2010 – 15 Days from $5,790
Experience a land of bald eagles, totem poles, calving glaciers, and majestic wildlife by land, sea, and air on Tauck's Alaska travel adventure. Cruise Prince William Sound, Glacier Bay, and the Inside Passage aboard a Princess ship. Tour Anchorage, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan... explore Denali and Wrangell-St. Elias national parks... take a flightseeing tour over glaciers, two scenic rail journeys, a jet boat cruise, a tramway ride to a high peak, and a raft trip in a bald eagle preserve. Meet an Iditarod champion musher and his Husky sled dogs; visit a homesteader at her wilderness farm; enjoy a private Tlingit cultural presentation, a Music of Denali dinner show and more.
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone will operate in Alaska and Canada.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The U.S. Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted. Travelers’ checks should be taken in U.S. dollars to avoid hassles. To obtain the most current exchange rates for all national currencies, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to oanda.com by clicking here.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – If you are not a resident of the United States, you are normally entitled to a duty-free exemption of $100 USD on items that you bring into the U.S. To find out more information on what information must be provided to U.S. Customs and Border Control (CBP) upon entry, please refer to the CBP internet website by clicking here. You should also refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
The individual states within the U.S. levy sales taxes on consumer goods and services. There is no federal tax similar to the Value Added Tax (VAT) used in other countries that would permit non-residents to obtain refunds of the sales taxes levied by each state.
To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
2010 Itinerary
Day 1 - Your Alaska travel begins
Tauck's Grand Alaska travel adventure begins at 6:30 PM at The Hotel Captain Cook. A transfer is included from Anchorage International Airport to The Hotel Captain Cook, overlooking Cook Inlet, downtown Anchorage, and the Chugach Mountains. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner tonight.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: The Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage
Day 2 - Alaskan traditions and a flight to the wilderness
Learn about the lifestyles, traditions, and crafts of Alaska's indigenous tribes at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, then take a scenic flight to Talkeetna, followed by a drive to your wilderness lodge in Trapper Creek for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Trapper Creek
Day 3 - A wilderness homestead and a jet boat adventure
Begin the day with a visit to the private Alaska homestead of Joanne Porterfield; her gardens and farm have flourished here in the shadow of Mount McKinley for more than four decades. Set off on a wilderness jet boat adventure this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Trapper Creek
Day 4 - Rail trip to Denali and the sled dogs of Husky Homestead
A journey by rail to Denali National Park precedes a visit to Husky Homestead to meet former Iditarod champion musher Jeff King and his family... and of course their indomitable Husky sled dogs who live and train there. Dinner tonight is at your choice of restaurants at Denali Princess Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali
Day 5 - Exploring Denali National Park
A highlight of any Alaska travel experience is a visit to Denali National Park, a six-million-acre UNESCO Biosphere Reserve highlighted by North America's highest mountain, 20,320-foot Mt. McKinley. Look for grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and other Denali denizens on a Tundra Wildlife Search in the park with a National Park Service Guide. Then spend some time exploring on your own before enjoying a Music of Denali dinner show this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Denali
Day 6 - Across the wilderness to mountain majesty
Traverse the Alaskan wilderness today from Denali along the Alaska Range to your lodge situated on the Copper River near Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, known as "North America's Mountain Kingdom."
