Alaska on my mind
Last week, Alaska was in the news due to the devastating plane crash that took the life of former Senator Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and four others including one of his former congressional aides. In reporting the story, the news outlets have also inadvertently highlighted the vast and undisturbed beauty of our 49th state. And while I have never been to Alaska, like so many others it is definitely on my bucket list.
When I first started at Collette Vacations back in 2003, it seemed I was always writing about Alaska – it was a very popular tour for the company. Over the last several years, travelers have been opting for other destinations, including Europe, and Alaska has slid a bit in terms of passenger numbers. Some of the reason for the decline may be travelers choosing to travel to Alaska with a cruise line.
Thanks to Cathy Donahue, Collette’s product manager for Alaska, here are 5 reasons you may want to re-think seeing Alaska with a cruise line and get on a tour that combines the best of both land and sea:
- On day 3 when our Alaska Discovery tour travels by motor coach from Fairbanks to Denali we depart at 9 am and arrive in Denali at 12:00 noon. Most other companies, including cruise lines, take the train and have to depart Fairbanks at 7:00 am and get to Fairbanks at 12:30 pm. They arrive by train with over 600 other passengers AFTER our group has already arrived.
- Most tour packages do not include an entertaining evening at the Music of Denali Dinner Theater which tells the story of the first ascent of Mount McKinley.�
Mt. McKinley, Alaska
- Our tour includes a 7-night cruise aboard Princesss Cruises Island Princess —a cruise line known for its superior quality and service. And we offer different categories to fit any budget – inside, outside and balcony. We also offer suites should anyone want one.
- Collette is the only tour operator who is guaranteed the Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge, all other operator’s (including Princess tours) stay in other Princess properties. The one we stay in is the nicest. Other tour operators have to pay an additional fee to be guaranteed the Riverside Lodge.
- On day 5, when we travel from Denali to Whittier by train, passengers are treated to some of the best land scenery in Alaska. We sit on the top level in a domed car with service all day long. Plus, there is a guide who narrates the entire trip and the train actually stops or slows down if they spot any kind of wild life.
What do you think? How did you see Alaska and if you had it to do over again, would you travel the same way?
Skagway, Alaska
posted by Melissa McKee
Collette Vacations
Tags: 2010, Alaska, Collette, Cruise-Land Tours, Current Events, Destination Spotlight, Dream Destination, Escorted Tours, Travel News
