Has anyone done the cruise tour 17N to Prudoe Bay

[fundayz]

For our honeymoon we have booked the 15 day cruise tour starting on July 21, 2008. Has anyone ever done this? We are looking for information on what Prudoe Bay and Coldfoot was like, as well as the bus ride.

 

This is my second cruise and his first. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[2552phxcrzr]

Not sure if it is the same one, but we went all the way to Prudhoe Bay pre-cruise in June 2001. Here's how our week of touring was laid out - we went on the fully escorted option, which included meals, etc.

 

The cruise tour included the train from Anchorage to Denali (very scenic, I thought - although some people seemed bored; Mt McKinley was out for the duration of our trip [not always the case, I understand]); helicopter glacier landing on arrival at Denali (optional tour/extra); a half-day tour in Denali (so-so, since you don't get to go too far into the park, but enough to give us a taste); train from Denali to Fairbanks (a nice change from the bus transfer originally scheduled); riverboat cruise - quite entertaining / visit to a gold mine with some panning - interesting if a bit cheesy / stop at the pipeline for an upclose view; two days on the bus to get to Prudhoe Bay - went by much faster than anticipated since we were always on the lookout for wildlife (golden eagles, two lynx [unusual, I understand], a grizzly with cubs, moose, musk oxen, caribou) - stayed overnight in Coldfoot (basic is the only way to describe the accommodations, but clean and warm rooms, and the food at the diner was good); overnight in Prudhoe Bay (Arctic Caribou Inn - again very basic, but clean and warm, and the food was good); tour of the oil fields (interesting) with a chance to dip your toes in the Arctic Ocean if you want.

 

The return to Anchorage was via Alaska Air - they came to the inn with a container and checked us in and collected our luggage, so when we eventually arrived at the airport, we went directly to board the flight -- don't know if they still do this. McKinley was out (meaning no cloud cover) and the pilot made a small detour to give us a closer glimpse.

 

Overnight in Anchorage and train transfer to Seward the next day to board Dawn Princess.

 

We're independent travelers - this was our first time with a tour group - and it worked out quite well. Hubby got to enjoy the scenery instead of having to focus all his attention on driving, the pace was fairly relaxed, no stragglers in the group so always on time.

[TravelnAl]

We also did this cruisetour in 2005. My comments are the same except, our tour had the Tundra Wilderness tour in to Denali. This tour went in very far and lasted about eight hours. Was very good, I agree the shorter tour, Nature tour?, is worthless. Also, thought the food in Coldfoot was not good, but the food in The Arctic Inn was excellent for what it was, a work camp.

 

Calling the accomodations in Coldfoot basic is being very generous.

[fundayz]

Thanks for the information!

 

We understand that we will be living small for 2 days, but did you think it was a fair trade off for what you did/saw?

[ellbon]

I did not go up to Prudue bay. But i saw Coldfoot. I would never stay in the motel. I flew up from Fairbanks. I saw the little diner and it looked ok. I enjoyed the riverboat-peaceful. But the gold mining was such a toursit thing and I was bored. wish i had gone to the museum like some did.

I could never make it by bus al lhte way up. get bus sick. if i had flown .

 

you might love it but I do agree with others about Denali. while there i did white water rafting and loved it. also met Jeff King and his family. really fun learning about dog racing.

 

my simplest room was Denali and the best meal was in the Mckinley Lodge for my bday,.

[mii]

Where you might also find suggestions is the Ports of Call board for Alaska. There is a lot of valuable information there for your cruise and land tour.

 

marilyn

[ellbon]

I sat in B&N and read the book. fast and easy.

[2552phxcrzr]

We certainly did. If we had seen nothing but the lynx during the two-days on the Dalton, it would have still been worth it. We went into it with our eyes open, knowing that we would be "roughing" it during the two days, so the basic accommodations came as no surprise, and was in fact part of the charm of the adventure. (I'm sorry to hear that the food in Coldfoot may have taken a downturn in recent years.)

 

We had a great bus driver - a school teacher working for Princess for the summer tourist season. He was very well-informed, and his nearly non-stop narrative was full of tidbits that helped us appreciate the tour even more.

 

If you're looking for a scenic drive on the Dalton, you might be disappointed. It was pretty stark, but we didn't mind it - in fact, I found an odd beauty to the starkness.

 

All that said, it isn't everyone's cup of tea, so make sure you do as much research as you can before you decide to proceed.

 

(P.S. - I forgot to mention the visit to Jeff King's kennels when I posted earlier - it was interesting to meet him, see the dogs, and hear about life on the Iditarod trail.)

[jrw]

I did the southbound & loved it. Here are a few threads where I've answered a lot of Q's about that trip:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=647229

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=621166

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=620954

There was a great article in the Philadelphia Inquirer on the trip up to Prudhoe Bay, and after I mentioned in one of the above threads, another poster found the story link, so check that out. Also, I've emailed with one woman who booked the trip & answered many more of her Q's. If you'd like, I can send you that info as well (would just need your email), up to you.

