JAN1

Thank you. I just looked up Nova Alaska and they have a trekking tour for 3 and a half hours at 930 and 230 fur 90 dollars plus we would pay 20 each to get in. We would have to do the afternoon tour and then drive back to Anchorage. So we would have to leave Healy in the morning if June 1st and drive to Palmer to get the tour at 230. DThen drive to Anchorage I guess if it stays light enough we could do that. What time does it get dark at that time in Alaska? Would not want to drive back to Anchorage in the dark.

Do you drive to Denali National Park? How many nights are you staying there? I may change my reservation from the Puffin Inn to Alex Inn and Suites. The price is a little less. We are not in the hotel much

Janice

Do you think we could leave Denali National Park area and drive to see Matanuska Glacier on the way back to Anchorage? We could either go there before we go to Denali or after on our way back to Anchorage. Also I saw that there were tours there. Is that recommended since we don't have shoes with spikes to grip the ice? We never walked on a glacier before. The only other opportunity would be in Juneau on our cruise to take the helicopter up and walk on Mendenhall Glacier. We are a couple in our 60s and it is our first time in Alaska. Also would the google maps on our Iphone work on the highways?

Janice

We have reservations at LongHouse Alaska Hotel for 1 night on May 29th Leaving early May 30th to drive to Denali. Then on June 1st staying 1 night at Puffin Hotel and getting to our ship on June 2nd. We should probably be ok We want to be close to the Enterprise rental car on Spenard Drive

Janice

Would this be on the way to Denali National Park? I really want to be able to walk on a glacier if possible. This is our first trip to Alaska. How would I find out the hours its open and directions? Is there a website to see it and get directions?

Janice

We are going on Princess Cruise that leaves from Whittier on evening of June 2nd so we don't want to miss the ship. We originally thought we can drive back from Denali to Anchorage, return the car at Enterprise and take a shuttle bus to Whittier. We think it might be too much to do that in a day so decided to just take our time and come back to Anchorage on June 1st. We could stay the morning in Denali National Park on June 1st and then head back. So we would take the shuttle to Toklat this time to see part of the park. Really wanted to be able to go further into the park Also we have reservations at White Moose Lodge in Healey. Also thought about Denali Park Hotel which is close to the lodge

Janice

We will be in Denali National Park on May 30 and 31st leaving on June 1st The only shuttle bus running goes to Toklat mile 53 Found out the season starts on June 1st. Is it still worth taking that bus shuttle since we probably won't be able to get further into the park? We have to leave sometime on June 1st Thanks

Janice

we are deciding on staying at White Moose Lodge or Denali Park Hotel They are only a mile from each other. Denali Park Hotel is more expensive and neither give you any breakfast. Also deciding if we want to just go to Mendenhall Glacier to see it or we want to splurge and spend on the money and take a helicopter ride and walk on the glacier. Big difference in cost but may not go back to do it again. Also want to take the tram up to the restaurant if its a clear day. Any other suggestions for excursions in Skagway, Ketchichan or Juneau?

Janice

Thank you We were going to take an inside cabin but decided on this. We spend most of the time up on the deck looking outside anyway. Balconies were expensive and decided to spend the money on excursions and other things.

Janice

Thanks. We were just looking for a place to stay overnight when we come back from Denali National Park. Then next day we go to Princess cruise. We will be returning our rental car to Enterprise then stay the night.

Janice

Has anyone ever stayed at Puffin Inn or Alex Inn and Suites on Spenard Street in Anchorage? Which one would’ve better for an overnight stay? Also which is closer to Enterprise car rental since we will be dropping off our car. Thanks

Janice

We are going on the Star Princess on June 2nd on southbound from Anchorage to Vancouver. Anyone know anything about cabin on Emerald deck E714? Also should we book exzcursions through the ship or on our own? We want to do a helicopter ride to Mendenhall Glacier and walk on the glacier. Its a pretty expensive excursion and really want to enjoy it and get the most out of the tour.

Thanks for the info It is a lot less money to just rent a car and drive to Denali. We want to save some money for excursions Have you ever taken a helicopter and landed on Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau? We are thinking about doing that tour but not sure if we should book that privately. Many companies do that so you can walk on the glacier. Is that worth the money or better to just see Mendenhall Glacier by bus? We will probably just take a bus to Whittier that stops at Alaska Wildlife on the way to the port. I heard that was a nice plae to see.

Janice

We booked all our Alaska excursions through Princess. We did a boat tour to a island in Ketchikan, in Juneau we did helicopter tour of Mendenhall Glacier with dog sledding on Glacier,

Was the helicopter tour of Mendenhall worth the money? Did you get to walk on the glacier?

Janice

We booked all our Alaska excursions through Princess. We did a boat tour to a island in Ketchikan, in Juneau we did helicopter tour of Mendenhall Glacier with dog sledding on Glacier,

Which company did you take in Juneau for your flight over Mendenhall Glacier and dog sledding? Did you get off and walk on the glacier? Thinking about doing helicopter or plane tour that lands on the glacier so you can walk on the glacier. Its very expensive so not sure it is worth the money

Janice

Did you ever stay in Healy overnight? We have a reservation at White Moose Lodge which was quite reasonable compared to other places closer to Denali. Planning on driving from Anchorage to Denali. Would there be any advantage to taking the train there as opposed to driving? Was wondering how the drive from Anchorage to Denali are was?

