Looking for advice about which cruise line/ship might be best for our family of three including our 8 year old for an Alaska cruise in early July 2024. We have never taken a cruise before so total rookies trying to wade through lots of information. We have 7-10 days and it looks like the best options for itineraries depart from Vancouver. Our priorities are:
1) budget: would like to keep cruise and excursion costs for the three of us at $5000 or less
2) itinerary: would like to experience Glacier Bay and spend as much time seeing wildlife as possible
3) size: I think, though am not certain, that we'd prefer a mid-size ship, under 2000 capacity (if money were no object we'd pick an even smaller ship a la Lindblad or uncruise)
4) activities: we do not need nightlife or fancy shows or waterparks; our priority is to experience the views from the ship and the excursions. We're interested in seeing and learning about nature/wildlife and culture. BUT, we do have an eight year old and want enough going on for him not to be complaining the whole time!
I have looked mostly at Holland America options because I like their ship sizes and itineraries seem fine but it seems their audience is maybe a senior crowd? Is there a unicorn cruise line/ship that would offer what we're looking for (like Lindblad lite at a quarter of the price tag ;-)?)
thanks!