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, Copper Center
Day 7 - A day among the mountains of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Discover Wrangell-St. Elias National Park - home to more glaciers and mountains above 16,000 feet than any spot in North America - on a private tour of the park's visitor center with a park ranger. Return to your wilderness lodge to spend the remainder of the day exactly as you please.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, Copper Center
• Day 8 - Take a catamaran ride and embark your Princess cruise
Make a stop at Worthington Glacier en route to Valdez, where you'll set off by catamaran across Prince William Sound to Whittier. Board your Princess ship in Whittier to launch the 7-night cruise portion of your Alaska travel adventure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Princess
• Day 9 - Cruise Prince William Sound
Cruise through College Fjord, rimmed with 16 glaciers named for Ivy League colleges. Spot wildlife including sea lions and sea otters in Prince William Sound, harboring Alaska's greatest concentration of tidewater glaciers. By night, take in a Broadway-style show, try your luck in the casino, check out the nightclub, or read in the library; join us for the Captain's welcome reception aboard ship this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Princess
• Day 10 - Glorious Glacier Bay
Prepare to be awestruck by Glacier Bay National Park, an Alaska travel highlight. View blue-tinged ice cliffs towering over the sea, and hear the roar when they calve and crash into the water. Look for humpback whales, orcas, seals, and seabirds. Tonight, attend Tauck's exclusive cocktail party featuring hors-d'oeuvres and an open bar as your ship sails to Skagway.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Princess
• Day 11 - Bald eagles & vintage rail trip
Explore historic Skagway, gateway to the Klondike gold fields, in antique cars before boarding a ferry cruise on Lynn Canal to Haines. Go rafting through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, hosting the world's largest concentration of bald eagles. Ride the exciting White Pass & Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway built in 1898 during the gold rush. This vintage rail excursion heads up steep grades, around cliff-hanging turns, and over high bridges. Reboard the ship in Skagway.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Princess
• Day 12 - Tramway views of Juneau and Tlingit culture
Arrive in Alaska's capital city of Juneau, set on a narrow strip of land between the Coast Mountains and the Gastineau Channel. Enjoy a private Tlingit presentation before a journey aboard a tramcar decorated by Tlingit artwork takes you to the top of Mount Roberts for panoramic views of the city as well as Admiralty Island, Glacier Bay, and the Chilkat Mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Princess
• Day 13 - Totem poles & native culture
Today you'll dock in Ketchikan, the ancestral home of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes, for an inside look at the role that Tlingit heritage plays in the local culture. See some of the city's numerous totem poles, and watch local totem carvers at work at Saxman Native Village; catch a performance of traditional Tlingit and Haida dances.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Princess
Day 14 - Inside Passage cruising
Enjoy spectacular views of the Inside Passage from your stateroom, or a variety of decks and lounges, on a full day of cruising past the densely forested islands and coastal communities of this renowned waterway. You can also swim in four pools, hear a nature presentation, play a board game in the library, work out in the fitness center, get a relaxing spa treatment, or check out the golf simulator. Join us tonight for a farewell cocktail party followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Princess
Day 15 - Bid Alaska farewell
Your Alaska travel experience ends in Vancouver. Disembark your Princess ship in Vancouver, British Columbia. Fly home any time; a transfer is included from the dock to Vancouver International Airport. Allow a minimum of two hours prior to departure flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
From Denali National Park to Glacier Bay, don't miss this grand Alaska travel adventure!
Inclusive Prices
Cruise prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel, lodge and cruise ship accommodations, motor coach transportation, sightseeing, admissions, entertainment, special dinners, land excursions, port charges, the Alaska Head Tax, luggage handling, the on-tour flight from Anchorage to Talkeetna, the two railroad excursions aboard the Alaska Railroad and the White Pass & Yukon Route, wine with dinner aboard a Princess cruise ship, cocktail hour, all-day soft drinks, and the services of the Tauck Directors, hotel and ship staff and local guides and drivers are included. Transportation from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to the Hotel Captain Cook is included if you arrive before 11 PM and have furnished us with accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the start of the tour. If you arrive in Anchorage after 11:00 PM, you would need to take a taxi from the airport to the hotel and retain your taxi receipt in order to receive proper reimbursement from the Tauck Director. Transportation is also provided from the Princess that will arrive at 10:00 AM to Vancouver International Airport on the last day of the tour. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other Tauck guests.
