Question for the DCL Alaska Pros: Which side of the ship - port or starboard - is more preferable for an itinerary which starts in Vancouver, heads north to the Glacier and Skagway, and then south to Juneau and Ketchikan before returning to Vancouver?
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Which part of the trip is longer, northbound or southbound? The goal is generally to have the coast of BC/Alaska on the side of your cabin, but if you’re going in both directions you’ll only be able to have that one way.
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If there are more sea days in one direction, I would probably pick that way to have the coast view.
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@paulasc there is one sea day in each direction. There are an equal number of days, as well, heading north and south
So probably doesn’t matter quite so much on this particular itin then?
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It also doesn’t matter that much as there are some parts where you are going through straits (is that the correct term?) and actually have land on both sides.
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That would be my thought process here. And as mentioned above, you will have land on both sides for parts of the journey as you go by Haida Gwaii and other islands.
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Thanks everyone!
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DH just brought up a point I hadn’t thought of. Is the cruise inner channel in both directions? If not, I would pick the side that would have you on the mainland coast for the part where you are in the inner channel.
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This was going to be my question.
@OBNurseNH do you have a link to the itinerary in question?
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I don’t have a link but it goes:
Vancouver (port of departure)
Sea Day
Glacier
Skagway
Juneau
Ketchikan
Sea Day
Vancouver
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Yes, and so I think it’s the same heading out and back
Which is why I think it probably doesn’t matter
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I found this but it doesn’t have arrows…
I don’t think that this is the right itinerary but for example I would want Starboard for the Ketchikan to Juneau leg here.
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In the case of the itin I am mentioning Juneau and Ketchikan are while traveling south back toward Vancouver
Is that the same as your pic?? Does that change your recommendation?
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If your itinerary takes the same route (inside) between Juneau and Ketchikan going Southbound then I would want Port in that scenario.
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It does stay on that same (inside) route. I’ve heard Port for this a few times now, twice just here in this thread! Thanks!
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Agree that I would probably choose Port here. It wouldn’t be terrible either choice if the map above for DCL is accurate.
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I did this itinerary in August and had port side verandah rooms. When we booked, practically all of the starboard side was taken, so we were assuming those were considered the better rooms for views since they were booked first, but can’t really say if that’s true or not. We spent the majority of glacier day, which is the prime sightseeing day, up on deck 10 and there were great views from both sides.
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I don’t know the answer to the original question but following this for info for a future Alaska cruise!
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Continuing this questioning about Alaska cruises: what are your MUST DO ports/sites, and which are entirely skippable?
Ports to think about include:
Juneau
Ketchikan
Skagway
Sitka
Inside Passage
Icy Strait Point
Please add any others you know of or would recommend
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