Alaska Itinerary Review/Suggestions

Question

My husband and I are doing an Alaska land/cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage. We will be spending several days in Vancouver prior to boarding the cruise ship and several days at the end of the land/cruise in the Kenai Peninsula. Below is what the itinerary looks like at this point.

August 25 - Fly Boston to Vancouver -explore Vancouver some

August 26- Explore Vancouver

August 27-Early morning float plane to Victoria - Explore Butchart Gardens, Horse and carriage tour of Victoria.

August 28-Early morning explore Victoria. Afternoon float plane back to Vancouver.

August 29- Day trip tour Sea to Sky Highway, Gondola and Whistler.

August 30- Board cruise ship

August 31- on ship cruising

Sept 1-Ketchikan - walk around Ketchikan

Sept 2-Juneau - heli dogsledding Medenhall Glacier

Sept 3-White Pass Railroad/bus tour to Yukon (Carcross)

Sept 4-Glacier Bay

Sept 5-College Fjord

Sept 6-Train to Denali Princess Lodge

Sept 7- Tundra Wilderness Tour

Sept 8-Bus to Mt. McKinley Lodge

Sept 9- Maybe river float trip or explore Talkeetna

Sept 10-Back to Anchorage - Trolley tour of Anchorage

Sept 11-11:30 am Pick up rental car at Anchorage Airport and head to Homer

Sept 12-Fly fishing in Homer for my husband

Sept 13-leave Homer mid-afternoon for Seward

Sept 14 - Major Marine 6 hour tour of Kenai Fjords National Park

Sept 15- late afternoon back to Anchorage - return rental car 7:30pm and fly out to Boston 9:35 pm

Suggestions? Thoughts?

Answer

Your itinerary is very well-planned and covers a great mix of city exploration, scenic flights, cruise adventures, and land-based activities in Alaska. It is ambitious but feasible, given that you are comfortable with active travel and multiple modes of transportation. Here are some detailed thoughts and suggestions to help optimize it:

Vancouver & Victoria (Aug 25-28):

Your plan to explore Vancouver for two days is perfect. Make sure to include Stanley Park and Granville Island for iconic sights and local food experiences.
Floatplane to Victoria is a fantastic choice; morning flights maximize daylight for Butchart Gardens and the city tour. Consider booking the horse-and-carriage tour in advance to ensure availability.
On your second day in Victoria, keep it light and prioritize walking the Inner Harbour and any museums or shops that interest you. Afternoon return floatplane is reasonable, just watch for weather delays.

Sea to Sky Highway & Whistler (Aug 29):

Make sure to start early to allow plenty of time for scenic stops along the Sea to Sky Highway, like Shannon Falls and the Sea to Sky Gondola.
Lunch in Whistler village is recommended before returning to Vancouver to board your cruise the next day.

Cruise portion (Aug 30-Sept 6):

Your cruise days are well-timed. For Juneau, the heli-dogsledding on Mendenhall Glacier is a highlight. Consider checking the timing of excursions to ensure you’re not rushed back to the ship.
White Pass Railroad and the bus tour to Carcross are excellent; bring layers as the weather can be cool and damp in the Yukon.
Glacier Bay and College Fjord are perfect for scenery; bring binoculars and camera gear for wildlife and glacier views.

Denali & Surrounding Areas (Sept 6-10):

Train to Denali Princess Lodge and Tundra Wilderness Tour are ideal. Book the Tundra Wilderness Tour early as it’s popular and provides the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Consider the timing on Sept 8 for the bus to Mt. McKinley Lodge; if possible, choose early departure to maximize your lodge experience and daylight.
On Sept 9, your plan to either do a river float trip or explore Talkeetna is good. If you prefer active adventure, the float trip is memorable. Talkeetna is charming for a slower day and photo opportunities.
Back in Anchorage Sept 10, a trolley tour is a nice way to unwind; you might also squeeze in a short hike or visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center if time permits.

Kenai Peninsula (Sept 11-15):

Picking up a rental car in Anchorage on Sept 11 is logical. Drive time to Homer is around 4-5 hours; stop at scenic viewpoints along the way for photos.
Fly fishing in Homer is excellent for enthusiasts; consider booking guides in advance for best experience.
Sept 13 drive to Seward is roughly 5 hours; leaving mid-afternoon may be tight if you want daylight views, so consider an early start if possible.
Major Marine tour of Kenai Fjords on Sept 14 is perfect. Bring layers and waterproof gear; wildlife sightings are better in the morning when waters are calmer.
Returning to Anchorage Sept 15 is fine; leaving mid-afternoon ensures you have plenty of time to return the car and catch your flight.

General suggestions:

Pack layers and rain gear for Alaska; weather can change quickly even in late August/early September.
Consider travel insurance for both cruise and land components due to multiple flights, cruises, and tours.
Check ferry or floatplane schedules in advance and have backup plans in case of weather delays.
Book popular excursions in advance (heliski, Tundra Wilderness Tour, fly fishing) to secure preferred times.
Allow some flexibility in Vancouver and Victoria for unexpected delays or extra sightseeing.

Overall, your plan balances city exploration, nature, adventure, and scenic travel beautifully. The only adjustments you might consider are early starts for Kenai Peninsula drives and possibly lightening some of the Vancouver/Victoria sightseeing to avoid overpacking the first days. Otherwise, this is a robust and well-thought-out itinerary.

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