What's So Bad About Natural History Tour?

[alaskandreamer]

Hi Everyone!

 

I see a ton of bad press, so to speak about the Natural History Tour in Denali. What is so bad about it???? I realize it only goes so far into the park but what makes it such a poor choice? A lot of cruise tours including ours have it included as part of our package Is it ok to take it? What is seen and experienced on the tour? Is all the bad press due to it only touching a small portion of what Denali has to offer?

 

I do understand the farther you go into Denali the more chances you have to possibly see wildlife but isn't wildlife unpredictable???? It can be seen anywhere right? I even read that people have seen moose walking down the streets in Anchorage!

 

If you are on a tight budget and the NHT is included in your cruisetour is it really necessary to upgrade? Or can you enjoy what it has to offer and still do other things in Denali on your own?

 

Any suggestions or info anyone cares to share would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[Yukon]

The answer is simply that everything good about Denali is far past where the NHT goes. To make the effort to get to the park entrance and then not really see the park just doesn't make sense to some of us. Of the hundreds of photos I've taken in Denali over the past 20 years, only a handful have been along the NHT section of the road.

[Texas Tillie]

I think you are being "penny wise and pound foolish". Denali is a LONG way from where most of us live. What are your chances of ever being there again? By not getting "into" the park you are missing the opportunity of seeing not only many more animals, but some very interesting, changing scenery. I've done the TWT twice (both times we went to mile 62 - saw the mountain in all her glory once - the other time she got "shy" right before we got there) and the only animal I ever saw on those 2 trips within the area that the Natural History Tour covers is one moose. :eek:

[Budget Queen]

You seem to be "looking" for postive posts about the Natural History tour?? From multi time Denali Park visitors, you aren't going to find them.

 

Look at it this way. You make a trip to Disneyland- you don't get out of the parking lot. Would that trip be OK for you?? It certainly may for some, only YOU can decide.

 

For me, no way, would I ever consider spending all that time and distance getting to Denali Park, especially on a cruisetour- which is point to point as it is, and NOT get into the park.

 

It's not like, you can "see" ahead further, or that portion is "just as good". It is not.

 

 

You need to figure this out for yourself, you didn't seem to know this when you booked?

 

IF you have time in Denali Park, the shuttle bus to Eielson is about $30, hardly a big deal, if you want to get into the park.

[alaskandreamer]

It is a shame that this info isn't "spelled out" more accurately for those of us NEW to Alaska. The cruise companies should explain the options of the tours more clearly to those of us that have never been there. I wasn't even aware that other tours were available until I started doing further research and checking this board.

The Natural History Tour, without knowing anything about the other tours, sounds wonderful. You get to ride into the park on a bus looking for wildlife etc. Most "clueless people" would think this is wonderful.

I just wish cruiselines would make more info available to those who do not know.

 

Thanks for the info!

[Yukon]

It is a shame that this info isn't "spelled out" more accurately for those of us NEW to Alaska. The cruise companies should explain the options of the tours more clearly to those of us that have never been there.

 

The really sad part about this is that Princess used to offer the TWT. Maybe 5 years ago they started offering both TWT and NHT depending on which cruisetour you booked, and now they've gone 100% NHT. I have no idea what the logic is, but it sure upsets many people who find out what they missed. You would think that offering people the option of a much better product with a much higher price tag is a win-win for both the cruiseline and their clients.

[PennyAgain]

The cruise lines don't care! They sell with lovely advertising photos of scenery and animals at Denali and don't explain that with the NHT, you are not going to see those things.

 

It is bad practice but since more visitors have no idea, the cruise lines get away with it.

 

I like the Disneyland/parking lot comparison, but feel it is as bad as driving nearly all the way to the Grand Canyon and never seeing the Canyon.

 

People who have no idea and only do the NHT, don't know what they are missing as excuses are made about 'oh yesterday we saw....'

 

I have walked many miles further in Denali that the NHT goes.

[Budget Queen]

It is a shame that this info isn't "spelled out" more accurately for those of us NEW to Alaska. The cruise companies should explain the options of the tours more clearly to those of us that have never been there. I wasn't even aware that other tours were available until I started doing further research and checking this board.