Hotel, Lodge and Ship Accommodations – The cruise price includes all hotel and cruise ship accommodations. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Your cruise ship accommodates fewer guests than large ocean-going vessels. Your well-appointed cabin includes these amenities: radio, television with VCR, mini-bar, international direct-dial telephone, safe and hair dryer. Your cabin also features adjustable air-conditioning and an en suite bathroom with shower. Most cabins have two twin beds that may be separated or combined.
Other cruise ship facilities may include all or some of the following: elevator, bar, lounge, restaurant, sun deck, sauna, Jacuzzi, beauty salon, spa, library, fitness center, boutique and pool. Please inquire at time of booking which facilities will be available on your cruise.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
An ample buffet breakfast, both hot and cold, is served daily aboard the cruise ship. At lunch, you are presented with a choice of entrée with several courses or a delicious buffet. Dinner’s choice of entrée is accompanied with an international selection of wines. Please let us know between four and six weeks prior to sailing of any special dietary requirements you may have. Vegetarian and special diets are available with advance notice, however kosher meals cannot be accommodated. We will be pleased to meet your special dietary requirements whenever possible.
Complimentary soft drinks, coffee and tea service are available throughout the day. Each night you are invited to attend a complimentary cocktail hour. The legal drinking age aboard the cruise ship is 21.
On board the Princess cruise ship, you may dine whenever, wherever and with whomever you choose during regular dining hours, or you may choose the more traditional 5:30 or 8:30 seating for dinner.
Tauck Director – Your cruise employs one Tauck Director for every 40 guests and one Tauck Cruise Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Directors are professional, fully trained employees of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and ship staff, local guides, drivers, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director are included.
No Options Sold - Your Tauck Directors will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
Hotel, Lodge and Ship Accommodations – The cruise price includes all hotel and cruise ship accommodations. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot and are not recommended for comfort.
Your cruise ship accommodates fewer guests than large ocean-going vessels. Your well-appointed cabin includes these amenities: radio, television with VCR, mini-bar, international direct-dial telephone, safe and hair dryer. Your cabin also features adjustable air-conditioning and an en suite bathroom with shower. Most cabins have two twin beds that may be separated or combined.
Other cruise ship facilities may include all or some of the following: elevator, bar, lounge, restaurant, sun deck, sauna, Jacuzzi, beauty salon, spa, library, fitness center, boutique and pool. Please inquire at time of booking which facilities will be available on your cruise.
Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
An ample buffet breakfast, both hot and cold, is served daily aboard the cruise ship. At lunch, you are presented with a choice of entrée with several courses or a delicious buffet. Dinner’s choice of entrée is accompanied with an international selection of wines. Please let us know between four and six weeks prior to sailing of any special dietary requirements you may have. Vegetarian and special diets are available with advance notice, however kosher meals cannot be accommodated. We will be pleased to meet your special dietary requirements whenever possible.
Complimentary soft drinks, coffee and tea service are available throughout the day. Each night you are invited to attend a complimentary cocktail hour. The legal drinking age aboard the cruise ship is 21.
On board the Princess cruise ship, you may dine whenever, wherever and with whomever you choose during regular dining hours, or you may choose the more traditional 5:30 or 8:30 seating for dinner.
Tauck Director – Your cruise employs one Tauck Director for every 40 guests and one Tauck Cruise Director who will remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Directors are professional, fully trained employees of Tauck.
Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for hotel and ship staff, local guides, drivers, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director are included.
No Options Sold - Your Tauck Directors will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you.
Not Included
Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this webpage and discuss it with your reservations sales consultant or your travel agent when you book your cruise.
Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, cruise ship, airline, train and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.
Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
- Pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on bag
- Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
- Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
- Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
- Place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
- File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
- Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
- Make certain that the airline has your onward itinerary
Your Tauck Director will assist you with airline and other carrier communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.
Personal Expenses - such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Tauck Director Gratuities - The customary gratuities for the Tauck Director and driver are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.
Additional Information
Airline Security Measures –
If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.
If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA web site by clicking here.
