Our FIRST Alaska Cruise Tour was NOT WHAT WE EXPECTED!
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- We have been on an Alaska cruise before... but never a cruise tour. There were so many aspects of this trip that surprised us!
During this trip, we are doing a land tour + cruise with Holland America Line. We visited: Anchorage, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Dawson (Canada), Whitehorse (Canada), Skagway, Ketchikan and ending in Vancouver... we will tell you what was familiar to us and what was brand new... The good... and the bad.
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Thanks for saying that most tourists only see a sliver of Alaska when they take a cruise. I highly recommend renting an RV for 1-2 weeks as well as a cruise. It takes several trips to really see the state.
We just got back from one week Alaska cruise and then we did a second week on land our own. Trip of a lifetime!!
Very informative video and I agree with you 100% there is so much more to see of Alaska than just a cruise! I really enjoyed your land tour and especially doing the land tour before the cruise portion. When I get to the point of planning this for us I will definitely be in touch for your assistance. I am going to throw this out there to you as a Travel Agent, check out Alaska Wildland Adventures....this is a vacation must for you and Jason! After I cruised Inside Passage in 2009 my mom wanted to go back and do more interior Alaska. It took me 5 years to find just the right thing mom wanted to do. We did the 7 day Denali tour with Alaska Wildland Adventures and it has been the BEST vacation we have ever had. Small group tour 16 people, similar to your land tour, no touch luggage, we had our own tour guide our own driver, all excursions were included as well as food. Only thing not included was alcohol, souveniers and gratuities. They are a first class outfit for sure. Your videos keep getting better and better and I do all I can to throw TA business your way!
Thanks for this!
I’ve lived here for over 40 years and I always tell people the best way to see Alaska is by renting a motorhome. With long days you can see a lot in a few weeks on your own schedule. I used to travel for work and it was always something to see people’s luggage for the bus tours in the hallway of a hotel when I was just going to breakfast, that doesn’t seem like much of a vacation.
We just returned from a 10 day round trip Alaska Cruise 2nd year in a row. Love it every time. We did the 8 hour excursion up into the Yukon on bus and took the train back to Skagway. I highly recommend this excursion. Absolutely beautiful and so relaxing.
I just booked this excursion. Then I saw this post. Happy to see a positive review of it
It's possible to do this itinerary with a wheelchair. We started in Fairbanks, took train to Denali, Talkeetna and on to Whittier to board our Princess cruise with a rented scooter waiting in our cabin. Planned our land portion independently, which gave us
flexibility and saved $$. Rented cars in ports,driving to Yukon from Skagway-beautiful scenery and always see bears on this drive. Railway staff were very helpful with wheelchair, Princess always accommodating, and great to have a rented scooter waiting in our cabin!
Wow looks like a awesome trip….we are doing the 7 Day Alaska Cruise in 3 more weeks and I’m so darn excited. We will be on the Koningsdam Ship also with a veranda room. Thanks for all the videos 😊
Thank you!!! It's on my bucket list!!
What an amazing trip and vlog series. It's a great recap in this vlog.
Good to know the food is excellent on the train!
Great video! We have cruised Alaska 3 times on 7 day cruises with HAL (2 northbound and one loop) and will sail on 14 day loop (includes ports seldom included in itineraries such as Kodiak, Valdez, Prince Rupert) in September. Next up will be doing land part but here is how we plan to do it: Week 1 will be northbound to Anchorage, week 3 southbound to Vancouver(one HAL and one Princess). Week 2 we will take rental car up to Denali and overnight few nights, visit Fairbanks, and return(giving us some flexibility. Also on bucket list is adding days in Anchorage to a cruise that begins or ends there and booking the flight to Katmai NP to see the bears at Brooks Falls!! That trip requires early planning as it fills up quickly and the window is small. Visitors cannot drive there. We are always dreaming of more and different ways to enjoy Alaska!
Thanks for explaining your adventure so well. It definitely makes me want to do the land cruise tour.
THANK YOU!!! I loved hearing your personal experiences esp on the land portion. Hoping I’ll have my own story next year, and your video will my planning!!
I did the cruise/tour of Alaska five years ago with my brothers. Truly a memorable trip! I would suggest that potential travelers read James Michener's Alaska before taking the trip, an epic novel that gives you the history of the state. I feel like I got so much more out of the trip with some understanding of what I was experiencing. Besides, Michener is an exciting read!
I did that, read Mitchener’s “Alaska” before our trip. You’re right, having background information makes the trip more enjoyable.