The Natural History Tour, without knowing anything about the other tours, sounds wonderful. You get to ride into the park on a bus looking for wildlife etc. Most "clueless people" would think this is wonderful.

I just wish cruiselines would make more info available to those who do not know.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

This is my biggest complaint with cruisetours, so much is NOT mentioned. The other "surprise" many times is the time and distances and meals not included. There is a poster, who will dispute this, claiming otherwise. The wife is a TA. As a many time visitor, the NHT is totally worthless.

 

You haven't gone yet. Change this, now you know some more details, and probably would benefit, from even further research. My opinion only- I don't spend my time and money on something, I do not want- plain and simple.

[Jeff in Torrance]

We did a Princess cruise tour last year in mid-May; and, very much enjoyed the Natural History Tour. Maybe we were just lucky, but we had an excellent guide, saw lots of wildlife, and were very pleased. Also, four or five hours on the school bus was plenty. Plus,we had more time around the park headquarters to take in the dog sled presentation and walk back to the gulch. Would we have more enjoyed the longer tour? I don't know.

[negc]

We did a Princess cruise tour last year in mid-May; and, very much enjoyed the Natural History Tour. Maybe we were just lucky, but we had an excellent guide, saw lots of wildlife, and were very pleased. Also, four or five hours on the school bus was plenty. Plus,we had more time around the park headquarters to take in the dog sled presentation and walk back to the gulch. Would we have more enjoyed the longer tour? I don't know.

 

Like you, we were provided with the Natural History Tour by Princess when we did a cruisetour with them eleven years ago. We thought that it was fine because we didn't know better. This year Royal Caribbean included the Tundra Wilderness Tour as part of our cruisetour and the difference was remarkable. It was like night and day and having done both tours there is now no doubt in my mind that the TWT is far superior. The buses are more comfortable now than they were eleven years ago and the video technology is a tremendous step forward in bringing even distant wildlife sightings to you. I am sure that there are occasions when you will see lots of wildlife on the shorter tour but it is not customary and some of the wildlife (grizzlies, for example) rarely are seen in the first few miles of the park included in the NHT. I think to answer your question, you would have more enjoyed the longer tour. I know that we did and from the majority of the comments on this board, it appears that many others feel the same.:)

[MercedMike]

We did a Princess cruise tour last year in mid-May; and, very much enjoyed the Natural History Tour. Maybe we were just lucky, but we had an excellent guide, saw lots of wildlife, and were very pleased. Also, four or five hours on the school bus was plenty. Plus,we had more time around the park headquarters to take in the dog sled presentation and walk back to the gulch. Would we have more enjoyed the longer tour? I don't know.

 

OTOH, we were on a tour that included the TWT. We spent the 8 hours on the bus and did indeed see lots of wildlife. However, we heard from other people, such as the above poster, who were on the NHT about the things they did, such as the dog sled at HQ and the history presentations, that we were sorry we missed. I guess the TWT was an OK experience. Frankly I would never do it again. If we ever get back to Denali I will definitely do the NHT.

 

It seems to boil down to this: IF seeing wildlife way off on the hillside is your main reason for going to Denali, then take the TWT. If you are interested in "natural history" which includes wildlife and the environment as well as the history of the area and the park, then it seems that the NHT covers that. Frankly, for me, the emphasis on the constant wildlife searching on the TWT got a little old. I have had a lot better view of grizzly bears in zoos ...

 

We noted, as we took the TWT, the portion covered by the NHT. It is definitely a lot more than the parking lot. I think it gives a very good look at the park.

 

BQ and Yukon know a lot about Alaska. What is right for BQ and Yukon is not always right for me. I read their posts with care, and then decide if it applies to me and concerns the things that are important to ME! Often I follow their advice, and usually am happy I did. Sometimes I disregard their advice and do it other ways, and usually am happy I did. That, IMHO, is the way everybody needs to regard these boards, as people's opinions, not the LAST WORD!

[alaskandreamer]

Mike,

 

I love what you had to say.

