Vancouver round trip vs South bound

[Cravester78]

This is our 1st cruise and our 1st time to Alaska. We are trying to decide between a HAL round trip from Vancouver and a Princess South bound cruise. What are the advantages to each and is the scenery that much better going South bound vs round trip? This may be our only opportunity to go to Alaska and we want our best option. We will have 3 days pre-cruise to spend in either Vancouver or Anchorage as well. Thanks for your advice!

[frugaltravel]

What are the itineraries? Is Glacier Bay included in both options? Times in each port similar? Naturalist on each cruise?

 

I am partial to Princess SB cruises since they include both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay, something you rarely find on Alaskan cruises.

[Cravester78]

Yes, both itineraries are similar. Both have equal amount of port time and both visit glacier bay.

[frugaltravel]

I would rather spend 3 nights pre-cruise in/near Anchorage and also get Hubbard Glacier on the itinerary. Princess also has good outside non-obstructed forward viewing areas that are always open to the public (not sure about HAL in this regard). Also there is no "best" option for everyone. "Best" is relative and very subjective.

[Budget Queen]

If you can do the one way, with maybe an increased airfare cost, then this would offer you "more" with the extra time prior. I would make some good plans for touring with a lot of thought and not wasting any of it. :) With that, I wouldn't spend the time in Anchorage.

[oaktreerb]

You could spend three days in the Turnagain Arm area south of Anchorage, like Girdwood to Seward. If you rent a car there is a lot to see. If you go Princess you will sail out of Whittier and there is not much there except for a couple of day trips to see glaciers which might be a good thing to do on embarkation day. You would fly into Anchorage and rent a car from there. I would prefer 3 days in Alaska to 3 days in Vancouver.

 

Do the research. There are a lot of Alaska sites. Try Alaska.Org to start.

[Coral]

I would do Southbound Princess - spend the 3 days before in Seward. The combination of Glacier Bay and Hubbard glacier is unmatched.