Just off the Dawn...a 5 South cruise tour

[Poodlesnoot]

Is there anything I can help you with? I'll do my best....

[Northender]

What is a 5 south cruise tour?

[Hate 2 W8t]

Welcome back! How was the cruisetour? Any tips or advice? Did you do any land tours during the tour portion? How is construction at the Denali Princess Lodge? Last year, there were some complaints about too much work going on.

 

Do tell... :D

[Poodlesnoot]

% south was the number of the Alaska land tour that Princess sells to go along with their cruises - one can take them pre or post cruise, and go either North or South, and in some cases east or west...I think they have about 25 different itineraries. therefore 16N or 16S etc...mine was a 5S...meaning a night in Fairbanks, then one at Denali, one at Mckinnley, then a night in Anchorage before my cruise began...

 

I saw no construction going on at the Denali Princess, so I would assume it has been completed?

 

The trip was wonderful...perfect weather, all went so smoothly.

[Poodlesnoot]

I did switch out of the scheduled Natural History tour (for a $35 refund) and booked a Tundra Wilderness Tour through the Park Service since Princess wouldn't do it....was well worth the change and an additional $50.

 

I planned to go Whitewater rafting, but no one else signed up for it - not a big surprise considering it was 95% blue hairs, but that is the nature of the beast so to say...I was oneof the lucky ones to see Mt. McKinnley in all of its glory.

[Times Prince]

SDid your 5S include the air from Anchorage to Fairbanks? If so, can you say something about the flight (airplane, luggage space...) Thanks.

[Poodlesnoot]

I flew Frequent Flyer and because a Travel agent mixup, I had to fly into Anchorage and catch Alaska Air to Fairbanks, instead of direct to Fairbanks from Minneapolis?St Paul on Northwest.

 

I will say, the Princess service was outstanding in the meet and greet in Fairbanks...as was every bit of service until the transfer from peir to airport in Vancouver when we were subjected to a socialist Canadian rant by the bus driver.

 

Princess was incredible....Not a single detail that I can fault them for without having to be petty.

[Sharbro]

I did switch out of the scheduled Natural History tour (for a $35 refund) and booked a Tundra Wilderness Tour through the Park Service since Princess wouldn't do it....was well worth the change and an additional $50.

 

I planned to go Whitewater rafting, but no one else signed up for it - not a big surprise considering it was 95% blue hairs, but that is the nature of the beast so to say...I was oneof the lucky ones to see Mt. McKinnley in all of its glory.

 

We are scheduled to leave next week on Princess tour 6S. We start at Fairbanks then on to Denali. I don't want to go on the Nat. His. Tour. I've heard it was boring. How far into the park did you go on the Tundra Wilderness tour. How did you cancel the Nat. Hist. tour? Did you schedule the Tundra tour befor e you left home? Thanks for the info. Sharbro:) :) :)

[Budget Queen]

We are scheduled to leave next week on Princess tour 6S. We start at Fairbanks then on to Denali. I don't want to go on the Nat. His. Tour. I've heard it was boring. How far into the park did you go on the Tundra Wilderness tour. How did you cancel the Nat. Hist. tour? Did you schedule the Tundra tour befor e you left home? Thanks for the info. Sharbro:) :) :)

 

 

 

The Natural History tour is a complete waste of time. If possible do change it. It only goes 17 miles into the Park. However, I NEVER recommend booking the Tundra Wilderness tour direct at $84 either, superior is the SHUTTLE to Toklat- the SAME place as the Tundra Wilderness tour, mile 53 for $28.50 last shuttle leaves at 3pm and you do need to book this AHEAD. http://www.nps.gov/dena You need to contact your booking agent and request the refund, IF you do NOT get back the park admission fee, then your Toklat shuttle would be $10 less since you only pay this once.

[Oi]

I was on the south cruise too but we did see construction at the lodge, but not too bad! they are still adding on quite a few rooms this was on the far left of the lodges if you were facing it though. we were in building 6 and therefore close enought to see it when walking to the fitness center and hot tubs.