 

It is "very" true that people are all different. And everyone has opinions.

I always keep that in mind when seeking advice.

I think this board has given me a tremendous amount of information. And I feel that it will help me make my trip to Alaska all that much better.

I do however feel that everyone has to make up there own minds and that just because someone posts on here regularly doesn't mean they are the authorities of all subjects. It is after all someone's opinion and should be viewed as such.

 

That is what makes it so exciting! It is good to read everyone elses opinions and see how you can use those opinions to help you make the best informed decisions for you.

 

Thanks Everyone!

[Texas Tillie]

I have had a lot better view of grizzly bears in zoos ...

 

 

That is without a doubt the saddest comment that I have ever read on Cruise Critic. Anyone who is so jaded as to think that seeing these maginifent creatures in zoo equals seeing them in their natural habitat is someone to be pitied!

[recker]

Anecdotes aren't always useful, but that's all I have.

 

On our recent Island Princess cruise, we had anytime dining and ate with many different people. Without exception, every single person who took the NHT was disappointed.

 

As for us, we travelled independently and took the Eielson shuttle. Almost all (95%) of our interesting wildlife sitings (bear with cubs, wolf with pup, caribou with impressive rack) were betwen Toklat (mile 53-ish) and Eielson (mile 66). I know wildlife is unpredictable, but I think the only large mammal that is more likely to be seen near the entrance than farther in is a moose (which accounts for our other 5%).

 

About one quarter of the wildlife sitings were close enough to the road to be able to tell that it was more than a "blob" without binoculars. At least 80% could be viewed well enough with 8x binoculars to pick out details (legs, antlers, etc). The brown bear sow with cubs was right next to the road, but you obviously can't count on that.

 

Even if you are not interested in wildlife, I found both the Polychrome and Highway pass areas to be more spectacular than anything you see on the NHT, even on a heavily overcast day with intermittent light rain.

[Chenega]

OK, so here's some input from an Alaskan resident of 37 years who has been to Denali more times than I can count. Seeing wildlife is all a matter of chance but the further you go in, the better off your chances. I was talking to a group of visitors at the Public Lands Information Center in Anchorage last week and they were elated at their experiences in the park. They went all the way to Wonder Lake and saw grizzlies, caribou, wolves, and the mountain itself. Best of all, it seems the grizzly came rambling right along the road and past the bus.

 

I had this very experience with my nephew several years ago - a mother grizzly was walking down the road with two cubs right in front of the bus. We stopped and the bears went right by us and continued on their way. My city-raised nephew (Los Angeles) was ecstatic and my wife made it clear that it was special to see them in the wild and not in the confines of a zoo.

 

Denali is one of the most unique environments on the planet. For some people, the Natural History Tour is just fine but it is like going to Disneyland or Disneyworld and touring the parking lots when there's so much offered inside.

 

FYI - local residents I know view the tours as something for the tourists designed by the cruise companies and much prefer to have the freedom and options of the shuttle system.

[PennyAgain]

I only do the tours if I am escorting family members or friends who have decided to see Alaska that way.

 

When I am on my own and alone, I do the shuttles and get off and walk and sit and watch things and then reboard at some point.

 

That said not everyone belongs afoot in Denali. I know what I am doing and have a lifetime of experience. I've slept on the ground there plenty (and also not slept when the animals were too close and too nosey.

 

I won't change my mind about NTH even though travel agents work overtime to sell it as a great idea.

[mapleleaves]

Hi Everyone!

 

I see a ton of bad press, so to speak about the Natural History Tour in Denali. What is so bad about it???? I realize it only goes so far into the park but what makes it such a poor choice? A lot of cruise tours including ours have it included as part of our package Is it ok to take it? What is seen and experienced on the tour? Is all the bad press due to it only touching a small portion of what Denali has to offer?

 

I do understand the farther you go into Denali the more chances you have to possibly see wildlife but isn't wildlife unpredictable???? It can be seen anywhere right? I even read that people have seen moose walking down the streets in Anchorage!

 

If you are on a tight budget and the NHT is included in your cruisetour is it really necessary to upgrade? Or can you enjoy what it has to offer and still do other things in Denali on your own?

