12-Day Alaska CT - Questions anyone??

[Robin G]

Just got back home early this morning from Alaska - southbound 12 day CT on the Diamond Princess. If anyone has questions, ask away.

[poolwife]

What did you do in Skagway? Did you go to Icy Strait Point and if so what there?

[Robin G]

We rented a mini-van and drove into the Yukon Territory/Canada - when we returned into Skagway we drove to the flatlands outside of town in search of bear. We found a bunch of salmon in the river and a bunch of half-eaten salmon right along the shore. The bear were very close but didn't see any. It was still exciting. Also spotted sea lions along the roadway and an eagle pulling a salmon out of the river with his feet. Pretty cool!

[Nettiebell]

What is the best seat on the train from Fairbanks to Denali and other legs of the trip?

Did you do the Tundra Wilderness Tour?

What were the highlights of the land portion?

What do you wish you had done?

We leave in the morning for Fairbanks

What do you wish you had brought?

What about restaurants? Fairbanks/Denali/McKinley

[Robin G]

What is the best seat on the train from Fairbanks to Denali and other legs of the trip?

Did you do the Tundra Wilderness Tour?

What were the highlights of the land portion?

What do you wish you had done?

We leave in the morning for Fairbanks

What do you wish you had brought?

What about restaurants? Fairbanks/Denali/McKinley

 

All seats on the trains are very nice and are assigned. Did the Natural History Tour, not Tundra. The highlights of the land tour - my husband said "it being over" and Talkeetna was a cute little town. The stores closed about 6 PM - we had enough time for dinner and walked around but nothing was really open. We golfed when we stayed at the Denali Lodge and my husband went white water rafting. Amazingly enough, we had packed well - weather is very sporadic - pack for every type of weather condition and you'll be fine. If you need something, just get it there. T-shirts and jackets are abundant for purchase and priced well. Fairbanks - never ate there and the stay is a virtual blur cuz of the time; Denali we ate at the hotel's Base Camp Bistro which was delicious and ate across the street at Salmon Bake the second night which was also good. McKinley - ate dinner in Talkeetna before heading to Lodge. Had breakfast at the Mountain View Restaurant in the hotel and it was good.

 

Hope this helps!

[AmazingJourneys]

Which tours did you do on the cruise. Did you do any private tours booked outside of the cruise line?

 

My wife and I went on our honeymoon to Alaska in 2000 (cruise only). Next year we are going back and doing a sb CT on the Coral Princess for 12 days. 2 nights in both Fairbanks and Denali and a night in Mckinley.

 

We will do a flightseeing tour over Denali and it will probably be the highlight of the trip or any trip for that matter.

 

Do you have any other suggestions not already mentioned.