sotiris

Below is the review of the land portion of our HAL cruisetour, May 16 to 26. Cruise portion to follow. I haven't figured out how to do photos on CC but will investigate. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them.

Just returned from our fabulous cruisetour to Alaska and the Yukon. This will be more of a "highlight" and practical review, things you wanted to know but were reluctant to ask.

Anchorage

We arrived in Anchorage via Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. Note that Air Canada Rouge is a very basic airline with very few extras and less leg room. After retrieving our luggage and tagging it we were off to our hotel, the Hilton, where we met our journey host Lori Dollar and filled out the appropriate paperwork. This year they are asking for a list of the medications you take in case of an emergency. The print out from pharmacy would be acceptable. We received the luggage tags for our hotels. Our suitcases, 2 regular sized ones and one carry-on from the plane, stayed with us throughout the tour. I used a smaller nylon gym bag for our everyday carry-on. It had snacks, medications, binoculars etc.

Train to Denali

After putting our bags out at 6:30 am, we boarded a coach for a very short ride to the train. It only had 3 cars, 2 HAL and 1 Princess. The seats for HAL, which are assigned, are all forward facing and quite roomy. We had a guide who provided info on what we were passing and a "bartender" who looked after the drinks. Most people opted for lunch on the train. Prices ranged from $6.50 to $15 and only credit cards were accepted as payment.

We had a perfect day for the ride -glorious views of Mt. McKinley, moose, trumpeter swans, beavers. There was a small platform at the front of the car where you could stand and get great photos.

Denali Park

Our room was in Canyon Lodge, a short shuttle ride or a hike up a fairly steep hill to the main lodge. From there you could get a shuttle to the Visitor Centre from where other shuttles departed. Glitter Gulch is across the highway (there are traffic lights) and here there are a variety of shops - souvenirs, restaurants, grocery, bakery etc. We walked to the Princess property for pizza and ate at the restaurant in the lodge. Great roast beef!!!

On our free day, we went out to the Visitor Center. We watched the film, went on a short hike and viewed the excellent exhibits. The restaurant, Morino Grill, offered a good selection. The hot food is around the corner from the pre-made sandwiches.

After lunch, we lined up for the Dog Demo. Although it says to be at the Visitor Center 40 minutes before the demo (to catch the special shuttle), the line started forming at least 30 minutes before that. There were several buses but the first ones to the demo had more time to pet the dogs. The later arrivals would have time after the demo to visit with the dogs. We spent some time with the dogs and then noticed that many people had taken their places (good viewing) for the demo.

Our Wilderness Tour

Our HAL package included the Tundra Wilderness Tour which did not start until May 20, the day after we were to leave Denali. Another tour, the Teklanika Wilderness Tour was substituted but it only went to Mile 30 not to Mile 57. The NPS shuttles did not start until May 20.

We did get the Grand Slam -moose (about 5 minutes into the tour), bears, caribou and Dall sheep. We also saw Mt. McKinley again. Apparently only 30% of visitors see it. Our tour was in the afternoon (after our lunch) so the included snack was okay. It Our bus driver a a super camera connected to some screens on the bus. It allowed him to focus on the animals and it helped us to locate them.

Fairbanks

It was about a 2.5 hour drive from Denali to Fairbanks. We arrived just in time for lunch, ahead for several other coaches. Our host pointed out some places to eat and some discovered some new places, all within a short walk of the meeting place.

The trip to the Gold Dredge #8 was fun, informative and hard work. We ended up with about $20 worth of gold flakes. The bargain at the Gold Dredge, beside the free cookies and drinks, is the soda machine. Only $.50 a can. We got a couple of extras for the road.

Dawson City

A short flight on Air North (super service) took us to Dawson City. There were 42 from our tour and about 20 trainees on the 737. We did not have to worry about the weight of our suitcases. They did weigh them but just for balance. We had to go through customs and were forewarned to have our passports handy.

Dawson City looks like a western movie set with its dirt roads and wooden sidewalks. We ate at the Westmark on a beautiful patio. Arctic Char is on the menu, one of a few places on the tour that serves it. Later that night we went to Diamond Tooth Gertie's for a fun evening of singing and dancing. Later, Lori and one fellow from the tour took the Sour Toe Challenge.

Unfortunately, our paddle wheel cruise was cancelled because they could not get the dock into the river. I did some laundry ($3 per wash load and $3 for the dryer, more expensive than other hotels) and walked around this picturesque town. A wonderful dinner at The Drunken Goat. Many from the tour ate here, some twice. Menu is basically Greek and the portions were large enough to share.