If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
Cruise Regulations – International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to the cruise line prior to embarkation. You need to provide this information to us as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied. Once you board the cruise ship, then, your passport will be held by the purser until you disembark.
Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many state, religious and civic holidays locally observed.
Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all cruises as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking. . The tour begins at The Hotel Captain Cook on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any changes. The tour ends upon your arrival at Vancouver International Airport on the last day of the tour.
Due to customs regulations, you may not be able to disembark the ship before 8:30 AM on the last day of the tour. The trip to Vancouver International Airport from the ship’s dock (Canada Place) takes approximately 25 minutes. Also, due to the simultaneous disembarkation of other ships in port and the number of inbound and outbound flights at Vancouver International Airport, it may take an hour or more to clear through check in and security. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.
Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your cruise for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and/or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your cruise for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.
Preparing to Go
Travel Document Requirements –
Grand Alaska aboard Princess begins in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., and ends in Vancouver, Canada.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey to enter or depart the U.S. Click here for more information on the U.S. Department of Customs and Border Patrol website.
If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not require a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation. If you are a frequent traveler to Canada from the U.S., you may benefit from the NEXUS program which is joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at Vancouver International Airport, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet site by clicking here.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Canada and of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation will be required.
The White Pass & Yukon Route train excursion on day 11 from Skagway to British Columbia, Canada is a round trip journey that crosses the border into Canada but does not stop; therefore, there is no presentation of passports on this day.
Anyone with a criminal record (including some misdemeanors such as Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact a Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance of any planned travel to ensure proper travel documentation.
We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Travel with Children
Children who are U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the journey. We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of Canada and of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation will be required.
The White Pass & Yukon Route train excursion on day 11 from Skagway to British Columbia, Canada is a round trip journey that crosses the border into Canada but does not stop; therefore, there is no presentation of passports on this day.
Anyone with a criminal record (including some misdemeanors such as Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact a Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance of any planned travel to ensure proper travel documentation.
We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Travel with Children
Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels.
There are no babysitting services available on the cruise ship. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety during the cruise. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
Special Travel Documentation for Children
Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. If you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels.
There are no babysitting services available on the cruise ship. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety during the cruise. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
Special Travel Documentation for Children
Authorization for Travel
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.
Air Conditioning – The motor coaches used on this tour are air-conditioned for your comfort. There is air-conditioning on the Princess but none of the hotels included on this tour’s itinerary provides air-conditioning.
ATM and Credit Cards–We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this cruise to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be "suspicious" charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
Clothing and Packing – The weather in Alaska is unpredictable. You will be visiting the warmer, dryer area of the interior and the cooler, wetter rainforest of the southeast coast. We suggest you pack clothing that can be layered for various weather conditions. Slacks, a sweater or fleece, a lightweight jacket and a rain coat are versatile clothes for touring, and comfortable "walking shoes" are a must!
Tauck suggests that you dress for a cruise on the Princess the same way you would for any stylish land-based resort. Casual sportswear, including shorts, lightweight pants and jogging suits, is the order of the day. We recommend you bring a sweater, a jacket or an all-weather coat for cool evenings, and for shore excursions. Due to unpredictable weather, don't forget a hat or visor and a collapsible umbrella. You'll also want low-heeled, rubber-soled shoes for strolling on deck, as well as comfortable walking shoes or sandals to wear while on shore excursions.
There are two designations of evening wear aboard the Princess: Smart Casual and Formal.
Tauck suggests that you dress for a cruise on the Princess the same way you would for any stylish land-based resort. Casual sportswear, including shorts, lightweight pants and jogging suits, is the order of the day. We recommend you bring a sweater, a jacket or an all-weather coat for cool evenings, and for shore excursions. Due to unpredictable weather, don't forget a hat or visor and a collapsible umbrella. You'll also want low-heeled, rubber-soled shoes for strolling on deck, as well as comfortable walking shoes or sandals to wear while on shore excursions.
There are two designations of evening wear aboard the Princess: Smart Casual and Formal.
