Pre-cruise 2 days in Anchorage area

[steelerfan7]

We are booked on the Coral Princess on June 8 from Whittier and are arriving in Anchorage on June 6 late. Based on reading the posts from the wonderful board members of CC, we have tentatively drawn out the following to best utilize our time before boarding the ship:

 

Arrive late in Anchorage on June 6 and rent a car from the airport and head to hotel (don't know which one yet)

Get out early the next morning and tour around Anchorage for a few hours before heading out on the Seward Highway to Seward. Spend the rest of the day on the highway stopping at our leisure, maybe take a quick boat tour of Portage Glacier, or stop at Exit Glacier.

Spend the night at a hotel in Seward (again, nothing booked yet).

Next morning head over to Whittier, drop the car, and take the 6-hour PWS tour through Esther Passage before heading to the Coral Princess (can we stow our luggage with the PWS tour group?) Thought about Kenai tour instead, but afraid of seasickness (don't want to start our 7 day cruise already green!)

 

How does this plan sound to those of you who know the area? Any other suggestions that we should consider? Any definite stops to make on the Seward Highway (food, shops,etc)?

 

Thanks in advance for your insight and suggestions.

 

BTW - Happy Thanksgiving!

[Budget Queen]

In my opinion, IF you are not considering a Kenai Fjords boat tour, then there really isn't much of a reason to go to Seward for just Exit Glacier. I also will suggest, IF you are concerned about motion sickness, you need this concern overall perhaps?? It is NOT a given of smooth sailing on the cruise ship and I have seen plenty of sick passengers. There are excellent solutions to consider for prevention, perhaps research these with your health care professional??

 

Do you already have your Avis car rental?? Do this now, cars are in very short supply. Yes, the boat tours will store your bags, but you can just as easy drop them off at the ship yourself.

 

There are no "shops" on the way to Seward, and the scenery significantly drops off past the Arm, again, overall little reason just to "drive" to Seward with only a look at Exit??

 

You might want to adjust this and spend your time in Anchorage, or north, your first day?? Plenty to see and do in that direction as well. So, figure out WHAT you are doing, before just driving perhaps??

[steelerfan7]

Thanks for your reply BQ. Any suggestions going north?

[ellbon]

you could spend a night in Whitter and do a boat tour from there. one couple got to Whitter early and did a boat tour. North is Denila. if it is out and you fly over it yuo see her. i missed her.

[Budget Queen]

I wouldn't consider an overnight in Whittier, in your short timeframe, unnecessary.

 

As for "north", glacier trekking without a fly in requirement, Musk ox farm, Eklutna, Spirt House tour, Eagle River Nature Center. Wasilla museums, Talkeetna- McKinley flightseeing. You do not have time for Denali Park. You likely, also are too early for Hatcher Pass.

[melodyina]

We are booked on the Coral Princess on June 8 from Whittier and are arriving in Anchorage on June 6 late. Based on reading the posts from the wonderful board members of CC, we have tentatively drawn out the following to best utilize our time before boarding the ship:

 

Arrive late in Anchorage on June 6 and rent a car from the airport and head to hotel (don't know which one yet)

Get out early the next morning and tour around Anchorage for a few hours before heading out on the Seward Highway to Seward. Spend the rest of the day on the highway stopping at our leisure, maybe take a quick boat tour of Portage Glacier, or stop at Exit Glacier.

Spend the night at a hotel in Seward (again, nothing booked yet).

Next morning head over to Whittier, drop the car, and take the 6-hour PWS tour through Esther Passage before heading to the Coral Princess (can we stow our luggage with the PWS tour group?) Thought about Kenai tour instead, but afraid of seasickness (don't want to start our 7 day cruise already green!)

 

How does this plan sound to those of you who know the area? Any other suggestions that we should consider? Any definite stops to make on the Seward Highway (food, shops,etc)?

 

Thanks in advance for your insight and suggestions.

 

BTW - Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I would just enjoy Anchorage. There are fabulous museums and local art gallerys. Also the 'Saturday' market downtown which now runs Saturday and Sunday. Take a walk along the coastal trail too, and enjoy a local restaurant (though chain restaurants abound too). Stop at a local grocery store and marvel at our items (and our prices). You will be doing some time-zone adjustment too. Seward is beautiful, but so are the towns you are sailing too, and Exit Glacier won't be the only glacier you will see. So I opt for museum days, to get yourself a basis with all you will be seeing. You will also find that car rentals are very pricey especially for one-way drop offs, there are other options to consider, such as the train to Whittier too. Enjoy!

[Budget Queen]

I would just enjoy Anchorage. There are fabulous museums and local art gallerys. Also the 'Saturday' market downtown which now runs Saturday and Sunday. Take a walk along the coastal trail too, and enjoy a local restaurant (though chain restaurants abound too). Stop at a local grocery store and marvel at our items (and our prices). You will be doing some time-zone adjustment too. Seward is beautiful, but so are the towns you are sailing too, and Exit Glacier won't be the only glacier you will see. So I opt for museum days, to get yourself a basis with all you will be seeing. You will also find that car rentals are very pricey especially for one-way drop offs, there are other options to consider, such as the train to Whittier too. Enjoy!

 

Yes, certainly plenty to see and do in Anchorage. Request their visitor guide http://www.anchorage.net