Dandypanda

Its doable, but I always feel the rush drive across BC isn't worth it if you don't have time. Fly in and out of Calgary and just do a loop of the main Alberta sights instead. A more enjoyable holiday. Do Vancouver, Whistler and Vancouver Island, maybe Seattle on a different itinerary another time.

Getting WAY OTT here, but its generally recommended you spend at least a week in the Rockies (Banff, Jasper, Yoho, maybe Kooteney NP, Mt Robson PP), and travelling to the Rockies from Vancouver is crossing a time zone. Similar distance to travelling to Switzerland from London. A comfortable one way trip with a flight one way between Calgary and Vancouver needs about 12 days and if you want to do a loop, three full weeks is ideal.

Hubby bought a travel machine. Expensive but SO worth it. Doesn't require water and he says it works fine. He'll even use it on the plane on a long flight.

We did a Panama Cruise with Viking, who also have a reasonably dressy dress code, carry on only and it was fine. I bought a couple of light dresses that packed up small, and we did laundry on the trip to keep the clothes fresh. Hubby didn't bring a jacket, which Viking didn't require, so that would be one item to add, but otherwise, we managed fine. We are doing Cunard out of Vancouver in August...no flights for us, so going to take my biggest suitcase!

Yes indeed! There are always lots of factors to consider and its a personal choice.

One more vote for including Venice on a land itinerary. Some places must be seen from the water - Alaska, Panama Canal, etc. and cruising is the best way to see them. I personally don't think Italy as a whole is a good cruise destination. It needs more time and there are better ways to see Italy.