What’s the difference between a shore excursion and a cruisetour? And why should you consider a cruisetour in Alaska?

As you probably know, a shore excursion is generally an activity that can be done while a ship is docked at a specific port during your cruise itinerary- and each port usually provides several different options for shore excursions.

Cruise tours are a little different- it’s a land tour of destinations in the interior of a region- areas that can’t be reached easily during the time frame allotted by a cruise ship’s stop in a port.  They generally occur before or after a cruise, and last three to eight days, depending on the destinations you’d like to visit.

Alaska is an example of a region that is perfect for cruise tours; the cruises generally visit the cruise ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka.  But to get the full Alaska experience, you would also want to visit the interior of the state, where you can ride with the sled dogs, and see the Arctic tundra and northern lights.  On a cruisetour, you can also see Anchorage, Denali National Park, Talkeetna, Fairbanks and the Kenai Peninsula.

Princess Cruises has a number of Alaska cruises that incorporate cruisetours available at this time, and here are some details:

10-Nights
On Your Own Cruisetour AAX
May – August 2014
Interior: $990* Balcony: $1,599*
7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus 2 nights at our Denali area lodges, 1 night in Anchorage and Princess Rail Service.
Fares based on Crown Princess® 8/30/14 departure. Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $200 are additional and subject to change.

11-Nights
On Your Own Cruisetour DBX
May – September 2014
Interior: $1,090* Balcony: $1,699*
3 nights at our Denali area lodges, 1 night in Anchorage, Princess rail service plus a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise.
Fares based on Coral Princess® 9/9/14 departure. Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $205 are additional and subject to change.

10-Nights
On Your Own Cruisetour BAX
May – August 2014
Interior: $990* Balcony: $1,599*
7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus 2 nights at our Denali area lodges, 1 night in Fairbanks and Princess Rail Service.
Fares based on Crown Princess® 8/30/14 departure. Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $195 are additional and subject to change.

12-Nights
Denali Explorer Cruisetour GB5
May – September 2014
Interior: $1,390* Balcony: $1,999*
2 nights at our Denali area lodges, Natural History Tour in Denali National Park, 2 nights in Fairbanks, Sternwheeler Riverboat cruise and Gold Dredge 8 tour, 1 night in Anchorage, Princess Rail Service plus a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise.
Fares based on Coral Princess® 9/8/14 departure. Taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $215 are additional and subject to change.

14-Nights
Off the Beaten Path Cruisetour LA7
May – September 2014
Interior: $1,590* Balcony: $2,199*
7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus 2 nights at our Denali area lodges, Natural History Tour in Denali National Park, 2 nights in Fairbanks, Gold Dredge 8 tour and Sternwheeler Riverboat cruise, 2 nights in Copper River, 1 night in Anchorage and Princess Rail Service.

To find out more about booking  these cruises and the accompanying cruisetours, please contact me directly at Heidi@AllThingsCruise.com.