I escorted tours in Europe & Asia and would help people learn how to Pack Light & Travel Right. I allowed only one 22” suitcase & 1 carryon bag per person for a two to three week tour. I’m doing a 2 week Alaska cruise with one 22” suitcase and a carryon.
You are awesome Peggy! When I used to travel with my daughter in Europe we would each take a carry on and a tote bag for our 3 week trips. Much easier for trains and planes and cobblestone streets!
We did a cruise tour with Princess that started in Calgary and then train/bus across the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver where the Alaska cruise portion started. The Canadian Rockies are beautiful and the hotel accommodations across Canada were amazing.
Allison, thank you for doing this video, you've given so much information! We took a Cruise Tour in 2015 and 2022 (and we're going again next month) and, for us, the 2 bag system works. I like having my formal night clothes, shoes, etc. packed away and using just the 1 suitcase with things I'll need on land. But if you use that handy 32-inch duffle bag, that seems like it would work great for using 1 suitcase too!
I’ve been on a cruise tour with Princess in Alaska. Since I have to fly to the cruise port I only take one large check in luggage and one carry-on bag which included clothing for both the land portion and the cruise. This way all my luggage followed me at all times.
Hi Allison, I just listened to this video on 11/13/23. My husband and I sailed to Alaska on our first cruise in 2004 and loved it. It was always our intention to return and do a land tour. This year, 2023, we did just that. We did enjoy it; however, I wish I had known the following. We chose to sail first and do the land second because of timing. I tried many times to get a full itinerary of the land portion prior to the cruise and was not successful. I will admit I never asked our booking agent bc I didn’t want to be a bother. I goggled the distance between each of our night accommodations and based our plans at each location on what I could google. My husband and I love going to the National Parks so we planned on enjoying the parks. I also want to add, we don’t like riding on a bus. The cruise line we booked had points of interests to stop and see between our over night stays that decreased the amount of time we had to enjoy the national parks. I wish I had known the itinerary ahead of time so I could 1. Be prepared for the additional stops or 2. Made independent land plans. Our experience with meeting up at the airport with our luggage ONLY worked well because I had “tags” in my suitcase. When we arrived at the airport a rep informed us our luggage was not there but not to worry they would make sure it would reach our home in the next day or two. I informed the rep about my tags and that our luggage had been at the airport most of the day. Our luggage was brought to us within 15 mins. My take away for us because we are planners is research everything and get air tags!
I've found that it is far cheaper and more inclusive where all meals and entry fees are included in none ship land portions of the cruise at half the price.....Companies like CIE provides all inclusive land portions. And take you to your ship upon completion of their land portions. Same or far better hotels where you're not being nickel and dimed.
I would love a Holland America specific video. We did a cruise tour with NCL but this next trip will be HAL as NCL dropped Glacier Bay for 2024 on the Jewel. NCL allowed all our baggage, we didn’t have to limit to one pp for the land. First timers on HAL.
Here is our playlist from last year when Allison was on the HAL Koningsdam to Alaska in June/July - ua-cam.com/play/PLTyNbxvF9CLLODMKyvHHsHNlHQl2xZVJn.html Also, watch for our updates next week as we will be on the HAL Eurodam round trip from Seattle to Alaska for our Group Cruise.
@@LetsGoTravelTips Thanks!! I just recently found your channel after booking our first Princess cruise for this fall! I will definitely check those out and more!
Not really understanding the third bag. Why wouldn't I need the items in that bag until I left for home since what I need on the cruise are the same items as the land tour? I never took a cruise, so not familiar with any of the protocol.
Thank you Allison for this video. As you know, I had a lot of questions regarding the lodges and luggage. One question - what model/brand is the tote you showed from Walmart? Thank you!
Just need a little clarification... when on the cruise (either direction, land first or second), will you have both the land & cruise luggage with you on the ship??
We were told that our food was included at the Princess Denali resort. This was one of the reasons we decided to do the tour otherwise we would have just done the cruise. We even called Princess to confirm that food was included at Denali but it sounds like it is not included after watching your video. You would think with the price you are paying for the cruise tour it would be included.
We did a Connoisseur Cruise Tour in 2015 and most of the food was included in our package. I just looked back at our booking paperwork and Princess listed each meal in our itinerary individually, letting us know which restaurant to go to for each meal. (Some lodges have more than one restaurant) Your itinerary should confirm that your meals are (hopefully) included. We did a Cruise Tour in June 2022 and we're doing one next month too, and neither of them include food. So there are both options.
I don't believe food is included on the train from Whittier to Talkeetna. Travel summary says, "Breakfast and lunch are available for purchase while on the train."
I don’t understand how you get a bag for the land tour and a second bag for the cruise. I am only bringing a checked larger suitcase and a small backpack. I need it all at the lodge.
Thanks for a great video. You did say the train had food included for you, but to clarify, the food and drinks cost EXTRA on the train during the land portion.
Thank you Karla. Do you know how people who are at the lodges get into town or other places to eat? Do all the lodges run shuttles or are there taxis or other buses that run? Any help you can give would really help me. Thank you.
