Great Sky Girl

We did both in our two sailings. Either is great! I personally liked cruising north then we did a DIY land tour which was wonderful, but it is certainly up to you what you choose. You can not go wrong! I would just say do not go too early if you are planning a Denali visitation.

Love this review! It reads like a book! Thank youl

I have done both also. The first was because we had never been to Alaska and did not know the area. The second was because my husband just wanted to do it. DIY is really the way to go. The first we really only saw Denali and it was a great trip, but that was about all even though we saw just a little of Fairbanks and then the train ride from Denali to Whittier which was nice. The second we saw Mantanuska Glacier, then Girdwood then Seward and Exit Glacier for two days then Homer for two days then Anchorage for two days. Absolutely a fantastic journey.

Well, it has been five years since our last cruise to Alaska and I still read Cruise Critic often. Not going to be able to go again, but we had two wonderful trips. Can not forget!!

I am certainly not an expert on Alaska, but have cruised there twice. The first time was a cruse tour with Princess and we enjoyed Denali a lot! We had two nights at their lodge close to Denali, they have several lodges in Alaska. The lodge was very clean and nice, but not 5 nor 4 star, but very acceptable. Having done that, I would not do another cruise tour, but never having been to Alaska we were not comfortable so took the tour. You are young and seem vital, I would certainly rent a car and do it all on my own! Our second cruise we rented a car after the cruise and had just an eye opener tour of the Kenai Peninsula including Homer and Seward and every thing in between. We spent two separate days in Anchorage and loved that also. And Girdwood and Alyeska were wonderful! There is so much to see and do in Alaska so please do not make the trip just one day here and another there. By the way, we spent a wonderful night in a great Bed and Breakfast in Anchorage that was outstanding! Might check that option. Our B&B in Homer was not nearly as good, but it was fine.

My husband and I took the train from Denali to Whittier a few years ago. Our time frame was the last of May. The train was rough and I got ill. Thank goodness I did not lose my breakfast. If I had, I would not have been able to get on the ship for precaution of a virus. However, the people on the train said the ground was not fully thawed and that was the reason. The train did go slow and stopped a few times to let people board in the wilderness. It took us 11 hours to get to Whittier. Tough for me. I could not eat a thing the whole trip, but did get a ginger ale and some dramamine. Mine was packed in the bags that went to the ship early! We did see bears and moose and Denali was out and beautiful!

Humpbacks are always there. I have not been to Sitka, but I have heard it is a good whale watching port. I went out of Juneau and it was wonderful! A good many humpbacks including a mom and baby. Fun.

It's been a few years, but the last time we visited we had a great day in Anchorage. We had discovered geocaching and did a day of that starting at the visitor's center which was great. Then we walked a lot and talked to local people who were really nice. Went to the police station and spent a good time there and several other places. We had a car rented so we did not have to bother with that. We went to the Heritage Center and that was really nice. A lot of people do not want to spend time in Anchorage at all, but we had a great time and I think just our conversations with locals was wonderful. Enjoy!!

But...If you have to fly home from Alaska, you are in the USA, and if you fly to Seattle or another US airport, you would not need a passport. Only if they fly you to a Canadian city would you need the passport. EM

Yes, but if it happened in Vancouver or Victoria...............

My cousin had a heart attack in Anchorage years ago. After treatment, he had to fly home from there. Just something to think about..

We were on the train from Denali to Whittier in 2007. My husband is also 6'3" . The 4 for tables were set and when they called our number, we hurried to get on to sit forward. The other couple was a lady that almost could not fit up the stairs to the top and she did not go down at all. Very large lady! But we were on the last (first) seat so we had room for my husband to stretch his legs and more room to put our totes. The worst thing was that we were on it June first and I got very motion sick. They told us that the ground under the tracks are not always thawed out that early. I was miserable. They interviewed me and thank goodness I had not lost my breakfast. I learned later that I would not have been able to get on the ship if I had as they could not guarantee I did not have an illness. They got me a dramamine and ginger ale and I got easier, but could not eat at all. AND our trip lasted 11 hours! Mt. McKinley was out in full force though! Beautiful!

Lord Duck has probably never driven in Skagway. It was great to drive to Lake Emerald!! And you can stop and see the country side and lakes. It is beautiful and I think not to be missed. We took the train the first time in Skagway and it was very nice, but I really think a young child will get bored, especially on the way back. Renting the car is the way to go. And also in Juneau. The Shrine of Terese is really nice, too and you get out and explore and you can be there as long or as short as you want.

Just remember, while the weather is pleasant on land in May, viewing of the glaciers from the ship is very chilly. Be sure to bring warm clothing for that. We went twice in May and just loved it! Once south bound and once north. We rented a car upon arrival going north and toured a week then. It was a great vacation!

