Odessa Grandma
Odessa, Missouri
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Anyone care to comment on the best Alaksa Land and Sea Cruisetour. We want to do this in the summer of 2010 and it is overwhelming the number of options there are out there. We want to Cruise from Vancouver and then take the train to Denali for wildlife/scenery viewing. Would be cruising with our family - children and grandchildren. Probably would just fly to Vancouver from Kanasas City. Not enough time to RV up there.....
If some of you have done this would appreciate some guidance and pointers. - Best times during the summer, what gimmicks to watch out for....... etc
Thanks
Grandma and Grandpa
Odessa, Mo
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SideHillSoup
South Eastern British Columbia
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Joined: 01/05/2006
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It sounds like your going with a mixed crowd ( ages) do not go with Holland America, ( PLEASE). We ( wife and I) have been Cruising for about 15 years now and have found ( our opinion) that Princes Cruise lines is the best all round company to go with. Other will say different things however we have found and will never leave that Cruise line... again.
Just our Opinion
Soup.
2006, Komfort 261FS
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Kbix
Harrisonville, MO
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I have not done a land and sea cruise but Princess does have a reputation for being the best on the land tour of Alaska. However, I would strongly disagree regarding the cruise line. Holland excels over Princess in our opinion. But I don't think you can go wrong on any cruiseline when it is Alaska.
I have also heard that the land tour is very tiring as there is a pretty tight schedule so you would want to do the land tour first and then the cruise so you can relax. It will sure be fun for you planning especially for a trip with family.
Paul and Karen
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RicJones
So. Cal.
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Joined: 10/29/2007
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We did the Princess cruise about 4 years ago. We did the land portion first then the sea. Be sure to get a cabin on the land side, lots of beautiful country to see.
I'm not impressed with the staff on Princess cruises, since they changed their tipping policy the service has declined. If we went again I would try Holland.
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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My recommendation: after soliciting opinions, visit a travel agent, preferably one who is a cruise specialist. There are subtle (and not so subtle) differences between each cruise line and even each ship, which you may not be able to detect on websites and from folks' opinions. By working with a good TA, you are much more likely to end up with the cruise & land tour that works best for you & your family. 
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leahnrandy
Txn's in MO
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Joined: 12/10/2007
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Princess does a great Alaskan cruise. We sailed on one of the smaller ships (can't recall the name but had only 600 or so passengers)and the outside room is really worth the extra $$. We found that you can arrange your tours yourself. Princess does put their markup on these excursions. We tipped in $2 bills and got great service!!
Leahnrandy with
Abraham the weenie dog and Chloe his shih tzu wife.
Life is a journey - not a destination.
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ronday
Heuvelton, NY USA
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Joined: 11/16/2003
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Everyone has their own opinion. We did the Holland American 3 years ago, it was great. We went June 23rd. Did 11 days, 4 land (Anchorage to Denali, then Fairbanks and 7 days cruise from Seward to Vancouver. We had a balconey cabin (extra money but worth it). If Cruising from north to south make sure you are on the port (left side) or south to north on the starboard (right side), thus you will always be facing land. With 24 hours of light its a great view from the balconey. We enjoyed it so much that last summer we took our truck camper and drove up. Can't wait to go again. Good luck. Ron Day
2008 Chevy 2500HD D/A, Crewcab SB, Pullrite superglide
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Ron - 29 yrs HS Tech Teacher (ret) 24 yrs USN/USNR Chief (ret)
Sheila - 29 yrs HS Home and Careers Teacher (ret)
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ronday
Heuvelton, NY USA
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Also someone said you can make your own arrangements on the side trips. But I believe that if you don't get back to the ship before it sails its your problem. Where if you make them through the cruise line then its their problem to get you back. Ron Day
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cacutlers
So Cal
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Joined: 06/04/2007
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I stayed at the kenai princess lodge this year and it was a very nice. I have heard that the other lodges are nice as well. I haven't cruised with princess but have heard good things. We used norwegian and enjoyed the trip. We car camped for 3 weeks in alaska this summer and Denali was the highlight of our trip. Alaska is just great you can't go wrong.
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Paforeleft
Central Coast, California
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Hi,
We took an Alaskan Cruise this summer, I researched the different cruise lines and itineraries and ended up going on the Island Princess "Cruise of the Glaciers" It departed in Whittier (near Anchorage) and end up in Vancouver. The highlight of the trip for us was the day we spent cruising in glacier bay. Only one or 2 cruise ships are allowed in glacier bay per day, so most ships don't get to go there. We also cruised through college fjord and the inside passage.
I can't compare it to other Alaskan cruises but I can highly recommend this trip. We booked rather late so there were no cabins available on the "land" side of the ship. I really don't think we missed much if anything. There are only a few places were the there was land on one side but not the other, plus you can always walk over to take a look. If you can get a cabin on the land side take it, but if not, I don't think it will make much of a difference to your experience. A balcony is highly recommended and bring binoculars and gloves.
We did not take an organized land tour instead we rented a car and spend 6 days exploring around Anchorage and Denali. For us this was the way to go. Avis seemed to have the best rates.
Good luck and enjoy your trip.
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