- Smart Casual Evenings:
- Passengers dress as they would for a fine restaurant at home
- Skirts/dresses, slacks, and sweaters for ladies
- Pants and open-neck shirts for men
- Formal Evenings: (two)
- Evening gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies
- Tie and jacket, or suits for men
In the dining room, items such as cutoff tee-shirts, shorts, halter tops, and jeans are not permitted and shoes must be worn at all times. Princess cruises require passengers to use cover-ups over bathing suits when entering the ship's public rooms.
Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available on board the Princess. Valet laundry is available at all hotels on this tour except for the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge where you will find coin-operated facilities. Hair dryers are not available at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.
Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available on board the Princess. Valet laundry is available at all hotels on this tour except for the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge where you will find coin-operated facilities. Hair dryers are not available at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge.
We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed. No medications are sold on board the cruise ship other than those prescribed and stocked by the ship’s physician.
We suggest that you pack the following items your journey:
We suggest that you pack the following items your journey:
- Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
- jacket and tie for men and evening dress for women
- Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
- Swimwear
- Gym wear
- A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
- Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
- Insect repellent
- Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and/or plenty of film
- Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
- Battery-operated travel alarm clock
- Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
- Zipper-lock bags
- Daypack for camera equipment
- Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
- Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your ship cabin while traveling
Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 3,900 ft (1,189 m).
Health - This itinerary is one of the more rigorous domestic itineraries Tauck offers. To enjoy this cruise, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion. The adventurous journey includes several early morning starts, full-day excursions and many different modes of transportation, including airplane, railroad, cruise ship, boat tender, ferry, catamaran, jet boat, river raft and tram car.
There is a significant amount of walking in Denali National Park and other wilderness areas visited during your journey.
The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge has two floors and no elevator. If you have difficulty walking, be sure to advise your Tauck Director at the beginning of the tour so that rooms close to the public areas can be requested when possible.
As this itinerary is designed for those who are interested in a faster-paced, adventure-filled experience, if you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
We are not able to accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.
On board the Princess, smoking is allowed in passenger staterooms and most public rooms, but the show lounges, dining rooms and all food service areas are designated as non-smoking.
The medical center on the Princess is staffed by full-time British-registered doctors and nurses. In addition to daily office hours, they are available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency. If you require medical services, charges for those services will be added to your shipboard account, and you will be provided with an itemized account to submit to your insurance company.
The Princess cruise ship is registered in Bermuda. Please check with your insurer to learn if coverage applies outside the United States, or purchase appropriate travel insurance. If you need to bring and use syringes or other medical equipment onboard, we request that you bring a sharps box and that you contact the shipboard medical infirmary for disposal instructions.
There is a significant amount of walking in Denali National Park and other wilderness areas visited during your journey.
The Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge has two floors and no elevator. If you have difficulty walking, be sure to advise your Tauck Director at the beginning of the tour so that rooms close to the public areas can be requested when possible.
As this itinerary is designed for those who are interested in a faster-paced, adventure-filled experience, if you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.
We are not able to accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.
On board the Princess, smoking is allowed in passenger staterooms and most public rooms, but the show lounges, dining rooms and all food service areas are designated as non-smoking.
The medical center on the Princess is staffed by full-time British-registered doctors and nurses. In addition to daily office hours, they are available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency. If you require medical services, charges for those services will be added to your shipboard account, and you will be provided with an itemized account to submit to your insurance company.
The Princess cruise ship is registered in Bermuda. Please check with your insurer to learn if coverage applies outside the United States, or purchase appropriate travel insurance. If you need to bring and use syringes or other medical equipment onboard, we request that you bring a sharps box and that you contact the shipboard medical infirmary for disposal instructions.
No vaccinations are currently required for travel to Alaska . For complete vaccination information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. The CDC operates a 24-hour information number at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here.
