First Cruise to Alaska and First Time on Princess

[2018AGP]

Hello! Excited for a Cruisetour, starting on June 5th! This will be our first time going to Alaska and our first time sailing with Princess. We will be on the Golden Princess for the Voyager of the Glaciers out of Anchorage!

We are flying into Fairbanks and will have 2 full days on our own. Besides visiting the North Pole and Museum of the North, any other suggestions?

Has anyone been on the Golden and if so, will you please share your experience.

Any experience with the following excursions:

 

Skagway - Yukon Expedition and White Pass Scenic Railway or Best of Skagway

 

Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Explorer - are the trails easy to follow and will we have enough time to see Nugget Falls.

We don't like to do the helicopter or float plane excursions. Any other recommendations?

 

Appreciate hearing about your experiences.

 

Thanks!

[moki'smommy]

Juneau--the trails are easy and we went to a waterfall. Don't remember if it was Nugget Falls. Really a good place. We saw a mother bear with cubs and tons of salmon as well as great scenery.

 

We actually did a combined whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier. The whale watching was amazing.

[molme]

In Sagway do the White Pass Train and Yukon. The sights are unbelievable. Well worth the time and money. We went the middle of May and the mountains were still snow covered and absolutely beautiful.

[LeeW]

Fairbanks. Rent a car. You can drive way out north and see part of the pipeline or off east (long drive) to the hot springs.

 

Skagway. If you haven't taken the train before and like old-style trains this is good. Can be booked one way or both (with or without trip into Canada). We took Dyea Dave tour to Emerald Lake and dropped some folks off at the train. We have also taken the Eagle Preserve rafting trip twice.

 

It is easy to get to the Mendenhall Glacier on your own, although shuttles (at the base of the tram) are now a terrible $30 each. Public bus much cheaper but drops off 1/2 mile from entrance. They get nasty if you get on a different company's shuttle. We prefer whale watching with Dolphin Excursions - smaller boat than ship and quiet.

 

You really need to check out the Alaska board for ideas: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

[paul929207]

We loved the Yukon & White Pass RR

[susancruzs]

Another vote for the train ride, absolutely awesome. There are so many great choices for Alaska, join your roll call and the Alaska section here, as someone suggested.