Janice

In Juneau we did whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier--a marvelous day. We did it privately which allowed a smaller boat and fewer people. Great sightings of both orca and humpback whales. At the glacier park we saw a mother bear with cubs' date=' tons of salmon, etc. I'd certainly do this again.[/quote']

 

what company did you do your whale watching and Mendenhall glacier tour with? We will be there beginning of June. Did you do it privately and book it ahead of time? They also have the tour through Princess cruises

 

Janice

Star Princess on June 2nd and looking for good ideas for excursions. I saw a few groupon excursions in Juneau and Ketchikan but not sure if its better to take the excursions through the ship. We are also flying into Anchorage on May 29th, renting a car, and planning on driving to Denali for 2 nights. Than driving back on June 1st and take a bus tour over to Whittier on June 2nd to get the ship. By Denali we are staying at White Moose Lodge in Healy because it was very reasonable. In Anchorage we are staying first night at LongHouse Alaska Hotel on May 29th and Puffin Hotel on June 1st before getting over to the ship on June 2nd. Does this sound like a good plan? Has anyone ever stay at any of the these hotels? The hotels close to Denali National Park were pretty expensive. On June 9th we are staying overnight at Moda Hotel in Vancouver Than fly back on June 10th. Any other suggestions? In Juneau we saw a city tour and tour to take you over to Mendenhall Glacier. Is that a good one? Wanted to fly over glacier and land but very expensive and not sure thats worth it. Any other suggestions?? Thanks

Janice

Star Princess on June 2nd and looking for good ideas for excursions. I saw a few groupon excursions in Juneau and Ketchikan but not sure if its better to take the excursions through the ship. We are also flying into Anchorage on May 29th, renting a car, and planning on driving to Denali for 2 nights. Than driving back on June 1st and take a bus tour over to Whittier on June 2nd to get the ship. By Denali we are staying at White Moose Lodge in Healy because it was very reasonable. In Anchorage we are staying first night at LongHouse Alaska Hotel on May 29th and Puffin Hotel on June 1st before getting over to the ship on June 2nd. Does this sound like a good plan? Has anyone ever stay at any of the these hotels? The hotels close to Denali National Park were pretty expensive. On June 9th we are staying overnight at Moda Hotel in Vancouver Than fly back on June 10th. Any other suggestions? In Juneau we saw a city tour and tour to take you over to Mendenhall Glacier. Is that a good one? Wanted to fly over glacier and land but very expensive and not sure thats worth it. Any other suggestions?? Thanks

Are there any shops or anything to do around the Whittier cruise port if we get there early? We were thinking about taking the 26 Glacier boat tour but that is too rushed and we wouldnt get on the ship until later.

We are thinking about taking Alaskan Cruise Transportation from Anchorage to Whittier. They have a bus tour that picks up at hotels and airport and stops at Alaska Wildlife Conservation, a photo stop at Portage Glacier and then goes directly to the port. Deciding to take the early or late bus tour. Early will get us to port in Whittier at 1230 or 1pm The afternoon bus tour gets us to port at 4:45pm. Should we take the early tour or the later tour?

We will be on the Star Princess going southbound from Anchorage to Vancouver on June 2nd We picked Anytime seating because we thought it might be more flexible. It is just the two of us. We originally had the late seating. Any advantages or disadvantages to anytime seating for dinner? Also what is a good time to board the ship? I believe it leaves Anchorage at 8:30pm

Janice

Anyone know about this cabin on Emerald deck E714 which is an obstructed view towards the back of the ship? Should we try to change it?

Janice

Teach4Jan@aol.com

Whatever size car that comfortably fits you & your luggage will work. The roads are all paved that you'll be driving on. The only advantage an SUV might have is you'll probably sit up higher than a sedan by a little bit, which might give you some better views. But either vehicle will get you there just fine.[/quote

We will be in Denali on May 30th and May 31st but must leave on June 1st to get back to Anchorage. Is it still worth going to Denali since we will be limited as far as how many miles the shuttle will take us? We are staying at White Moose Lodge by Healy. ]

Have you checked the prices at Enterprise yet? I lucked out on a great deal (Wed AM through Sat 10 PM for around $170 including taxes), but that we several months ago. Last time I checked it was a lot higher (like $400 or more). Get your car figured out, and if it's not Enterprise we might be able to find you a decent hotel near whatever agency you choose.

I reserved a car only from May29th through June 1st. I actually reserved an intermediate car and a small SUV. If we plan on driving to Denali would we be better off in an SUV or would an intermediate car be ok? Our plans so far are fly into Anchorage on May 29th. Stay at LongHouse Alaskan Hotel rent the car. Leave May 30th for Denali. Stay overnight 2 nights then drive back on June 1st to stay at Puffin Inn Either taking Alaska Cruise shuttle bus to ship or something else on June 2nd. Going on Star Princess on June 2nd