AKStafford

There's nothing offered on a "land-cruise package" or cruisetour that can't be booked independently, often for cheaper.

The tram is great. My other choice would be the Glacier Discovery Train. Catch it at Girdwood. You can go to Whittier for a 26 Glacier cruise on Phillips or continue onto Spencer Glacier for a nice walk or kayak trip or rafting trip or stay on the train to Grandview.

So the Glacier Discovery train starts in Anchorage in the morning, but visits Whittier going and coming. You can see the schedule here, just click on the arrow for the Glacier Discovery Train: https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/schedules

You could do the Glacier Discovery train from the Alaska Railroad: https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/our-trains/glacier-discovery Or see what Bear Valley Road Runner offers: https://www.bearvalleyroadrunner.com/ Or hire BAC Transportation and put together a custom visit: https://www.bactrans.com/

Figure getting your car and luggage and getting on the road takes an hour. Anchorage to Talkeetna I would give myself 2 hours, at least. So if it was me, I'd go for the 6:30pm flight. You might make the 4pm, but I think that would be pushing it. Just my opinion....

I've ate at their restaurant a few times. Beautiful setting. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there. I've done the flight with K2 Aviation out of Talkeetna. Incredible trip!

Would you be flying from the Denali entrance area or from Talkeetna?

Sorry, I hit "submit" before I finished my thought... That first day you could go as far the Glacierview area. Lodging there include Sheep Mountain Lodge, Tundra Rose B&B or Homestead Cabins. In the morning do a Matanuska Glacier hike and then drive to the Denali area. On the 3rd, do your bus ride into Denali National Park. Using the shuttle (not a tour) bus allows you to get off and hike as you like. Then you'd have the 4th to make your way back to Anchorage.

Here's a pretty good list of lodging in the Denali area: https://cca.denalichamber.com/Accommodations-__9391_category.aspx For getting into Denali National Park, use the shuttles: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm

If you are open to renting a car, the drive out Pasagshak Road to Fossil Beach is great.

https://www.ktoo.org/2023/01/17/after-3-years-white-pass-railroad-will-resume-service-to-canada-this-summer/ White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad will resume service this summer to Fraser, British Columbia, and Carcross, Yukon after three years of pandemic-related shutdowns. The railroad is Skagway’s largest employer, with about 170 workers. White Pass Executive Tyler Rose says they have a lot of infrastructure work to finish before the season starts, but that should be completed in time. “You know, we’re very pleased. I mean, obviously, coming off 2022 and 2021, and before that, things look very positive right now,” Rose said. The official schedule shows one-way passenger service to Fraser will run daily from early May through early October with continuing or return service being fulfilled by bus companies. Service to Carcross and Bennet will begin at the end of May and wrap up in mid-September. Carcross-based business owner Bonnie O’Connor, who runs the Matthew Watson General Store with her husband, says they are excited to see the increase in visitor traffic. “I think we all enjoy seeing that train rumble into town every day. You know, when you hear the whistle up the lake, you will see people rush out to the street, buy popcorn, sit on the bench, and watch it come in. It’s a nice moment that we all share. So yes, from a business standpoint, it’s, it’s really great to be for us and great for all of the businesses in Carcross,” O’Connor said. She says her business met its goals for last year, but it was still only a third of what they saw in 2019. She says finding employees this summer is going to be extra difficult. “Staffing is one of the biggest hurdles for all of us. Yeah, every business in town, and you know, that, it, it just gets wrapped up in a whole load of lack of available housing. The price of gas, you know, for people who might have considered commuting from Whitehorse to work in Carcross it’s — it’s unthinkable the way things are now,” O’Connor said. Skagway Mayor Andrew Cremata says White Pass returning to Canada will also be good for his community. “Being able to take thousands of people over the border into Canada on the train is going to alleviate a lot of the congestion here in town. I also think it’s wonderful for people living in Carcross. And for people living in the Yukon. It’s going to be a big boost to their economy,” said Cremata. He says he expects a return to pre-pandemic cruise ship visitor numbers, or possibly more this summer. The railroad will offer a combination train and bus service to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory from the end of May through the middle of September. They also plan to offer daily round-trip summit tours all summer. It is still unclear when they will offer Chilkoot Trail return trips as the trail remains closed due to extensive flooding last fall.

Have you considered just using the shuttles? Same road, same views, much cheaper: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm

What ports will you be in?

26 Glacier Cruise is great. Or go kayaking with Lazy Otter. The train ride through the tunnel to Spencer Glacier or the Grandview turnaround is relaxing. Or, rent a car from Avis. Drive through the tunnel. You could visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, have lunch at Alyeska Resort, ride the tram up, visit Virgin Creek Falls. Or head south to Seward for the day. If you want a good hike, you could do the Portage Pass Trail all the way to the lake.

The shuttle drives the same road with the same views for a much cheaper price: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm

See if the Alaska Native Heritage Center is offering shuttles this year. There's also the People Mover bus system.

Thrifty and Hertz are in Seward but may not be operating that early in the season. Actually, that's really before the season begins. Check with PJ's Taxi or Bear Valley Roadrunner and see what they can do.

I'd book your train ride in Skagway directly with the White Pass & Yukon Route: https://wpyr.com/ Juneau is where you'll find the Mendenhall Glacier.

Do either of these fit what you are looking for? https://www.alaskandreamcruises.com/ https://discoveryvoyages.com/

I would use the shuttles. Same road, same views, much cheaper: https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm

Unless you have something specific in mind for Fairbanks, I'd skip it. And as previously suggested, you can do the 26 Glacier Cruise before boarding your ship on the 10th. And I really like the suggestion to fly out to Nome. Off the beaten path and very unique. On Friday the 8th, are you looking to do anything at Denali National Park?

The Alaska Railroad operated train runs in the evening. You'd have the day to explore Seward.

It's not the Alaska Railroad's responsibility to ensure that you can get around. Your cruise ship is coming to Southcentral Alaska several weeks before the traditional summer visitor season and before many visitor services will have ramped up for the season. I say shame on the cruiselines for pushing people to Alaska so early in the season. And as others have pointed out: your cruiseline may have a charter lined up. Otherwise you can rent a car from Hertz and drive yourself to Anchorage. Or contact PJ's Taxi or Bear Valley Roadrunner.

Have you looked here: https://www.skagway.com/things-to-do/attractions-tours/ ?

Money no object, I'm doing something like this: https://www.alaskandreamcruises.com/ https://discoveryvoyages.com/ No casinos though... For me, that's what Vegas is for.