Absolutely southbound for sure. Some of the most beautiful cruising is done on the southbound in daylight hours. Plus, the timing into Glacier bay is better as it isn't a 6am arrival on the southbound and a 6pm (dinner time for most) departure. Sure College Fjord on the first day after embarkation is early but you have a complete day at sea after that so can go and have a nap while out in the Gulf. The final day before arrival into Vancouver is all inside passage, which you miss 90% of this on the northbound as it is dark. The other positive of the southbound is the weather and seas can be rough after departing Ketchikan and out in open waters. On the south this is at night while you sleep, on the north this is from early morning through till late evening where it can be rough.
Alaska cruise-northbound or southbound? Ships to avoid?
in Princess Cruises
Posted
Absolutely southbound for sure. Some of the most beautiful cruising is done on the southbound in daylight hours. Plus, the timing into Glacier bay is better as it isn't a 6am arrival on the southbound and a 6pm (dinner time for most) departure. Sure College Fjord on the first day after embarkation is early but you have a complete day at sea after that so can go and have a nap while out in the Gulf. The final day before arrival into Vancouver is all inside passage, which you miss 90% of this on the northbound as it is dark. The other positive of the southbound is the weather and seas can be rough after departing Ketchikan and out in open waters. On the south this is at night while you sleep, on the north this is from early morning through till late evening where it can be rough.