Alaska Cruise Tour Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cruise tour?

An Alaska Cruise tour is a combination of a 7 night northbound or southbound cruise combined with a land vacation. These packages are combined to offer a 10 – 15 night tour. This gives you the ability to enjoy the cruise experience as well as exploring the heart of Alaska which can include Denali National Park, Mt. McKinley, Anchorage and Fairbanks. You will travel by deluxe motor coach and/or domed window trains, stay at exquisite mountain lodges and view wildlife in its natural habitat.

How do I begin to decide which cruise tour is best for my vacation?

Selecting the right cruise tour package is important. Here are 4 quick steps you can consider to help you with choosing your cruise tour.

1. Select the preferred number of nights for your land tour (4, 5, 6 or 7+ nights)?
2. Decide if you have a preferred cruise direction – northbound or southbound?
3. Decide if you have a favorite cruise Line or specific cruise ship that you prefer?
4. Discuss your special considerations with our cruise consultants – For example are you traveling with children or elderly parents? The travel consultants at AlaskaBySea.com have first-hand knowledge of all of our cruise tour products and can work one-on-one with you in selecting the best tour for your situation.

What does the cruise tour price include?

The price of your cruise tour vacation includes ship accommodations as selected, meals and entertainment onboard the ship, all transportation on the land tour (motor coach or train), as indicated in your specific itinerary, sightseeing as indicated on your itinerary, hotel accommodations, and tour directors for the land portion of you tour (select cruise lines only).

What is not included with a cruise tour?

The cruise tour vacation does not include air transportation, optional shore and land excursions, meals and beverages ashore, gratuities, specialty restaurants onboard, photographs, purchases from ship stores or items of a personal nature.

Will my cruise tour hotel room hold as many guests as my ship stateroom?

Yes, if you book your ship stateroom to accommodate three or four guests your hotel rooms on the land portion of the tour will be booked the same way.

Will I get to see Mt. McKinley?

Mt. McKinley is North America’s largest mountain at 20,360 feet and is located in Denali National Park which is located between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Tours in Denali National Park are only available to Alaska cruise tour guests. Mt. McKinley is so large it creates its own weather. With this said, cloud coverage is unpredictable and full view of Mt. McKinley is never guaranteed by any cruise line. When the weather is clear viewing North America’s highest peak is an awesome sight. Views of Mt McKinley are offered on tours that visit McKinley and Talkeetna.

What will I see in Denali National Park?

Tours in Denali National Park vary in duration with the cruise tour package you have chosen. All park tours are operated by the Park Board onboard a park approved bus (similar to a school bus) and guided by an official Denali Park Ranger. The Natural History Tour is 5 hours and provides the minimum tour inside the park. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is 8 hours and provides a more comprehensive tour with more chances to see wildlife and extensive scenery. The Tundra Wilderness Tour is offered on cruise tour packages that spend a minimum of two nights in Denali. If the package you have selected does not offer the Tundra Tour is may be possible to upgrade your tour depending on the timing of your tour and the availability of the tour.

What are gratuity guidelines for cruise tours?

For those that have served you well we suggest:

• Tour Director $3.50 a day per guest (select cruise lines only)
• Train car Host $1.00 a day per guest
• Motor coach Driver - $2.50 a day per guest