Northbound vs. Southbound

[drm31078]

It seems that the southbound cruises are preferred? Any reason why?

[GMoney]

Because I wanted to do my land tour first, and I preferred to fly home from a closer port.

[MercedMike]

Because I wanted to do my land tour first, and I preferred to fly home from a closer port.

 

Basically that would be the reasons to choose Southbound.

 

OTOH, we much prefer the Northbound cruise. The main reason is that it usually puts the glaciers and the most spectacular scenery at the end of the trip so it builds up to that.

 

Another advantage is that the flight TO the ship is usually shorter (at least for us from California) and less likely to encounter problems so there is a bit of security in that. The flight home can be delayed and we don't much care.

 

It is a personal thing.

[Budget Queen]

I have sailed both directions several times. I prefer southbound for the fantastic daylight sailing of inside Vancouver Island. All scenery, and done at night on the northbounds.

 

Another reason is timing. IF you are touring interior Alaska in May and Sept. northbound is far better. In May the ability to get as far as possible into Denali Park, and in Sept. Inside Passage weather, drops off significantly after the first week of Sept. offering the worse potential of the season. Interior Alaska has less weather negatives in Sept.

[LEtue]

I have sailed both directions several times. I prefer southbound for the fantastic daylight sailing of inside Vancouver Island. All scenery, and done at night on the northbounds.

 

After one northbound and one RT from Seattle - I'm really looking forward to this portion of the cruise. Seymour Narrows was just spectacular in the moonlight when we sailed from Vancouver so I can't imagine what it will look like in the daylight :D

 

The long flight from Anchorage to Tampa was a terrible way to end a wonderful week too....and this time we will do spend our precruise in Denali so you can't beat that :)