Q: How far in advance can we book a trip? We would like to go in 2011; is that too soon to plan?

A: We would be happy to help plan your 2011 vacation. Our rates and availability for 2011 land tours will be available the first week of October 2010 so land tours cannot be booked until then. We recommend visiting our website, Alaskatravel.com, to familiarize yourself with the different tour packages we offer. We can then book your dream vacation in October to ensure everything is available. Alaska Cruises are already available to be booked for 2011!

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Q: How many miles is the arctic circle sign from Fairbanks, AK?

A: The Arctic Circle Sign is located at the Arctic Circle BLM Wayside. It is 199 miles north of Fairbanks on the Dalton Highway.

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Q: I am traveling on a cruise with Royal Caribbean. Do you have information on bus transportation from the Cruise ship dock in Vancover to Seattle?

A: The logistics from getting between Seattle and Vancouver can be a little challenging so I would suggest using the official RCI transportation. We aren’t able to book the cruise-transfer for you from RCI because we’re not the agency on record. However, I did find information on how you could book directly by calling 800-327-6700:

Here’s what I found on the website:

Transfer Program
When purchasing Air Arrangements through Royal Caribbean International (an “Air/Sea Package”), the ground transportation between the airport and the ship is included. Should you purchase a hotel package with your cruise and air, your transportation is included between the airport, hotel and ship.

Making Your Own Air Travel Arrangements?
If you choose to make your own air arrangements or book air through our online ChoiceAir Travel Program you may wish to purchase ground transportation to the ship. Transfers are available for purchase from the arrival airport to the pier on day of sailing and from the pier to the departure airport on debarkation day only.

It is recommended that transfers are purchased two weeks prior to sailing. Please remember we require your flight information in order to promptly meet all guests.

To purchase your Royal Caribbean Guest Transfer or for additional information consult your travel agent or our Reservations Department at 1-800-327-6700

One alternative worth considering if you are flying out of Seattle day of is to book a Alaska Air or Horizon Airlines flight between Vancouver and Seattle.

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Q: We are arriving by cruise into Whittier and will rent a car to go into Anchorage. Our flight will not leave for 14 hours – what can we see and do driving back to Anchorage?

A: Here are some interesting things to do from Whittier back to Anchorage:

1. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation. For more information about the Alaska Wildlife Conservation please visit our blog post here, http://blog.alaskatravel.com/the-alaska-wildlife-conservation-center.

2. The Alyeska Tram. The Alyeska Tram is located in Girdwood, Alaska. You can take the Alyeska Resort Tram up the mountain to get great views of Turnagain Arm, glaciers and the Chugach Mountain Range.  Girdwood would also be a great location to stop off and get some lunch.

3. Back in Anchorage the Anchorage Museum of History & Art or the Alaska Native Heritage Center  are two great options for things to do in Anchorage.

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Q: Our family of 5 will be taking the Denali Jeep tour.  Is there any way we can squeeze 5 in one jeep so we can better share this experience?

A: Unfortunately, the maximum per Jeep on the Denali Jeep Backcountry Safari is four due to only having 4 seatbelts in each vehicle. If you have young children, you should be aware that children must be 5 years of age to participate and that they may need booster seats.

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Q: We are going to Icy Strait, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau and Ketchikan. Can we get a scenic train ride in any of these places?

A: There are no rail services or tours in those Southeast Alaska locations. Many cruises also visit Skagway. There is a rail excursion in Skagway called the White Pass Rail. Here’s a link to their website http://www.wpyr.com/.

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Q: At what age do children have to pay adult fare?

A: Children are considered ages 11 and under. Adult rates begin at the age of 12.

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Q: Are self-guided tours allowed in Denali National Park?

A: You can drive a personal vehicle 14 miles into Denali National Park. After 14 miles you must be on a park regulated bus. If you are planning on driving an RV, you can make advance reservations for a site at Teklanika campground which is located at mile 29.1 of the Park Road. You are limited to one round-trip only and a minimum of a three night stay.

Special permits are issued to private vehicles only once a year on a lottery basis. These permits are to be used on the Friday through Monday of the second weekend after Labor Day. All other tours into Denali National Park are by bus. Please visit our Denali Tours page for information on the different tours available.

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Q: Can you suggest the best way to tour for a single traveler over 50 years old? How do you accomodate single travelers?

A: There are two options for traveling. We have self-guided tours where you travel independently by motorcoach and rail to the different Alaska destinations and take the tours in each spot. These tours can start any date of the summer that best fits your schedule. Here is a link to an example of that:

http://www.alaskatravel.com/tours/tour-x300.html

The more popular option for single travelers is to take an escorted tour. You would have a tour guide with you and a group of 30 or more people traveling to the different Alaska destinations as a group. These tours offer specific departure dates during the summer. Here is a link to the escorted tours offered by Alaska Tour & Travel:

http://www.alaskatravel.com/escorted-tours/

The biggest issue for single travelers is that the cost is generally higher because the room cost is not split between multiple guests.

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Q: Can I go by ferry from Washington State or the city of Vancouver to anywhere near Kenai, Alaska?

A: You can take the Alaska State Ferry north from Bellingham, Washington. However, schedules are limited. The closest option for getting to Kenai would be to come into Whittier, Alaska and then drive the remaining 110 miles to Kenai.

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