We loved our 2 wk Princess cruisetour which hit McKinley lodge, Denali & Copper River Lodge. We took big planes, small planes, bus, boats, & train. We fished in Talkeetna, we ATV outside Denali & toured Kennecott mine. Would do it again in a heartbeat. DO LAND portion 1st so u can rest on the cruise ship because it is exhausting moving around so much.
Totally agree with this - I did Alaska last year on a 7-night cruise out of Seattle, and it's one of my first cruises that I wish I wasn't leaving the place we went to. I felt there was still SO MUCH to see than what we could possibly fit into a 7-night itinerary!
That cruise tour is my bucket list now!!
I’m so happy that you fell in love with Alaska! I’ve been many times, including two cruises and one Alaska Marine Highway trip. My hubby, Monty, lived in Anchorage for 12 years and of all the places he’s lived in the world, his fondest memories are of Alaska. I love it, too. We’ve been to the Iditarod twice and have been in Alaska when they had the heaviest snowfall on record, and it was magical. Okay…I’m ready to go back! As far as a cruise tour goes…land first and relaxing cruise second. Lois😊
Sounds like you have had some amazing experiences!!
I worked there at McKinley for three seasons. I did so many flight tours and loved the Artic circle flight. I love Alaska and everyone should go there once in their lifetime.
I did this exact trip (minus the Dawson Creek/Canada portion) 5 years ago, and it is still my all-time favorite vacation (topping Germany and South Africa). Alaska is so magnificent! It is unlike any other place; the pure ruggedness and vastness of everything just makes it so incredibly beautiful. I love watching all your Alaska vlogs and reliving my experience 😍Makes me want to plan another trip up there!!
Alaska is magical!
I would love to go back. We loved the land tour. Thanks for the video!
Great series. Thanks for sharing!
I just did my first Alaska cruise last month - round trip out of Seattle. I went into it thinking it was once in a lifetime, bucket list and that would be that... Now my husband and i are plotting how to make this happen again!
Come with us next year! Check out the video we just posted 😃
Love everything about this trip ❤😊
Thank you for all your details of your travels there
loved this video.i did not realize how much more there is to see in alaska.
We have our first Alaska cruise tour booked for Sept ‘24. Already excited!
Alaska is definitely on my bucket list! I’ve been addicted lately to Brook River Falls, Katmai watching the bears and the little ones fish for salmon. I do have the opportunity to do a cruise to Alaska. I’ve always said I like my feet on the ground. But I want to go & will give it some thought!
Great video, I really enjoyed it.
I did Alaska cruise with land tour, but opposite. Cruise first, land second. I do not recommend this order. The land tour was busy and exhausting. I was exhausted when I got home. I would have had the cruise at the end so I would be refreshed when I got home. Absolutely a bucket list trip
If my husband's health ever gets better, this would be amazing. But, we're booked on the Koningsdam Vancouver round trip next year and can't wait ❤
Awesome review! I have to go now!
Just booked a 14 day Land + cruise tour with HA...Now thinking we should do the 18 night version with an extra night in Denali! Also wondering if Whitehorse is worth a visit.
We did a very similar trip with Princess. Loved it. Did see Moose on the side of the train tracks, and saw Bald Eagles. A highlight was seeing Beluga Whales in the bay just to the side of the highway just outside of Anchorage coming from Denali. Also saw Mt. McKinley/Denali as it cleared up and saw the view from Talkeetna. Two things I wish we would have done: 1. Saw the dog sled demo at Denali National Park for free and 2. Wish we took the all day school bus tour down the road at Denali (we only did the half-day which was wonderful but I would like to go on the longer journey next time). Must have been the wrong time of year as there were few animals out in Denali while we were there in July.
I don't know when you did your tour, but the road in Denali closed at mile 43 in 2021 due to a landslide. It's not expected to reopen until 2026 (there have been lots of delays) when a bridge is completed to span the gap. All tours are shortened due to this unfortunate event.
@@julietaylor2497 Good to know as we went I think 2011.
Lol, I am laughing at the mouth wide open comment as that was exactly my experience of the cruise tour! Glad you enjoyed the trip!
Book a glacier landing out of Talkeetna, I highly recommend it! You land on a glacier in Denali and get incredible views of all the mountains.