Luggage Restrictions:
Checked Luggage – General
Luggage Restrictions:
Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
Recently, airlines have adopted policies enforcing strict number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here.
We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.
Recently, airlines have adopted policies enforcing strict number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
Many carriers require that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here.
We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.
Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.
Destination Information
Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone while on the motor coach, during group functions, when sightseeing and when your Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There will be many opportunities to make and receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone will operate in Alaska and Canada.
Currency and Exchange Rates - The U.S. Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted. Travelers’ checks should be taken in U.S. dollars to avoid hassles. To obtain the most current exchange rates for all national currencies, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to oanda.com by clicking here.
Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – If you are not a resident of the United States, you are normally entitled to a duty-free exemption of $100 USD on items that you bring into the U.S. To find out more information on what information must be provided to U.S. Customs and Border Control (CBP) upon entry, please refer to the CBP internet website by clicking here. You should also refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
The individual states within the U.S. levy sales taxes on consumer goods and services. There is no federal tax similar to the Value Added Tax (VAT) used in other countries that would permit non-residents to obtain refunds of the sales taxes levied by each state.
Electrical Current – The electrical current in Alaska and on board the Princess is 110V, 60Hz, AC, which accommodates standard U.S. plugs which have two flat pins or two flat pins and a round grounding pin. Travelers who bring electric devices that are not compatible should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.
Time Zones – Alaska is 9 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Vancouver is 8 hours behind. From early March through early November, Alaska and British Columbia switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 8 and 7 hours behind, respectively.
To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to timeanddate.com by clicking here.
Weather - Although the assumption is that Alaska is a land of snow and sub-zero temperatures, the Alaskan climate is actually extremely varied, caused by the state's six different topographic regions. The far north is extremely dry and very cold, with Arctic conditions and temperatures average about -20 °F (-29 °C). Summer temperatures in the lowlands are surprisingly high, averaging in the 60's °F (16° C), and they have been known to reach 90 °F (32 °C), and up. The southeast tends to be fairly moderate, with damp, rainy and sometimes mild conditions, with temperatures in July averaging 56 °F (13 °C), and temperatures in January averaging 30 °F (-1 °C), and the south and central areas tend to be similar, with slightly colder winter temperatures. Western Alaska tends to be rainy, while the Aleutian Islands in winter are damp and rainy, with fog. Heavy snows are common in the north and central regions of the state.
Time Zones – Alaska is 9 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Vancouver is 8 hours behind. From early March through early November, Alaska and British Columbia switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 8 and 7 hours behind, respectively.
To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to timeanddate.com by clicking here.
Weather - Although the assumption is that Alaska is a land of snow and sub-zero temperatures, the Alaskan climate is actually extremely varied, caused by the state's six different topographic regions. The far north is extremely dry and very cold, with Arctic conditions and temperatures average about -20 °F (-29 °C). Summer temperatures in the lowlands are surprisingly high, averaging in the 60's °F (16° C), and they have been known to reach 90 °F (32 °C), and up. The southeast tends to be fairly moderate, with damp, rainy and sometimes mild conditions, with temperatures in July averaging 56 °F (13 °C), and temperatures in January averaging 30 °F (-1 °C), and the south and central areas tend to be similar, with slightly colder winter temperatures. Western Alaska tends to be rainy, while the Aleutian Islands in winter are damp and rainy, with fog. Heavy snows are common in the north and central regions of the state.
