I need help in selecting a cruisetour for my sister

[stuNYC]

I want to book a cruisetour to Alaska for my sister's 65th birthday. I have never traveled on Princess or HAL, so please pardon my ignorance.

 

The cruisetour that I am concerning is through Princess. It is 14 days and starts in mid -May with an escorted 7 day tour of the Canadian Rockies, with overnights in Banff, lake Louise, Jasper and the Rocky Mountain train with overnight in Kamploops and ending with an overnight in Vancouver and continues with the typical Northbound Voyage of the Glaciers Cruise. My sister has never been to British Columbia or Alaska

 

Questions, please:

 

1. Has anyone taken this escorted tour of the Canadian Rockies through Princesss? If so pros and cons would be appreciated.

 

2. If you had a choice, would you take this tour, or the one that starts in Fairbanks and stops in Denali, Mt Mckinley and Anchorage.

 

3. For those of you who have gone to Alaska in mid -May how is the weather?

 

4. Is two weeks to long for active seniors. Is the tour part too regimented?

 

5. How is the Island Princess? Minisuite- Calyso Deck -mid ship

 

6. How does Princess compare to HAL in ALaska

 

For those of you who made it to the end of my questions, I really would appreciate , and thank you in advance for, your input.

 

I really want this to be a very special trip for a very special sister.

 

Stu

__________________

Horizon- Bermuda 2001

QE2- Caribbean 2002

Zenith- Bermuda 2003

Navigator - Caribbean 2005

 

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Last edited by stuNYC : Today at 10:23 PM.

 

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[Mike2131]

I want to book a cruisetour to Alaska for my sister's 65th birthday. I have never traveled on Princess or HAL, so please pardon my ignorance.

 

The cruisetour that I am concerning is through Princess. It is 14 days and starts in mid -May with an escorted 7 day tour of the Canadian Rockies, with overnights in Banff, lake Louise, Jasper and the Rocky Mountain train with overnight in Kamploops and ending with an overnight in Vancouver and continues with the typical Northbound Voyage of the Glaciers Cruise. My sister has never been to British Columbia or Alaska

 

Questions, please:

 

1. Has anyone taken this escorted tour of the Canadian Rockies through Princesss? If so pros and cons would be appreciated.

 

2. If you had a choice, would you take this tour, or the one that starts in Fairbanks and stops in Denali, Mt Mckinley and Anchorage.

 

3. For those of you who have gone to Alaska in mid -May how is the weather?

 

4. Is two weeks to long for active seniors. Is the tour part too regimented?

 

5. How is the Island Princess? Minisuite- Calyso Deck -mid ship

 

6. How does Princess compare to HAL in ALaska

 

For those of you who made it to the end of my questions, I really would appreciate , and thank you in advance for, your input.

 

I really want this to be a very special trip for a very special sister.

 

Stu

__________________

Horizon- Bermuda 2001

QE2- Caribbean 2002

Zenith- Bermuda 2003

Navigator - Caribbean 2005

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last edited by stuNYC : Today at 10:23 PM.

 

stuNYC

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Hi Stu!

I think I can help with some of your questions, but not all. I have never sailed with HAL, but we have cruised to Alaska twice (both with Celebrity) and the last was a cruisetour last year. The land portion was the Fairbanks/Denali/Talkeetna/Anchorage (Alyeska) itinerary you are considering.

In addition, we just returned from the Coral Princess cruise to the Panama Canal. She is an sister-ship of the Island Princess and we were in a Caribe Deck mini suite. We are 55 and 47. We have never been to the Canadian Rockies, but are considering it for next year.

All that being said, here are the answers and suggestions:

1) We loved the land portion and 2 weeks is not too long. We spent an extra night in Vancouver after the cruise (Pan Pacific Hotel right at the dock) and were gone over 14 days. If you opt for this land tour, make sure it spends 2-3 nights in the Denali area. The flightseeing over Mt. McKinley is magnificent.

2) Our first cruise was in mid-May and we lucked into fantastic weather (sunny, no rain, and warmer than expected for that time of year). Weather is always a gamble in Alaska, but we have been very fortunate on both trips.

3) The mini-suite on the Coral Princess was very nice and worth the money. Be advised that some of the balconies are covered, some partially covered, and some open. We were in C217 on the Coral and it was completely covered. Just as an aside, the bed is very firm.

4) I notice you have sailed with Celebrity twice but are not considering them. The Summit is a fantastic ship that, in my opinion, offers better food and service than Princess. The only drawback is that they do not visit Glacier Bay and both HAL and Princess do. Hubbard Gacier is not nearly as interesting to me.

I am sure you and your sister will have a great cruise!

