giladush

In Skagway, we rented a car and drove up to Emerald Lake and back by ourselves. It was a great day and we could stop where we wanted. We spent a lot of time in Carcross. We downloaded a guide called Murray's Guide. It cost $ 5 and gave us spots all along the way. Have a great time!

We also loved just walking around Ketchikan.

Budget Queen and others - thanks for your sound advice. I am a good example of bad planning and cryptic posting. So, thanks for your efforts on my behalf!!

Just to clear up - we booked a few things that forced our hand, but did manage to change one reservation based on people’s input. We already had arranged for a transfer from Whittier to Anchorage on day we disembark.

We drive to Denali already on Wednesday night. We are booked for an Airbnb thru Friday night.

Did change the tour to a shuttle to Wonder Lake. When I said hikes one day - I meant savage river and triple lakes trail. I did not mean hiking the mountain.

Going back down, I meant south to Anchorage.

I think we might follow your advice and end by driving back to Whittier for last night if we have the time. My husband is pushing for Seward, but I just can’t get excited about another 3 hours in the car at the end of the trip.

Thanks again!

We board our cruise today and everybody's input is much appreciated. After reading the land portion of Mike's trip -- I see that she did a great job planning the trip!

I am changing our reservations based on everyone's advice -- so take my gratitude for taking the time to weigh in and making our plans much better!

Thanks so much to all!!!

I love being on the water -- just was worried it would be too much driving for me to go back down to Kenai Peninsula. Thanks for the advice of the Tundra Tour. We took that one since we thought that 11 hours would be too much. Here is our plan : August1-8 Cruise. Immediately driving to Denali. Next day -- hike in morning if time and then Tundra Tour. August 10 -- Another day in Denali either Hiking or shuttle bus -- the long trip. August 11 - Denali hiking and back down. Stay overnight on way. Thinking now-- to do that in either Palmer or Girdwood. Kenai Peninsula on the 12th. Sleep in Seward or someplace else if people have better ideas. August 13th return by nightfall latest to Anchorage and sleep there. Fly out August 14th afternoon.

I do not love to drive so was worried if this is too much driving. On the other hand, would hate to miss Kenai Peninsula if people think that is a not to miss place compared to our other options. Whittier -- we can see on the day we disembark.

Thanks again -- all opinions welcome!

We get off the cruise in Whittier and go straight to Denali from there. I know Seward first could be logical -- but did not want to do more on the water right after the cruise and wanted to rent the car in Anchorage -- so we head from Cruise to Anchorage to Denali. After that we have 3 extra nights and days. Somehow Fairbanks did not seem worth the effort -- if we kept driving farther I thought it might be worth to backtrack to the Kenai Peninsula. Not that interested in Santa Claus and that seemed to me the main reason to go to Fairbanks.

Thanks for your answers!

We are going on the Coral Princess Cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage. We will be sleeping outside of Denali for three nights after we finish the cruise. We plan to drive up the first day -- take the Tundra Wilderness Tour the second day and perhaps a shuttle to Wonder Lake the third day. We also plan to hike around the entrance on one of the days.

We still have three nights before we fly back home. Where would you go stay for the last three nights? Is it worthwhile to go back to the Kenai Peninsula for the finale? If so, would you sleep in Seward or somewhere else? I realize we are backtracking to get to Seward, but we wanted to rent a car from Anchorage and not immediately get back on the water after the cruise.

Any advice would be appreciated!