AKStafford

What ports will you be at?

Just one minor note: Alaskans usually refer to Highways by their names, not numbers. Most Alaskans have no idea what the highway numbers are. So from Seward to Anchorage is the Seward Highway.

But remember, your transportation is coming from Anchorage. They will need to come through the tunnel, get to the dock, load you up and then get back to the tunnel before 6:15. If they miss that, you'll be waiting for the 7am opening. Just make sure you have a back up plan for if you miss your flight.

Nope. The Parks Highway to the entrance to Denali National Park is always open and well used highway year round. The road that goes into Denali National Park is currently closed at mile 43 due to road construction. You can drive park road to mile 15 (and should). Beyond mile 15 to mile 43 you use a shuttle bus. https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/shuttles.htm Still plenty to see in the Park. There's more to the park than the mountain, which can be viewed from outside the park as well.

Yes. The lodges are owned and operated by Princess Cruises. Mostly used to house their "Cruisetour" passengers, but can be booked individually. We've stayed at the McKinley Princess Lodge before. Nothing special about it. For Denali, I think it's better to use a rental car over the train. More options in lodging, dining and activities.

Philips Tour's bread and butter is cruise ship passengers. If they weren't getting passengers back to the ship in time, they would be in business for very long.

Anchorage. And don't underestimate the time it'll take to get to Whittier. There's only one road and delays happen. I think a great way to do it is to fly in the day before and overnight in Anchorage. Then in the morning, take the Glacier Discovery Train and do the 26 Glacier Cruise before boarding your ship.

Don't base yourself in Anchorage... So you have 4 nights total before your cruise? What "scenic" drive are you going to be doing? Is a train ride a "must do" for you?

Unless you are doing a "back to back" cruise, you won't be spending any time in Whittier... If you have time before your flight leaves from Anchorage, you can visit the Alaska Native Heritage and/or the gift shop at the Alaska Native Medical Clinic. If the item is inexpensive, then it's mostly likely not authentic. Look for the Made in Alaska label or the Silver Hand logo. Diamonds: if you are buying them in Alaska, they've been shipped here from somewhere else. Nothing "Alaskan" about them.

I'd reach out BAC Transportation and see what they can do: https://www.bactrans.com/

Google Maps does not take into account the tunnel timing and construction and slow traffic in Anchorage.

In Skagway I would do the White Pass & Yukon Route train.

You can also call AvisAlaska's Anchorage Airport's location directly. and they should be able help you out: https://www.avisalaska.com/locations/anchorage-airport/ 907-249-8260

Maybe contact Allen Marine? https://allenmarinetours.com/juneau/whale-watching/#gsc.tab=0

Are you doing anything in Southcentral Alaska after your cruise? If so, I'd chose the late August cruise for some early fall colors in Southcentral Alaska.

Sunset on June 8th will be about 11:30pm, with twilight lasting all night. https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/anchorage?month=6

Theres: https://phillipscruises.com/26-glacier-cruise/ https://www.lazyottercharters.com/

Contact the following to see what might be possible: https://www.pjstaxi.net/ https://www.bearvalleyroadrunner.com/ https://www.redeyeridesllc.com/

You might see some leftover winter snow as you go through the mountains... Just depends on how much snow we get this winter. In my opinion, the Coastal Classic is much more scenic than the route between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

There's the Wingate by Wyndham Anchorage Downtown/Ship Creek right near by. https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wingate/anchorage-alaska/wingate-anchorage-downtown-ship-creek/overview

The Anchorage Grand is closest to the rail depot: https://anchoragegrand.com/ Next closest is the Anchorage Hilton: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ancahhf-hilton-anchorage/ or the Wingate by Wyndham Anchorage Downtown/Ship Creek: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wingate/anchorage-alaska/wingate-anchorage-downtown-ship-creek/overview

Its now the Wingate by Wyndham Anchorage Downtown/Ship Creek: https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wingate/anchorage-alaska/wingate-anchorage-downtown-ship-creek/overview

What ports/locations will you be visiting?

The Egan Center is located here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/s73Sd5YsSKMNCt2o9

Hertz is another option in Seward.