Community Forums

timjet · 12-24-2018, 03:52 PM

We're interested in Alaska in 2019 and wanted to get opinions from those that have done caravan tours.
Fantasy Tours has a 62 day Alaska your way tour that looks interesting. Cost is about $8900 per rig but the web site doesn't indicate exactly what that covers.

Anyone that's done one of these tours could you please chime in.

Fantasy has a regular tour, about the same number of days for about $2500 more. I was wondering what the difference is.

SMART - Military veterans group also has a 2.5 month tour for about the same as the Fantasy your way tour but it's a couple of weeks longer. Any one done one of these tours and could compare.
Thanks in advance.

twogypsies · 12-24-2018, 04:18 PM

I just read the details of that tour. It begins in Washington and only 35 days are actually spent in Alaska. All the places mentioned can be easily done on your own.

We just felt we wanted to do it on our own and at our pace. We only made reservations for two places and those were only done a couple weeks prior when we could better judge when we'd get in the area. Those were for the July 4 weekend and for 5 nights in Denali's Teklanika campground - the farthest you can take a RV. We had no problem without reservations otherwise including popular attractions such as glacier cruises or the riverboat, etc.

The trip isn't difficult; it's just long. Yes, you'll have road construction area but then you have them in the lower 48, also. Everyone is super friendly along the highways and if help is needed you'll get it - fast. We met up time after time seeing the same people. They're all going to the same places. We also had some great experiences by the locals just by starting to talk to them. We were taken to their home for lunch and a tour of their lovely flower gardens; we were taken to their sled dog facility and given a tour; we were taken to prime fishing spots, etc.

We had no damage or mechanical issues driving our 40' MH and Jeep. We did get new tires before the trip as ours were 6 yr. old anyway. It really is a easy trip!

timjet · 12-25-2018, 05:28 AM

Thanks twogypsies. DW likes the idea of the fellowship a caravan offers, so do I. We will do this trip ourselves if I don't feel there is value in the caravan. So am hoping to get replies from those that have done them.

Wrktfsh · 12-25-2018, 06:20 AM

What do those prices you quoted include?

timjet · 12-25-2018, 07:01 AM

A few meals, all campsite fees. Not sure about what else.

Alan_Hepburn · 12-27-2018, 11:45 AM

the Fantasy RV website usually has a day-by-day itinerary listed, showing exactly what you get - about the only thing they DON'T tell you is the names of the campgrounds they book.

NevadaNick · 12-28-2018, 08:39 AM

Its to regimented. You can see more and be more relaxed on your own. If like us you will meet people that are on the same schedule as yourself along the way.

retnasaguy · 12-28-2018, 09:05 AM

timjet:
Having lived and RV'd all over Alaska for 15 years, IMHO, you will do much better on your own. No schedule, no blindly following the leader, able to pick and choose your own camp, meeting fellow RVers along the way and going where you want when you want. Travel with a current Milepost directory and enjoy great travels on your own.
Suggest you go up on the Alaska Hwy and come back on the Cassiar Hwy. You'll enjoy many beautiful side trips and see many things the caravans don't. All in all Alaska is a great RV experience. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against caravans, I just think Alaska is something to explore and enjoy on your own.
Cheers