Best way to structure this complicated PNW/Alaska trip?
 

My family and I are taking a major PNW trip in August 2010 for about 25 days. We will probably structure this one of two ways. 1) Fly into Anchorage (via Seattle), Alaska independent land tour, southbound Alaska cruise to Vancouver, ferry to Vancouver Island, ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles, a few days in Olympic peninsula, a week in Seattle (with day trips), fly home from Seattle. Or 2) Fly into Seattle, a week in Seattle (with day trips), a few days in Olympic peninsula, ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, ferry from Vancouver Island to Vancouver, northbound Alaska cruise, independent land tour of Alaska, fly home. I'm wondering if there is an obvious winner between these two strategies? Or maybe I'm overlooking something that would lead to changing how I do this completely? For example, maybe we'd be better off taking Amtrak from Vancouver to Seattle or vise versa instead of planning to cross the border via ferry between Victoria and P.A.? Maybe I should have the Alaska cruise on the front end since the chance of bad weather increases the further into August you go? Another question I have is at what point in this itinerary do I absolutely need to rent a car? (I'm guessing land tour in Alaska and touring the Olympic peninsula.) Thanks for your advice.

Can't advise on the Alaska portion but for exploring ONP, you'll need a car. One thing to consider is that one way car rental rates are very expensive (even from Port Angeles to Seattle) so taking the train from Vancouver to Seattle and renting the car and returning it to Seattle might be your best bet on that front.

I agree with NW Wanderer.

I like the idea of doing Alaska second, as I see it as more of the real highlight, and I always like to save the best for the last.

Here's my sugestion on trip 2. Use the rental car for the Seattle/Washington portion of the trip, returning it before going to Canada. Take the Victoria Clipper from downtown Seattle to Victoria (no car). Take the ferry from Victoria to Vancouver and pick up the cruise ship there. You don't have to have a car in Victoria or Vancouver. You can use public transportation all the way, but you could rent a car in each place if you wanted one.

If you haven't been there, the Butchart Gardens in BC outside Victoria are fabulous! I know that there are tour buses you can take if you don't have a car in Victoria. And, if you have kids, they might enjoy the IMAX in Victoria.

You'll absolutely need a car in Alaska if you want to see anything other than the cruise ports. And I agree that Alaska should be 2nd on your itinerary, as the rest will pale in comparison after you see Alaska's wilderness beauty.

Have a wonderful trip!

I have a different take, I like, touring, outside of Victoria, and northern Vancouver Island, extremely beautiful place to also consider.

I most always will have a rental car. It can make better use of time, and certainly offer you far more range. I always take one over to Vancouver Island. There are several companies I have used for one way Seattle/Vancouver Avis, National, Alamo, Budget, there is also Hertz.

Depending on when in August, IF you are going into Sept. then a northbound cruise will definately give you the edge for better weather. I don't do the Inside Passage past the first week of Sept, myself. Again, Depending on WHEN you are talking, a southbound cruise, can also offer you superior weather all the way around for Alaska. Especially if you are looking, mid August-mid Sept. Then I would definately do a southbound.