I found a suitable cruisetour with Holland America Line on the Volendam. I think I prefer the cruisetour over the cruise because it seems pointless to go to a destination without exploring its grounds and the cruisetour will allow us to experience both land and sea!
So here's the itinerary for HAL Alaska Cruisetour 12:
Day 1: Arrive in Fairbanks
Day 2: Fairbanks
-4 ½ hr sternwheeler Discovery river cruise on the Chena & Tanana Rivers
Chena Indian Village tour
-Tour Gold Dredge No 8 & pan for gold
-Historical city tour of Fairbanks and stop by TransAlaska Pipeline
-Dinner at Chenna Hot Springs resort, visit the world's only year-round ice
museum/hotel, and take a dip in the hot springs
Day 3: Fairbanks to Denali
-4hr domed train ride on the McKinley Explorer to Denali National Park
-4-5hr Natural history tour, Savage Cabin, and Primrose Ridge
Day 4: Denali to Anchorage
-morning in Denali
-8hr ride on the McKinley Explorer to Anchorage
Day 5: Anchorage to Seward
-Board ship at Resurrection Bay in Seward
-free time at Seward
-set sail at night
Day 6: College Fjord
Day 7: Glacier Bay
Day 8: Haines
-White Pass Rail, Klondike Highway, Gold Camp Adventure Excursion
-Ferry ride 35 min on Lynn Canal to Skagway
-White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad
-Fraser, B.C., Canada-motor coach journey down the west side of the White Pass Canyon on the Klondike Highway & see Pitchfork Falls and Tormented Valley
-Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and Salmon Bake
-Explore Haines
Day 9: Juneau
-Helicopter ride onto Mendenhall Glacier and dog sled
-Explore Juneau
Day 10: Ketchikan
-Explore Ketchikan
Day 11: Inside Passage
Day 12: Vancouver
-Disembark
I'm relying on my Eyewitness Alaska travel guide book on the days when we get to tour on our own.
I can't wait!!!
