Alaska Cruise vs Cruise Tour | Holland America & Princess Cruises Expert Advice
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Creator's Key Takeaways
If you're going to Alaska, do the cruise tour because one of the things I always get back from people when they come back and they do a cruise only, they say, "Man, we were already up there. I wish we would have done the tour."
About 95% of our trips to Alaska are on Holland America or Princess.
I would say that if you want to see Alaska in all its brilliance and glory to do the cruise tour because again that's what I said.
If you're going to look at it as that, then you want to do the cruise tour.
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Planning an Alaska cruise? Discover why Holland America and Princess Cruises are the top choices—and whether a 7-day Alaska cruise or an extended cruise tour with Denali and Fairbanks is the best way to see Alaska’s glaciers, wildlife, and culture. In this episode of RTE Travel Talk – Ask a Real Travel Expert, Ken sits down with Tim Hersh of Cruise Holidays and Tours of Topeka to break down the differences, the costs, and what you can truly expect from each option. A 7-day Alaska cruise with Holland America or Princess Cruises offers breathtaking views of the Inside Passage, iconic ports like Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, and glacier encounters that rival any destination on earth. You unpack once, enjoy life onboard, and take in the scenery from the ship’s perspective. But if you want to immerse yourself deeper into Alaska’s culture, wildlife, and wilderness, a cruise tour is the way to go. Tim explains how extending your journey to Denali, Fairbanks, or even the Yukon adds a completely new dimension—think dome train rides, journey hosts, wilderness excursions, and unique overland adventures. We also cover: When to go for the best experience (and best pricing). Whether you should splurge on a balcony or save with an inside cabin. How costs differ between a cruise and cruise tour. Why Holland America and Princess Cruises are the leaders in Alaska. Insider tips on meals, luggage transfers, and what surprises travelers the most. Bucket list moments like midnight golf in Fairbanks and experiencing 20 hours of daylight in June! If you’ve ever wondered which Alaska option is right for you—or if you’re planning that “once-in-a-lifetime” trip—you won’t want to miss Tim’s expert insights. Contact Real Travel Experts: questions@realtravelexperts.com https://realtravelexperts.com/ https://www.facebook.com/RealTravelExperts/ https://www.instagram.com/realtravelexperts/ Contact: Cruise Holidays of Topeka Website: https://landandseapros.com/ Email: cruise@cruisexcel.com Phone: 785-271-9889 Image & Video Credits Cruise Line Image and clips Courtesy of : Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, RTE Travel Talk does not endorse any of their guests' products or services. The opinions of the guests may or may not reflect those of the host and RTE Travel Talk. 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Special Guest, Tim Hersh 01:00 Alaska Cruise 02:10 Alaska Cruise Tour 03:32 Cost 04:13 Which cabin is the best? 06:13 Travel Club membership 06:40 Are meals included on a cruise tour? 07:41 McKinley Explorer 08:10 Difference in price: cruise vs cruise tour 09:18 Two different companies on a cruise tour 10:02 Holland America & Princess 12:08 Tim's recommendation for Alaska 13:05 Best time to travel to Alaska 14:24 Tim's advice on cruise vs cruise + tour 15:02 How to contact Tim 15:34 Tim's future travels