What better time than Thanksgiving to return to our “DREAM” series of articles, where we revisit some of our favourite trips, and invite your comments. Two weeks ago, we visited the haute couture of France when we “visited” Paris and the beaches of Normandy.
Today we’re exploring the rugged beautify of Alaska.
Alaska really is different than any other state. Its size alone is remarkable – more than three times as big as Texas, and over 6600 miles of coastline.
About half of cruise ship passengers to Alaska opt to spend some time on land and visit crown jewel of Alaska: Denali National Park.
Larger than Massachusetts, this National Park houses North America’s highest peak: Denali (formerly Mount McKinley).
A common misconception amongst Alaska cruisers is that they’ll take in Denali on their own on the day of embarkation or disembarkation. Unfortunately, Denali is nearly 400 miles from where the cruise ships dock.
Have you ever looked at the Denali extensions on Princess’ or Holland America’s websites? It requires a PhD in physics to figure out! It’s a bit easier if you think of it this way: much like a cruise ship calls on a different port of call every day, the Alaska cruise land packages are structured the same way.
Here’s a bit a cheat sheet as to the various “ports of call” when you add a land package to your Alaska cruise:
- Seward or Whittier – these are ports where your ship will dock because Anchorage does not have a deep enough harbor to accommodate cruise ships. It’s about 2 hours to get between Anchorage and either of these ports.
- Anchorage – This is the largest city in Alaska, and home to about 300,000. It is fine as far as cities go, but you didn’t come to Alaska for the urban experience.
- Kenai – there are remote lodges on this peninsula south of Anchorage. These lodges are great for fishing, hiking, outdoor activity, or curling up by the fire to read a book.
- Talkeetna – This is a small frontier settlement southeast of Denali with a bit a seedy (but interesting) backstory, whose lodges are well set up for spectacular views of Denali.
- Denali – The township of Denali is manufactured – a bit like a ski resort – and is set up to provide access to Denali National Park. Ironically, you can’t actually see Denali from the township that bears its name – but this is the gateway to the National Park tours, which will grace you with views of Denali if the weather gods cooperate.
- Fairbanks – This is Alaska’s second largest city with about 30,000 people. It largely serves tourists and is charming in its own way.
The Train: All the cruise line land packages include some time on the train, although the amount of time, and ground covered by train, does vary by itinerary.
Here’s a link to the playlist on our YouTube Channel from when we visited all these lodges in 2018: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA1r3eOMaDVEZh4TwDNnSFedD8FOItXHe
What we like about this trip:
- It’s an easy add-on to any Alaskan Cruise. If you’re going all that way, you might as well see as much as you can.
- Alaska’s scenery, wildlife and natural environment is not like anywhere else in North America.
- It is foreign, but still American.
- There are tons of options for both those who are looking to be active in the Alaskan wilderness AND those who prefer to stare out at its majesty while drinking a glass of wine.
When to go:
Like any high-latitude vacation, there will be trade-offs to when you go. The cruise ship season runs from April through October, but the season in Denali is slightly shorter than that.
- May & June: This is the time of the midnight sun, and it is also the driest part of the year in that part of Alaska. However, the National Park is often not fully open until the first or second week of June.
- July & August: The weather is warmest during these months, but the crowds are greater, and you have a higher chance of rain than in the spring.
- September & October: The daylight hours begin shortening quickly at this time of year, but the parks and lodges will also have fewer people.
There is abundant wildlife viewing throughout any of these months, but the probability of seeing certain species of whale, fish or game changes by the month.
Who it appeals to:
- Scenery people looking for more than one-week cruise. The scenery of the land packages is entirely different than the beauty you see from the ship.
- Outdoor “soft” Adventurers who like to hike, fly-fish or participate in nature-based activities.
- National Park passport stamp collectors
- Indigenous Culture: Those with an interest in the First Peoples of North America will find Alaska abundant with their rich culture.
Insider Tip: Choose a package that starts or finish in Fairbanks rather than Anchorage. The packages that start or finish in Anchorage double back on themselves. You will see more of Alaska if your package starts or finishes in Fairbanks . Also – choose a package that includes 2 nights at Denali – this is the only way you can do the full version of the park tour, which takes 9 – 11 hours.
Alternatives:
Maybe you’ve already done this trip or are looking for a similar option elsewhere. Here are some ideas:
- Rocky Mountaineer. This luxury rail trip through the Canadian Rockies is logistically easier than a trip to Denali, and the scenery and wildlife viewing is every bit as good. As of last week, the Rocky Mountaineer will also be operating in the US between Denver and Moab, Utah.
- Columbia River Cruise. You don’t get the glaciers, but the volcanoes, wildlife, waterfalls and scenery are spectacular on the route between Portland and Spokane.
- National Parks Tours of the Southwest. Although very different, the deserts of the Southwest rival the beauty of Alaska. We can offer you itineraries between 7 and 14 nights that start/finish in either California or Phoenix.
- Hawaii. The 50th State doesn’t have as many volcanoes as Alaska, but they’re much easier to find in Hawaii. When you add the tropical rainforests and beaches, it might be a better choice for some people. We have 7 to 14 night small-ship (36 passengers) itineraries that encompass four islands for those who like to explore and travel beyond the resorts in the 50th State.
Have something to say about this?
Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/2870014769947685
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help!
Click here to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
