planning stage itinerary check

[dolfndreams]

Thanks for all the info everyone, still early enough to change things around so I wanted to post and see if this looks good. I know many people recommend DIY but since I'm travelling solo I can't even begin to match the price of the HA cruisetour #20 and it doesn't feel too rushed. OK, so far:

Aug 20-22 Fairbanks: Moose in the Garden B&B/Hertz rental car

Options: eco segway, museum of the north riverboat tour, gold panning (check on Crane festival at Creamers field which is 20-22 this year.

 

Land tour #20

Aug 22-rental car return/HA rep to hotel Fairbanks

 

Aug 23: Denali - tx via McKinley explorer train

2:30 McKinley Glacier quest by airplane (? 6p rafting)

 

Aug 24: Denali - Tundra wilderness tour (included)

 

Aug 25: Denali (Huskey homestead or just hiking) 12n leave McKinley explorer to Anchorage

 

Aug 26: Anchorage: morning exploration: Alaska heritage center/Segway?

then tx via motorcoach to Aleyska: Portage glacier cruise (included)

 

Aug 27: Aleyska: 09:30 Prince William Sound Glacier cruise

 

Aug 28: Aleyska to Seward: Upgraded to Kenai ford cruise Board ship 8p

 

Ship:

Aug 29: College Fjord cruise day

Aug 30: Glacier bay cruise day

 

Aug 31: Haines/Skagway: 0645 fast ferry to Skagway: Chilkoo charter plan is Lake Bennet but down for back up to Carcross if arrive to late

 

Sept 1: Junea: Alaska's whales & rain forest trails (did photo safari with this company last trip a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed)

 

Sept 2: Ketchikan: 12-4p Island Wings Traitors cove bear watch

 

Sept 3: Inside passage

 

Sept 4: Vancouver end of cruise.

 

Expensive but I get alot of touring/cruising. Any suggestions appreciated. I did start with looking at driving but even with 40% discount for Hertz with family plan car itself is almost $800 and over $900 with LDW. I used my cruise credit so am staying with HA and looking at just cruise (at 200%) they give a rate of 175% app. for solo traveller which makes the land portion $1500

 

Thanks again for all of you taking the time to post your reviews and ideas.

Nan

[Budget Queen]

Thanks for all the info everyone, still early enough to change things around so I wanted to post and see if this looks good. I know many people recommend DIY but since I'm travelling solo I can't even begin to match the price of the HA cruisetour #20 and it doesn't feel too rushed. OK, so far:

Aug 20-22 Fairbanks: Moose in the Garden B&B/Hertz rental car

Options: eco segway, museum of the north riverboat tour, gold panning (check on Crane festival at Creamers field which is 20-22 this year.

 

Land tour #20

Aug 22-rental car return/HA rep to hotel Fairbanks

 

Aug 23: Denali - tx via McKinley explorer train

2:30 McKinley Glacier quest by airplane (? 6p rafting)

 

Aug 24: Denali - Tundra wilderness tour (included)

 

Aug 25: Denali (Huskey homestead or just hiking) 12n leave McKinley explorer to Anchorage

 

Aug 26: Anchorage: morning exploration: Alaska heritage center/Segway?

then tx via motorcoach to Aleyska: Portage glacier cruise (included)

 

Aug 27: Aleyska: 09:30 Prince William Sound Glacier cruise

 

Aug 28: Aleyska to Seward: Upgraded to Kenai ford cruise Board ship 8p

 

Ship:

Aug 29: College Fjord cruise day

Aug 30: Glacier bay cruise day

 

Aug 31: Haines/Skagway: 0645 fast ferry to Skagway: Chilkoo charter plan is Lake Bennet but down for back up to Carcross if arrive to late

 

Sept 1: Junea: Alaska's whales & rain forest trails (did photo safari with this company last trip a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed)

 

Sept 2: Ketchikan: 12-4p Island Wings Traitors cove bear watch

 

Sept 3: Inside passage

 

Sept 4: Vancouver end of cruise.

 

Expensive but I get alot of touring/cruising. Any suggestions appreciated. I did start with looking at driving but even with 40% discount for Hertz with family plan car itself is almost $800 and over $900 with LDW. I used my cruise credit so am staying with HA and looking at just cruise (at 200%) they give a rate of 175% app. for solo traveller which makes the land portion $1500

 

Thanks again for all of you taking the time to post your reviews and ideas.

Nan

 

I question your car rental rates??? There are significantly cheaper options.

 

How are you getting from Alyeska to Seward?? And you were able to verify, your option to include a Kenai fjords boat tour, which leaves at 11:30pm??

 

You are also able to verify the availability of the Haines/Skagway ferry?? Many times, this early run is ship contracted, or the ship doesn't clear in time. Chilkoot, does recommend this?? An option I have done is to just fly between the two. Easy and fast.

[frugaltravel]

I question your car rental rates??? There are significantly cheaper options.

 

If pick up in Fairbanks and drop off in Anchorage or Seward, $800 is actually a good price for that length of time. The savings would be to pick up and drop off in Anchorage.

[dolfndreams]

I question your car rental rates??? There are significantly cheaper options.

 

How are you getting from Alyeska to Seward?? And you were able to verify, your option to include a Kenai fjords boat tour, which leaves at 11:30pm??

 

You are also able to verify the availability of the Haines/Skagway ferry?? Many times, this early run is ship contracted, or the ship doesn't clear in time. Chilkoot, does recommend this?? An option I have done is to just fly between the two. Easy and fast.

 

I did use carrental.com but nothing came in below the quote with Hertz. and actually I'm not crazy about having to be the driver so I'm ok with staying with a structured tour, but will keep checking but the price would have to be significantly better. I'll keep checking into rates in hotels/B&B etc.

 

The cruisetour is getting us to Seward I assume by motorcoach, there was a upgrade option on this particular tour for Kenai fjords so they take care of logistics and it is the 6hr tour and while a bit more not enough to worry about. I am going direct with venders when I can.

 

Actually I was lucky enough to have the ferry respond already and they sent me a confirmation, I had read the cruiseline books it up so called early. Actually was surprised to hear back but that at least is taken care of. I would be interested to know who to call about a flight though, do they start at 6a?

 

Chilkoot actually did put me on the Lake Bennet tour, I gave them my timing and they sent an email stating they will hold a spot on the 7.5 hr tour if I can't get there in time for Lake Bennet but to stay with it for now. They made the decision for me since I had actually figured I couldn't get there early enough and requested the Carcross tour, but so far he said to stay with it.

 

Thanks.

Nan