ezron

Whick cruise line offers best value for what you pay? We don't want the cheapest, we just want to get "value". Thanks in advance.

ezron

One other thing--we need to sail from and return to Vancouver.

BudgetQueen

I'm not sure what you "value". For me, everything I sail Alaska for is outside the ship. I want the most inside passage sailing- smallest ship. I want long port times. There aren't any "bad" ships sailing so it depends on your expectations- all have declined in food- my opinion only but certainly more than enough range for most.

JimM

I'd like to add to BudgetQueen's response. She usually recommends adding 5 days to see Alaska. That's not to say that 3 days is too short or that 7 days is too much. Alaska is so much more than what you can see from a ship. If your goal is the best "value," then why not make the most of your available time?

IMHO, a round trip to and from Vancouver is at best, half a trip. Of course, if that's all you can afford, then only you can decide if the limitations of that trip provides a reasonable return on your investment.

There's all sorts of ways to increase the value of your trip. All the cruise lines offer a value. Read the reviews on Cruisecritic.com and Cruisemates.com. Then see which line offers a deal for the time you want to travel.

Book your own excursions online...much cheaper and generally more value for your $$$.

BudgetQueen

Just to clairify, my min. recommended interior time is 5 days independent touring and 7 on a cruise tour. I would never consider 3- no time for much of anything with the vast distances. It is a big expense in time and money to get all the way in/out of Anchorage. Make the most of it. I also do not agree that the round trip cruises are are not a good value, actually I strongly feel they are if you can't get interior. More of the sailing is similar than different between the 2 and I don't think an extra glacier viewing day at College Fjords is necessarily worth the far greater expense of in/out Anchorage. (some RCI ships don't even go to College Fjords- avoid them at all costs). Anyway- this is based on my experience and my intrusive contact with others .