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Any suggestions?
We are thinking of taking the Alaska/Yukon trip that includes Denali. We want to spend a day or two in Vancouver. I understand that Tauck uses Holland America, a medium size ship for the cruise portion.
We are looking for an all inclusive as possible experience.
Is there anything we would miss?
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We have done Alaska twice - neither time with Tauck. We did Princess, which I would not do again. With Tauck, you will have the advantage of the all-inclusive which you are looking for. Highlights for me would be Glacier Bay and also the White Pass/Yukon Route rail excursion. We had more choices of excursions, but each was an extra cost which defeats your goal of all-inclusive. We saw some, but not a lot of wildlife at Denali either time we visited, but the scenery was beautiful. I would take binoculars - that will help. I took travel and tourism classes years ago. I have never sailed on a Holland America ship, but I have toured one (years ago) and it was a beautiful ship. Obviously there will be lots and lots of people aboard - but when we did Princess it was around 4000 or more so this ship is certainly smaller. Alaska has so much to offer that there will always be things you will miss. Glacier Bay for me was a highlight. I felt so small in Glacier Bay - it was a very moving experience. As I look at the itinerary, there are lots of positives. But you may want to make a second trip some day!
I second the White Pass/Yukon Route rail excursion. Dolly's House in Ketchikan is unique.
Thank you for all the information.,Much appreciated!
I lived in Anchorage for a few years. Alaska is beautiful! The earlier in the summer you can go the more animals you will see because summer tourists and heat haven’t chased them further inland yet. If there is an opportunity for a Denali “flight-seeing’ tour it is usually a highlight!
Would going in mid June be good timing? We really would love to see as many animals land and sea as possible!
I’m a little leary of flight seeing tours. Ironically,I did the hot air balloon in Africa but skipped the helicopter in Hawaii! Scardy cat!
I was in Alaska in mid June several years ago. Only wildlife I saw was a moose on the coastal trail in Anchorage. I was on a bicycle and didn't want to get too close, so the pic below of momma and baby moose was taken from a good distance away and therefore is a bit grainy. On a positive note, we had 3 days of full view of Denali from top to bottom, which is supposed to be pretty rare.
(edited for typo)
When we were in Alaska many many and many years ago, we only saw a squirrel. I’m serious.
Yep we only saw one moose in Denali. I saw another from the bus somewhere else but no one else did.
The ship part of our tour was the only Tauck tour we have not enjoyed
June should be a good time - there is often snow until mid-May...granted I lived there a few years back, but when I took my parents to Denali we saw moose, wolves, grizzlies, mountain goats or sheep, eagles...we did a sound/fjord tour on the water near Anchorage and saw dolphins, lots of killer whales and lots of eagles...we stayed over night in Denali (I can't recall the name of the place - a lodge of some sort) so maybe we were further into the park and we were there early morning and later into the early evening -- maybe that's why we saw more animals.
We've been to Alaska twice via cruise ship, although the last time was over 20 years ago. We stayed inland in Palmer for 4 days on one of those trips, and saw one moose. We did take a boat excursion as mentioned in the Kenai Fjords and saw lots of birds including puffins. I believe we also saw whales. From the main cruise ship you might see dolphins or flying fish, but they are hard to catch.
When we arrived in Ketchikan, eagles were all over the harbor. Like pigeons.
In my opinion, you go to Alaska for the scenery, and if you spot wildlife then you got lucky.
As far as cruising in general, if you opt for a suite with a butler, you are probably going to have a better experience with service. (Not sure if everyone gets this on a Tauck cruise.)
I used to know someone years ago who worked for Princess, and I was told that because they have been in Alaska so many years, they get priority on itineraries. They limit the cruise ships in Glacier Bay, for example, and I think Princess has priority there, if I'm not mistaken.
You didn't say if you are going with family and need programs for kids. Some cruise ships will be better at this than others.
There is no perfect cruise, IMHO. You may need to prioritize your preferences.
I don't know if a smaller vessel would give you more of a chance to see wildlife.
I think LotusGirl reminded us recently that there is lots of info on the Cruise Critic website and that would be the first place I would research.
For Vancouver I absolutely loved the Museum of Anthropology on the UBC campus. So many totem poles! Lots of immersion into First Nations culture. Also would be a great museum for kids.