Hey all,

Well, if my group decides to do a cruise, the following seem to be the top choices. Any recommendations between the two?

Princess Saphire (N/B):

1 Vancouver 4:30 PM
2 At Sea
3 Ketchikan 6:30 AM 2:00 PM
4 Juneau 8:00 AM 9:00 PM
5 Skagway 7:00 AM 8:30 PM
6 Glacier Bay National Park (scenic cruising) 6:00 AM 3:00 PM
7 College Fjord (scenic cruising) 5:30 PM 8:30 PM
8 Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska 12:30 AM


OR

Holland Zuiderdam

0 Vancouver, B.C. 5:00 pm
1 At Sea
2 Tracy Arm Scenic Cruising 8:00 am Noon
2 Juneau, Alaska 2:30 pm 10:30 pm
3 Skagway, Alaska 7:00 am 9:00 pm
4 Glacier Bay Scenic Cruising 7:00 am 4:00 pm
5 Ketchikan, Alaska 2:00 pm 8:00 pm
6 At Sea
7 Vancouver, B.C. 7:00 am


Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks!

Do a google on Cruise West. These are small ships, around 100 passengers, which can get into ports the large ships cannot and have the flexibility to stop to watch whales. Passengers can also have some time on the water in a zodiac. Otherwise they basically cover the same ground. No tipping, and shore excursions are included.

On Cruise West, shore excursions are NOT included.

Of your list, are you spending time interior Alaska??? At least several days?? If not, the HAL choice has one of the best round trip itineraries sailing Alaska, I'll be on the Volendam in August.

Same thoughts, if you are not spending several more days in Anc or Alaska, why go to the trouble of airfare etc for one way? Vanc r/t is very nice itinerary and easier to get to directly or via cheaper Seattle r/t air and taking car or bus to Vanc.

You may want to try the cruise board also, & provide a little more detail in your post title. Can't help w/these.

Sorry, Budget Queen, on Cruise West, so-called "shore excursions" ARE included, and gratuities are neither required nor expected. We have done the "mainland" Alaska thing, in a motor home, actually, and we want a close up and personal Inside Passage experience, complete with rides in a zodiac, if we feel like it. Personally, I think it is something of a major crime to bring huge cruise ships into the passage.

Their very Limited "included" shore excursion simply is not enough for Alaska. Flights are always extra and one of the best options for touring Alaska.

So if you are ok with their limited tour option, then I stand corrected, it is included. But I have not seen these the TOP attractions in Alaska and wouldn't use up my time to take them.