Travel Answers

Alaska

We are planning to catch the 7am Parks Connection bus to Anchorage but it does not stop at our campground.
We are at a lost to find transportation this early in the morning. Any ideas?

Was thinking of trying to get my car which is AWD but not a 4x4 up to Nome by ferry this summer, however only way in seems to be by plane. Do the vehicles that are up there come in by ice roads during the winter? If do decide to go now will fly in and just take taxi's and guide services instead, just curious how all the trucks etc up there got there as doubt they would fly them in?

Hi,

I will be going on a cruise May 18-25. We will be making stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. Are there any places in these towns that do not require taking a boat or plane to view bears (or other animals) in their natural habitat? We are looking for areas, if there are any, where we would be able to stay a respectable distance from them. We have shore excursions booked, but have about 4 or more extra hours available in the towns afterwards. We are planning to use this time to explore the town, the shops, and the scenery.

Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

We have planned out our time in Alaska with the exception of the part around choosing either Seward with kayaking at the Aialik Glacier or Valdez with kayaking at Prince William Sound.

We arrive in Anchorage at 6am in June and the options we are deciding between are:

1. Day 1 Drive to Seward, maybe do a glacier hike at Exit Glacier. Day 2 take the all day water taxi / glacier paddling to Aialik glacier (Liquid Adventures). Day 3 return through Anchorage and drive up to Healy for 2 nights to visit Denali NP. Day 4 shuttle to Wonder Lake in Denali NP. Day 5 drive to Tok. Day 6 drive to Kluane NP, day 6 drive to Haines.

2. Day 1 Drive to Healy to visit Denali NP. Day 2 shuttle to Wonder Lake in Denali NP. Day 3 drive to Valdez. Day 4 glacier paddling to Columbia glacier in PWS. Day 5 drive to Tok. Day 6 drive to Kluane NP, day 6 drive to Haines.

From what we have read, Seward has more wildlife but while the paddling at Aialik may be better it is definitely more expensive, though there may be a reason for this I.e it is better?. We miss out of the scenic Glenn Highway and Richardson Highway.

If we skip Seward and go to Valdez the drive appears to be more scenic but maybe we are sacrificing wildlife and the glacier paddling doesn't seem as good or hyped up.

If anyone has done these 2 variations of itinerary we would really appreciated input as it is hard to sort out the best option with tradeoffs... driving scenery versus best paddling versus wildlife etc. Also the road conditions, Glenn and Richardson Highway to Tok or around Fairbanks, Alaska Highway to Tok.

After Haines, we are dropping the car (one way hire with Avis) and travelling on the AMHS to Juneau, Gustavus (for Glacier Bay), Sitka, Wrangell and Ketchikan. We are not sure if what we may see in the second part of the trip changes which of the options we are best to do out of Anchorage.

Ratings or thoughts?

We'll be flying into Anchorage at night (9pm) on June 22, flying out from Anchorage on June 30 in the morning (9am). We'll be renting a car. Should we just concentrate on Kenai peninsula and all the towns down there, or should we try to squeeze in Denali? It's a lot of driving, and we'd like to relax for the most part!

Which dog sled tour in summer is better the one in Seward or Denali. We are not so interested in the interaction with dogs. Are there any discounts?

Is the Portage Cruise worthwhile? Do you see anything different than you see on the Whittier and Seward
cruises? Which of the cruises from Whittier and Seward are the most worthwhile? Is the evening cruise
in Seward enough if you go on the Whittier and Portage cruise? In the middle and end of July are advance reservations necessary?

We are also considering the blue ice jet boat ride in Girdwood...and also from Talkeenta ? Any opinions?

What about a river float trip in Cooper's Landing?

We also thought about the Discovery Rail ride from Portage to Grandview. Any opinions?
Can you use the northern Lights coupon, get a discount on the senior fare?

We are seniors but pretty active but not the best for long steep hikes.

I want to spend about three days in Seward, arriving from train. If I want to see Kenai Fjords by boat, Exit glacier, and stay at a BandB, do I need to rent a car?

