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Visiting Alaska- To cruise or not to cruise? That is the question.
Posted on 5/19/26 at 11:56 am
Posted on 5/19/26 at 11:56 am
alajones2 wants to visit Alaska, see the whales, the glacier calving, do the Denali Train, etc. But gives two fricks about being on a boat. Is there a way to do the cruise type excursions all down the coast and end up in Victoria without doing the cruise? Would it be too cost prohibitive?
10
Posted on 5/19/26 at 12:12 pm to alajones
Alaska State Ferry system - take your vehicle, get off where you want, still on a boat, but there's not much choice. Takes advanced planning to book the ferries, lodging, glacier tours, etc...
Posted on 5/19/26 at 12:37 pm to alajones
You can get your pilot license
Posted on 5/19/26 at 12:42 pm to kciDAtaE
quote:
You can get your pilot license
a kayak would be cheaper, but slightly slower paced
Posted on 5/19/26 at 2:51 pm to alajones
I have been to Alaska twice, both times on Holland America cruises from Vancouver to Seward. We went whale watching and saw some amazing scenery, including calving glaciers, that we could not see from anywhere but a cruise ship.
One time we went up a week early and divided our time between Victoria and Vancouver which are a ferry ride away from each other.
Another time we took the train to the Denali Park.
I would highly recommend this variation because we had a great time on both trips.
One time we went up a week early and divided our time between Victoria and Vancouver which are a ferry ride away from each other.
Another time we took the train to the Denali Park.
I would highly recommend this variation because we had a great time on both trips.
Posted on 5/21/26 at 3:27 pm to alajones
We have a cruise/denali land tour coming up in July.
If you did not want to do the cruise, my suggestion would be look into flying into Anchorage. Take the train up to Denali and spend a few days and then rent a vehicle and drive south of Anchorage to explore the Kenai peninsula. Look at the Kenai fjord tours for glaciers and wildlife, take a halibut charter, hiking, etc.
I think I’d have been happy just flying in and doing all that ourselves without the cruise. Maybe take a ferry to Kodiak island.
If you did not want to do the cruise, my suggestion would be look into flying into Anchorage. Take the train up to Denali and spend a few days and then rent a vehicle and drive south of Anchorage to explore the Kenai peninsula. Look at the Kenai fjord tours for glaciers and wildlife, take a halibut charter, hiking, etc.
I think I’d have been happy just flying in and doing all that ourselves without the cruise. Maybe take a ferry to Kodiak island.
Posted on 5/21/26 at 4:10 pm to nahtanojc
The scenery was spectacular on that Kenai Fiords tour but the day I took it the waves were so rough everyone got seasick.
Posted on 5/22/26 at 8:56 am to alajones
I love the ferry. It's a bare bones experience but I'm a fan. You get the water and boat experience without the cruise/cruisers experience. It's a real low key fun thing if you're cool with that.
You can fly Anchorage to Juneau, grab a ten minute cab ride over to the Auk Bay ferry docks, then three days to Bellingham WA which is an hour from Seattle by train. If you want to visit Victoria, which I also like, you can rent a car to do this. If you are hardcore about not renting a car, there are trains and ferries but it's a complex ride.
You can fly Anchorage to Juneau, grab a ten minute cab ride over to the Auk Bay ferry docks, then three days to Bellingham WA which is an hour from Seattle by train. If you want to visit Victoria, which I also like, you can rent a car to do this. If you are hardcore about not renting a car, there are trains and ferries but it's a complex ride.
This post was edited on 5/22/26 at 8:58 am
Posted on 5/23/26 at 7:04 pm to alajones
Depends on time of year. Most cruises spend a majority of time in SE Alaska but go up to Anchorage (Homer). If it's not summer then i would definitely cruise.
Posted on 5/23/26 at 8:42 pm to alajones
Fly there, rent an RV and see the sights yourself 
Posted on 5/24/26 at 11:39 pm to alajones
In my opinion cruise is better option because you don't have to keep packing as you move from one location to another. Plus several of the places you may want to go may require a flight there such as Juneau, AK
Also you are better driving rather than taking the train. The train tracks typically run parallel to the hwy so you have the same views. However, driving you can stop to take pictures, short hikes, watch wild life, etc.
Also you are better driving rather than taking the train. The train tracks typically run parallel to the hwy so you have the same views. However, driving you can stop to take pictures, short hikes, watch wild life, etc.
Posted on 5/25/26 at 10:43 am to alajones
RE: Viking's "The Alaska and Inside Passage Cruise".
Have some friends going in August of this year. It's sold out but cancellations happen, so we thought we'd give it a go.
Anyway, this guy has some great reviews on Alaska, including that cruise.
Great Articles!
Have some friends going in August of this year. It's sold out but cancellations happen, so we thought we'd give it a go.
Anyway, this guy has some great reviews on Alaska, including that cruise.
Great Articles!
Posted on 5/26/26 at 3:27 pm to alajones
UPDATE: Just go the call! We can get on the Viking Venus! 8/15-8/25. Not going to do the pre-excursion train trip starting in Calgary.
Now, the question is pre/post itenerary. Travel agent said spend 4 days post cruise and take a train to Denali National Park and Preserve. We stayed in Vancouver years ago and liked it and have thought about returning. Maybe going over to Victoria Island. Requires more logistics. But any further thoughts on either? Thanks again for all the input!
Not to completely hijack the thread, but since this just happen, any thoughts on pre/post cruise iteneraries?
Now, the question is pre/post itenerary. Travel agent said spend 4 days post cruise and take a train to Denali National Park and Preserve. We stayed in Vancouver years ago and liked it and have thought about returning. Maybe going over to Victoria Island. Requires more logistics. But any further thoughts on either? Thanks again for all the input!
Not to completely hijack the thread, but since this just happen, any thoughts on pre/post cruise iteneraries?
This post was edited on 5/26/26 at 3:35 pm
Posted on 5/26/26 at 5:57 pm to NPComb
quote:
Most cruises spend a majority of time in SE Alaska but go up to Anchorage (Homer)
More likely Seward than Homer. Seward is great (recommend an extra day there for Kenai Fjords by boat). It's easy to get to Anchorage from Seward (by bus) and a beautiful drive.
I'm pumped because at the last minute I've found a way to do Nome and Barrow in a few weeks.
The absolute best way to see Alaska is drive up in a camper of some sort. It's the best thing the wife and I ever did.
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