maggiev

I am confused, I was under the impression that if you included air with the cruise, through Holland, the price was guaranteed when booking. Are you saying the air price can change until final payment?

NorthernAurora I’m saying — which company offers a hotel that feels more “Alaskan” as in A Holiday Inn is a Holiday Inn but some hotels give more of a local flair than others. Is one in a better location than the other, one closer to “things” than the others? I know lot of people on this thread have sailed/toured with both companies so they may have some insight - likes/dislikes

Both offer 2 nights in Denali - that is a must for us. Not sure which hotels are closer or more “Alaskan”

@Coral the problem with postponing is that life happens & gets in the way. We know we can go in 2024 & are sticking to it. I do no want to have something come up in ‘25 or ‘26 that prevents the trip. We know Denali will not be perfect but when it first reopens it will be packed.

I’ve read lots of posts talking going from Seattle to Vancouver pre pandemic but what about recent people doing it. what should I know, how can I do it effortlessly. maggie

Did you book this excursion through the cruise line or on your own? If on ur own, with what company?

We are looking to do a Cruisetour in Alaska late August 2024. I have narrowed it down to Grand Princess, 8/28 (Wednesday) or Neiuw Amsterdam 8/25 (Sunday). Both have the same cruise itinerary & same amount of port times. The land is the difference. The differences are: Princess 1 nt Mt. McKinley Lodge (Telkeetna?), Holland 1 nt Anchorage. Princess Natural History Tour, Holland Wilderness Tour - I know it is shortened but still more than the Natural History Princess train to Mt McKinley lodge, motor coach to Denali & Fairbanks, Holland train to Anchorage, motor coach to Denali & Fairbanks The price is only $100 difference. The packages are a little different but they are not make or break (1 speciality dinner or 2, $100 shore excursion or 3 photos, drinks to $15 or drinks to $20 - these are irrelevant) Does the Sunday -vs- Wednesday departure make a difference? Any difference in the lodges - location, quality - one nicer than the other, more “Alaskan”? I’ve never sailed on Holland but have on Princess (on the Grand in 2005) - both are older ships but have been refurbished within the last 5 years. I know they both do Alaska right and offer naturalists and “Alaskan” meals. Just looking for thoughts on if one line has gone down or up substantially, if the value is better on on or the other, if the tour offerings are that different, if the whole experience is different. THANKS for any & all insight (I’m sure I’ll have lots more questions as this comes together 😄) Maggie

I was hoping not to go into Fairbanks due to poor flight connections, but we are hoping to see The Northern Lights & have been led to believe Fairbanks is really our best bet. Other than that I don’t know if it will be worth it. We like the Arctic Circle excursion but I can’t find the area on this board that talks about excursions. Does anyone know if there is an Arctic Circle trip from Denali or Anchorage? Thanks for any tips

Correct @rafminmd - they do the exact itinerary. one goes on a Wednesday the other on a Saturday. We are more BBKing than Rolling Stones 🎶🎵 - that and Tamarind is making me lean Neiuw Amsterdam. I appreciate the feedback. Margaret

I’m reading about each ship but having a hard time deciding. Thought from those who have sailed or will sail on one over the other & why? Does Noordam have BB King’s? One place I looked it does, another it dose not. This will be our only Alaska trip & I want to make sure we get the best bang for our buck. I know you’re not on the ship a ton in Alaska but I still want a nice ship. thanks

Going to Alaska for a one & only trip & not being able to enjoy Denali due to the road closure is a HUGE disappointment

I thought it was specific tonHolland America but not sure. I would like to not do the cruise line land portion but want to make sure we do a glassdome railcar

Is the a naturalist on deck talking on glacier days? I’m thinking that being on your balcony you’ll miss something someone knows ( Does that make sense?). I understand the crowds on deck, thus making the balcony worthwhile.

We are first time Alaska cruisers, have done the Caribbean numerous times. Wondering about doing ship excursions or booking our own. If better to do our own can anyone recommend Companies they have used. Thanks in advance Maggie

From what I’ve been seeing, & I could not be looking correctly, Discovery is only doing Round Trip in 2024 nor 1 way North or South bound

We’re looking for a Cruise/Tour in August 2024 and are noticing most lines (Princess, Celebrity, Holland) use older ships. Any thoughts on who / what ship is best in Alaska. We’d like Northbound with Land tour. Are open to Royal if that’s best Is it worth going to Fairbanks? I’d love to go to Alyaska but then no Fairbanks - is taking the the chance of seeing the Northern Lights worth it? Thanks in advance for input

What ship are you sailing? We’re looking at August 2024 & I’m concerned most cruise/tours use older ships. I’ve sailed Princess,Celebrity, Royal, & Carnival but hear Holland America does Alaska right. Can you offer any insight? thanks

I am looking at Alaska Cruisetours 2024 and they all seem to use older ships. Is this an issue? https://boards.cruisecritic.com/profile/1003854-mehroswitha/ You say Princess but the Grand gets poor reviews. The older ship thing is giving me stress