Alaska cruise questions

[FrogCruiser]

I'm looking at Alaska cruise for 2006 or 2007, and find it rather confusing... What is your opinion regarding the different itineraries available -- RT 8 days Seattle, Northbound Vancouver - Seward, Southbound Seward to Vancouver... And advantage or disadvantage to favor one over the other...also, depending on the route North or South bound does it matter which side of the ship your cabin is on if you have a balcony? Aft cabin? Any suggestions would be appreciated....thanks

[wrp96]

Northbound - starboard, southbound - port side. Best view would be aft since you can see to both sides.

 

Any which way you go - wonderful.

[Sopwith]

Hi, we have done Alaska from Vancouver return and one way to Whittier. The advantage of the return trip is you save the airfare from Anchorage to YVR or SEA, but get less time in Alaska. If it's your first time, this is not necessarily bad, because one of the most scenic parts of the cruise is the inside passage as you leave Vancouver through to Port Hardy. From Vancouver northbound, most of this is at night, so you miss it, but catch most of it on the way back.

 

Some itineraries include Galcier Bay. This is a must-see. Skagway is also good, Ketchikan not bad. Juneau can be safely missed - nothing special.

 

Whittier and College Fiord are very nice.