See big, bold and genuine Alaska! Follow its scenic highways and famed Alaska Railway into rustic towns and through majestic Denali National Park, visit an Iditarod dog kennel, and view breathtaking, snow-mantled mountains.
Day 1
After disembarking the ship in Whittier, you will meet your tour director and begin the drive to Girdwood. The road travelled passes through some of America’s most spectacular scenery and holds three scenic designations: USDA Forest Service Scenic Byway, Alaska Scenic Byway, and All-American Road. On the way, enjoy a stop at an organization dedicated to preserving Alaska’s wildlife. The center is a home and a refuge for many animals; bear, moose, elk, and other wildlife that call Alaska home.
Upon arriving and checking in to the beautiful Alyeska Resort, the remainder of the day is at your leisure with any meals on your own. You may wish to enjoy a ride to the top of Mt. Alyeska on the aerial tramway for a spectacular view of the surrounding area with its seven glaciers. Or, perhaps make an appointment at the outdoor Nordic Spa where you can soak in multiple hot and cool pools, make use of their steam rooms or book a massage (costs not included for tram or Nordic Spa). The resort also has an indoor heated pool and hot tub free of charge and several restaurants on site along with a shuttle that will take you to a small array of eateries off site.
Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, begin the four-hour scenic drive from Girdwood to Denali via the George Parks Highway, which winds through the kind of scenery that defines the Alaskan interior: tundra, soaring mountain peaks, glaciers, forests, wild rivers, and vast expanses primarily inhabited by animals such as moose, grizzlies, foxes and birds.
Along the way you will visit an Iditarod Sled Dog Kennel and learn about this truly Alaskan competition. Note: this is not a ride with the dogs. Traveling from Anchorage to Nome on the Bering Sea coast, each Iditarod team of 12 to 16 dogs and their musher cover 1,150 miles of Alaska’s most rugged terrain in 10 to 17 days. Add temperatures well below zero, scouring winds, and long hours of darkness, and it is no wonder that the Iditarod is called the last Great Race on Earth.
A boxed lunch will be provided en route.
Once you reach Denali, you will be transferred to the Grande Denali Lodge or similar, which perches on the edge of a bluff less than a mile from the entrance to Denali National Park.
Following an enlightening private lecture on Denali, your evening is free to enjoy dinner on-own and an overnight at the lodge.
Day 3
The day starts with an early breakfast at the lodge and then the 4.5-hour Denali Natural History Tour. Focusing on the rich natural and cultural history of the park, this program includes several interpretive stops and an hour off-bus experience. Begin with a stop to learn about the creation of the Denali Park Road with the film “Across Time and Tundra.”
Next visit Savage Cabin, the original ranger’s cabin, provides a living history into how the cabin was once used and how it continues to be used today. Finally, you will make a stop at Primrose Ridge to experience a memorable Alaska Native presentation that will enlighten you with how the land has been used for nearly 10,000 years. All along the way your naturalist driver-guide will provide a great introduction to the landscape, geology, and history of Denali National Park and Preserve. Tours are conducted in Denali National Park busses.
NOTE: Depending on time and availability, there may be time to upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness Tour. Your Tour Director will be able to provide more information on cost and availability during your program.
Upon returning to the lodge, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Dinner is on your own.
Day 4
After breakfast at the lodge, your morning is free to further enjoy exploring the area in or around Denali National Park before boarding the Alaska Railroad train. As you travel by rail the 4.5 hours to Talkeetna, seating is upstairs in the dome where you will enjoy views from all sides of the railcar. Lunch is included downstairs in the dining room.
After arriving in Talkeetna, whose downtown is a National Historic Site, you will board your motorcoach and continue south to Anchorage where you will check-in to the Marriott Hotel (or similar). The remainder of the day is at your leisure and dinner is on your own.
Day 5
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the Anchorage airport for your flight home.
Hotel check-out time is 11:00am. Late check-out may be arranged and paid directly to the hotel on a space availability basis. For guests with late flights, luggage storage will be available at the hotel.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:30am Meet your Tour Director upon disembarking the ship
9:00am Depart Whittier for Girdwood (Alyeska)
11:30am Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
12:45pm Arrive at the Alyeska Resort
Afternoon and evening at leisure, lunch and dinner on own
Overnight at the Alyeska Resort or similar hotel
DAY 2
From 6:00am Breakfast at the hotel
8:00am Depart for Denali
12:00pm Arrive Happy Trails Kennels for enlightening presentation
Box lunch provided which includes sandwich, pasta salad, cookie, bottle of water
TBA Depart kennel for Denali
5:30pm Arrive at the Grande Denali Lodge and check in
6:30pm Reception with private lecture
Dinner on own
Overnight at the Grande Denali Lodge or similar hotel
DAY 3
From 6:00am Buffet breakfast at lodge
7:00am Approximate departure for Denali Natural History Tour
12:00pm Approximate return for Denali Natural History Tour
Lunch on own
PM Open for optional activities, dinner on own
Overnight at the Grande Denali Lodge or similar hotel
DAY 4
From 6:00am Buffet breakfast at lodge
11:15am Transfer to the Denali rail depot
12:30pm Deluxe dome rail from Denali to Talkeetna (lunch on train)
4:45pm Arrive Talkeetna, board motorcoach and drive to Anchorage
7:30pm Arrive at your hotel, check in and dinner on own
Overnight at the Marriott Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 5
AM Breakfast at the hotel
11:00am Check out time
AM/PM Transfer to the Anchorage airport two hours prior to your flight. Luggage storage is available for guests with late flights.