Hello,

My mom and I will be traveling to Alaska by cruise ship May 18-25. We will be stopping in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. I know Alaska weather is very unpredictable, and we are certainly expecting rain, but what about temperature? I have read that they are likely to be in the 50-55 degree area, however can fluctuate. We plan on bringing light rain jackets (with hoods) and rain boots, but what about underneath our jackets? Is a long sleeve shirt good enough, or is a heavy sweater needed? Should I put my North Force jacket underneath the rain coat instead? Sorry if these questions are silly or have been asked before but we want to be prepared!

Also, in case you were wondering, we will be doing shore excursions. In Juneau we have dog sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier booked (weather permitting). In Skagway we will be taking a boat to Haines to Kroschel Wildlife Center. Lastly, in Ketchikan we are attending the lumberjack show! We plan on walking around in each port as well and visiting the shops. This will be our first cruise and we are very excited to visit the beautiful state of Alaska.

If there are any additional suggestions you can make that'd be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for any comments and your help!

My husband and I will be ending a cruisetour in Fairbanks and will leave the next day for a 3-day Arctic Ocean tour. The day after our return, we will fly back home. We do not want to pay for a hotel room just to store our luggage for two days. Does anyone know of a place where we can store luggage for a reasonable price?

Are the one day or few cruise tours out of Seward more or less the same?
Which one is the most worth it and on which do you see the most? Does it pay to take one in the evening
and in the day?

The dog sled rides are available in summer in several places, which is best?

What about the cruises out of Whittier?

WE are three seniors...we'd only use coupons for cruises or similiar activities
and nature centers and museums. We will not use them for fishing, lodging, or food.
Which coupon book should we buy? Is there any other way to get discounts
in July? Do any companies give a discount if you book more than one tour per person on them?

Are ATV tours worthwhile?

We will be in Alaska for 8 days...Seward area, Anchorage and Denali. We are renting a car.Thanks for any advice.

Any other advice?

Just starting to plan trip to Alaska. Initial thoughts were to fly to Anchorage hire car and take some day excursions, - Kenai fjords, Prince William Sound , drive Valdez to Denali and take day excursion in Denali Park. Drive back to Anchorage and fly back to Vancouver. Looking at the cost of car hire and driving times from Valdez to Denali, we are now considering ditching the Valdez drive and using the train - Anchorage to Denali .

Have now considered taking southbound cruise rather than flying back to Vancouver as will see some of SE Alaska. Wondered if we would get a better deal booking train, Denali excursion etc independently or as a package through cruise company. Any advice or suggestions gratefully received.

We want to book this excursion next june but we can't find any review on this daytrip from Viator.
We love iternary and would like to book but only Viator offers this excursion and we think it's a bit weird that we can't find any reviews.

My mother has always wanted to see Alaska, and I'm researching what our cruise options may be. She has Multiple Sclerosis and walks with a cane, however this mainly affects her speed and not endurance. Weather is not an issue (we both prefer winter to summer temps), but I'm looking for feedback from; (A) Seasoned travelers: which route/ship provided the best views/scenery/glacierscapes from on board, and (B) Similarly compromised travelers, what were your experiences cruising? What worked, what would you have changed? A lot of advice boards recommend small ships for economy of price, but I worry about making her seasick.
Thank you for any and all advice, I truly appreciate it. :)

Will Denali still be accessible to us in September. Any tours remaining?

Hi,

I am planning a trip in June to Alaska to observe some of the historic sites (I research Russia's colonies in Alaska). My trip is only a week, but I would like to get from Anchorage to Sitka, then possibly to Kodiak , then back to Anchorage. Can ferries do this? What would be the least-expensive way? I will land and depart in Anchorage, so I need to be able to get back to anchorage. Any help or resources would be great.

-Alexander

I will be in Fairbanks in the first week of April and would like to go to Chena Hot Springs. How's the road condition? Is it feasible to drive a rental car (ecnomy style) there? Thanks in advance.

