Am looking to book a first time Alaska cruise for June 2008. Would fly London to Vancouver - Vancouver seems to be a better option than Seattle - correct?
Looking for a top end cruise with options to travel independently at the end of the cruise.
Please advise re best room position on ships.
Is spending the extra worthwhile to go on Regent rather than HAL? Think Princess looks too big for us. We are 50 and able to spend a reasonable amount but am not sure if it is necessary to spend top $ - all advice gratefully received.

All one way cruises offer the option for interior Alaska touring. HAL is a winner with Glacier Bay and College Fjords as well as Seward. They do a fantastic job in Alaska. Certainly Regent would offer even more perhaps.

Look at routing, ports, time in port, glacier- with a one way be certain to get College Fjords. Price. Budget fully for touring.

IF you only want Glacier Bay and College fjord viewing from your balcony, you need a PORT cabin. Otherwise, some viewing will be available from both sides.

You can also use Seattle, sometimes significantly cheaper. Easy to transfer between Vancouver and Seattle.

When the ship gets close enough to view the glaciers, everyone goes to one of the open decks to get a good view. You probably would not remain in your cabin. Also, when you plan your budget, I recommend includng a helicoptor ride which lands on a glacier, and/or a seaplane ride to a mountain lake.

It sounds like Regent Mariner is the ship you're looking for. It's upscale and small enough to get up close. First class in all respects.

Go to Vancouver. After a long flight, you do NOT want to take a bus from Seattle to Vancouver. It's a pain--and we had a horrible bus driver when we did that.We LOVE HAL, although we did RC to Alaska. They all do the same routes.
A balcony is a huge plus: our captain did an hour at a glacier on one side of the ship and then reversed the ship. The first hr we watched and absorbed from a top deck; then we went to our balcony and loved the privacy! Well worth the money.
Best place on any ship is middle: think of a see-saw and what part remains stationery.
Book excursions in advance. You are able to exchange on board if you change your mind. Some sell out though. When we went to Alaska, there was a lot of rain (Inner Passage is a rain forest--surprise, surprise) and people with helicopter rides were out of luck. We went horseback riding in Juneau, canoeing in Skagway, and white water rafting in Ketchikan. VERY cool--all three! I might have the cities mixed up, but my point is that all three provided real looks into the countryside. You'll love Alaska. We went at 50+ and found it relaxing and wonderful. Only problem I recall was a group of bratty CA kids who took over the pool--but it was too cool to really enjoy swimming. Can you go during the US school year? I'd recommend that if at all possible. Even a week earlier than you mention might avoid kids. BEST moment for me: Hot Chocolate laced with Kahlua on deck listening to the glacier calve. Oh, and seeing whales sounding from our balcony. Very exciting.

For clairfication there is an error in the above post. Ships do NOT all do the SAME routes. They can vary greatly. Overall HAL is superior for routing with the ship ctps. going above and beyond for the passengers. Some lines barely care.

And yes the above is "mixed" up, there is no white water rafting in Ketchikan???