Help with chosing itinerary, Celebrity vs Princess
 

Follow-up on a prev post of mine. Because of travel issues, I will prob end up doing a RT from Seattle (yes I know many of you highly recommmend the one way trips, but unfortunately some of my party do not want to fly up to Anchorage). I also see that there is a general comment that "time into/out of ports" is something I should be looking at.

So here is where I am... chosing between Celebrity Infinity, Golden Princess and Star Princess

Infinity:
Day 2 Cruising Inside Passage
Day 3 Sitka (10am-6pm)
Day 4 Cruising Hubbard Glacier (12pm-4pm)
Day 5 Juneau (7a-3pm)
Day 6 Ketchikan (7a-1p)
Day 7 Victoria (7p-11:55p)

Golden:
Day 2 At Sea
Day 3 Juneau (12p-10p)
Day 4 Skagway (8a-1p)
Day 5 Cruising Tracy Arm (8a-1p)
Day 6 Ketchikan (6a-12:30p)
Day 7 Victoria (7p-11:55p)

Star:
Day 2 At Sea
Day 3 Ketchikan (6:30a-4:30p)
Day 4 Cruising Tracy Arm (6am-10am)
Day 5 Juneau (1:30p-10p)
Day 6 Skagway (6a-5p)
Day 7 Victoria (5p-11:55p)

All seem very similar to me except for the difference of Sitka vs. Skagway and Hubbard Glacier vs. Tracy Arm and some differences in arrival/departure times.

I appreciate your input on pluses/minuses of different itineraries (or major pluses/minuses of these ships).

We will probably book a balcony room, (hopefully concierge class or a mini suite)

I would choose option 1. Of my 6 cruises to Alaska, Hubbard remains the most impressive glacier of all and I really enjoy Sitka as it is not as touristy as other cities.

Infinity is a perfect size ship, IMO, bit I prefer small to medium size vessels. Also, she is an elegant ship with very good food and service. The Aqua Spa cafe is unique to Celebrity and my favorite spot for breakfast and lunch on any line. She also has a great gym.

I like the full menu from room service that is available which is even more diverse in CC Class, along with a pillow menu, larger cabin and priority tendering.

No experience with the other two ships so cannot comment except to say that size matters (to me) and so does a private balcony. If you choose Princess, research this carefully if privacy is preferred.

We recently completed a r/t Seattle on HAL's Noordam and it was excellent in every way.

I too would go with the Infinity. Superior itinerary with Sitka and Hubbard.

In my opinion, Princess is lacking on their round trips.

I`d pick #1 too. Sitka was a favorite of mine

I would pick Princess over Celebrity any day of the week....far superior in food and service.
I have only been on the Infinity but it was a dud (South America cruise) but have been on Princess and RCCI many times.

Choice # 1 looks the best.

Sorry, but I don't go to Alaska for the food. If that's important, then go with that priority.

The poster's question is about the itinerary. Princess has a poor one, negatives are the Skagway port time, sailing Tracy Arm, less than 25% of the ships make to within view of the glaciers. AND if glaciers are a priority, funds and time will have to be budgeted for other options.

Little you can do in Victoria, in that timeframe on any of the choices.

The question was pluses and minuses of the itineraries and the ships.
I agree; if Victoria is 7pm to 11:55pm then little indeed!!