Inside Passage Excursion Recommendations

[D Ritter]

I am planning an Alaska vacation for 8/31-9/14/23.  The first leg of our trip will be aboard Sapphire Princess from Vancouver to Whittier. What are some must-do excursions or places to just check out the ports? After the cruise we are driving to Seward for the Major Marine Tour then to Talkeeta then Anchorage. Next to Denali for the Tundra Wilderness Tour then to Fairbanks for the Gold Dredge 8 & Riverboat cruise. Of course, cost is important.  We are 60 and in good health - not ready for mountain climbing but are good for moderate hikes and adult adventures. We like nature and don't like to shop. Thanks!

[donaldsc]

I would repost on the AK board.

 

DON

[John99]

@D Ritter      Welcome to Cruise Critic

 

Besides this thread - how about using the Ports of Call Board -- Alaska. 

You can post your question(s) there also.—

 

  The Alaska Board has page after page of comments, questions, ideas etc.  Plus info on:  Independent tours, rental car, shuttle service, hotels, etc.   Check it out.  John   

[John99]

@D Ritter   

 

National Park Service – Denali National Park – Pretty Rocks Rock Slide  Planning your visit into Denali National Park this summer will be interesting at best.  Rock slides and major road erosion around mile 43 (near Polychrome Pass) has made that section of the road increasingly unstable.  The road will not be open past mile marker 43 for 2023 because of major work being performed by the Park Service. This may affect the Tundra Wilderness Tour. 

 

If you have 2 days in Denali I would recommend the Tundra Wilderness tour into Denali National Park.  No cars are allowed passed the Savage River Check Station (mile marker 15).  The US Park Service uses concessioners which offer several types of bus services into the park – again they are – 1) free buses, 2) narrated buses and 3) non-narrated transit buses.  Remember, no cars are allowed past mile marker 15.  

 

Remember, The National Park Service does not operate any of these tours. Questions concerning departure times, ticket refunds, etc., should be directed to Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture, the concessionaire who operates these tours.
Reservations for bus trips are made through the bus concessionaire, Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture. You can buy bus tickets online or call 1-800-622-7275.  Also, access more info from US Park Service web-site below.

 

How to Explore Denali National Park and Preserve - Denali National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

 

John