Whitehorse

It is a LONG drive from Dawson to Whitehorse. Lori tried to keep us busy and entertained and it did help to pass the time. Our lunch at Minto was included and it featured 2 kinds of soup, salad, fruit, Nanaimo bars (a Canadian dessert square) bannock bread, and a drink. The setting was lovely and you could eat inside or out.

Later, we stopped at the Braeburn Lodge where most of us bought the cinnamon bun. It would easily feed 4 to 6.

We pulled into Whitehorse about 5:30 so there was just time for dinner and a short stroll along the river. Some on the tour did take the longer hike excursion.

To Skagway via White Pass Railway

Next morning we on the road by 8am. We had a train to catch and it would not wait. There were photo ops (drive-by and off the coach). The scenery was beautiful. We made a short stop at Carcross ( check out the General Store) before heading to Fraser where we boarded the White Pass Railway.

Our tour had the first car to ourselves. I had read that the better vistas are on the right hand side going south. I asked our guide and one of the workers and both said it didn't really matter. The RIGHT side does overlook the drop-off so if heights are a problem, the left side may be better for you. I spent a great portion of the trip on the little platform at the front of the car, right behind the engine. Much better for photos (no reflection from windows) although it was quite windy. There is some narration during the ride but not on the outside platform. They do sell a DVD, book and cap (only available on the train) so have your money ready. It is a one time chance to buy. Also, be sure to check under your seat and get ALL your belongings. I realized when we got to the hotel in Skagway that I had forgotten my camera under the seat. Lori phoned immediately and filled out some paperwork. Next morning, she knocks on the door with my camera. Big hugs all around.

Skagway

Skagway is a town with 2 personalities. We were there for 2 days and the difference between the town when ships are in and with no ships is unbelievable. It's almost like a ghost town when the 5 to 10 thousand passengers all leave.

There is LOTS of shopping in Skagway. Coupon books have deals on lots of souvenir items. There are lots of excursions, streetcar rides for those with mobility difficulties and free walks with a ranger. Get your ticket early for the time you want.

Many people were shipping items home. Packing boxes were available at the Post Office. One little hiccup was that we were there on a Sunday and Memorial Day so the Post Office was not open. Since we did not leave for the ship until 10:30 am, they were able to send the packages then.

Summary of Land Tour

We very much enjoyed our land tour even though there were a few hiccups. Because this was the first tour of the season, some optional tours were not available. Denali was not fully accessible. We lucked out with the weather and even though some hotels did not have AC, there were fans. We were very fortunate to have Lori as our journey host. She is experienced and she sure knew her stuff. Thanks, Lori!!!!

Just home late last night after 10 day land tour of Alaska and the Yukon followed by a 4 day cruise from Skagway to Vancouver. Coping with time change, groceries and laundry. Will try to get something together later this week but feel free to ask questions. In a nutshell it was FABULOUS!!!!!!!😃😃😃

We have just returned from a 10 day land tour/four day cruise with HAL. When we arrived in Anchorage we were givien "Join Me Tonight" tags and tags for the various hotels to put on as needed. You could also send a bag directly to the ship if you wanted.

We had two regular sized suitcases and a carry-on from the plane which was fine. I had packed a small nylon gym bag in one of the suitcases and that became our daily carry-on for medications, snacks, binoculars etc. It fit easily into the overhead bin on the coach or it was fine at my feet on the train.

Sometimes our luggage travelled with us on the coach. At other times (eg to Denali) it went by a separate truck. There were no difficulties wih our luggage on our flight from Fairbanks to Dawson City.

We are just finishing the land portion of our cruisetour so I thought I would report on our food adventures. We did not take the meal plan ( only about 5 of the 41 people on our tour did) and we were very happy with our decision. We spent about half of the cost of the plan. This included some snacks ( muffins, fruit, cinnamon buns, etc.) We did not have salad or dessert at every meal and in some places we shared a meal.

Fruit is very expensive -$1.50 for one banana or apple. When we got to Dawson we bought 4 bananas for $1.50 at the Bonanza Market. Sodas can range from $.50 to $2.50 a tin.

Those with the meal plan are limited to the hotel restaurants and while we did eat at a number of them, it was nice to discover local delicacies with new friends.

We are in the middle of the Y2L tour. We flew into Anchorage, had 3 spectacular nights in Denali, bussed to Fairbanks and arrived in Dawson today. The flight from Fairbanks to Dawson on the 737 was wonderful. Got to see mountains, and rivers. Even had time for a snack and a drink. We were the only tour on the flight but some summer trainees joined us.

The temperature in Dawson is a very unusual 29C or 84F. Off to Diamond Tooth Gertie's tonight.

We are in Denali right now (2:30 on May 17) and it is glorious. Not a cloud in the sky and many folks are in short sleeves. We are just waiting for our Wilderness Tour. Hopefully we will see some animals. Saw some moose and trumpeter swans on our way from Anchorage yesterday. Mt. McKinley was absolutely spectacular. The conductor even stopped the train for photo ops. Will write more later.