Well, The tour doesn't start at the lodge. You get a bus to transport you to the site, then you have to get on a bus that is similar to a school bus, but has nicer seats! I was worried about bathroom breaks being every 90 minutes, but let me tell you, time flies when you do the tour. I loved it! Be sure to take a snack, the lunch is okay, but we really needed a snack and also a bottle of water. You can buy those things the night before your tour.

I have only done the tundra Wilderness Tour once, but I think each of these times are early and it will not matter. I would do the 8 am as it will give you time to eat breakfast and get to the tour headquarters. I think 8 is when we did it and we saw lots of animals. We were one day too early, though and did not get to the last post on the tour, but saw lots of elk, ptarmigan, wolf, bears (three) and several moose, sort of close. It was wonderful! What date is your tour?

I am so very sorry for your loss. I have lost my husband since our Alaska vacation and can feel your pain. BUT I live just down the street from you! Off 140 in Canton.

We had two wonderful trips to Alaska. On one trip we planned thoroughly and rented a car in Anchorage and toured the Kenai Peninsula on our own. Great Trip. But the first trip we were on a Princess land tour. I loved Denali. In Skagway the train trip was nice, but on the second trip we rented a car and drove to Emerald Lake. Just beautiful. In Juneau, the whale watch was great and we rented a car and drove to many places and enjoyed Mendenhall Glacier a lot. In Ketchikan we had a short tour with a guide named Lois and she took us to totem park. So interesting, then, just had the rest of the day to ourselves. It is a very pretty town with lots and lots of flowers. We do geocaching and had a wonderful fun time with that in Ketchikan.

Hope these few ideas will spur you on to look for others. We looked in Ann Viponds book before traveling.

We did this way back in 2007! My husband noticed two ladies and saw they were assigned our table. We got on before them and sat seated forward. However, I still got motion sickness and had to go downstairs to sit quietly for hours. If you get sick and throw up do NOT tell the staff....any of them! You will not be able to get on the ship. They have to ensure that no one has the dreaded virus. Thank goodness I was just a little nauseated. I did not know that before. They got me a Dramamine and I was okay, but our ride took 11 hours!!! However, we did see Mt. McKinley in all her glory!

Yes, I was sitting in Skagway eating an ice cream cone when my mother called from Atlanta area and just wanted to know if I was having fun as she hadn't heard from me in a few days! I was so surprised, but the call was as clear as it could be! I had called from Anchorage and Denali and it was clear then. Got no extra charges, but as said, do turn your phone off in Canada and on the ship as there are high extra fees.

Have fun!

We took that ride in 2007 in late May. It was eleven hours! The ground was still frozen and we picked up several passengers. The train must stop anywhere a customer is to pick them up. We also had a great engineer that slowed way down when there was livestock to see. We saw many bears (3 groups, I think) and caribou and moose (several). Great trip, but much longer than usual. I think it is planned to be 9 hours. Have a great trip!

Hi! I might be able to see your house! :D

We went on Princess, actually Diamond Princess. My husband really did not want to cruise, but after we did that he loved it! We did a land tour with them on the first trip. Took advice we found on Cruise Critic and it was very good. The second time we went north and did a week on our own mainly on the Kenai Peninsula. Had such a wonderful week!! You really need the cruise as you get into the ports that you can not do well on your own. Alaska is so big! There is so much to do and see one time is not enough! I would love to go again. My neighbor used to live there and told me a lot before we went. Actually, we saw places she had never been!

I am so excited for you! I live in your town and did a first time cruise to Alaska in 2007 and was in my mid 60's. We studied, but used an online TA. Not too good. We reported in when we got back and received a partial reimbursement. Went two years ago again without a TA and had a wonderful time. You do NOT need an agent. Just look at all the possibilities here. I honestly do not think there is a bad cruise to Alaska. It is so wonderful I can not see anyone having a bad time! But there are a lot of choices and it is hard to make up your mind. Just do your homework...it's a lot of fun!:D

Skagway has a few really good geocaches, if you are into that. It's fun and if you have the gps, FREE!!:D

I think the best web site is geocaching.com. Try it and see. You do not even have to be a paid member to use it. However, the $10 a year is well worth it to me! It gives maps to all over the world to find the caches.

To me, the best cache we found in Alaska was in Skagway before you get to the town by the river. Then again, the one across the street from the Anchorage police station was just great, oh and the one in the visitor center....right there in front of everyone! They are all good.:)

Yes, we geocached last year on our Alaska trip. It was a blast! We first learned of geocaching on this web site! It led to a lot of fun. We got one find in every port and did a week land tour afterwards and got quite a few in Anchorage and the Kenai peninsula. There were some great hides. Research it and do it!:)