 

Any suggestions or info anyone cares to share would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

 

What more can be shared about this topic? It's discussed every day and the same comments are made over and over and over. You've obviously read previous posts since you recognize that the more time you spend deeper in the park the greater your chances of seeing wildlife. It costs $30 to ride the shuttle to Eielson and if you don't like it, get off and wait for another bus back to the entrance. No one can make this decision for you; review the facts and decide what will work for you.

So much chatter over a $30 excursion. People pay $300 for a glacier landing but don't beat that topic to death.

[wolfie11]

I am in Denali a number of times every summer for days at a time (five trips so far this summer). I have seen animals in the area traveled by the DNHT. Two years ago, there was a wolfpack and the wolves were seen often around Mile 11. The male died (probably as a result of injuries sustained in a snare) and the female was hit by a car. No more wolfpack (at least so far) for DNHT people. There was a pair of older grizzly cubs the last two years around Mile 12, and they were around earlier this year, but they are constructing a trail and have built a turnout for buses for the Denali Discovery tour around the area where they hung out and the bears haven't been seen for several weeks.

 

IMHO, the construction in the prime wildlife habitat around Savage River and the resultant heavy usage by cars, buses, and hikers is going to negatively impact the few wildlife sightings in this area for DNHT passengers.

 

On the other hand, there was a lynx hanging around the Savage River campground and walking down the park road earlier this week. The lynx are at the peak of their 10 year cycle. In August, during the moose rut the DNHT section of the park is the best area to see bull moose with big racks chasing around after the cows.

[wolfie11]

However, we heard from other people, such as the above poster, who were on the NHT about the things they did, such as the dog sled at HQ and the history presentations, that we were sorry we missed.

 

All of the activites offered as part of the DNHT with the exception of the talk at the turnaround are available for anyone visiting the park for FREE. The dogsled tour is not part of the DNHT and is accessible by either free shuttle from the WAC or you can ask your shuttle or tour driver to drop you off there on the way back out of the park for the afternoon demo. The movie that is shown at the WAC as part of the DNHT can be viewed by anyone who wants to watch it. The FREE shuttle to Savage River will drop you off at the historic cabin and you can attend the ranger presentation there and as a bonus walk a couple of hundred yards through the Savage River campground back to the river before catching a return shuttle to the WAC.

 

I totally agree with Merced Mike and others that everyone is different and will make different choices. What I object to is the vague descriptions the cruise lines give in their literature which make it difficult for people to make INFORMED choices about their options. If someone realizes that there are differences between the two tours and opts for the DNHT (some people just aren't interested in wildlife), that's fine.

[karatemom2]

We have never done a cruisetour, but after reading this thread I am curious. If you do a cruisetour are you completely locked in to the itinerary as outlined by the cruiseline? That was always my impression. Would you even have the option of doing something different if you wanted to? I have always thought that unless you were traveling independently you were pretty much on the schedule of activities and excursions provided as part of the cruisetour. Is there ever any flexibility for those on cruisetours to venture off and do something on their own?

[vbmom87]

Hi Everyone!

 

I see a ton of bad press, so to speak about the Natural History Tour in Denali. What is so bad about it???? I realize it only goes so far into the park but what makes it such a poor choice? A lot of cruise tours including ours have it included as part of our package Is it ok to take it? What is seen and experienced on the tour? Is all the bad press due to it only touching a small portion of what Denali has to offer?

 

I do understand the farther you go into Denali the more chances you have to possibly see wildlife but isn't wildlife unpredictable???? It can be seen anywhere right? I even read that people have seen moose walking down the streets in Anchorage!

 

If you are on a tight budget and the NHT is included in your cruisetour is it really necessary to upgrade? Or can you enjoy what it has to offer and still do other things in Denali on your own?

 

Any suggestions or info anyone cares to share would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

When we went on the Wonder Lake shuttle, we saw one caribou in the area the NHT would have gone. Later, we saw much more wildlife. If you are after seeing wildlife and experiencing the vast wilderness of Denali, then you do want something more than the NHT.

