kchamp27

@Shella73 Welcome - your past trip sounds exciting as well - hope you enjoyed that! I am looking at the Alaska Railroad, Glacier Discovery Train from Anchorage to Whittier for $101 a person. Hope that helps!

After much research we decided to DIY the land portion. That way we can pick what we like, stay at the less crowded places and control our itinerary. With that being said I definitely don't think it is saving $ this way but at least we can tailor it for us! Then we are taking the southbound cruise from Whittier to Anchorage which seems to have the most time in port and more time to see Alaska since it does not have to go "round trip". Planning has been a blast!

That is definitely more intense than I was thinking 🤣that looks amazing though!

Ahh - I love planners!!! I will have to check out TripIt - thanks for that info. We are doing a DIY land portion for 4 mid50's age adults next summer followed by a Southbound Princess Cruise adding my 24 YO daughter and her college roommate to that portion. The land portion is coming together and have been looking at excursions for the ports. I think the only one we are doing through the cruise line is the smaller ship excursion in Hubbard Glacier which is already booked. So far here is a high level overview of the land portion. Love my spreadsheets for the details though! Do have McKinley Cabins and Sheep Mountain booked. The car rental price is insane but will keep shopping around as more options become available. Happy planning! Sunday 7/27 Arrive Fairbanks, pick up rental If time, dinner at Alaska Salmon Bake and dinner show at Pioneer Park Regular chain hotel Monday, 7/28 Running Reindeer in the morning Drive to Denali, check in at McKinley Cabins (Dinner show at Princess Lodge if unable to go on Sunday due to flight time) Tuesday, 7/29 On/off bus system into Denali Doggonit 7 pm tour Wednesday, 7/30 Leave early and drive to Talkeenta Maybe 12:00 or 2:30 Jet Boat River Cruise Drive to Sheep Mountain Thursday, 7/31 Mantanuska Glacier hike with MICA ATV evening ride from Sheep Mountain Friday, 8/1 Drive to Anchorage Maybe go to Wildlife Conservation Center? Laundry?, Drop off rental Get chain hotel reservation Saturday, 8/2 Train ride from Anchorage to Whittier to board ship

Looks great! We may need to come back again for those spots!! Here is ours right now. Sunday Arrive Fairbanks, pick up rental If time, dinner at Alaska Salmon Bake and dinner show at Pioneer Park Regular chain hotel Monday Running Reindeer in the morning Drive to Denali, check in at McKinley Cabins (Dinner show at Princess Lodge if unable to go on Sunday due to flight time) Tuesday On/off bus system into Denali Doggonit 7 pm tour Wednesday Leave early and drive to Talkeenta Maybe 12:00 or 2:30 Jet Boat River Cruise Drive to Sheep Mountain Thursday Mantanuska Glacier hike with MICA ATV evening ride from Sheep Mountain Friday Drive to Anchorage Maybe go to Wildlife Conservation Center? Laundry?, Drop off rental Get chain hotel reservation Saturday Train ride from Anchorage to Whittier to board ship

Hey @carriepride I loved this thread as well being a planner! We are also doing a DIY land portion in last July next year followed by a southbound cruise from Whittier to Vancouver. I would absolutely love to see your itinerary and share mine for ideas! We are planning on flying into Fairbanks, going to Dentali, going to Talkeenta, Mantanuska Glacier and then Anchorage. All in 6 days!

That was awesome reading to get me going on our trip next year. Almost has me convinced to start a new thread but I still have so many unanswered decisions for our trip.!

Splurging for a suite on our 1st Alaskan cruise for our 30th. For Alaska (we are doing southbound one way if that matters) is there a recommendation on a Forward or Aft Suite? Thanks!