Mike

05/96 Horizon to Alaska

11/97 Dawn Princess to Caribbean

08/03 Summit to Alaska (Cruisetour)

12/04 Coral Prncess to Panama Canal/Central America

[Budget Queen]

Two weeks is necessary. I have traveled the Ca. Rockies, twice, but independent. I think I would have not been happy without a car to explore all the areas. Be sure you have several tour options available to you at each city. As for interior Alaska, you are too early for Denali Park, ideally you need an arrival there after June 1 for the roads to be open enough. Again a 7 day add on is necessary- don't consider any less. If you are adding a one way cruise- I still would plan on some sightseeing interior Alaska- take advantage of being all the way there. Easy to arrange touring. I do give a big edge to HAL however for the Seward arrival rather than Whittier- BUT few people see the area and take advantage of the excellent touring available- if you are one of them - then it won't make a difference. BE VERY VERY informed on what you are purchasing- way too much is NOT disclosed- like distances and time in transit compared to time at the destination. Research this fully in the Ca. Rockies. You don't want to be on a bus/rail all day, overnight then early departures for transit. Meals are not included unless specified and budget fully for port tours and tours on the cruisetour. You get only half a trip without them.

[Deb in Cali]

Stu,

I am available to be a very good sister. I have references. :p

 

Deb

P.S. I will have a significant birthday in 06

[General Max]

Check out HAL's cruisetour 18 (Southbound Seward to Vancouver) with land portion first. Do the laundry on the ship. Then consider spending a weekend in Van Couver then take the Rockymountaineer Railtour eastbound to Calgary.

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[JUST ADD WATER]

Mike: I was overjoyed to read your post! Someone with KNOWLEDGE about the Summit and the Cruisetours...YEA!!! We are going on the Summit May 20th and are stuck deciding between the Cruisetour #4 and the Cruisetour #5. It sounds like you went on #5? We are a couple in our 30's and have never been to Alaska. Could you give us your thoughts on which to choose and why? We are most grateful :) !

[Mike2131]

Mike: I was overjoyed to read your post! Someone with KNOWLEDGE about the Summit and the Cruisetours...YEA!!! We are going on the Summit May 20th and are stuck deciding between the Cruisetour #4 and the Cruisetour #5. It sounds like you went on #5? We are a couple in our 30's and have never been to Alaska. Could you give us your thoughts on which to choose and why? We are most grateful :) !

Hi!

Our exact tour from last year does not appear to be offered. The closest is Cruisetour #16 except we had the land tour first and then a southbound cruise. Otherwise it is identical.

 

As to the choice between #4 and #5, I think it depends on what you are most intested in. For us, it was Denali and Mt. McKinley. I would sacrifice Fairbanks for the extra time near the park.

A couple of tips:

1) We saw no wildlife on the included Natural History Tour. Our guide was a lovely young lady, but she was steering people away from the longer Tundra tour because the busses are not too comfortable (true). The people who did opt for that tour saw bears, moose, mountain goats, etc. For us, that's what we came to Alaska to see so we were disappointed. We did take a bear watching excursion in Ketchikan and it was fantastic! The only caution is that the May date might have some effect on wildlife sightings. I have been to Alaska in May, but only cruised the Inside Passage (beautiful weather!)!

2) The flightseeing over Mt. Mckinley (arranged in Talkeetna) was the most magnificent experience of the entire trip. If you can do it - go!

If I can provide any details on the ship or excursions, let me know!

 

[JUST ADD WATER]

Mike: Thanks so much for the info. Most things we have read have stated the same as you, mainly try for more time in the park. Couple of questions:

1.) Did you ride the Wilderness Express? What did you think?

2.) What hotels did you stay in? They may be different now, but just to

give us an idea.

Again thanks for the time and help!

[Mike2131]

Mike: Thanks so much for the info. Most things we have read have stated the same as you, mainly try for more time in the park. Couple of questions:

1.) Did you ride the Wilderness Express? What did you think?

2.) What hotels did you stay in? They may be different now, but just to

give us an idea.

Again thanks for the time and help!

No problem! I think these boards are a good way to get a sampling of opinions and do some research.

1) We rode the Wilderness Express twice, once from Fairbanks to Denali and then again from Denali to Talkeetna. It was an enjoyable ride. You can see very well from the elevated car, but don't plan on any wildlife sightings. Even though it is by no means an Acela, it still is moving too fast to spot anything and get a good look. The food was good and they arrange the dining in shifts.

2) Our hotels were the same as this year: Fairbanks - Sophie Station, Denali - Grand Denali Lodge, Talkeetna - Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Alyeska - Alyeska Prince Resort.

Sophie Station offered a little mini-suite with a separate bedroom and a very friendly staff. The Grand Denali was OK but had some nice views from the restaurant terrace. The Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge is very pretty and I liked the terrace with a view of Mt. McKinley (when visable - clouds almost always obscured the view). The Alyeska Prince was beautiful but this was really off the beaten track as a hotel. We would actually would have preferred a night in Anchorage.

A note about service. Most of the servers are young (probably college students) so don't expect 5-star service. On the other hand, they were usually friendly and eager - that can go a long way!