Alaska Escorted Tour Questions

[POF1234]

I'm a pretty new cruiser - I've only gone once 8 years ago on Royal Caribbean to the Caribbean.  DH and I are sailing on Royal Princess and also included the 5 night land tour to Denali.  

 

Can someone help me understand the luggage for the land part ( cruising first, land second )

 

1. From the Princess website - only one small bag can go on the train with you to Denali.  I was planning to take my  purse ( tote style  medium sized - easily hold on my lap ) and I have to take my CPAP machine.  I have very severe sleep apnea and can't check it or risk have it damaged in transit.   It's also pretty small  - the size of a laptop case.  Will I have an issue with taking 2 bags on board ?  My husband will have his camera bag and worse case - I'll load my train essentials in that and pack the empty purse.  
2. I travel with a medium suitcase and a wheelie carry - on.  I am assuming that I can only bring the wheelie carry on to Denali, not the larger suitcase ? ( my travel agent told me that ) 

 

I appreciate all the information I have gathered off this site ( for this cruise and my previous cruise ) 

 

Thanks 

 

 

[amymoore]

Did this tour a few years ago and it was fabulous! Unless things have changed, your luggage ( any size) will go with you, just not next to you on the train. A purse and a small bag would be fine. Think of what might fit under an airline seat. That should be good.

[reedprincess]

2 hours ago, POF1234 said:

I'm a pretty new cruiser - I've only gone once 8 years ago on Royal Caribbean to the Caribbean.  DH and I are sailing on Royal Princess and also included the 5 night land tour to Denali.  

 

Can someone help me understand the luggage for the land part ( cruising first, land second )

 

1. From the Princess website - only one small bag can go on the train with you to Denali.  I was planning to take my  purse ( tote style  medium sized - easily hold on my lap ) and I have to take my CPAP machine.  I have very severe sleep apnea and can't check it or risk have it damaged in transit.   It's also pretty small  - the size of a laptop case.  Will I have an issue with taking 2 bags on board ?  My husband will have his camera bag and worse case - I'll load my train essentials in that and pack the empty purse.  Pack whatever you absolutely physically have to have with you during your train trip in your purse/small bag/camera cases.  The CPAP machine will be stored under the train - keep it with you, but they'll put it in storage area versus physically with you at your seat.  We had our small roller carry-on each and backpack (one) plus small purse (hip bag) and all fit comfortably under seat/in lap. Think under airline seat and you're good.
2. I travel with a medium suitcase and a wheelie carry - on.  I am assuming that I can only bring the wheelie carry on to Denali, not the larger suitcase ? ( my travel agent told me that ) your larger kuggae can "meet me tonight" for any of the lodges. Your larger bag will be stored in the luggage car for Denali train ride and be delivered to your room. Your wheeled carry-on can either be physically with you (if it fits under seat) or be with th CPAP machine in the small storage area.  Bring the luggage you need to have, they'll transport it 

 

I appreciate all the information I have gathered off this site ( for this cruise and my previous cruise ) 

 

Thanks 

 

 

We each had one large suitcase, one wheeled carry-on and a backpack between us, and a hip bag each. Large suitcases went in luggagae car, small carry-ons fit ubdrr our seats with backpack. On bus tours, the carry-ons went under the bus, the large bags by van or truck and out backpack with us physically - had meds, books, snacks, water, etc.  

It's very easy - don't over think it!

[POF1234]

Thank you ! 

[Thrak]

Read this excellent explanation by caribill. It's older but still spot on for information.

 

 

[azbirdmom]

Hubby and I both have CPAPs and have been on two Princess land tours.  We use rolling backpacks that are somewhat larger than the specs from Princess but smaller than a typical carry on suitcase that you'd put in the overhead bin on an airplane.  My rolling backpack fits my CPAP, laptop + other odds and ends.  It did fit under the seat on the train but the train hosts told me that if I wanted they could have found a safe place for it too.  On the buses there were usually extra seats but if the bus was full, the driver would open the bottom compartment.  There were only a handful of people using this space and we could safely lay our backpacks down and nothing would be laid on top.

 

Hubby and I also pack one large suitcase each.  Those suitcases followed us around on the land tour, we didn't use the tags for luggage to meet us at the ship.  You'll get info at every lodge about where to put your luggage so they can retrieve it and transport it to your next stop.  It's seamless and easy.

[POF1234]

Thank you so much ! I appreciate all the information.  

 

When I travel I never let my "breather" travel out of my site.