Alaska- take advantage of being all the way there. Easy to arrange touring. I do give a big edge to HAL however for the Seward arrival rather than Whittier- BUT few people see the area and take advantage of the excellent touring available- if you are one of them - then it won't make a difference. :( BE VERY VERY informed on what you are purchasing- way too much is NOT disclosed- like distances and time in transit compared to time at the destination. Research this fully in the Ca. Rockies. You don't want to be on a bus/rail all day, overnight then early departures for transit. Meals are not included unless specified and budget fully for port tours and tours on the cruisetour. You get only half a trip without them. :)

[taxatty]

The Rocky Mountaineer train is quite worthwhile for the 1st day and a half--excellent sightseeing and service, but boring for the last few hours into Vancouver. You could do better renting a car and seeing Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper on your own instead of on a whirlwind tour--it's gorgeous country and easy driving--you could rent a car in Calgary, drop it off in Banff or Jasper and then take the train from there (avoids the LONG drive to Vancouver.) This is what we did last summer and had a great time through a package tour from Rocky Mountaineer AFTER taking an Alaskan cruise.

 

Les

[Glacial Blue]

Budget Queen is right that you are going too early for Denali. Regarding general weather that time of year in Alaska, it can be quite varied. Alaska is much larger than most people think. If you are asking about South Central (the northern end of the cruise...Anchorage area), mid May can be quite comfortably warm some years, although you have to understand, temperature is relative and it's a bit nippy here right now, so May always feels warm to me! It's usually past breakup by then (when the snow melts and rivers thaw), although most plants aren't fully greened out yet. The rule of thumb here is not to plant until after Memorial Day as there is still a risk of a frost at night until then.

 

If you are asking about weather further south, such as along the Inside Passage, (Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway) it may feel a little chilly with the dampness, but if you dress for it, you should be fine.

 

Glacial Blue

Anchorage resident for 26 years and still lovin' it ;)