Need Help with 2013 Booking Dilemma!

[bola]

Trying to decide between RT from Seattle vs 7 day Southbound!

We are an active group of 12; ages ranging from 25-55; mixture of 1st time & past cruisers. This will probably be our one & only time to cruise Alaska. Our final destination will be Seattle. We are looking for best value ($), most scenic, less sea sickness possibility, & least amount of transfer headaches.

Looking for direction!!!!

[Budget Queen]

Is anyone interested in extended touring interior Alaska- rest could go home. I definately advocate splitting up, if more than one family. If no interest in any interior Alaska touring, then a round trip cruise can be a good choice.

 

Round trip Seattle is the least scenic and has the roughest sea condition potential.

 

If indeed your one and only trip, a round trip Vancouver is a far better choice for itinerary and scenery with HAL a big winner.

[bonvoyagie]

For 2013 you will have many choices in both one way and RT cruises. Budget Queen has a good point about handling different interests. To me the most logical approach would be to do a one way SB cruise. For those who wanted to see the interior you could fly in to Fairbanks or Anchorage and tour on your own for however many days and then meet the rest of the group for the cruise.

 

As for the cruise pick a line that hits Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay - the rest of the ports are pretty standard - Skagway/Haines/Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver. There are three lines that offer this: Princess, HAL, & NCL - all are good for all ages.

 

Getting from Vancouver to Seattle has been discussed here before - Train, Bus, Car are your best bets. Some cruise lines offer transfers.

[Budget Queen]

For 2013 you will have many choices in both one way and RT cruises. Budget Queen has a good point about handling different interests. To me the most logical approach would be to do a one way SB cruise. For those who wanted to see the interior you could fly in to Fairbanks or Anchorage and tour on your own for however many days and then meet the rest of the group for the cruise.

 

As for the cruise pick a line that hits Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay - Princess, HAL, & NCL - all are good for all ages.

 

QUOTE]

 

HAL has only one glacier sailing. Superior for their Seward location vs Whittier, however, if you wish to add a varied wildlife boat tour.