Itinerary help: Princes. vs Holland; north vs south; dates

Question

We are first time cruisers in our 70s, trying to decide between two voyages. The ports of call are identical (Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway) and both include the Denali land portion. Holland America (Nieuw Amsterdam) is 11 days, Princess (Coral) is 12. Prices are similar. Ships are about the same size. Balcony cabins, mid-ship on both. The main differences I see are:

1) dates - Holland America in first two weeks of June; Coral Princes late July into early August

2) direction - Holland America in June is one-way north to south, Princess is Jul-Aug, south to

north

3) Starboard balcony cabins on both voyages so ocean-facing going south and land-facing going north.

We originally were feeling we had to have a land-facing cabin, but I'm reading that perhaps that's not so important as we'll likely be on the promenade or bow for viewing. Have also read that the 8-hour train ride on Holland America from Denali back to Anchorage is slow and boring. On Princess, as you depart from Fairbanks, you avoid that very long train ride (but still have a 5-hour scenic rail from Talkeetna to Denali.

Any insights you may have that could help us decide would be greatly appreciated!

Answer

Choosing between the Holland America (Nieuw Amsterdam) June north-to-south cruise and the Princess (Coral Princess) late July/early August south-to-north cruise involves several factors beyond ports of call and ship size. Since both itineraries include Denali, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, your decision will largely hinge on timing, weather, crowds, and the land portion logistics.

Dates and Weather:

Holland America, early June: Cooler temperatures, longer daylight than the southern U.S., fewer crowds at ports and Denali. June is generally less crowded than late July/early August, making excursions more relaxed. Wildlife viewing may be slightly less predictable early in the season.
Princess, late July–early August: Warmer temperatures, peak tourist season, potentially busier excursions and Denali. Wildlife viewing is excellent this time of year, especially bears and moose. The weather tends to be more stable than in early June.

Direction and Cabin Considerations:

Both cruises have starboard balcony cabins. For the north-to-south Holland America, starboard cabins are ocean-facing when heading south. For the south-to-north Princess, starboard cabins face land. However, many travelers report that balcony orientation matters less because you will spend much of your sightseeing time on the promenade decks, bow, or with guided excursions.
Mid-ship cabins are excellent for minimizing motion, which can help if you are sensitive to seasickness.

Denali Land Portion and Train Ride:

Holland America: The 8-hour train ride from Denali to Anchorage can feel long, but the scenery is gradual and you may enjoy the relaxing ride. Some find the train slow and less exciting than anticipated.
Princess: Departing from Fairbanks avoids the long southbound train from Denali to Anchorage, instead using a 5-hour scenic rail from Talkeetna to Denali. This is generally considered more scenic and less time-consuming.

Other Considerations:

Peak summer (Princess) will mean more crowded ports and popular excursions, but also the fullest summer weather.
June (Holland America) offers fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and potentially more personal space at Denali and in small towns.
Excursion availability: Most guided tours book out early, especially in late July/August, so earlier June may provide more flexibility in choosing times for excursions.

Summary Recommendation:

If your priority is avoiding crowds, slightly cooler weather, and a more relaxed Denali experience, the Holland America north-to-south early June cruise may be preferable. If you prefer warmer weather, peak wildlife viewing, and slightly shorter scenic train travel, the Princess south-to-north late July/early August cruise could be ideal. Either way, cabin orientation is a minor factor due to ample deck viewing options.

Itinerary help: Princes. vs Holland; north vs south; dates

More Alaska (AK) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions