People have been talking about the Princess and Alaskan Cruise line, if you have been on either of these can you describe your trip and about how much it cost you?
Very first cruise was Princess, Vancouver to Anchorage. Loved it!
Tried the big lines for several cruises. HOWEVER we didn't like the crowds and missing the "real world" you pass by on the way to the next money making tourist stop, complete with 2+ other cruise ships also docked!
If you want the plushness, casino, lots of different catering, evening theatre etc. go with Princess.
HOWEVER
Went on 100 person ship Alaska to Vancouver last summer.
Never saw a big ship! No dancing girls or casino, also no crowds or queues!
We spent most of the time out in the Zodiacs seeing the best show on earth - NATURE!
- In front of a glacier calving (mini tsunami moved us all around).
- Standing in a salmon spawning stream with the fish swimming through our feet.
- Being one side of a river watching bears catching salmon on the other side!
- Spending 2 hours drifting with a pod of about 20 humpback whales bubble feeding - something you never expect to see live other than on TV.
- Barbecued on a spit of land surrounded by nature/mini icebergs/Eagles!
- Drifting with a pod of Orca whales as we approached northern Victoria Island.
etc. etc.
You don't compromise comfort or good food! Yes they are more expensive - but worth it!
The choice is yours, if you are young and adventurous a small ship will give you the exploration opportunities! We never go on big ships now!