Please compare these 2 cruise tours.

[ACobra289]

Hello all. How do these 2 cruisetours stack up against each other? Is one particularly better than the other? The first one is from Princess, the other from Royal Caribbean. The RC is 1 day longer.

 

Princess – Vancouver to Anchorage

Arrival Departure

Day 1 Vancouver, British Columbia 4:30 PM

Day 2 At Sea

Day 3 Ketchikan, Alaska 6:30 AM 2:00 PM

Day 4 Juneau, Alaska 8:00 AM 9:00 PM

Day 5 Skagway, Alaska 7:00 AM 8:30 PM

Day 6 Glacier Bay N. Park (Scenic Cruising)6:00 AM 3:00 PM

Day 7 College Fjord (Scenic Cruising) 5:30 PM 8:30 PM

Day 8 Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska 12:30 AM

 

Day 8 Whittier/Denali

From your ship, embark on Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service with our Denali Express, bound for two wonderful nights at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. The magnificent park is practically just outside your door, with abundant optional tours to make the most of daylight that lasts well into the evening.

 

Day 9 Denali

What better way to begin the day than with a morning Tundra Wilderness Tour of Denali National Park where wildlife and Mt. McKinley viewpoints are on the itinerary. Later in the afternoon, plan your own ways to experience this stunning place – perhaps with a Midnight Sun golf excursion, tour of the wilderness via jeep, or jet boat ride on the Nenana River.

 

Day 10 Denali/Mt. McKinley

Enjoy a hearty breakfast overlooking the Nenana River before setting out by motorcoach for your next destination – the magnificent Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. The ride between the lodges is exceptional, but it is the views of the mountain once you’re there that are the main attraction.

 

Day 11 Mt. McKinley/Anchorage

After a final morning savoring the vistas and taking in the untamed splendor of the area, transfer to Talkeetna and enjoy the beautiful sightseeing journey via Princess Rail to Anchorage, where a stroll downtown provides a great overview.

 

Day 12 Anchorage

Your tour ends this morning in Anchorage.

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Here is package #14 from Royal Caribbean

Day 1 Vancouver, British Columbia 5:00 PM

Day 2 Inside Passage (Cruising) Cruising

Day 3 Ketchikan, Alaska 7:00 AM 3:00 PM Docked

Day 4 Juneau, Alaska 8:00 AM 9:00 PM Docked

Day 5 Skagway, Alaska 7:00 AM 8:30 PM Docked

Day 6 Icy Strait Point, Alaska 7:00 AM 5:00 PM Tendered

Day 7 Hubbard Glacier (Cruising) 6:00 AM 10:00 AM Cruising

Day 8 Seward, Alaska 3:00 AM

 

Day 8 - Anchorage, Alaska - Upon arrival in Seward, you'll board a deluxe motor coach and enjoy a scenic drive to Anchorage. Here you will meet your Adventure Specialist and have time for lunch on your own before visiting the Alaska Native Heritage Center‡ to learn about Alaska's first people. The evening is yours for independent activities in this cosmopolitan city. Overnight in Anchorage.

 

Day 9 - Anchorage, Alaska / Talkeetna, Alaska - In the morning, you'll board our glass-domed traincars, the Wilderness Express,® for a scenic ride to the quaint town of Talkeetna. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy a variety of independent activities, such as jet boating or flightseeing around Mt. McKinley. Overnight in Talkeetna.

 

Day 10 - Talkeetna, Alaska / Denali, Alaska - Enjoy the nature trails that surround your lodge before you board the Wilderness Express for a scenic trip to Denali. You have the afternoon and evening free to enjoy optional activities, such as the Husky Homestead Tour or white-water rafting. Overnight in Denali.

 

Day 11 - Denali, Alaska - In the morning, head out on the Tundra Wilderness Tour‡ deep into Denali National Park. Look for Alaska's "big four": bear, caribou, Dall sheep and moose. The afternoon is open for optional activities such as white-water rafting or helicopter flightseeing. Overnight in Denali.

