DRIVE OR CRUISE

[williamlayton]

My wife, the Hen, and I have had this conversation several times over the last few years and it appears that it is finally coming to a head.
I would like to drive too Alaska--just for the drive and scenery. We live about as far away from Alaska as one can live and still be in the states.
My wife wants too take a cruise thru the passage. I really, really, really don't want to be on a ship that long---any cruise too anywhere.
What are your thoughts---advice--on this seeming roadblock?
I have suggested That I drive up to where ever this BOAT put out and she can fly--her choice for getting anywhere-- and then I can drive back.
The beauty of this compromise is I can take my time and choose my own routes.
The drawback is, of course the length of time it might take me too find my way home--hehehehe.
Seriously, I would care for input.
Blessings

[Matt in AK]

Many thoughts.

1.  When momma ain't happy...ain't nobody happy

2.  My family and I LOVED our drive from Kansas to Anchorage, Alaska...especially once we got to British Columbia....but that's a lot of driving

3.  My suggestion?  Fly to Seattle.  Cruise to AK...drive around a couple weeks and fish yer butt off...and fly back to Texas.

[Dusty Miller]

Try this, take the cruise as per the Mrs.'s pleasure and then put her on a plane for home and tell her you'll drive and get there when you get there.  Then, just forget about driving home and settle down in Alaska!!

[Dusty Miller]

OK, OK, I'll admit it, that's just my own fantasy.  That's just my FAVORITE fantasy!!

[corbanzo]

Coming from the farthest port west in Alaska that cruise ships go to, I've got one piece of advice, dont take a cruise ship.

Yes, you will see pretty stuff.  And you will see it on cruise ship time.  You wont be able to explore, at all.  Cruise ships do two things:  Onload and offload, and collect money.  People always ask how crazy it is when cruise ships come in, and all the people are visiting, and we have to correct them.  The cruise lines dont let people off to wander around, or else they would spend money in the town instead of on the ship.  You will get on the shop, cruise, and right when you get off they put you on a place to go back home, that is why you get the whole "package deal" through the ship line. 

If you really want to see Alaska, drive through on your own time. 
On a ship you are going to be on a cruise, not exploring Alaska, exploring takes initiative on your part.  you will see ocean, and Alaska in the distance for a week straight.  it is the easy alternative, as they do all the driving...  but really, you could just buy a whole bunch of crab and fifty posters and spend a week in your house changing the posters every day, and call it a cruise while spending a lot less money.

[Sourdough]

Get a "Milepost" at your local book store.  Check out the "Marine Highway", then the "Alcan".  Take the boat from Seattle to Haines then drive the rest of the way.  Then drive back seeing a whole differant scene through the Yukon, BC, and Alberta.  Good luck!

[rich e]

I've been on two Alaskan Cruises, both times were with Princess. Would I go again, in a heart beat. The scenery is beautiful, there's always something to see, eagles, sea otters, seals, whales, occassionally you will spot a bear on the beach. The major ports, Ketchican, Juneau, and Scagway, have lots of tours you can go on, or if you want you can go on your own shopping, the towns catter to tourists, the only thing is you have to be aware of the time, the ship will leave with out you. They run on a schedule, and they try to stay on schedule. I ussually book at least one fishing trip, Ketchican is awesome for Salmon, Just remember if you book a trip with someone that hasn't been approved of by the cruise line, they are aware of the time schedule. And promise to have you back on board in time for departure. Almost forgot to mention the food,  its awesome!!!!

[Sourdough]

rich e:  You think it is a great place?  Sounds like you have only seen 1/5th of Alaska.  There is five differant geographic areas of Alaska, and Southeastern is only one of them.  Southeastern is also the smallest of the areas, and the one most like being in the lower states.  Go and see the rest of the state, why take another cruise and see the same things again.  We have so much to see and do in the rest of the state.  Why limit yourself?

[williamlayton]

I am asking my wife to read these comments as we make plans.
The more observations from you folks the better for both of us.
Blessings

[rich e]

SourDough,  Would really like to see the rest of the state, but I'm no longer physically fit enough do such a venture. So the Cruise ships are just fine for me, perhaps or next cruise we'll do a tour of Denalli too. Wish I was young man again, because your right, Alaska is huge, and what I have seen, was wonderful. Our first cruise took us up the inside passage all the way to Seward, were we took the train to Anchorage, my wife has a cousin that lives there, so he meet us and took us for a ride around the area. It was great, entirely different climate in anchorage, then along the inside passage.  Yep, like I said, I would definately do another alaskan cruise.

[oldrookie]

I had the pleasure of going to Alaska 3-4 years ago on a fishing trip with 2 brothers and our father. We got up there via air to Anchorage 10 days prior to our scheduled fishing. We rented a 4x4 and proceeded to rack up 2,000 miles on the rental prior to fishing. Our goal was to get up to the circle(never made it). Did get to Fairbanks and everywhere in between. Fabulous trip! My dream plan would be to drive up there. If you have plenty of time on your hands plan on 6 weeks minimum and 8 weeks would be better. I enjoyed all the sight seeing as much as the fishing.

The countryside is beautiful and so are the people.


Bill Reiman
Indianapolis, IN

[Sourdough]

rich e:  Rather than take a cruise, why not just come to Alaska, then arrainge short trips through travel agencies and see other things.  Like going to Prudoe Bay, by bus.  Or fly to remote locations, and see things other people don't see.  Or rent a RV and see the things on the road system.  Fish the Keni, clam at Clam Gulch, fish the Gulkana, all can be done on your own by going to lodges to arrainge for guides.  You don't have to be in good shape to do those things.

[deltecs]

Why not drive and take the Marine Highway home.  Depending on the time of year, I'd take the Marine Highway North in the Spring and drive the Alcan in the fall.  Get off in Haines for the Northern Marine terminus and then on to wherever in Central Alaska,  On the way driving home, I'd take a detour outside of Whitehorse and take the Klondike Highway to Skagway from Canada into Skagway.  The panoramic scenery is second to none in Alaska from a highway.  Then take the route back and at Carcross take the fork to Jakes Corner.  This highway is much less traveled and has dynamite scenery too.  From there the drive through Canada is good and absolutely gorgeous going down Fraser Canyon.  This is just suggesting options, since SE Alaska is extremely beautiful too.  Others can expound on Alaskan scenery and places to go elsewhere in the State and just as beautiful too.