Planning a cruise/land tour to Alaska this summer

Question

My husband and one other couple want to do a 7 day cruise to Alaska but also include a few days of a land tour. I am totally overwhelmed between the various cruises ships , Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean. Has anyone taken this land/cruise packages and do you have any suggestions

Is it better to take a land package with the cruise line or try to do a 4-5 day land tour on our own. We only have 2 weeks max including travel.

. Any suggestions on must sees and dos.

Thank you

Answer

Planning a combined Alaska cruise and land tour can feel overwhelming because of the many cruise lines, itinerary options, and logistics involved. With only two weeks including travel, careful planning is key to maximize your experience without feeling rushed.

Cruise line options

Princess Cruises: Known for excellent Alaska itineraries, including Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. They have strong land/cruise packages that include Denali, often with convenient transfers between train, lodge, and cruise. This is a very “turnkey” option if you want to avoid logistics stress.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): Offers freestyle cruising with flexible dining. Land packages are less standardized than Princess, so you may need to book separate accommodations and transportation if you want a Denali experience. Some NCL packages include Fairbanks or Denali via their partner providers.
Royal Caribbean: Typically has newer ships and onboard entertainment, but their Alaska land packages are more limited. You may need to organize the Denali portion separately if using Royal Caribbean.

Land tour options

Booking a land package with the cruise line is convenient: one price, transfers included, and no need to worry about scheduling trains, shuttles, or accommodations. It can be slightly more expensive than organizing independently.
Booking a 4–5 day land tour on your own gives more flexibility in lodging choices and pace, but requires careful planning: flights, train or bus transfers to Denali, lodge bookings, and possibly car rental. You also need to consider baggage transfer if flying into interior Alaska.

Recommended must-sees and dos for a 7-day Alaska cruise plus land portion:

See tidewater glaciers: Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, or Tracy Arm Fjord (depending on cruise).
Wildlife viewing: whales, sea otters, bears, bald eagles, and mountain goats. Shore excursions often increase chances.
Denali National Park: at least 1–2 nights at a lodge in or near the park. Consider a guided bus or rail tour for optimal wildlife viewing.
Kenai Fjords National Park: optional day trips from Seward, including glaciers and marine wildlife.
Optional helicopter or glacier experience: dog sledding on a glacier is a popular summer activity near Girdwood or in Denali region.

Suggested itinerary for 2 weeks:

Day 1: Fly into Anchorage. Overnight in Anchorage.
Days 2–8: 7-day cruise from either Seward or Whittier, visiting Inside Passage ports, glaciers, and wildlife.
Days 9–12: Land tour in Denali region. Consider a lodge near Denali for 2–3 nights. Use shuttle or train for sightseeing, with optional hiking or guided excursions.
Day 13: Return to Anchorage, fly home.

With a 2-week limit, the combination of a 7-day cruise and 4–5 day land tour is feasible, but tight. Using a cruise line land package simplifies transfers and logistics. If you prefer flexibility and specific accommodations, arranging the land tour independently works, but requires careful planning. Either way, prioritizing Glacier viewing, Denali, and wildlife encounters will maximize your Alaska experience.

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