After an afternoon in Anchorage, we started the highlights of our Princess land tour on the second day with a train ride into the wilderness on the Princess Midnight Sun Express. We had a nice table with facing bench seats on the upper level, great for visiting and playing games. The windows wrapped up to the top of train, for great views. Right outside of Anchorage we saw a mother and baby moose right by the tracks. It was amazing … but we went by so fast we did not have time to take a picture.
The amazing view from the plane as Kelly was coming in for her glacier landing in Denali National Park.
We arrived in Talkeetna just in time for lunch so our first stop was to The Road House, where we soon realized that everything was super-sized. There were stacks of pancakes bigger than the plates, cinnamon rolls the size of a small pie and bowls of soup that were as big as a dog’s water bowl. One of their gigantic cinnamon rolls reduced a woman near us to tears — claiming it was the best thing she had ever eaten and it reminded her of her mother. Just as we had decided to try one, the waiter asked us if we wanted a free one because they made one with frosting by error. We jumped at this opportunity and licked the plate clean.
That fortified us to explore the town, checking out a few of the historical sites — including the Talkeetna Museum. We relaxed and watched people until it was time for the main event — our 3 p.m. Glacier Landing Explorer Tour!
But when we arrived there were lot of people standing outside, and even more people inside. We soon got the bad news — the weather over Denali (or Mt. McKinley) was stormy and they had not had a flight go up yet.
We chose to wait around to see if things changed. This was our only chance to see this famous mountain — tallest mountain in North America — and surrounding glaciers, so if there was a possibility of going up, we wanted to take it. Around 4 p.m. they sent up a big plane that took the lower loop around and came back, they said that there was a small window for one plane to go up. We wouldn’t land on a glacier but it was better than nothing. We agreed and hopped in the plane with seven other people.
Our pilot, Dale, was great. He had quite the sense of humor, he had an iPod hooked up to this old plane (it was the only modern feature) and the music played in our headphones when he wasn’t talking. The song playing when we took off was Tom Petty’s “Free Falling” that gave everyone a nervous look.
Our plane flew us over the most amazing scenery. We saw many glaciers like the Kanikula Glacier, Tokositna Glacier, Ruth Glacier and the Great Gorge and the Moose’s Tooth Mountain.
Kelly posing next to the plane in Sheldon Amphitheater.
Then, before we knew it, Dale told us to prepare for a landing! The plane glided across the ice and landed safely in the Sheldon Amphitheater. The plane was tricky to get out of as there was no real handles and we did not have stairs this time. My Dad had a bit of an issue and slipped on the way out. Once we realized he was not hurt we all had a good laugh. Who else can say that they fell out of a plane at 5,500 feet with no parachute?
We were amazed at how magnificent the area was. We walked around, threw a few snowballs, took some pictures and checked out the Mountain House way up on top of the cliff above us. Just as we started to wander around Dale yelled that the weather was turning for the worse and we needed to leave … now. We all piled into the plane and we were off the ground in minutes.
Sure enough a big dark cloud spilled over the mountain and it started raining. But once we flew away from Denali, the weather was again beautiful and we enjoyed the ride back. It was a fantastic treasure to be able to land on the glacier and fly over the Denali National Park — absolutely a memory we will never forget! With our feet safely on ground Dale drew a flight map for each of us and we said goodbye.
Our Princess shuttle bus then took us to the McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge — the ride was about an hour and 20 minutes so we decided to eat first. We opted for a simple dinner at the lodge and then found our rooms and went shopping since it was still light outside.
Another shot of Kelly on the glacier.
From the lodge’s back deck you can see Denali on those rare times when the weather cooperates. While we were shopping, suddenly everyone screamed and ran to the back deck. We dropped our merchandise and followed suit, but by the time we got there, Denali had already disappeared again behind the clouds. The lodge offers two wake-up calls to sign up for — one for the northern lights and the other if Denali came out. We signed up for both but never got a call. But it didn’t matter – our afternoon in the air had given us a spectacular close up of the mountain.
All in all, it was one of the most amazing days ever, thanks to Princess.
Can the northern lights be seen in early September?
