Alaska Land Options?

We're first-time cruisers and are planning on going to Alaska next summer.
Based on recommendations from friends and postings on this group we've
pretty much decided on Celebrity. We're now debating whether it's worth
the extra money for a cruisetour, or whether we should rent a vehicle and
find our own lodging. We'd like to go to Denali and want to end up back
in Anchorage for the flight home. Has anyone gone the self-drive route in
this area, and what are your recommendations?
Thanks, Jim

We rented a motorhome for six adults to travel in. We headed for Denali the
day after we landed in Anchorage from Phoenix. We went from there to
Fairbanks (try not to miss the paddle boat ride) then down to the Kenai for
fishing. Two couples stayed in motels or cabins, wife and I stayed in the
RV. We returned to Anchorage from Kenai and trained down to Seward. Our
travel time was about 11 days. If you make reservations ahead of time you
can be sure of a place to stay. I would avoid Mendeltna RV park and cabins.
Just down the road toward Matanuska is Majestic Mountain resort. We went
form Seward to Vancouver via Celebrity Summit and had a great time . Trip
was in first part of August. Of course you may know that a Milepost is
essential.

Good luck.
"James Luty" <ai127@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote in message
news:djmffb$28t$1@theodyn.ncf.ca...
>
> We're first-time cruisers and are planning on going to Alaska next summer.
> Based on recommendations from friends and postings on this group we've
> pretty much decided on Celebrity. We're now debating whether it's worth
> the extra money for a cruisetour, or whether we should rent a vehicle and
> find our own lodging. We'd like to go to Denali and want to end up back
> in Anchorage for the flight home. Has anyone gone the self-drive route in
> this area, and what are your recommendations?
> Thanks, Jim
>

we did our own, didn't want to be herded like cattle on cruisetour.
if you are doing northbound, take the train from seward to anchoriage, great
sights, then rent car. drive to denali, talkeetna etc. use the milepost
for driving directions. easy to find hotels to stay at too.

enjoy

we have sailed celebrity twice in alaska, great!!

--
Sheree
info@sgc2006.org
Crown Princess 8/25/06

"James Luty" <ai127@FreeNet.Carleton.CA> wrote in message
news:djmffb$28t$1@theodyn.ncf.ca...
>
> We're first-time cruisers and are planning on going to Alaska next summer.
> Based on recommendations from friends and postings on this group we've
> pretty much decided on Celebrity. We're now debating whether it's worth
> the extra money for a cruisetour, or whether we should rent a vehicle and
> find our own lodging. We'd like to go to Denali and want to end up back
> in Anchorage for the flight home. Has anyone gone the self-drive route in
> this area, and what are your recommendations?
> Thanks, Jim
>