Starting from Anchorage with a car, 1 week Monday to Friday noon.to Anchorage
The other Sun. to Wed. around 5 from Anchorage to Anchorage.
3 seniors..not hikers or fishers, or white water rapids people.
Still can't figure it out...in which direction do we need more time north or south.
Hope to do some cruises, dog sledding tour, tour at Denali, museums and easy float trip plus museums
and nature centers...short easy hikes.
We'll be there mid-end July.
Please help..also places with separate rooms for a couple and a single..nicprefer with fri and microwave, not expensive.
Thanks a lot. This has been very confusing as to how to arrange this.

My husband and I want to take a trip to Alaska for our 30th wedding anniv., joining us will be my sister and her husband celebrating their 40th..We all love nature, fishing etc. Very confused as how to choose and then book a vacation. Is it more economical to book thru a travel agent or go ala cart? Going probably in late Aug or early Sept of 2013. Any suggestions as to how to go about this? What is the best to see?

Who is planning a trip to South East Alaska.

3 adults..young seniors plan to land in Anchorage. We need to spend from late Friday afternoon until Sunday am in Anchorage. Ideas for a 1 1/2 day trip from Anchorage and then leaving Anchorage again for 5 days, and then again for 2 1/2 days. We will have a car if needed but for shorter trips could us public transportation. Ideas on this? WE enjoy nature, scenery, easy hikes, cruises, wildlife, museums, history, gentle rafting and ? We plan to be there in July. Any other important things we need to know? thanks, Norma

Hello folks, My wife and I are travelling to Alaska to watch the Northern lights. Arriving on March 8th to Anchorage. Renting a car and driving to Fairbanks and after couple of nights driving to Wiseman for 3 nights followed by a drive to Deadhorse for 2 nights stay and then back to Wiseman-Fairbanks-Anchorage. We will be driving during the day and had a few questions about that: 1. how are the driving conditions during March? especially north of Fairbanks all the way to Deadhorse? 2. What are the recommended things to do in Wiseman and Deadhorse? 3. Would love to see some glaciers and polar bears if possible? does anyone have any tips for this activity? 4. Any recommended accommodations at Fairbanks, Wiseman and Deadhorse? Overall how is the month of March in terms of outdoor activities? Thanks,

I will be in Fairbanks in middle of February looking for the lights. I was under the impression that this year would the a high season in the cycle. Have the sightings been better this year then in the past?

Hoping to drive leisurely from Homer to Anchorage airport in late July 2013 after my ferry ride from Kodiak to Homer. Any idea of cost, and even likelihood, of getting ONE-way car rental I can drop off at ANC? Thanks!

Is it possible to take a floatplane out of Sreward to get to Katmai? Additionally, how is the day hiking around Steward area?

My family and I are traveling to Alaska in August, 2013. We would love to go on a bear sightseeing tour. Since we are traveling with a rather large group we are looking for a walking or driving tour. Any suggestions? I heard that Haines Alaska is a good location for this type of tour, but am open for other locations as well. I have already done the float plane trip to Katmai. Loved it, but pricey.

I have never been to Alaska, but it's a place i have always dreamed of visiting. Could you please tell me what it was like when you first visited Alaska? I have always wanted to see the northern lights/ aurora borealis and Glaciers of Alaska. If you have viewed these in Alaska, could you describe what it was like when seeing them for the first time? Take care, Mark

We are on a cruise and I want to buy an IPAD .Can anyone advise me how to get to a shop like Walmart from the port to buy one .Can you please also tell me the tax . Thanks

I am going to be visiting Juneau in a couple of weeks on a cruise line. I am thinking of attending the salmon bake and was wondering if any locals or tourists have any thoughts or comments about this place. Some say in their reviews that it's bad food and the facilty is not very kept up and others say it's great. For the price of45 I would like to get more info on this. Also would I need rain boots for this adventure? Trying to pack accordingly. Any help is greatly appreciated. I also will be there for about 9 hours so any suggestions on what to do on a budget. Also was thinking of going to the Alaskan beer company facility.

Will be in Juneau next Saturday from 14:30 - 20:00 (2:30 - 8:00 PM) What are good sights to see in the short time?