You two are the best!!! Dave in Alaska 🎉🎉🎉
Hey Super Dave 🏆🙌 we love you buddy‼️
Love the videos and your fun times! A lift when we need it each week. We covered pretty much of the Alaskan trip you've shown on CZcams and enjoyed it very much. Thanks for the advice - we could have used it when we toured. I wish I'd taken video of the whole trip, pictures don't do the spectacular scenery justice.
Excellent video, thank you !!! Jeff & Sandy Brooklyn NY
We did this exact trip when we went Alaska
I loved it
Awesome story of your trip to Alaska. lm doing a cruise next year in July...just a 7 day cruise. Maybe 1 day l can do a trip like yours and get more of Alaska. You explain clearly of all your experiences....thank you....simply awesome. l'll remember to order a reindeer fart.....❤
Elisa and Jason, this was a wonderful video, showing all the highlights of your Alaska experience. Alaska could not have better spokespersons for their state travel industry than U2. 👍😀
Glad you enjoyed it!
I absolutely love your videos. Y’all are just he best😊 From your fellow Louisianan!!!
What an awesome trip and those views wauw . I am afraid it comes with a huge price tag 😜🫣
Will be sure for many a Trip of a life time 💕. But very rewarding afterwards 🥰.
Have a Good week 🥰
We have done the land portion twice, once with HAL and once with Princess. Both times starting in Fairbanks. Awesome videos!
Other than riding on a bus this cruise tour sounds great to me.
Maybe think about going to Kenai it's maybe two or three hours from Anchorage. Some of the greatest times I had in the ten years I lived in Alaska was fishing for halibut in a catamaran with my buddy. When I moved to Fairbanks in the late 70. I took the Alcan highway... And then going back home I bought a small trailer and traveled it again. The wolf and bear and moose were amazing! Just arm yourself if you walk around! Those animals get very hungry out there, and moose aren't that friendly.
Great video ❤❤❤❤
I'm so glad you had a good trip. Someone else recommended renting an RV and spend more time in this great place. I've been here 49 years and God willing, I will make 50 on Oct 5. There is a bus that runs from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay and though I've traveled that road many times, I would like to see that country again. I highly recommend it. Some years ago, I was thinking of becoming a van driver. I know a lot about the country and am really good at spotting game. Come again and enjoy our great state.
We did our first Alaska cruise on Princess in May, then did one week on land mostly on our own by car and Alaska Railroad, including Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks. We had beautiful weather the whole 2 weeks.
We loved the cruise, and the scenery was amazing. Especially Glacier Bay. Best excursion was the 26 glacier cruise out of Whittier.
Denali the mountain is beautiful, the park is nice, but we were slightly underwhelmed compared to some of the other great parks we have been to.
Anchorage is only worth a day, Fairbanks no more than 1-2.
The other parts of Alaska ran from amazing to ok.
We would go again, but Far East and Australia/NZ are calling first
Jill and I did this tour in 2021. It was the first tour to head out after COVID shut down. Some things were still closed. I found the travel days to be very long and Whitehorse was closed by the time we got into town. I would not scare anyone off from the adventure just be prepared for a few very long travel days that you are getting up early. I also suggest hiring a plane in Dawson City to fly over Tombstone Territorial park. It was a highlight of our experience.
We are doing the trip in the reverse on Princess this coming September. 7 day cruise to Whittier, then taking the train to Denali. We will stay 2 days in the same area you were at and then 1 more day at one of the other Princess lodges, then to Anchorage before we fly home. I’m so stinking excited!!! the one thing we will not be doing is Fairbanks (my husband had zero wish to go there), but that’s okay. Your video was so informative and really helped me understand what to expect. We have some truly unique land excursions scheduled, including a plane ride around Denali and landing on a glacier and walking around on it. Thank you so much for your video series! Loved it! Also, just plain enjoy you and your hubby. Love your energy and the fun that share with us.
You are going to have the best time!!
Just know some of the animals will be in hibernation in Sept. The plus is all the trees will be changing colors and it’s spectacular. Also the salmon will be spawning and that’s so interesting.
Its nice to do the Land portion first, and then the cruise portion afterward.
When you get to the cruise ship, you now know 35 to 40 people that you met on the land tour, and you now have friends that you can have dinner with, and discuss what you did during the day.
That is true! But we will have our group organized for the cruise too so everyone will get to know each other.
Wonderful video! Breathtaking just watching the video. I imagine that doesn't hold a candle to what you saw right there and then. I, like you, like to be more flexible in my itinerary. Alaska and Canada are both on my bucket list. I'm looking to take an Alaskan cruise June/July 2024 timeframe. I am a widow solo traveler.
