Planning our First trip to Alaska

Hi

We used this formum a year ago when we planned our trip through Canada and USA, extremely helpful...sooo looking for help again....please.

We are planning an Alaskan cruise trip, as we have heard it is beautiful. When the cruise has finished we were thinking of maybe driving back down to Vancouver (as we loved this place last time we were there).

Can any one recommend a great cruise and maybe some suggestions in general on what to see on land when we travel back down from Anchorage to Vancouver also car hire cost, accommodation etc

Aussie from Perth

Planning our First trip to Alaska

Hi Cat08,

I%26#39;m not an expert in this, but I believe the drive from Anchorage to Vancouver would be quite a challenge. For one, you would be traveling through Canada...in the Yukon territory, as there is no road access in Alaska. Perhaps the Canadian experts can provide advice.

Have you considered flying directly into Anchorage, touring there, then take a southbound cruise into Vancouver?? The cruise through the inside passage is absolutely gorgeous, as you%26#39;ve heard. Or is the thrill of driving through the Canadian wilderness your priority?

Planning our First trip to Alaska

I forgot to add. There are several cruise ships that sail from Alaska (Whittier or Seward) directly into Vancouver. Some of the port stops include Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka...just to name a few. From Skagway, you can actually rent a car, or take a bus tour into the Yukon territory. It is very beautiful.

I like to go to the Travelocity.com website to compare the ships, price and other amenities.

If you fly directly into Alaska, you can rent a car and see some of the sights there. For the amount of time it would take to drive to Vancouver, you can drive north into the Denali Park area. Take a shuttle bus into the park and see wildlife, and hike if you desire.

Southeastern Alaska, where the cruise ships dock, is absolutely breathtaking. You can do a boat tour of Kenai National Park, as well as other sightseeing activities.

The forum is rather slow this week with the holidays, but I%26#39;m sure other posters will reply to your questions. Have fun : - )

I think that aquablue has just about covered this, on the notion of driving from Anchorage to Vancouver. This is not a bad trip if you have at least a week but the logistics and expenses of a rental one way seem to me to to fairly scream for a much better and less expensive use of your time!

As she suggested, you might be better off to hire a caravan, in Anchorage, spend a few days there, driving around the ';mainstate'; and then book a southbound cruise to Vancouver for a nice sampler of our ';other state of Alaska'; the lovely SE Alaska.

Even her suggestion of a rental car to sample the Yukon out of Skagway, would be betterr than that long expensive drive down the road is a good alternative!

Let us know of any further questions. DD

Thanks guys...have taken note on driving from Anchorage to Vancouver. We will look at the other options you have mentioned.

Cheers :-}