@@LetsGoTravelTips at McKinley lodge there is a bus that will take you to Talkeetna. I don’t know how often it runs. At Denali there is a shuttle bus that runs around the resort and will take you to different parts of the resort. There are shops and restaurants across the street but you do have to walk to those.
One thing I have read is that there is food available for purchase on the train. It doesn't look like it is included at no charge. Thank you this is very helpful.
We will be going Live on our Holland America cruise on the Eurodam - round trip out of Seattle to Alaska. We fly out on Friday and board the ship Saturday for 1 week on our Group Cruise. Watch for our Live Sailaways from each port. We will try to post an anticipated schedule here on UA-cam and on our Facebook Group. Thanks for watching!
I did that also Carey in November on Eurodam. I can’t remember now if it was a requirement or a strong recommendation?! HAL never mentioned it on Embarkation, but I sailed through, so I guess it helped behind the scenes.
The Princess luggage explanation given is the same for Holland America. They are part of the same parent company and use the same information for Land Tours. The Luggage Summary is in this clip - ua-cam.com/users/clipUgkxb1-VYGP7Aj8xvdC9M66K775SVLPHxgs0 Thanks for watching!
Wow $2 a day per person on the land tour. Man that's a big change for the cruise ship. That means that a free 7-Day Cruise if I was to pay the $2 a day per person for me and my wife that would only be $28. Not the $16 a day per person that we are charged by the cruise line. Yes stead of split up amongst several crew members. It's man that's a lot of extra money. I think I'm going to do what they are suggesting and just tip as I go to those who I'm actually working with. My cabin Steward or stewardess, my servers in the dining room. The bartender
Thanks for your video, loved your inputs! Leaving next year on HAL on the land/cruise tour.
Thank you Allison for such an informative video on Alaska cruise tour's! I'm wishing you and Gordon a wonderful Alaskan cruise!
I escorted tours in Europe & Asia and would help people learn how to Pack Light & Travel Right. I allowed only one 22” suitcase & 1 carryon bag per person for a two to three week tour. I’m doing a 2 week Alaska cruise with one 22” suitcase and a carryon.
WOW Peggy ! Maybe you could coordinate w Allison and Gordon and have them highlight a video segment from you ! (Guys and Gals, though!)
You are awesome Peggy! When I used to travel with my daughter in Europe we would each take a carry on and a tote bag for our 3 week trips. Much easier for trains and planes and cobblestone streets!
Two bags is the way to go. I've done four cruise tours for Alaska and life was simple!
Thank you for all this information. Very helpful.
Thanks Allison. Another awesome video packed full of wonderful information 👍🥰
We did a cruise tour with Princess that started in Calgary and then train/bus across the Canadian Rockies to Vancouver where the Alaska cruise portion started. The Canadian Rockies are beautiful and the hotel accommodations across Canada were amazing.
Allison, thank you for doing this video, you've given so much information! We took a Cruise Tour in 2015 and 2022 (and we're going again next month) and, for us, the 2 bag system works. I like having my formal night clothes, shoes, etc. packed away and using just the 1 suitcase with things I'll need on land. But if you use that handy 32-inch duffle bag, that seems like it would work great for using 1 suitcase too!
I’ve been on a cruise tour with Princess in Alaska. Since I have to fly to the cruise port I only take one large check in luggage and one carry-on bag which included clothing for both the land portion and the cruise. This way all my luggage followed me at all times.
Hi Allison,
I just listened to this video on 11/13/23. My husband and I sailed to Alaska on our first cruise in 2004 and loved it. It was always our intention to return and do a land tour. This year, 2023, we did just that. We did enjoy it; however, I wish I had known the following. We chose to sail first and do the land second because of timing. I tried many times to get a full itinerary of the land portion prior to the cruise and was not successful. I will admit I never asked our booking agent bc I didn’t want to be a bother. I goggled the distance between each of our night accommodations and based our plans at each location on what I could google. My husband and I love going to the National Parks so we planned on enjoying the parks. I also want to add, we don’t like riding on a bus. The cruise line we booked had points of interests to stop and see between our over night stays that decreased the amount of time we had to enjoy the national parks. I wish I had known the itinerary ahead of time so I could 1. Be prepared for the additional stops or 2. Made independent land plans.
Our experience with meeting up at the airport with our luggage ONLY worked well because I had “tags” in my suitcase. When we arrived at the airport a rep informed us our luggage was not there but not to worry they would make sure it would reach our home in the next day or two. I informed the rep about my tags and that our luggage had been at the airport most of the day. Our luggage was brought to us within 15 mins.
My take away for us because we are planners is research everything and get air tags!
I've found that it is far cheaper and more inclusive where all meals and entry fees are included in none ship land portions of the cruise at half the price.....Companies like CIE provides all inclusive land portions. And take you to your ship upon completion of their land portions. Same or far better hotels where you're not being nickel and dimed.
Good to know
The Tree House at Mt McKinley lodge is a must.
Great video today!!!
I would love a Holland America specific video. We did a cruise tour with NCL but this next trip will be HAL as NCL dropped Glacier Bay for 2024 on the Jewel. NCL allowed all our baggage, we didn’t have to limit to one pp for the land. First timers on HAL.
