Alaska best itinerary-help please

[JayneHL]

Looking to book an Alaska cruise next year, summer 2021, during RCCI Wow sale. I will be booking possibly three balcony state rooms. Our party will consist of myself, my husband, daughter and son-in-law and adult son. We have never been to Alaska before, which is the best itinerary, northbound or southbound?, realizing that is subject to personal taste. Is it better to fly into Seattle and cruise north or fly into Alaska and cruise south back to Seattle? Is there a cruise that has both the embankment and disembarkment at the same port?And does it make a difference on what side of the ship to book the balcony state rooms for the best possible viewing opportunities? Any help, suggestions you could provide will be greatly appreciated! Happy cruising to all! 😎😊

[1025cruise]

Your choices for Seattle are round trip only. Otherwise northbound/southbound are to/from Vancouver.

Personally, RCI doesn't go to Glacier Bay. I would look at all the lines before making a decision.

[RN4Nsy]

I've done Northbound twice and loved it minus the flying home late at night from Anchorage. (Planes do not leave from Anchorage during the day) The Hubbard Glacier is stunning, it is your last day. That Itinerary is just wonderful. 

[ForMyBoys2015]

We did a round trip from Vancouver and it was wonderful!!

[KuffMUp]

We have done the round trip from Seattle twice. Both stops in Juneau and Skagway.  Our first trip in a JS. Beautiful. Northbound land will be starboard. South in the port side. 

[Bailey & Sophie]

14 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

 

Personally, RCI doesn't go to Glacier Bay. I would look at all the lines before making a decision.

 

I thought RCI got permits to go to Glacier Bay. Do I remember incorrectly?

[frank808]

 

16 hours ago, JayneHL said:

Looking to book an Alaska cruise next year, summer 2021, during RCCI Wow sale. I will be booking possibly three balcony state rooms. Our party will consist of myself, my husband, daughter and son-in-law and adult son. We have never been to Alaska before, which is the best itinerary, northbound or southbound?, realizing that is subject to personal taste. Is it better to fly into Seattle and cruise north or fly into Alaska and cruise south back to Seattle? Is there a cruise that has both the embankment and disembarkment at the same port?And does it make a difference on what side of the ship to book the balcony state rooms for the best possible viewing opportunities? Any help, suggestions you could provide will be greatly appreciated! Happy cruising to all! 😎😊

To do a northbound you will start in Vancouver and southbound will be Seward.  

 

Seattle and Vancouver are the two ports that have round trip itineraries.  

 

On the northbound we prefer starboard and southbound port side.  

 

Hope this helps!

[Essiemaeboo]

3 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

I thought RCI got permits to go to Glacier Bay. Do I remember incorrectly?

From what I read, they were chosen but decided not to sign the contract 😒

[cruiseguy1016]

I would recommend doing either northbound or southbound, not round trip. A round trip cruise visits fewer ports so you won't be able to see as much. We did southbound after touring on land for a week. 

[Junkhouse]

We are doing our first Alaska cruise later this year. Have talked to friends who did the round trip and they said the one big mistake they made was not doing a point to point (south or north bound) cruise.

[fredflint]

The glaciers are the stars also go late enough in the season so enough ice is gone so you can cruise up to the glaciers, smaller ships tend to make it further.