Hello Travelers,
I am wanting to tell you about my Alaska Land tour by Princess Cruiselines.
This was my second time to Alaska, but our first doing this land tour. I could not believe how easy and how our guide took care of all of us. Luggage , Cabins, the buses and train, not to mention our meal vouchers was very easy. Our guide just said be on time and at a specific place to be. He was really attentive to make sure no one made any mistakes, got lost, etc. I enjoyed this so much I would do this again. He even made sure all of us got on the cruise boat in the end of the land tour. Our boat made it to Glacier Bay NP and was surprised as how the glaciers were gone and melted. I was there 11 years ago just on a cruise and it was so beautiful. It still looked good except a lot of the glaciers were missing. One other excursion made my day was it was my first time to see a bear out in the wilderness. This was at Icy Straight Point, the town was called Hoonah. The bear was alone but fairly close as we all stood on a low bridge. The bear started to eat salmon as we watched. Well hope you liked my story on Alaska, I wish everyone would have a chance to go. I am now 71 years old and feel fortunate to be able to go. Take care and hope all enjoy vacation where ever you travel to, Larry
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8340 posts
We took an Alaskan cruise in June which was up and back to Seattle in 1 week. We stayed over in Victoria for 4 more days. The port cities were pretty quiet and small places. We too were on Princess.
We're looking forward to going back to Europe in 2 weeks. We've seen virtually every island in the Caribbean and Mexico in our 20+ cruises, and we're through traveling there.
This cruise goes to Istanbul which will be our first trip there. We have been to Ephesus once before, however. We have visited enough new places on previous cruises to where we know where we'd like to go on future road trips.
Posted by
OP
29 posts
Hello, You will like Europe. Our first time there was last May on a Princess Cruise. Our ship did stop at Istanbul. We did not do any excursions there. We started 2 days ahead before our cruise in Rome. I loved Rome, a lot of history there. I did not care for the people there so much, but that would not deter me from going back. If you go be wary of the authentic cabs, they try to scam you charging a lot more going places. I however did not get to see a lot since our first day I had so much jet lag. The second day we got to see the Vatican museum. It was interesting but way over crowded. I ventured out and went to the Colesseum. I just walked around it and did not go inside. I then saw from a distance the Roman Forum, and then made it to the Victor Emmanuel historic building. I took the elevator to the top and was a great view of the city. That was all I saw, I still was somewhat tired of the walking. The cruise was the next day and we saw Greece, Montenegro, Sicily, the Amalfi coast. I am glad you got to see all the carribean islands and enjoyed your Alaska cruise, Larry
Posted by
292 posts
Sounds like a great trip! We did a round trip Seattle cruise to Alaska on Princess twenty years ago and I am planning to do a north bound cruise with land tour next May. I booked through Princess but just a regular cruisetour- it sounds like yours was a “connoisseur” tour? I was thinking of looking into possibly upgrading mine to connoisseur tour which includes the guide and meals. Glad you had a nice time, Alaska is beautiful and one of those places one can go back to more than once. BTW, I also did a Princess cruise from Rome to Athens last summer. I took my two adult sons and we had a fantastic time. The Mediterranean is so beautiful and visiting places like Ephesus and Istanbul with them was amazing. Happy travels!
Posted by
8349 posts
It is best to take the one way cruise from Vancouver to Alaska, you see more. Be sure to take a cruise that goes to Glacier Bay, not all cruise lines go there. NCL and Princess go there I am sure.
Also, if you go to Alaska, go to Denali, it is amazing. Take the bus that goes about 90 miles into the park. The wildlife is amazing.