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While we would probably prefer not to take the most expensive cruise available, we'd like to have some opinions about which cruise company offers the best itineraries and land and sea sightseeing. We've heard that Princess is the best.
Also, which "side" tours would be the best to take.
quote:Originally posted by Cambodge:Make sure you get one that includes the rail tour inland in the special luxury railcars. We don't have anything like them in the "South 48."
Are talking about the White Pass Rail in Skagway? If so I wouldn't consider the train I took in Skagway (White Pass Rail) to have "luxury rail cars". They are "vintage" cars but great to ride in up the mountain. What a spectacular sight, especially if you have a clear day.
I did the Volendam, 7 day out of Vancouver returning to Vancouver a couple of years ago and loved it. It was my second time to Alaska and the first time I visited Skagway. That train trip was the hilight of my tour. There are lots of other excursions in the varioous ports, like whale watching, Mendenhall Glacier, salmon bake, fishing, helicopter rides, etc. etc. You just have to sit down and decide what you want to see/do.
I don't know about Princess as I have never cruised with them but understand they do a good job in Alaska.
Book with a good TA, who should give you lots of brochures. Then spend an evening with your friends checking out itineraries, prices, etc.
Have fun!
BTW: Talking about narrow gauge - only today I learend that LGB (Lehmann) model trains went bancrupt.
Passengers will be bussed from Carcrosss-Whitehorse starting in 2007.
By side tours do you mean cruise tours? Or shore excurisions? If shore excurisions, most likely you'll be stopping in Juneau, check out the Mendenhall glacier, walk around the trails and maybe you'll even be able to encounter a mother black bear with 2 cubs like me! Or even take a helicopter ride and hike on it.
quote:Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:My first choice would be Holland America then Princess. .
RCI fans would not agreed! It depends if you want a more 'reserved' experience or not.
quote:Originally posted by Grant:Indeed Malcolm!! Some folks do enjoy a "Chevy" experience, while others would rather have the "Buick" version of the same journey.
If it a fully loaded Chevy, I'll take it!
quote:Originally posted by Grant:I regard NCL. RCI and Carnival as the Chevies in the alaska market; and Princess, HAL and Celebrity the Buicks.
Based on personal expierience, I agree. I would group NCL, Carnival and RCI in the same league then Princess and Celebrity are next w/HAL a step above. HAL would be a fully loaded Buick Electra 225
We picked the Diamond Princess and bought package 10N. This includes a 7-day cruise and a 5-day land package. In addition, everyone wanted to visit Vancouver and Victoria.
I am particularly eager to ride the Princess train.
[ 10-02-2006: Message edited by: fondaenergy ]
White Pass and Yukon is a vintage narrow gauge line upgraded for the tourist traffic out of Skagway.
The others are standard gauge and run from points further north, primarily Fairbanks, and, I believe Whittier and Valdez.
The Alaska Railroad also offers railtours on which one can ride without a cruise ship affiliation.
But I was unaware that cruise ships called at Glacier National Park! Via the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, I assume?
quote:Originally posted by Cambodge:[QB]I meant the travel on the specially designed luxury railcars operated by Holland America, Celebrity, and Princess. QB]
QB]
To travel with HAL on one of these luxury rail cars, you would have to book a land tour package, either pre or post cruise.
quote:Originally posted by fondaenergy:We picked the Diamond Princess and bought package 10N. This includes a 7-day cruise and a 5-day land package. [ 10-02-2006: Message edited by: fondaenergy ]
Sounds like a great trip. Friends of ours were on Princess last year in Alaska and raved about the extra cost Italian restaurant on board. Even though the food was very good in the main restaurants, they found the specialty restaurant excellent and worth the extra cost.
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