My husband and I are going on a cruise for the first time. We'd like to take an Alaskan cruise and want to do it right. Because of very specific work obligations, we have to depart June 24, 25, or 26 and arrive back on or before July 3.
We have narrowed it down to these four options:
Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity Eclipse, June 26-July 3. Itinerary is Vancouver, Inside Passage, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Vancouver. We could afford an Aqua Class or Concierge Class balcony room.
Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Encore, June 26 -July 3. Itinerary is Seattle, At Sea, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Victoria, Seattle. We could afford a Club Suite with Large balcony.
Princess Cruises, Royal Princess, June 25-July 2. Itinerary is Vancouver, At Sea, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Whittier. We could afford a Premium Club Class Mini Suite with Balcony.
Royal Caribbean, Ovation of the Seas, June 24 - July 1. Itinerary is Seattle, At Sea, Inside Passage, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm, At Sea, Victoria, Seattle. We could afford a balcony room. This is also a Royal Caribbean "President's Cruise," which apparently means there will be some surprises during the cruise and the CEO is on board. Not sure how much that means though.
Based on cruise line, ship activities/quality, room class we can afford, and itinerary, which of these sound the best? Which sounds the worst? We are novices and trying to research this has been very overwhelming, so we appreciate any insight or help. Everyone on this site seems like experts!