Here is our playlist from last year when Allison was on the HAL Koningsdam to Alaska in June/July - ua-cam.com/play/PLTyNbxvF9CLLODMKyvHHsHNlHQl2xZVJn.html
Also, watch for our updates next week as we will be on the HAL Eurodam round trip from Seattle to Alaska for our Group Cruise.
@@LetsGoTravelTips Thanks!! I just recently found your channel after booking our first Princess cruise for this fall! I will definitely check those out and more!
Not really understanding the third bag. Why wouldn't I need the items in that bag until I left for home since what I need on the cruise are the same items as the land tour? I never took a cruise, so not familiar with any of the protocol.
Thank you!
Thank you Allison for this video. As you know, I had a lot of questions regarding the lodges and luggage. One question - what model/brand is the tote you showed from Walmart? Thank you!
Just need a little clarification... when on the cruise (either direction, land first or second), will you have both the land & cruise luggage with you on the ship??
We were told that our food was included at the Princess Denali resort. This was one of the reasons we decided to do the tour otherwise we would have just done the cruise. We even called Princess to confirm that food was included at Denali but it sounds like it is not included after watching your video. You would think with the price you are paying for the cruise tour it would be included.
As far as I understand, at least for us, no food is included on the land portion of the cruise tour.
We did a Connoisseur Cruise Tour in 2015 and most of the food was included in our package. I just looked back at our booking paperwork and Princess listed each meal in our itinerary individually, letting us know which restaurant to go to for each meal. (Some lodges have more than one restaurant) Your itinerary should confirm that your meals are (hopefully) included. We did a Cruise Tour in June 2022 and we're doing one next month too, and neither of them include food. So there are both options.
Most of your food is included if you book a Connoisseur tour.
We recently went on an Alaskan cruise. Prices are high there for food so I expect the exact same thing when we visit Alaska.
I don't believe food is included on the train from Whittier to Talkeetna. Travel summary says, "Breakfast and lunch are available for purchase while on the train."
On the train meals, our documentation says that food is not included and must be purchased separately. Princess. FYI - thanks - good info all in all.
I don’t understand how you get a bag for the land tour and a second bag for the cruise. I am only bringing a checked larger suitcase and a small backpack. I need it all at the lodge.
Thanks for a great video. You did say the train had food included for you, but to clarify, the food and drinks cost EXTRA on the train during the land portion.
Thank you Karla. Do you know how people who are at the lodges get into town or other places to eat? Do all the lodges run shuttles or are there taxis or other buses that run? Any help you can give would really help me. Thank you.
@@LetsGoTravelTips at McKinley lodge there is a bus that will take you to Talkeetna. I don’t know how often it runs. At Denali there is a shuttle bus that runs around the resort and will take you to different parts of the resort. There are shops and restaurants across the street but you do have to walk to those.
One thing I have read is that there is food available for purchase on the train. It doesn't look like it is included at no charge. Thank you this is very helpful.
When you take food with you and you leave from Vancouver, can you take trail mix or granola bars from the US through Vancouver?
Yes
When is your next live???
We will be going Live on our Holland America cruise on the Eurodam - round trip out of Seattle to Alaska. We fly out on Friday and board the ship Saturday for 1 week on our Group Cruise. Watch for our Live Sailaways from each port. We will try to post an anticipated schedule here on UA-cam and on our Facebook Group. Thanks for watching!
These policies sound so complicated and those prices for good are ridiculous.
Just did my verify, even though I'm not flying. It speeds things up at embarkation on HAL
I did that also Carey in November on Eurodam. I can’t remember now if it was a requirement or a strong recommendation?! HAL never mentioned it on Embarkation, but I sailed through, so I guess it helped behind the scenes.
Thank you for the reminder Carey! Did you receive my email okay?
@@LetsGoTravelTips Yes I did Allison, looking forward to the meet up
Please comment oh how HAL cruisetour luggage works.
The Princess luggage explanation given is the same for Holland America. They are part of the same parent company and use the same information for Land Tours.
The Luggage Summary is in this clip - ua-cam.com/users/clipUgkxb1-VYGP7Aj8xvdC9M66K775SVLPHxgs0
Thanks for watching!
Wow $2 a day per person on the land tour. Man that's a big change for the cruise ship. That means that a free 7-Day Cruise if I was to pay the $2 a day per person for me and my wife that would only be $28. Not the $16 a day per person that we are charged by the cruise line. Yes stead of split up amongst several crew members. It's man that's a lot of extra money. I think I'm going to do what they are suggesting and just tip as I go to those who I'm actually working with. My cabin Steward or stewardess, my servers in the dining room. The bartender
A CPAP would never fit in that small of a bag to hold on your lap
Excursions can be canceled on the app without a need to call Princess.
Wow, that’s a little high. Where the hell are you eating?
Not clear at all!!!!!!! Now I'm worried if I'm going to have enough clothes on the boat and what the heck to pack!!!! Thanks😡
Wow. Maybe you should pay someone else for advice.
@@NancyReeves 🤬
Thank you for all this information. Very helpful.