We are on the triple Yukon/Denali cruise tour in July. I guess because the land tour is longer, the price for an optional food plan was close to $900 pp!!!! This covered breakfast and dinner at the hotels. We usually don't eat a big breakfast, and we like to explore the towns so we didn't want to be locked into the meal plan. We are a bit apprehensive about some of the comments on this board about long waits at some restaurants, so there is a big trade-off: convenience (food plan) vs independence. We decided against the food plan, but it all boils down to personal wants and needs....

We, too, have decided not to get the meal plan. I have looked at the menus of some restaurants (I have a list of several for each stop) and, while more expensive than at home, we could find several things we would like to try, many with a local touch. I will try to keep track of the costs and report back at the beginning of June on how we fared.

We stayed at the Hotel Traghetto. :) :)Our room, with a double and 2 twin beds, overlooked a little park and we could see the ship from the balcony. Breakfast was included. Great little pizza shop next door.

When we were there (spring 2014), the shuttle to the port was a two minute walk from the hotel. This was supposed to be a temporary location so it may have changed.

The manager was really helpful in recommending restaurants and sights to see. We were lucky in that it was a special day when we were there. There was a parade though the town, honouring the patron saint.

For more recommendations, be sure to check out the Port of Call section on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor.

What a wonderful resource for those travelling with kids. I'm sure it will be well used. Well done, thecruiserofships!

We are considering doing either the Covered Wagon Adventure and Backcountry Dining (Denali) or the Alaska Salmon Bake and Palace Theatre Revue (Fairbanks). Is one preferable ( I know it is subjective) to the other?

Same question for Frantic Follies Vaudeville Revue in Whitehorse or Diamond Tooth Gertie's in Dawson City.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

I found this website which I thought was useful in that it identifies the highlights of the various ports. Click on the Alaska option (left hand side) and the different ports should appear. (Hope this works)

http://www.cruiseportinsider.com/

Hi Kamloop50

Great minds think alike! :D

Sotiris

Hello

I received the Frommer's book for Christmas but exchanged it for "Alaska by Cruise Ship" by Ann Vipond. I thought the Frommer's book had a lot of information about the different cruise ships (we had also decided on our ship) but limited info on the ports.

I find the Vipond book is nicely laid out with maps, an "At A Glance" section for each port (includes walking map,shore excursions, shopping, and local attractions.

Thanks for the quick reply. You are so right in that there are a lot of tours that require sharing like the European ones. I guess we will "Meet and Greet" on the train to Denali. ;)

Just wondered if anyone has created a roll call for a cruisetour. The land part of the one we are on starts in Anchorage and the cruise begins in Skagway. I imagine one would have to post using the date the cruise which starts in Vancouver.

Thanks for the info,,DD. The one company I was interested in is not showing excursions on their calendar for the day I wanted. I am waiting for their reply to my email.

We are doing a cruise-tour in May and will be spending 2 nights in Skagway. We do not go to Juneau and am wondering if the whale watching excursions from Skagway are worth the money and time.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

We are doing a HAL cruisetour and will be boarding the Noordam in Skagway for a 4 day cruise to Vancouver. We will have been in Skagway for 2 nights before we board. If we wanted to take a 3 hour HAL excursion at 12:45 on the day we board (ship doesn't leave until 9 pm), I wondered what we did with our luggage. Does anyone know when Muster Drill would be? Thanks for any info.

The excursions which are discounted mist be booked by March 15.

My wife and I (69, 68) will be booking the 15 Day Seattle Gold Rush Alaska Cruise Tour as soon as Holland America schedules for 2016 Cruise Tours are published (Hopefully it will be offered!). This tour includes three nights in Denali, two nights in Dawson City and two nights in Skagway.

 

We are doing a very similar cruise tour (2YL) in May. We really like the idea of 2 nights in some places and many included activities.

I will post a review when we return. Hopefully it will have some useful info for you.

We had been given Le Cirque dinners (a birthday gift) on our Nov. 30 cruise on the Eurodam. On board, we received a telephone message that they had to cancel the dinner because they could not get the ingredients. One of the dinners appeared as a credit immediately on our statement but I had to check a couple of times to make sure there were 2 refunds. We were sure our daughter had not bought just 1 dinner.

Thanks for the great photo, Minne Wonka Girl. I have sent it onto our friends who are onboard. I think I can see them. ;)

Watching the FLL on the desk top and have the ipad ready with the port everglades cam. Will switch shortly. I'll be watching for a Canadian flag.

I will be watching and listening to the Westerdam's sail-away. Good friends are on the ship and I hope to see them as they wave farewell.