We are looking to do a Cruisetour in Alaska late August 2024. I have narrowed it down to Grand Princess, 8/28 (Wednesday) or Neiuw Amsterdam 8/25 (Sunday). Both have the same cruise itinerary & same amount of port times. The land is the difference. The differences are: Princess 1 nt Mt. McKinley Lodge (Telkeetna?), Holland 1 nt Anchorage.
Princess Natural History Tour, Holland Wilderness Tour - I know it is shortened but still more than the Natural History
Princess train to Mt McKinley lodge, motor coach to Denali & Fairbanks, Holland train to Anchorage, motor coach to Denali & Fairbanks
The price is only $100 difference.
The packages are a little different but they are not make or break (1 speciality dinner or 2, $100 shore excursion or 3 photos, drinks to $15 or drinks to $20 - these are irrelevant)
Does the Sunday -vs- Wednesday departure make a difference?
Any difference in the lodges - location, quality - one nicer than the other, more “Alaskan”?
I’ve never sailed on Holland but have on Princess (on the Grand in 2005) - both are older ships but have been refurbished within the last 5 years.
I know they both do Alaska right and offer naturalists and “Alaskan” meals.
Just looking for thoughts on if one line has gone down or up substantially, if the value is better on on or the other, if the tour offerings are that different, if the whole experience is different.
THANKS for any & all insight (I’m sure I’ll have lots more questions as this comes together 😄)
Maggie