Alaska Cruise Tour: South From Anchorage

Alaska is so immense, it's a place that even most Alaskans don't see, in its entirety, in a lifetime. This is why when you have the chance to visit such a vast and spectacular part of the United States, it's important to make the most of your time there. One of the best ways is put together your own pre- or post-cruise land tour, beginning or ending in Anchorage, heading south near the port cities Seward and Whittier. Planning your own south-bound Alaska cruise land tour allows you to explore museums in Anchorage and gape at the untamed scenery of the Kenai Peninsula. DIY tours put a focus on what you want to see with less time restraints, whether it's majestic moose, leaping salmon and prowling bears, or calving glaciers and breaching whales. One thing to keep in mind: If you are taking the extra steps to see Alaska by land before or after sea, budget accordingly. It could be tempting to figure you'll "rough it" on a quick road trip before you board a cruise, but make sure to calculate the cost of food, fuel and the unexpected. Prices, depending on where you're from, could be slightly higher than you're used to. Some activities, such as fishing charters or floatplane rides to see brown bears, deserve the splurge; make sure you know how much those once-in-a-lifetime activities cost before you go. Pre-booking activities, car rentals and hotel stays is essential -- not only so you have a spot, but to manage your cost. Peak season months of June and July are the priciest. To start the process of planning your own southbound Alaska land tour, here are the following tips on where to go, what to see and how to get there before or after your cruise.