AKStafford

The Shrine of St. Therese is nice and so is the drive: https://www.shrineofsainttherese.org/

I would consider ditching the cruise line tour and renting a car for your own trip. There's nothing on a cruisetour that you can't do on your own, often for cheaper. On the cruisetour you have very little time at Denali National Park. And McKinley Princess Lodge is in the middle of no where will very little options. But, your trip. So choose what you want... Just a suggestion.

Just a note for other travelers... Icy Strait Lodge rents cars: https://icystraitlodge.com/car-rentals

This would be my choice: http://jetboatalaska.com/

What dates will you be there and how much time will you have?

That'll be the issue... You'll be here a week or two before things really begin to open up for the Summer Season...

Kenai Fjords National Park is pretty simple... Rent a car, drive to Seward and do a day cruise. You could also use the Alaska Railroad's Coastal Classic, but it'll be a long day: https://www.alaskarailroad.com/ride-a-train/our-trains/coastal-classic You next easiest option would be Denali National Park. Use the rental car and allow three days. One to get there, one to drive as far into the Park as the road allows (probably mile 30) and then the 3rd day to get back to Anchorage.

The best way to explore Southcentral Alaska after your cruise is with a rental car. Trying to rely on buses & trains will get more expensive and more complicated. Is renting a car an option?

Here's our pictures from our trip: http://akstafford.blogspot.com/2021/08/glaciers-7-31-2021.html

I drove for Holland America. This would've been 2001/2002. The first year was doing 16 to 20 hour days 2 to 3 times a week doing ship transfers between Seward and Anchorage. If you had driving hours left, you might pick up a Portage Tour or a Denali run. The second season I got to pick a few weeks of being with a cruisetour group over several days in a row.

The cruise lines do a great job with the cruise in Southeast Alaska. But in my opinion their land tours are lacking. I drove bus for them for two years and it often felt like people were just being herded from spot to spot. I think a better route is to book a rental car and put together your own great trip. You can see what you want to see on your own schedule. There's nothing offered on a cruisetour that can't be booked independently.

Have you looked here: https://visitsitka.org/things-to-do/activities/walking-hiking-tours ?

In my opinion: the cruise lines do a good job of cruising through Southeast Alaska, but I feel their cruisetours on land are very lacking. Unless there's a specific reason you want a cruisetour, I feel it's better to use a rental car and explore on you own. There's nothing on offered on a cruisetour that can be booked independently.

How about this... Leave Anchorage and head to the Matanuska Glacier for a guided glacier hike. Then visit Hatcher Pass for a scenic drive or a hike. Then head to Talkeetna, getting there in the evening. Then the next day make the drive to Fairbanks.

So you are coming just before the traditional summer visitor season starts at the end of May. That will limit some of your options. Have you considered flying from Anchorage to Fairbanks? Or are you starting your trip in Fairbanks? Lodging in between Anchorage and Fairbanks can be found in Talkeetna, Cantwell or Healy. Healy would be a decent choice.

Here's some places to contact: Bear Valley Road Runner BAC Transportation Aurora Limosine

I would do a whale watching trip there.

No reason why you can't book on your own. Options are pretty limited at those two locations. Good to see the Copper River Lodge open this year. Last year they left it closed. If it was me, I'd book something with Wrangell Mountain air: https://www.wrangellmountainair.com/

The cruise lines do a great job of showing people Southeast Alaska. I'm not a fan of their land tours in Southcentral Alaska. By booking your own trip with a rental car you can choose what you want to do, where you want to stay and your own pace. You can get planning help here and on the TripAdvisor forums for Alaska travel: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g28923-i349-Alaska.html

If you really want a smaller ship, you could look at something like this: https://www.alaskandreamcruises.com/

For the Anchorage airport, I give myself two hours and have never had a problem.

So this tour is run by Mahay's Jet Boat Adventures. https://mahaysriverboat.com/chulitna-gorge-journey/ It's $19 cheaper if you book direct. Either way you are taking the almost hour long shuttle into Talkeetna. And yes, it's mostly time on the boat. If it was me, I'd be doing the Devil's Canyon trip with them: https://mahaysriverboat.com/devils-canyon-adventure/

Fred Meyer is part of the Kroger chain and Carrs is part of Albertsons. So if you already have a shopper's card for any of these, it'll work here too.

FAI to Rail Depot: https://goo.gl/maps/AfSWZjnRSRXbvYPT7 ANC to Rail Depot: https://goo.gl/maps/N5wB44tBeUsLj2FQ7

Palmer: Palmer Ale House or Turkey Red. If you want a great sandwich, drive the extra few miles to Wasilla to Hebrew's Cafe Glacier View: Long Rifle Lodge, Sheep Mountain Lodge or the cafe at the Grandview RV Park. Denali area: Rose's Cafe in Healy Anchorage: F Street Station if you can get a seat. Simon & Seaforts or Suite 100 for more upscale. Whittier: Swiftwater Cafe