|
|
Average Temperature
|
|||
|
|
Anchorage, Alaska
|
Fairbanks, Alaska
|
||
|
Month
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
|
January
|
22 / 9
|
-6 / -13
|
2 / -13
|
-17 / -25
|
|
February
|
26 / 12
|
-3 / -11
|
10 / -10
|
-12 / -23
|
|
March
|
34 / 18
|
1 / -8
|
26 / 1
|
-3 / -17
|
|
April
|
44 / 29
|
7 / -2
|
44 / 19
|
7 / -7
|
|
May
|
55 / 39
|
13 / 4
|
61 / 35
|
16 / 2
|
|
June
|
62 / 47
|
17 / 8
|
71 / 47
|
22 / 8
|
|
July
|
65 / 52
|
18 / 11
|
73 / 50
|
23 / 10
|
|
August
|
63 / 49
|
17 / 9
|
67 / 45
|
19 / 7
|
|
September
|
55 / 41
|
13 / 5
|
55 / 34
|
13 / 1
|
|
October
|
40 / 28
|
4 / -2
|
32 / 16
|
0 / -9
|
|
November
|
28 / 16
|
-2 / -9
|
12 / -2
|
-11 / -19
|
|
December
|
24 / 11
|
-4 / -12
|
5 / -9
|
-15 / -23
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Juneau, Alaska
|
|
||
|
Month
|
Hi/Lo ºF
|
Hi/Lo ºC
|
|
|
|
January
|
31 / 21
|
-1 / -6
|
|
|
|
February
|
34 / 24
|
1 / -4
|
|
|
|
March
|
39 / 28
|
4 / -2
|
|
|
|
April
|
48 / 33
|
9 / 1
|
|
|
|
May
|
56 / 40
|
13 / 4
|
|
|
|
June
|
62 / 46
|
17 / 8
|
|
|
|
July
|
64 / 49
|
18 / 9
|
|
|
|
August
|
63 / 48
|
17 / 9
|
|
|
|
September
|
56 / 44
|
13 / 7
|
|
|
|
October
|
47 / 38
|
8 / 3
|
|
|
|
November
|
38 / 29
|
3 / -2
|
|
|
|
December
|
33 / 24
|
1 / -4
|
|
|
|
|
Average Rainfall
|
|||
|
|
Anchorage, Alaska
|
Fairbanks, Alaska
|
||
|
Month
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
|
January
|
0.7
|
17
|
0.6
|
15
|
|
February
|
0.7
|
19
|
0.4
|
11
|
|
March
|
0.5
|
13
|
0.3
|
9
|
|
April
|
0.5
|
13
|
0.2
|
5
|
|
May
|
0.7
|
18
|
0.6
|
15
|
|
June
|
1.1
|
27
|
1.7
|
43
|
|
July
|
1.7
|
43
|
2.0
|
50
|
|
August
|
2.9
|
74
|
2.0
|
50
|
|
September
|
2.9
|
73
|
1.3
|
34
|
|
October
|
2.1
|
53
|
1.0
|
26
|
|
November
|
1.1
|
28
|
0.8
|
20
|
|
December
|
1.1
|
27
|
0.8
|
21
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Juneau, Alaska
|
|
||
|
Month
|
Inches
|
Millimeters
|
|
|
|
January
|
4.8
|
122
|
|
|
|
February
|
7.0
|
178
|
|
|
|
March
|
3.5
|
89
|
|
|
|
April
|
3.0
|
75
|
|
|
|
May
|
3.5
|
88
|
|
|
|
June
|
3.4
|
85
|
|
|
|
July
|
4.1
|
105
|
|
|
|
August
|
5.4
|
136
|
|
|
|
September
|
7.5
|
192
|
|
|
|
October
|
8.3
|
211
|
|
|
|
November
|
5.4
|
138
|
|
|
|
December
|
5.4
|
137
|
|
|
To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.
If You Have to Cancel
Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in our incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, we will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, please refer to Tauck Travel Protection on this webpage for more information.
If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
If you choose not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:
60 days or more before departure
$950 per person (the cost of the deposit)
59-30 days before departure
Loss of 50% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable) per person
29-1 days before departure
Loss of 100% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable) per person
Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.
You might also be interested in ...Grand Canadian Rockies - Eastbound
Tauck's popular Rockies vacation combines a classic western Canada tour by rail with floatplane, Ice Explorer and raft adventures, plus stays in Vancouver, Victoria, and at three historic Fairmont resort in Banff and Jasper national parks.
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