Accessibility:
This program is wheelchair accessible. Please notify RSSC if a tour coach with lift or accessible rooms are required as rooms are limited, and vehicles need to be secured in advance.
Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 11:00am (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 5 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 11:00am. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather:
The average temperature is 55° to 65° Fahrenheit; however, summer temperatures can rise into the 70’s and 80’s.
What to Bring:
Warm clothes, rain jacket, binoculars, comfortable walking shoes and or hiking boots, hat, sunscreen, camera, chargers
Local Currency:
US Dollar
Electricity:
The electric current in the United States is 110 volts. You may need a converter if you have 220-volt devices. We recommend bringing a universal travel adaptor for guests who are not from North America.
Hotel addresses:
Marriott Hotel – 820 W 7th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
Grande Denali Lodge - George Parks Hwy, AK 99755
Alyeska Resort – 1000 Arlberg Ave, Girdwood, AK 99587
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.
HOTELS AND LODGES
The best available hotels and lodges in Alaska are used throughout the land program. They are comfortable and rustic. Guests accustomed to the level of services at an international five-star hotel will find that the same services are not available in Alaska. Due to peak season in Alaska from May through September, it may be difficult to change rooms during the hotel stay as all hotels have very high occupancy. Hotels are subject to change.
Program Includes:
•One night at the Marriott Hotel in Anchorage or similar (Standard double room)
•Two nights at Grande Denali Lodge or similar (Standard double room)
•One night at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood or similar (Standard double room)
•Full breakfast daily
•One lunch and one snack box lunch
•One reception and lecture on Denali
•Denali Natural History Tour in Denali National Park
•Deluxe Dome Rail tour
•Tours and sightseeing as per program
•Fully escorted
•Luggage handling and all associated gratuities
•Airport transfers as applicable
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
•Gratuities for tour director and motor coach driver
•Personal expenses
•Any meals not listed above
•Hotel incidentals including minibar and room service
ADDITIONAL TOURING
While you are in the Denali area at the beginning of the tour program, your guide will present additional touring programs for sale. These tour options vary from week to week and therefore can’t be pre-purchased. However, your guide will do everything possible to help you secure space. Optional tours are not available to pre-purchase through RSSC.
BAGGAGE
As your baggage will travel on many different modes of transportation, please choose sturdy cases that have been properly tagged with personal identifications, both inside and out. It is important to keep all valuables and documents on your person. As amenities such as elevators and baggage handling are limited at some locations, we suggest you only carry one bag per person while on the land tour. Alternately, your tour director will collect any pieces that you do not want to take on and off the bus each day and it will be stored on the motor coach in a locked bay. Please pack accordingly and bring any medications and documents with you.
Alternatively, you may wish to contact Luggage Forward to make your own luggage transfer arrangements (at own cost) from the ship to your home -www.luggageforward.com
Phone: 877-231-5131
CLOTHING AND CLIMATE
With a broad variety of weather possibilities, we encourage you to bring clothes that are suited to layering. Daytime attire in Alaska is strictly casual. Comfortable, supportive walking shoes are a must. The following items should be included: water-repellant coat or jacket, collapsible umbrella, rain hat, lightweight windbreaker, and sweaters. It could be warmer inland with summer temperatures in Denali reaching 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
ALTITUDE
Travel in Alaska is generally at lower elevations. The maximum altitude is 2,800 feet in Denali National Park.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather conditions are unpredictable. While the cruise line and its appointed ground operators will do everything possible to assist with alternative arrangements, we cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred if a land program, tour or private arrangement made through the cruise line is disrupted due to adverse weather.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The published itinerary is based on component suppliers expected to be operating for the land program. Changes to the availability of flights, flight and tour schedules or other itinerary components out of the cruise line’s control may require an adjustment to the final itinerary. The local ground operator will handle meal vouchers, train tickets, or tour tickets included in the program. The cruise line reserves the right to substitute hotels, if necessary.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Price: $2,799 per guest based on double occupancy.
Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.
