Alaska

[Schasz]

Looking at an Alaskan cruise next year. DW and I have never been there so we want to experience a land and sea package. We have cruised on Celebrity and really enjoyed our experience. Wonder if we can get experiences of fellow cruise critics on your Celebrity.

 

 

John and Shari:cool:

[Mr. Click]

We did a northbound from Vancouver on the Millennium last July and loved it all. Once we got off the ship in Seward we had a guide waiting for us to take us on a tour of the Kenai Peninsula aka Glacier Alley and a bit of an overview of Anchorage and drop off at our hotel. The next morning we picked up a rental car and drove out to Denali on our own. We really enjoyed the flexibility of being on our own and going places we wanted to go when we wanted to rather than when the bus went. The Kenai tour included a stop at the wildlife preserve and it was a really nice day. With a little research and planning it is an easy trip. We chose the one way cruise because we felt we would see and experience more of Alaska than on a round trip.

[4774Papa]

We did a northbound from Vancouver on the Millennium last July and loved it all. Once we got off the ship in Seward we had a guide waiting for us to take us on a tour of the Kenai Peninsula aka Glacier Alley and a bit of an overview of Anchorage and drop off at our hotel. The next morning we picked up a rental car and drove out to Denali on our own. We really enjoyed the flexibility of being on our own and going places we wanted to go when we wanted to rather than when the bus went. The Kenai tour included a stop at the wildlife preserve and it was a really nice day. With a little research and planning it is an easy trip. We chose the one way cruise because we felt we would see and experience more of Alaska than on a round trip.

Denali is the primo place to see on a land tour, in my opinion. There is an all day tour called the Tundra Wilderness tour that is excellent.

 

Also, taking the train for at least one portion of the trip is good.

 

Note, car rental in Seward is limited to Hertz and very expensive. Best place to rent a car is at Anchorage airport.

[eas2225]

After reading lots of reviews and trip reports, we decided to do the 3 night landtour before the southern cruise, leaving from Anchorage and arriving in Vancouver. The land tour starts 5/29, and the cruise departs 6/1/2018.

Checking out now which excursions to do.

[Mr. Click]

Denali is the primo place to see on a land tour, in my opinion. There is an all day tour called the Tundra Wilderness tour that is excellent.

 

Also, taking the train for at least one portion of the trip is good.

 

Note, car rental in Seward is limited to Hertz and very expensive. Best place to rent a car is at Anchorage airport.

Yes, rental cars are not easy in Seward and they are not cheap either. That is one reason we booked the Kenai Peninsula tour that dropped us off in Anchorage. Lots of great stuff to see along the way, stops when we wanted rather than just rolling by on the train. Indeed Denali is the highlight and we did spend 3 days up there seeing sights.

[MareT]

In June we did Celebrity's 4 day Tundra Wilderness tour before boarding the Millennium in Seward. Stayed two nights in Fairbanks at Pike's Waterfront Lodge and 2 nights in Denali at Denali Park Village. Had a great time with a great bunch of people.

[phoenix_dream]

You may have already made up your mind, but if you are open to change you can save a lot of $$ by doing your own land portion. It's very easy. We contacted an Alaska based travel agent and they arranged everything. Cost us $300pp less for the three days - a considerable savings as there were 3 of us.

[bogofman]

Also considering thus for 18 or 19, how easy is it to get from the ship to the train in seward, what is the best place to stay in anchorage,

We are from th uk, so will need to plan many different flights and other transport to get this trip done

[bancytu]

In June we did Celebrity's 4 day Tundra Wilderness tour before boarding the Millennium in Seward. Stayed two nights in Fairbanks at Pike's Waterfront Lodge and 2 nights in Denali at Denali Park Village. Had a great time with a great bunch of people.

 

We are doing this same trip next July. I can't wait and am happy to hear it was great.

[DaKa2002]

We just finished a SB Millennium cruise from Seward to Vancouver. Did it once before several years ago also. Have completed 4 other Alaskan cruises (Disney and HAL).

 

Part of our group did a DIY Fairbanks and Denali pre-cruise and then we all met for overnight at the Anchorage Hilton. Celebrity will arrange transport from the Hilton to the train station which literally stops in Seward for a short walk to the Millennium. Checking in at the train station also completed check-in for the ship (passport check, get sea pass, etc.) so when we arrived we literally went through security check, walked onboard, and went to our rooms.

 

Our group had a great time; Luminae (for suites) and Blu (for Aqua class) were terrific!