How do you decide on which Alaskan cruise /tour
 

It gives me a headache looking at ALL the possibilities!!
Here are my issues/criteria:
I get seasick in my bathtub!but I want to see glaciers
I want to go on a train
I want to see animals with their heads on! not on a wall.
I want to fly over something--I love helicopters and small fixed wing ac
Food is not a big deal.
I can walk but I can't run.
I could stay in a cabin
I won't ride a horse
I like to be told what I am seeing.

Any major cruiseline will fit this. :) But any wildlife viewing will require a tour. The best for land animals is Denali Park- with a good pair of binoculars getting far into the Park. Do your homework and research fully, the more you know the better. Scenic rail- regular run of the Alaska RR Seward/Anchorage, White Pass RR out of Skagway. Choose a ship sailing Glacier Bay. Consider a helicopter glacier landing- I like Coastal out of Juneau AND Misty Fjords float plane out of Ketchikan especially if you have gone in one. I have flown with Carlin Air, Southeast Aviation, and Island Wings.

If you care about food quality, check Celebrity's cruises. Also, the Summit had almost no noticeable motion when we took it.
If you are planning a post cruise tour, some of the other cruise lines have been in the Alaskan business longer and, I've read, have better tours.
I would take a one-way tour, ie Vancouver to Anchorage. You see more (but the airfare may be more).
I would start in Vancouver. If you start in San Francisco, you are spending too much time getting to Alaska.

There is NO GUARANTEE of "no motion". I still recommend taking precautions if prone to motion sickness. And you need AT LEAST 5 extra days independent or 7 with any cruisetour. NO major cruise goes to Anchorage- it's eiter Whittier or Seward and I give a big edge to Seward- but take advantage- don't be a visitor that just passes through.

What about this on Holland America

Day 1 Sail from Vancouver
Day 2 Inside Passage Cruising
Day 3 Cruising of Tracy Arm & twin Sawyer Glaciers / Juneau
Day 4 Disembark for an extra day in Skagway; meet Tour Director; Afternoon tour.
Day 5 Transfer to White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad travel to Fraser. Take luxury motor coach to Whitehorse; Afternoon city tour (lunch included).
Day 6 Luxury motor coach on Alaska Highway, past Kluane National Park to Beaver Creek; Yukon Roundezvous Dinner Show.
Day 7 Luxury motor coach on the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks.
Day 8 Extra day for Riverboat Discovery III cruise; Gold Dredge No. 8 Tour
Day 9 McKinley Explorer luxury rail to Denali National Park. Tundra Wilderness Tour
Day 10 Morning at Leisure. McKinley Explorer luxury rail to Anchorage; Tour Director departs
Day 11 Transfer to the Anchorage Airport, Depart for home

My opinion only- these HAL tours that start/end in Skagway have way too much boring bus riding. I have driven this and by far other areas of Alaska are more scenic. It looks also like Kluane activites are very basic- it is a completely undeveloped area, same with the Beaver Creek option. So I would definately research what is going to be available for you in these locations. I don't like these due to missing out on a port in Alaska or a glacier sailing day. The 7 day cruises are excellent loaded with a good mix of touring and scenery. I have seen the people get on the ship in Skagway- with their tongues hanging out :) - I haven't heard a lot of raves.