 

Day 12 - Fairbanks, Alaska - In the morning, depart by deluxe motorcoach for a drive to Fairbanks. After lunch, you'll enjoy a ride on the Riverboat Discovery Sternwheeler‡, including a visit to an Athabascan Indian Village. The evening is yours to explore on your own. You'll spend the night in historic Fairbanks.

 

Day 13 Fairbanks, Alaska Your Adventure Specialist will see that you are transferred to the Fairbanks airport for your flight home.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read through all of this.

Bill M.

[4x4bob]

Bill

In 2005 we took the Royal C. cruise you listed. We loved it. At the time we flew into Seattle, Wa and then rode the bus to Vancover.

We had a balcony on the Starboard side of the ship which allowed to look at the mini Glaciers as we headed North. And, the ice bergs as they floated by.

We landed at Seaward and then took the bus to Anchorage. Then we rode both bus and train to Denali Park.

If you do this, check on getting tickets for Cabin Night Dinner Theater which is next to the RC lodge. They provide a bus to the Theater.

Next day we rode the bus into Denali. We felt sorry for so many passengers who did not bring either a Camera or Binoculars. The bears, Sheep, elk, etc are not always next to the road.

At Fairbanks we stayed at Pikes Water Front Lodge. A nice resturant is next door.

BobR

[KIM448]

I would pick the Princess cruisetour. First because you would have 2 nights in Denali which as you start your planning you will find to be a big plus. Also the fact that you will cruise though Glacier Bay.

 

Hope that helps...

[Budget Queen]

They both have pluses. RCI, stays right in Talkeetna, where you want to be in my opinion, without a car. :) Both include the TWT, which is "necessary".

 

Problems- possible?? The 10++ hour train ride with Princess, I don't find that "plus" and add their table assigned seats. If a couple, you are across from strangers, and 2 of you are riding backward. 2 nights are a big plus for Denali Park, but MANY people don't take advantage of it, figure out what you want to do. RCI, completely misses Seward- a big shame, it's definately a gem. 2 nights in Fairbanks is better than one, however, you would be even better off, adding days and a rental car, since you see little otherwise.

 

As you must already know- budget 50% more for meals than you would at home. It is also very easy to go on your own, doing a similar itinerary, but perhaps better spaced, and time where you want it. Can be significant discounts with the purchase of coupon books. And, my opinion only, especially if sailing Seward, don't miss it. It's loaded with excellent touring opportunities.

[NancyIL]

I think Royal Caribbean's land itinerary is the winner. Both cruise tours include 2 nights at Denali. Princess overnights at their McKinley Lodge in the middle of nowhere, whereas you'll stay at the gorgeous Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge with Royal Caribbean. RCI's cruise tour is one day longer, and you get to see Fairbanks with the extra day.

[Texas Tillie]

I think Royal Caribbean's land itinerary is the winner. Both cruise tours include 2 nights at Denali. Princess overnights at their McKinley Lodge in the middle of nowhere, whereas you'll stay at the gorgeous Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge with Royal Caribbean. RCI's cruise tour is one day longer, and you get to see Fairbanks with the extra day.

 

Both tours have 2 nights at Denali lodges and one to the south (Princess - the McKinley Lodge and RCI - in Talkeetna). A good question would be the flight home - would it cost more to fly out of Fairbanks (RCI) than out of Anchorage (Princess)?

[GranMona]

I vote for RCI. The cruise tour sounds better to me AND we absolutely loved Hubbard Glacier and Icy Strait Point.

[NancyIL]

Both tours have 2 nights at Denali lodges and one to the south (Princess - the McKinley Lodge and RCI - in Talkeetna). A good question would be the flight home - would it cost more to fly out of Fairbanks (RCI) than out of Anchorage (Princess)?

 

The Princess McKinley Lodge isn't close to anything, whereas the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge is in Talkeetna. RCI also breaks up the trip better - with an overnight in Anchorage, then Talkeetna, then 2 nights in Denali, and finally Fairbanks. A 10-hour train ride from Whittier to Denali makes for a very LONG day. Although RCI doesn't spend any time in Seward, it's a beautiful drive from Seward to Anchorage. The Princess tour doesn't go anywhere near Seward.