 

I do not agree with those who say it is like going to Disneyworld but not getting out of the parking lot. It is more than that, however, definitely lacking IF you want a fuller wildlife and scenic experience. It is more of an appetizer in my mind.

 

I don't think the NHT is a poor choice for everyone. However, I do think the average person traveling to Denali from many miles away, likely does want the best experience possible. We did Denali on our own, and I would never have bothered to make the trip if I had not planned on getting into the park. I wanted much more than an appetizer. You talk about being on a budget, but why would you spend all you are spending on a cruisetour and then miss the main attraction? JMHO.

[Budget Queen]

We have never done a cruisetour, but after reading this thread I am curious. If you do a cruisetour are you completely locked in to the itinerary as outlined by the cruiseline? That was always my impression. Would you even have the option of doing something different if you wanted to? I have always thought that unless you were traveling independently you were pretty much on the schedule of activities and excursions provided as part of the cruisetour. Is there ever any flexibility for those on cruisetours to venture off and do something on their own?

 

Many times adjustments can be made. The big problems come when people book the short cruise tours, which I always advise to avoid. Just to tightly scheduled with the bulk of the time in transit. 2 nights are my min. suggestion in Denali Park. IF that is the itinerary, then yes, shuttle buses can be added, or TWT booked. Only on Princess, however, has it been known that there are refunds for the NHT. Otherwise, people are going to eat the $50+ NHT if they don't take it, on the other lines. The main, point, I think to make, is to BOOK the right cruisetour to begin with. Many people have no clue what it is really all about, no idea about distances, transportation time, locations, meals, activities.

 

Better decisions can certainly be made with educating yourself on Alaska. This board certainly has many trip reviews to consider and most people have access to libraries. Two free suggestions I recommend. Good Luck.

[frugaltravel]

We have never done a cruisetour, but after reading this thread I am curious. If you do a cruisetour are you completely locked in to the itinerary as outlined by the cruiseline? That was always my impression. Would you even have the option of doing something different if you wanted to? I have always thought that unless you were traveling independently you were pretty much on the schedule of activities and excursions provided as part of the cruisetour. Is there ever any flexibility for those on cruisetours to venture off and do something on their own?

 

Probably the best report I have read of someone adapting a cruisetour to their own liking can be found through this link.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28923-i349-k3095729-l21096790-17_days_in_Alaska_and_we_want_to_go_back-Alaska.html

 

Talk about someone on the ball, doing their homework and adapting their trip to THEIR desires. It is rare that a cruisetour passenger, even one reading Cruise Critic, will venture out like this.

[whale-watcher]

We have never done a cruisetour, but after reading this thread I am curious. If you do a cruisetour are you completely locked in to the itinerary as outlined by the cruiseline? That was always my impression. Would you even have the option of doing something different if you wanted to? I have always thought that unless you were traveling independently you were pretty much on the schedule of activities and excursions provided as part of the cruisetour. Is there ever any flexibility for those on cruisetours to venture off and do something on their own?

Yes, you are locked into arrival and departure times, but free time is often available. On our one cruisetour experience, we had free time in Anchorage (rented a car, went birding and beluga watching, visited the farmer's market), Denali (two nights there; TWT included, but we added on whitewater rafting, horseback riding, hiking on our own; also rented car to drive into the park on the second day), and Fairbanks (Salmon bake).

 

As many have pointed out, if you opt for a cruise tour, know what you are getting and make sure there is ample time to fit everything in. We had a very enjoyable experience, and for a variety of reasons it was a better choice for us than renting a car and doing it on our own that particular vacation, but we chose a tour that allowed us some flexibility.

 

On my first trip to Denali (in the 80's) I rode the shuttle to Eielson THREE days in a row, and saw different things each day (and spent several weeks on the outermost Aleutian islands).

[JerseyBoy]

My wife and I are doing the Princess Cruisetour in early September, we are doing the DHT but we wanted to do the Tundra Tour but this trip returns after the designated departure time that Princess has us scheduled to go to our next location - Mt. McKinley. Not sure what other choice we have with the time schedule we are on, any suggestiong?:confused: