Next summer (09) my husband and I celebrate our 50th anniversary.
We would like to take our family of eight on a cruise, perhaps to Alaska.
I need help deciding on a ship,
(Over 1500 people seems too large.)
I think Alaska may be less crowded right after Labor Day, or before Memorial Day. Is the weather all right at those times?
Any suggestions?
Price does enter in when planning for eight people, all adults.

I can only report that when we took our Alaska trip with NCL there were several family groups on board enjoying the experience of a cruise reunion. Larger ship than you are looking for, however.

Prescott9
Have you visited the cruisecritic.com site yet? You'll find lots of information on Alaska cruises there.

We cruised Princess Whittier-Anchorage mid-June this year. There were about 2000 people on the ship and the only time it seemed crowded was at mealtime on at-sea glacier viewing days in the dining area seating. On sea days there were multiple places on board to sit in relative solitude. Port cities/towns are always crowded because multiple ships dock at once.

Weather in early June when we spent some time driving around in a rental car and mid June on the cruise was cool and rainy (50-65). The roads in Denali had opened comletely only a week prior to our arrival.

How nice of you to take your family on a cruise. Two things to consider before making the final decision. First, the cost of excursions adds a great deal to the cost of the cruise - far more than on Carribean cruises we have taken. And these excursions are more important in getting to see Alaska - many ports have nothing more than cruisline-owned t-shirt and jewelery shops. Even if booked separately from those offered by cruiseline, these side trips add cost.

Second, I do not know ages of family members, but if there are any kids included, just keep in mind that there are very few kids on most Alaska cruises. The ones we saw seemed reasonably happy most of the time, sea days viewing glaciers can be long for kids.

My experience with NCL going up the Inside Passage differs from Gails's in that is that there were lots of kids....in fact, there are kids-only areas where only those wearing the age-appropriate wristband can enter: video arcades and the like. No ankle biters in the teen area, etc.

I really was quite surprised to see few kids - perhaps it was because mid-June some schools are stillnot out (our local public schools did not let out this year until 6/23).

Our "kids" - ages 18 and 22, while certainly not looking for kids activities, were in search of others their ages - never found even one.

Yes, do take the cost of "shore excursions" into account when planning your budget.

There are some you can miss and some you will not want to.

Since you are being so generous as to take your family along on YOUR anniversary, perhaps they could decide which shore excursions they would like to take and pay for those themselves.

I would give them all of the information and let them sign up for, and pay for, their choices.

Shore excursions for 8 people will add up very fast. Not fair for you and your husband to foot that expense.

(My opinion, of course :=)