Pre-Cruise Land Tour

[cruisemeiser]

Has anyone here taken the land tour offered by the cruise lines before their cruise? Carnival quoted about $1000 per person for 3 nights. It seems a little high to me so I wondered if these pre-cruise tours are worth it. This would be our first trip to Alaska. I thought about renting a car and doing some things on our own too. Any information you have on the tour or doing things on our own would be appreciated.

[GlacierLady]

Alaska is very driver friendly.Buy the Milepost and rent a car or RV.My idea of a vacation is not being prodded like cattle on and off a bus.Many many options for things to do.Seward is a great place to spend a couple days! :)

[Budget Queen]

Absolutely you can do much better going on your own. My opinion only, but group point to point travel in Alaska is way lacking. Misses everything in between and a fixed schedule doesn't even consider interests. But you need more than 3 days, with 5 my recommended min. and at least a week if you want to consider both Denali Park and Seward. This is a very important point- and many people grossly underestimate time and distances required. Don't make the mistake of too short of a timeframe and having all your trip in transit. Request each area's visitor guides. I give a big edge to Seward over Whittier. just makes better use of time for the excellent Seward activites, consider 2 days there. Then a couple days in Anchorage- wonderful city full of varied activite, 2 nights at Denali Park with the SHUTTLE to at least Fish Creek, and an overnight in Talkeetna. Simple- only one road, nice B&B's to consider. Look at http://www.toursaver.com and see if it would be worth it? There is also a big secondary market for used books.

[cruisemeiser]

Thanks for confirming what I already suspected. You are right, I also don't like being prodded like cattle on a bus. And individual interests are not taken into consideration. BudgetQueen - thanks for the link. I will check out toursaver and I think you are right about needed more than 3 days. After all, I don't know when I will make it back to Alaska so why not take a few more days? Well, it looks like I have more research to do in order to figure out what we should do in Alaska. These boards are wonderful. Thanks again for your help!

[Aprils22]

Did a 7 day landtour with Princess -- yes it was a bit pricey but well worth it for our family---- it included a few extra but not all meals--and those can add up---- we were not hearded like cattle and it was kind of nice to meet fellow passengers before the crusie----that was our first visit to Alaska-- now that we have been there a few times and are going back--- If I were to do a landtrip I would allow more time----and would probabley do more ?

Enjoy whatever you choose

Cheers

April