About Your Trip
We are delighted that you have chosen Gray Line Alaska for your Alaska tour. We anticipate that you may have questions and special concerns about your vacation. To help make the most of your adventure, we have prepared this Alaska travel advice to use before and during your trip. Please review this information carefully before you leave home for your Alaska tour.
Climate
Alaska offers a wide variety in its climate as well as in the scenery. Within the course of your trip, it is not unusual for temperatures to range from 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the time of year. Southeastern Alaska’s temperatures range, in general, from the high 40s to the low 80s with strong possibility of rain. The interior of Alaska can heat up in June and July with temperatures often reaching the upper 80s.
Packing Advice
First and foremost, dress for comfort. Because of the variable weather conditions, casual clothes that can be layered easily are highly recommended. Bring a jacket if you are traveling to the glaciers, as it is often cool and windy in these locations. On some days, you will want a light raincoat and a waterproof hat or umbrella. An all-weather jacket or windbreaker with layers to wear underneath is ideal. Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are a must. Dressy evening wear is not needed in the casual atmosphere of Alaska. Your luggage may not always be accessible to you during your trip. Always carry your medication, travel documents, money, and jewelry with you in your carry-on. Do not pack these items in your suitcase. Please be sure to bring a sufficient supply of medication and carry it in its original container. Gray Line Alaska assumes no responsibility for the following items: perishables, medicine, liquor, cash, jewelry, gold, silver or similar valuables, securities, financial instruments or other valuable documents, cameras, film, binoculars, cell phones, and video equipment. We strongly suggest that these items be carried with your hand luggage at all times.
Motor Coach Travel
During your tour, you will generally travel in company owned motor coaches, which are air conditioned, comfortable and restroom equipped. However, there are segments of your Alaska tour which may require the use of other buses without these amenities. There are no reserved or assigned seats, and seating is rotated regularly on longer tours so everybody has an opportunity to see the scenery from all vantage points. As a courtesy to others, smoking is not permitted on board the motor coaches or train cars. Periodic stops will be made for pictures, snack breaks, and stretching.
Tipping
Tipping is, of course, a personal decision, and is not required. Some of our guests choose to reward exceptional service and use the following guidelines (quoted in US Dollars):
- Driver, Rail, and Land Excursion Guides: $2.00 to $4.00 per guest, per day
- Food Service: 15-20% of pre-tax bill
- Tour Directors: $5.00 – $7.00 per guest, per day
Travel Documents
You will be provided with travel documents for your tour via email. The document will be your tour itinerary and will be the only document you receive. Please keep this document with you at all times, not in your luggage. Gray Line Alaska has gone voucherless, meaning, with the exception of a few services, you will not be issued or need a voucher for tour services. Your itinerary will list your day-by-day services. You will be listed on a manifest for each service. To receive service, you only need to give your name and in some cases show ID. In each city you will receive a welcome envelope with your room information, any tickets for sightseeing tours in that location included in your itinerary, and luggage tags for your next destination, if needed.
Meals
Meals are not included, unless specifically stated in your itinerary. Due to the remote location and limited menus at many of the meal stops, as well as unexpected delays, we recommend guests with special dietary requirements make arrangements to bring along some food to meet their special needs. Most hotels can prepare a box lunch for you if requested the day prior to departure.
Refunds for Unused or Canceled Services
All parts of your tour, including optional tours, hotel overnights, and transfers, are subject to our cancellation policies. Consequently, unused services are not refundable. Please keep this in mind during your trip should you decide to alter your itinerary or cancel a portion of your tour.