Advice on itinerary

[Floating Lanai]

NCL Encore: Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Victoria BC 

 

RCL Ovation: Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, Victoria BC

 

I keep hearing great things about glacier bay, so I am trying to prioritize that. We've never been on an NCL cruise, which is why I've been trying to stick to RCL and unfortunately have not found that they have any itineraries to glacier bay. 

 

Can others weigh in. If you only got to do one Alaskan cruise, is your number 1 priority glacier bay? 

 

Sitka vs Ketchikan? 

 

Any experience of NCL vs RCL? 

 

The NCL cruise is $1k more. The NCL ships look awesome. We have two young girls, and tend to do specialty dining each night over the MDR, we don't drink, I gamble...just providing some context about us if that helps with providing feedback relative to our cruising style. 

[nordicacres]

Have you looked at one way NCL cruises from Vancouver to Seward or vice versa? The port times are much better, and Glacier Bay is offered. The ship might not have the same amenities, though.

[Coral]

Sitka is better than Ketchikan. 

 

Does your RCL cruise have a glacier? RCL has a very weak itinerary IMO.

Edited February 8 by Coral

[Northern Aurora]

Don't let other posters lecture you on what is a "must see."  There are no perfect itineraries, so select the one which most fits your individual interests.

 

That being said, I much prefer Sitka over Ketchikan and NCL docks at Ward Cove in Ketchikan which is miles out of Ketchikan itself.  Also pay attention to the times in port.