Following responses as my family and I were supposed to go on an Alaska cruise in July 2020 for my parent's 50th anniversary... then rescheduled to 2021.. then 2022 but eventually abandoned due to a health issue. Last year got back to planning for this summer but our plan is to start in Fairbanks and take the train to Denali, then after that down to Anchorage for a couple days before catching the cruise from Seward/Whittier depending on the line - and end in Vancouver (or vice versa direction). As of now, however, there is a major road closure in Denali so we want to go after that is resolved. Which now looks like 2026. Can share my thoughts so far.

Our original 2020 booking was Celebrity based on my mother's preference. And I think that would have been a nice experience. But with all my research (looking at reviews, the cruise site forums, etc) I have been convinced that Glacier bay is something we want even if it means one less port stop. Glacier Bay as a requirement steers one towards Princess or HAL. And Princess seems to be the better choice for kids. Challenge is we want connecting rooms - and the Princess ships sailing the one-way routes do not have many connecting options. A couple of the ships have 2 room connecting family suites but those go quickly.

If we were going to do a round-trip, it would probably be Norwegian out of Seattle. They have 9/10 day itineraries that do not go to Glacier Bay but the rest of the stops would make it a great trip and their ships on the Seattle round-trip seems to offer more for the kids.

Timing - definitely the later in summer the better.

If doing a one-way, might as well get the side that will mostly face land if you can/book early enough. It was a requirement for my mother (based on her friend's recommendations) but I think she planned to spend more time on the balcony in her room.

Pools - first, there are some ships that have indoor or partially covered pools (i.e. Solarium). If not, then all my reading says it will be very weather dependent. It could be very possible - but not guaranteed.

My ideal would be an itinerary like the Alaska cruise I went on 30+ years ago with my grandmother -- Sitmar (long acquired by Princess) -- it had all the glaciers and stopped in both Vancouver and Victoria. Seems like the US departing cruises only make a short stop in Victoria these days.

I did not know about the train from Vancouver to Seattle - might have to add it to our itinerary.