Northern Bob

Why don't you just go grab a burger or a slice of pizza by the pool instead?

 

We are booked on the Island for a Southbound cruise in June with a Land Tour first. The train doesn't even get to the ship until 6:30 PM and we are scheduled for 5:45 PM Traditional Dining. I know we can do the Buffet but will we be able to do a MDR meal somewhere?

 

Northern Bob

OMG, Ripple!!! :p:p Back in the day...

There we were at the movies watching 2001 A Space Odyssey passing the bottle back and forth filling paper cups and oooops it dropped and noisily rolled down about 15 rows of seats as the ushers tried to find it.... We silently laughed our keisters off!

But on the bus I can't believe that it's 7 or 8 hours from the Denali lodge to the McKinnley lodge.

Here is what our says on our Itinerary:

COACH: DENALI TO MCKINLEY

Motorcoach: Denali to McKinley Travel time is approximately 2 1/4 hours (112 miles).

No. Bob

New to Island Princess. Can anyone tell me likes or dislikes? I'm doing Alaska in July with a group of 55. Also we have cabin E309 if anyone has any info on this cabin if it's fairly quiet.

 

Thanks

We are booked in E304 & E306 in June and I found past reviews on E306 & E305 both of which said they were close to the elevators and stairs so there was easy access both up or down. "The room was incredibly quiet. We heard other folks out in the hallway only a few times, but never a bother. Above us we had only cabins and absolutely loved the location." E309 is the same type of Balcony cabin looking at the deck plan so you should be good to go.

No. Bob

Does Princess use trains between Fairbanks, Denali and Talkeetna? I thought yes, based upon the maps in the 2017 brochure that shows rail lines, and, at least for the Connoisseur ones, it advertises "Princess rail service". But the description of the tours on their website (e.g. Connoisseur 0B6) refers to "Motorcoach", except the "Direct to the Wilderness train (the McKinley Express?) from Talkeetna to Whittier. And I've seen review where folks refer to buses.

 

Anyone booked for this summer and know for sure what they are riding?

 

Thanks.

We are doing a three day land tour prior to our Southbound cruise starting in Fairbanks. We will be on motor coaches from Fairbanks to both of lodges in Denali and then the train from Talkeetna to Whittier and due to arrive about two hours prior to sailing.

Northern Bob

Sorry All, brain fade. We were on the Grand in the Caribbean. We are on the Island in June. Never did the AIBP before, just the Coke package.

Bob

Thanks All of you for your responses. We've never had the AIBP before bit we got it thrown in as part of the early booking Promo back June. We will be on the Grand Southbound in June.

Bob

With the All Inclusive Drink Package does the $10.00 limit include both the drink and the gratuity? I am thinking that since you pay the Gratuity on top of the per day price that it should not be a part of the $10.00 limit? Anyone know?

Thanks!

Bob

I know that when we arrive in Fairbanks we will have a large bag that goes to the ship and the two smaller ones we will use for the three day Denali excursion. Can someone tell me when we say good bye to the Ship Bag? Does it leave us upon arrival at the Fairbanks airport or from the hotel first thing the next morning? It will make a difference how we pack for that first night and repack. Thanks!!

NB

Greetings

 

We are cruising up the PC from LA to Vancouver in May. We have two options for getting home - (1) From Vancouver (LONG travel day, at least one stop, more expense) or (2) From Seattle - a little cheaper, can get a non-stop flight.

 

Does anyone know how long it takes to get from the cruise port in Vancouver to the airport in Seattle? If we schedule a 3:00 PM flight (so need to get to airport by say 1:30) is that even doable?

 

If we have to pay for a hotel in Seattle that offsets the higher airfare plus we need a rental car or other ground transport, eating up any savings, and we still get home the next day so there's no time savings then either. So the only reason to fly out of Seattle is if we can actually get to the airport in time on debarkation day.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

Hi we are spending two days after our cruise in Vancouver and flying out of SEA on a 4:45 flight. We are taking "Quick Shuttle" that leave downtown hotel;seat 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM and arrives at SEA at 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM. Quickcoach.com Good Luck!

Bob

I would buy my own airline tickets and not think further about it. Alaska Airlines has umpteen flights and possible connection points to get you from virtually any northern California airport to FAI. What airport are you flying out of?

 

The reason you're seeing late night arrivals at FAI is that Alaska only has a couple of daily nonstops into FAI that leave Seattle at times that allow for connections from California. Their other nonstops leave in the morning and would require you to fly into Seattle the night before. Remember, however, that in June it won't be dark even at 1 in the morning in Fairbanks, so I don't think there's much risk in arriving late at night or in the early morning.

 

I'd be surprised if prices will fall much between now and summer, but you're probably safe watching fares for another few weeks, and if you see something that's unusually cheap, pull the trigger.

Hi Thrak, we are also flying out of SMF to FAI for a three day land portion and then a southbound cruise to Vancouver on 6/1. We just got our air from Princess after checking both Princess and direct booking ourselves. We found Princess to be as cheap if not a little more so and had as many options. We leave SMF late morning and arrive FAI at 8:48PM with stops in SEA and Anchorage. FAI is just not an easy place to get to. Have fun on your tour.

Bob

I had never seen this thread before and it brought back memories. Our first cruise was on the Azure Seas for the three day cruise out of Long Beach. It was special because my nephew was the Third Officer on board and when we left port we were able to be on the Bridge. What a cool vantage point. He's now a Master in Alaska and we are getting ready for our next cruise in September on Carnival's Freedom.

Northern Bob