Hello!
We are considering our first Alaskan cruise for August 2023. We have previously done two Trans-Atlantic and two Caribbean cruises on MSC, Celebrity and Norwegian. We are in our fifties, active hikers, vegetarian and enjoy quiet entertainment with drinks rather than crowded excursions and casinos. Our budget for the Alaska trip is limited and we are most interested in great scenery, photography opportunities, hiking and independent activities at various stops.
I have narrowed down our selection on 3 different HAL itineraries which I think would be a good fit for us, particularly since they seem to be great for vegetarians. I would need assistance in making the final decision between these three 7-day cruises:
Volendam Vancouver roundtrip (Inside Passage, (Tracy Arm) Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Inside Passage)
Koningsdam Vancouver roundtrip (the same itinerary but leaving on Saturday, instead of Wednesday which I understand would be more quiet itinerary in ports)
Noordam Southbound to Vancouver (Whittier, Hubbard, Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Inside Passage)
We are looking at the cheapest possible inside cabin and the prices for those are more or less similar on all these cruises (Koningsdam is slightly more expensive). There are no differences in flight prices. Which ship and itinerary would be best suited for an Alaska cruise, with comfortable common areas for viewing and photographing the scenery and enjoying the voyage?
I realise the Southbound cruise would also allow us some time (not more than 2-3 days) in Alaska where we've never been before. How would things like 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier compare to things that we are likely to see from the cruise? Would staying in Whittier and exploring the surrounding area be much more expensive than doing the same in Vancouver? We have never visited either.
Finally, we are contemplating HAL's Have it All fare which would include drinks, wi-fi, some shore excursion credit, one speciality dining and 200 USD cruise credit. Does anyone have experience of this particular rate type? It seems like good value to me. Thanks for any input!