Kudos to the photographer that filmed this. This is by far the best I’ve seen showing parts of Alaska. Loved the drone footage. Is it possible to tell me how to bring my DJI Mini 2 on board?
We enjoyed this series so much that we added it to our bucket list. We need to research price and if we can physically do the trip(over weight and bad knees).
If you want some help in planning just let me know! My email is travel@eecctravels.com.
Would love to do this too!
I've done 5 cruises to Alaska, 3 with cruisetours. I want to visit Alaska in the fall, or winter now.
Was wondering when you were going to get around to doing a cruise-tour. Way better than just a straight cruise. We did one with Princess in 2017 for our 35th anniversary. Would absolutely want to do it again ... perhaps for our 45th in 2027. Would absolutely go with Princess again, or with Holland America, or whoever offered the best itinerary. We missed Denali last time due to medical issues but would want to get there next time.
It was incredible and we will do this again!
Love yall's videos! Which months would you recommend as the best time for an Alaskan Cruise Tour like this?
Thanks!
Thank you 😊
@@EECCTravels we did the land and cruise tour with Princess about 27 years ago!
Would love to go to alaska
Where did you get your sunglasses please
Just a question about that beautiful charter flight over Denali. Was that video captured by Jason sitting on top of that plane with his go-pro?
Right out the window 😃
Can you send me a link that shows the itinerary & price? I have looked on the Holland America website and can't find this trip. Thank you, looks awesome!
Is this tour, cruise wheelchair accessible? I would love this if a manual wheelchair is an option.
Was everything that you did on the land portion of this cruise handicapped-accessible for someone to be able to do that uses a scooter? And was everything included for your meals and your hotel on this portion
Was the food on the train and in the resorts included in the cruise pkg?
Terrific video. Not many CZcamsrs do the land tour. You have covered it so well and are right that it is so great to do the land portion. Our 2021:cruise was cancelled due to COVID and we did a diy Alaska tour instead. We were able to stay in the McKinley Chalet Resort because the tours weren't running in 2021.
We were so excited to have this opportunity!
When you were on the land portion was your food included like when you’re on the ship?
I know Princess offers meal packages. www.princess.com/content/dam/princess/destination/pdfs/2023-alaska-meal-plan-flyer.pdf.coredownload.inline.pdf
I leaving September 4😊
Which time of the year did you visit?
I 'll be going in sept, the question I have is how is the weather , Next question I have is there is a rumor that the trains employees will be on strike. Do you know anything about that and are they still running them
the raininess can vary, but it's usually not raining, and temps are mostly pretty moderate, maybe low 60s-mid 70s depending on where you are. I wouldn't bring anything real heavy, you probably won't need it.
How many days was this tour in total?
**Constructive critique**** cruise is misspelled. I know words can have a algorithm factor. Thanks for the video.
Thanks!! Not sure how that happened 😳
the train ride is better than amtrak the food good
I’ve always gone to Panama City beach. I love orange beach and Mexico City beach is another great one!
Amazing trip! You said it was expensive but you didn’t give us an estimate. I believe your trip was gratis but you must have an idea of the cost.
We just did an 11 day cruise tour (not the same as Jason & Alyssa) and it was approximately $6000CDN for 2 of us.
When I said expensive I was referring to the flight excursion to Denali that was about $475pp but totally worth it. I never included prices since these videos can be viewed for years and prices can vary on so many factors. If you are interested in a trip like this, send me an email and I can get you exact pricing (travel@eecctravels.com).
Can you share how much your trip cost?
I never included prices since these videos can be viewed for years and prices can vary on so many factors. If you are interested in a trip like this, send me an email and I can get you exact pricing (travel@eecctravels.com).
Do you have to keep up with all your luggage with all of that traveling?
Nope, they take care of it for you.
I’m interested in your services. We are wanting to go anytime between May to September. How can we contact you about helping us get a vacation together?
Thanks so much for this vlog! Absolutely loved it! 🥰 We just uploaded a Skagway vlog if you wanted to check it out 🚂
@eecctravels Tried emailing you…twice…but no response. Once via your website and once using the email address on your videos. That one came back as undeliverable (yes, I triple checked the address).
I live in Alaska. If You want to travel to Alaska and enjoy it the most, forget about cruises. Book Yourself a flight, rent a car and enjoy freedom. Renting a Motorhome is another option. Anchorage is the hub of most enjoyable places.
Your opinion.your wallet. !