My own opinion for this particular cruisetour is to do the land portion first (i.e., southbound cruise). The land portion for the Prudhoe Bay trip is pretty tiring (and I was only 30 at the time).

-- Renée

[jrw]

If you're looking for a scenic drive on the Dalton, you might be disappointed. It was pretty stark, but we didn't mind it - in fact, I found an odd beauty to the starkness.

 

Hey, Sulfuric Acid -- I agree with you on the beauty of the starkness. It's why I would love Antarctica as well.

 

Are you a chemist? Just wondering the significance of your ID.

 

-- Renée

[ko57]

I did this tour in 2005. I loved the fact that I went somewhere that few other people get to.

 

About 8 of us on the tour ( I didn't know about this in advance) went for a swim in the bay at Prudhoe Bay. The air temp was about 32 degrees, the water temp was about 35 degrees and windchill brought the air temp down to about 15 degrees. Yeah, it was cold! I've got pictures though, and a certificate that makes me an official arctic polar bear! It was worth it, if only for bragging rights!

[2552phxcrzr]

Renée - Not a chemist - it's a play on words - which makes no sense in English, but was an easy way to remember the formula when I was in high school eons ago!

 

Antarctica is a fabulous place. We had the privilege of going in January 2007 - 20 days to include the Falklands, South Georgia, and the Peninsula. Everything we saw - from the scenery to the wildlife was mind boggling. There are no words to describe.

 

Not to hijack the thread - but if you wish to see some photos from our Antarctic expedition: - the "Favorites" album is sort of a summary of the whole trip.

[jrw]

Renée - Not a chemist - it's a play on words - which makes no sense in English, but was an easy way to remember the formula when I was in high school eons ago!

 

Antarctica is a fabulous place. We had the privilege of going in January 2007 - 20 days to include the Falklands, South Georgia, and the Peninsula. Everything we saw - from the scenery to the wildlife was mind boggling. There are no words to describe.

 

Not to hijack the thread - but if you wish to see some photos from our Antarctic expedition: - the "Favorites" album is sort of a summary of the whole trip.

 

h2so4 -- Hey, whatever works, right? I recognized it right away -- I'm a chemical engineer.

 

Thanks for the link to your photos, I will have to take a look! Can't wait!

 

-- Renée

[jrw]

I did this tour in 2005. I loved the fact that I went somewhere that few other people get to.

 

About 8 of us on the tour ( I didn't know about this in advance) went for a swim in the bay at Prudhoe Bay. The air temp was about 32 degrees, the water temp was about 35 degrees and windchill brought the air temp down to about 15 degrees. Yeah, it was cold! I've got pictures though, and a certificate that makes me an official arctic polar bear! It was worth it, if only for bragging rights!

 

Kathleen -- You lucky dog!!! I sooo wanted to take the polar bear dip, but we were there first week of June and not a drop of liquid -- all ice! Of the group of 30, only I was willing to take the dip, along with the tour director. Like you said, it's for bragging rights! Kudos to you! I might just have to plan another trip up there, I did love it and would not mind going again. Then again, I am in the oil industry, so I find it more interesting than most people might.

 

As for going somewhere most people don't -- it IS pretty cool when people react with "shock & awe"!

 

-- Renée

[Momj47]

My daughter, son-in-law and I did this Cruisetour in June 2005. WE LOVED IT. It is a place you won't get to easily, other than on a tour. Princess did a wonderful job and our bus driver was great. He knew so much, since he lived in Alaska and had great commentary all the way. He stopped often for animals as well as interesting landmarks. The lodgings are adequate (probably great for up there), and added to the charm of the trip, the hospitality was so warm. My SIL took a dip in the Arctic Ocean, it was 32 °.

 

I have heard that the tour of the oil fields has been shortened, I don't know what that means, though.

 

(My gallery crashed, and I'm in the process of re-ordering and re-adding text to the pictures, but I think you'll get an idea about the tour.) I'd do it again, in a heartbeat.

 

Have a great trip.:)

[Tina G]

In 2001 we booked an independant trip through a company in Fairbanks. Eight people, including the young driver and his girlfriend, in a van. We had a very personalized experience, and saw unbelievable wildlife! We rode the entire haul road (gravel) and stayed in "motels" made from temporary housing units (trailers) that used to house the pipeline workers in the '70s. There are NO toilets on the road!!!! Nor are there bushes or trees. There were two outhouses that consisted of a large can under a hole in a shack. We still laugh about it. Now if you are in a Princess bus, you will have a toilet on board, and you will need it. I think you stay in the same facilities, along with the pipeline workers. There isn't any place else. I didn't go swimming, but I did dip my toe in the Arctic Ocean, just to say that I did it! Now if this sounds like your cup of tea, go for it. Be aware that there is nothiing luxurious about this trip, but you will never forget it.;)