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H-m-m,Peter, where do I start?  I believe any of the three cruise lines will be just fine.  Yours is the typical age group for these cruise lines.  One-way Alaska or round trip is entirely up to you and depends on what you want out of your trip.  If you want more of the Alaska experience, I would actually take 1 week prior to your cruise to visit Alaska, and then take 1 week after your cruise to visit BC, WA, and Oregon.  This way you will be able to experience several parts of the world all in one trip!  I just returned from my third trip to Alaska and can't wait to go back.  To begin with, I would suggest Denali National Park, Talkeetna (flightseeing), Hatchers Pass (Independence Minte), etc.  Or, visit Valdez -- it is absolutely magnificent!!  I would then recommend a Southbound cruise to Vancouver.  This will give you an opportunity to take the train (on the morning of embarkation) from Anchorage to Seward.  This has been noted as one of the most scenic train rides in the world and is only about $59.00 p/p one way.  You will need to stay at a hotel close by the night before as the train leaves at approximately 6:45 a.m.  (It is about 4 hours short!)  Cruising Southbound will also afford you an opportunity (onboard Princess) to cruise Glacier Bay -- NOT an area that all cruise lines visit!!  Make sure it is on your itinerary!!  (It is absolutely surreal!)  If you do roundtrip Vancouver, you don't get the full Alaska feeling.  If you embark in Seattle, and even though you will visit Victoria, B.C., this port of call is probably on the last day of your cruise.  Never again will I cruise where there is a port of call on the last sailing day as it is MUCH TOO STRESSFUL to try to pack up and prepare for debarkation and visit a port of call all on the same day.  Think about it.


NEVER CRUISE ALASKA IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN A BALCONY STATEROOM!!!  Enough said? 


As far as which cruise to book, try them all.  Never limit yourself to just one cruise line.  And besides, each and every cruise is a new experience!!!!!


Good luck, and HAPPY CRUISING!!!!!


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