Which Alaskan cruisetour is worth the money?

[BucketlistJoes]

We are planning on an Alaskan cruisetour in June and would like your opinion regarding the different cruisetours available. We were looking at the 13 day or 15 day Mt McKinley deluxe escorted tour because the meals are included. Is it worth spending the extra money for the meals and a couple of extra tours? We are also comparing Princess vs Holland America for cruisetours and would appreciate any comments. Thanks.

[Pam in CA]

You can't go wrong with either Princess or HAL. Both are "the best" when it comes to an Alaskan cruise experience. They have better resources, itineraries and infrastructure. HAL is a bit more "sedate" than Princess once onboard with not as much entertainment or things to do in the evening. On the other hand, they have smaller ships which means a better port experience with fewer people in the same place at the same time.

 

I think the Alaskan cruisetour is definitely worth the money. When I was there, they didn't offer the option of including food, which can be VERY expensive. Far more expensive than the "lower 48." I saw a comment recently by someone who'd done the all-inclusive redently and they thought it was very well worth it.

[Pia1913]

We are planning on an Alaskan cruisetour in June and would like your opinion regarding the different cruisetours available. We were looking at the 13 day or 15 day Mt McKinley deluxe escorted tour because the meals are included. Is it worth spending the extra money for the meals and a couple of extra tours? We are also comparing Princess vs Holland America for cruisetours and would appreciate any comments. Thanks.

 

We took the 15 day cruisetour last year; escorted. Well worth to us. 8 days precruise; four lodges. Everything included; didn't have to think.

[Cabunit]

Personal opinion for what it is worth: Make sure that your tour goes to Denali and Fairbanks. In Denali go as far into the park as you can - at least to Polychrome Pass. In Fairbanks take the time to go north - to the Arctic Circle if possible.

[Joe&KayCruisers]

We were on the Diamond from Van BC to Whittier (Anc). We took the train to Denali. Two nights at the Princess Denali. We took the long tour into Denali, not thru Princess, but booked on our own. It definitly is the tour to take. Goes way in and better change of seeing animals.

 

Then took the bus to McKinley and did a jet boat river tour. Well worth it and were lucky to see McKinley that day. Then the bus and train to Anchorage.

 

We did not have the meal package so don't know if it is better or not.

 

The one comment is there a lot of wasted days. All day trip on the train to Denali. A wasted day getting to McKinley. Then a real wasted day getting back to Anchorage.

 

If we were to do it again, we would plan our own trip after disembarking the ship. Rent a car, book our own hotels and tours. Would see a lot more and not as much wasted time. It is beautiful country in AK and it would have been nicer to get away from the main road or main track and see it more on our own time.

 

That being said Princess had great accomodations and transportation.

[Loonbeam]

Assuming you keep to the same locations, driving doesn't save you a lot of time per se, the only advantage is that it gives you more flexibility. Distances in Alaska are deceptive on a map.

 

We were on the Diamond from Van BC to Whittier (Anc). We took the train to Denali. Two nights at the Princess Denali. We took the long tour into Denali, not thru Princess, but booked on our own. It definitly is the tour to take. Goes way in and better change of seeing animals.

 

Then took the bus to McKinley and did a jet boat river tour. Well worth it and were lucky to see McKinley that day. Then the bus and train to Anchorage.

 

We did not have the meal package so don't know if it is better or not.

 

The one comment is there a lot of wasted days. All day trip on the train to Denali. A wasted day getting to McKinley. Then a real wasted day getting back to Anchorage.

 

If we were to do it again, we would plan our own trip after disembarking the ship. Rent a car, book our own hotels and tours. Would see a lot more and not as much wasted time. It is beautiful country in AK and it would have been nicer to get away from the main road or main track and see it more on our own time.

 

That being said Princess had great accomodations and transportation.