We did a 13-day Alaska Cruisetour May 22 to June 4, 2011 with Princess and absolutely loved every single moment of that trip. Did the 6-day land portion first (highly recommend doing land first!), started with 2 nights in Fairbanks; did 2 nights at the Princess Wilderness Lodge in Denali, then 2 nights at the Mt. McKinley Lodge. Were thrilled to have an ENTIRE day for viewing Mt. McKinley from the lodge, a real highlight of the trip! Did a Husky Homestead Tour to hear about raising and training Alaskan Huskies for the Iditarod and Yukon Quest races (loved it!); boarded our ship, Coral Princess, in Whittier for the 7-day cruise south through the Inside Passage. Gorgeous scenery, amazing glaciers, wonderful port stops at Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan. We made memories to last us a lifetime! Thank you, thank you, Princess. The whole cruisetour was so efficient and well organized that all we had to do was follow daily instructions on when and where to show up, and when and where to put our luggage for delivery to our next tour stop (land portion). Can’t say enough about Princess!
This is from an e-mail from Princess which allows people to write in about their experiences on various trips and the ports visited. I enjoy reading other people’s thoughts about their travels. I will forward the e-mail which outlines these travel experiences. Beth
Nice story and experience Kelly. We too stayed at the Princess Wilderness Lodge. We took 4 trips into the park before we actually saw ‘the Big One.’ Found out it is made of granite and is constantly growing, while the surrounding mountains are sandstone and eroding. On the trips thru the park we saw bear, moose, elk wolves, Dall sheep and too many anamals to mention. Truly a great experience. Can’t wait to return. By the way…did you know that there are no snakes in Alaska ?
We are leaving for our cruise tour in 9 days!!! We are so excited! Every person we have spoken to has raved about the land and sea Princess Alaska cruise. This has been our dream for a long time. Now that John is retired, we are starting to cross off all our wishes from our “bucket” list!!! Alaska is number 1!!! and always has been.We will post our comments when we get back. Thank you Princess for helping us realize our dream!!!
We just returned from our Princess Landtour Cruise 5 days ago and already want to go back! To say it was beautiful does not do it justice! We started out in Prudhoe Bay and worked our way down and boarded the ship in Whittier. We too saw Mt McKinley for only a few minutes from our window in the Captain Cook in Anchorage- so amazing! Flight seeing in Prince William Sound, White Yukon Pass, Glacier Landing / Dog Mushing, Whale Watching, Glacier Calving, wildlife sightings – oh what a wonderful time!
My husband and I have our first cruise/tour booked to Alaska, June 2012, to celebrate or 25th anniversary and his 60th birthday. In reading information re: the land tour, what size piece of luggage was packed as the “Join Me Tonight” baggage? Also, were tours, such as the train ride in Skagway and tour of Saxman Village in Ketchikan, booked ahead of time? Thanks!
Hi Judy,
You are allowed one piece of “Join Me Tonight” luggage per person on the land portion of your cruisetour. These “Join Me Tonight” bags can be of any size. During your land portion you will place this luggage where instructed and our handlers will pick up the luggage and deliver it to your room at the next overnight location of your land tour. This bag will be transported separately from you and will not be accessible during transit.
If you have any further questions please view the Cruisetour Answer book located on the Cruise Personalizer. To access this book login to the Cruise Personalizer & on the right hand side of the screen you will see “Documentation” click on “Download Forms & Documentation”: http://bit.ly/bsGJZ
Also, shore Excursions can be prebooked on your Cruise Personalizer or when you get onboard.
Ya learn soemhting new everyday. It’s true I guess!
Stay ifnormtavie, San Diego, yeah boy!
We are on our way! What a trip to celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary.
My husband & I did the land tour & cruise about a month ago.We are still on an Alaskan high!Loved it!We did a helicopter flight and landed on a glacier,walked around.Fantastic.The best thing I have ever done.Highly recommend the whole tour.Thanks Princess Cruises.
We can’t wait to do this trip to celebrate my 70th birthday.
After reading Kelly’s story we can’t wait for 2013 to do this trip for my 70th birthday.
Kelly, thank you for sharing your posting … I have wanted to do something similar after having a Sth American cruise through the Chilean Fjords. Alaska has been on my bucket list and my experience with Princess cruising was wonderful, so I shall check their itineraries and plan for an amazing cruise & tour like you experienced.
PS. Great reading, was inspiring
Would really recommend this land/cruise tour – we went on it last year to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. It was a fantastic holiday and certainly one to remember.
love to to alaska your story has inspired me and my wife go on that cruise with princess next thank you for your story
It’s sounds an absolutley fantastic experience and I would love to go back to Alaska again and this time stay in the lodges.We went to Alaska last year to celebrate our Siver Wedding Anniversary and I have never forgotten that experience.Thank you for sharing your experience with us and bringing back happy memories for me.
Thank you for sharing your story Kelly! Your Alaska experience should be on everyone’s travel bucket list – just amazing!