AK, cruise or fly and drive

[timberland]

Been thinking about a cruise. Was wondering how much I would miss by being on a boat. Cruise includes train ride to Denali. Or would you fly in and rent a car for be-bopping around? Thoughts and ideas welcome.

 

[elkmtngear]

I think just cruising, we saw more wildlife from the boat than we did from the road (orcas, porpoises, bald eagles, elephant seals, sea otters).

We flew to Juneau, and hooked up with a buddy and jumped on his fishing boat. Sailed around the backside of Glacier Bay, and hunted moose for a week (getting around by quad and a beat up old truck).

We did see a few moose from the road. Never saw a grizzly from boat or vehicle (or on foot...thankfully)!

I\'ve heard from a few that you don\'t see a lot of wildlife on the Denali loop...but that could just be \"luck of the draw\" :dk:

Either way Barry, you are going to see some absolutely beautiful, unique areas! :upthumb:

 

[mtnmutt]

Plane, bus, train and boat. No roads to Juneau. The Alaskan Inside Passage is best done by boat.

If I did it again, I would take a smaller boat cruise and not one of the larger cruise liners. Those smaller boats go to more private locations. The small boats do not have the amenities, however, the experience would be better. I saw a grizzly from the cruise ship. It was a long ways away. The trip was for my mother, therefore, I did it in a manner suitable to her abilities.

As Jeff mentioned, ocean wildlife are viewed by boat. I saw whales, sea otters, and porpoises.

We took the bus to Denali from Anchorage and the train from Denali to Fairbanks. On the way to Denali from Anchorage, I saw dall sheep from the bus. On the way to Fairbanks from Denali, I saw moose from the train.

My regret is not spending more days near Denali. I was able to see the top of Denali without clouds which is rare.

Holland America is considered the better of all the other cruise lines for Alaska. Princess Cruise lines is ranked 2nd. Alaska was my one and only cruise. We used Princess Cruise Lines. I went 3 years ago. I arrived back home on a red eye on opening day. That was the first opening day I ever missed. Never again will I schedule a trip out of town leading up to opening day. However, Alaska is worth visiting. It was spectacular.

 

[elky McElkerson]

i tend to over eat by a huge margin on cruise ships.

i avoid them at all cost now...

if i see Alaska, i hope its from the Alcan Highway or a bush plane.

 

[colorado russ]

Barry, I just got back from an 8 day trip to AK and will give you the Reader\'s Digest version of our trip. If you want more details, just ask!

Caveat: It was overcast/rainy most of the trip.

Denver to Anchorage - rented a car for the week, stayed first night in Anchorage and met with my wife\'s cousin who moved there in January.

Anchorage to Homer - drove 4.5 hours along scenic highway to Homer Spit. Cool little town. Only reason for going to Homer was an overnight halibut fishing trip - got to take 2 days fish limits this way. Fished few hours first day to catch limit, little rest, fished after midnight until 2nd limit was caught. Dropped off payment for fish then headed to Seward.

Homer to Seward - drove 3 hours to Seward. Went salmon fishing one day and kayaking Aialik Bay the other day then rested on the 3rd day. Lots of wildlife seen on the kayaking trip both from the water taxi and from the kayak. Calfing glacier was way cool!

Seward to Anchorage - drove 2 1/2 hours to Anchorage. Ate at a great pizza and beer place! Next morning took a half-day flightseeing trip over Denali/Mt. McKinley. Lucky to have a little break in the clouds and could see/photograph Mt McKinley.

A truly beautiful state and the mountains there are so distinctly different than Colorado.

Russ

 

[colorado russ]

[attachment=1]<!-- ia1 -->DSCN0254.JPG<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment][attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->otters.jpg<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

 

[colorado russ]

[attachment=1]<!-- ia1 -->Eagles.jpg<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment][attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->puffin.jpg<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

 

[colorado russ]

[attachment=1]<!-- ia1 -->DSCN0336.JPG<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment][attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->DSCN0287.JPG<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment]

 

[timberland]

How much coin did you drop on the trip, if you don\'t mind me asking?

 

[colorado russ]

Total for 2 was about $8K including all costs. Keeping in mind that the flightseeing trip was around $900 for a half day for two and the Aialik Bay all day kayaking was around another $900 for two. Could\'ve fished the entire week for what it cost for just those 2 excursions! Hotels will run about $250/night plus taxes(11%). Overnight halibut was $300 each. Salmon fishing was $200 each. We allocated $200/day/total for meals.

Food is quite a bit more expensive when in Homer or Seward and a little more expensive in Anchorage. Comparing this to CO.

Shipped back 65 lbs of halibut, a little cod and rockfish. Brought back 20 lbs of salmon on the plane as checked baggage.

Let me know if you want any additional info. We wanted to venture into Denali for a few days but logistics and cash didn\'t allow it this time.

 

[iccyman001]

I hope you guys don\'t mind, I am just drooling thinking about all of that fresh fish. :upthumb:

 

[colorado russ]

Meant to add that airfare RT was about $1500 including upgrades for two.

Here you go Dan. This was from the swanky place we ate at our last night in Anchorage. Halibut steak with butternut squash ravioli.[attachment=1]<!-- ia1 -->halibut steak.jpg<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment]

And since you like veggies so much....[attachment=0]<!-- ia0 -->creme brulee.jpg<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment] It did have a strawberry so it was good for me right?!

 

[iccyman001]

:tease: :tease: :tease: :tease: :tease: :tease: :tease: :tease: :tease: :tease: :tease:


drooooooool

 

[colorado russ]

Dan, looks like you and the Mrs need to make a long weekend trip to COS!! I\'ll give you that little freezer along with some halibut and salmon.

Barry, I\'ve got our entire list/budget in a Word document if you\'d like me to send to you.