I agree with tryvingfool. One really should go to Alaska for the tremendous natural beauty - not the cruise ship glitz.
Originally Posted by trvlngfool
If you are going to Alaska to see the natural splendors that abound there thatn your only real option is a small ship. While these ships don't offer the nightlife of the larger ships they do offer get upclose a personal with glaciers. Spending an hour following a pod of Orcas. Experts that will stand with you and explain the beauty of old growth forests, and best of all it is all included in your cruise price.
We did the cruise thing a few years ago with World Discovery. The ship didn't offer much much in the way of amenities, but it did give us twelve days of breathtaking upclose scenery, easy access to naturalists, and the occassional unscheduled stop to watch playful whales that came up right alongside the ship to flap their flippers and show off for a very appreciative audience.
It was unbelievably wonderful.