Meet the finalists
The four ships at a glance
Each ship keeps its own color all the way down the page, so you can follow it through the charts and tables.
Sizing them up
Big ship or small ship?
Eurodam carries about half as many guests as the Norwegian Encore. Bigger ships have more to do, while smaller ones have shorter lines, quieter decks and an easier walk from the cabin to dinner.
How to read "space per guest": it's the ship's gross tonnage divided by the number of guests, a standard way to measure how roomy a ship feels. Above 40 feels spacious. "Guests per crew member" is about service, and lower is better.
Onboard
Amenities, side by side
What's on each ship that matters for an Alaska trip: where to watch the glaciers, where to eat, where to relax and what there is to do at night.
The itineraries
Day by day
Times are local and come from the cruise lines' published schedules. Norwegian Encore sails a week earlier than the other three, so on Encore, August 28 is your last evening, spent in Victoria.
Shore excursions
Excursions, port by port
Each port shows which finalists stop there and for how long, since a 9 am arrival and a 1 pm arrival open up different tours. Prices are typical per-person ranges. Those marked "~" are estimates, so check current prices when booking. "Our pick" marks the ones we think suit the four of us best.
Celebrating Diane
How each ship could do the birthday
Tell the cruise line about the 70th when you book. Each ship has its own special touches to ask for.
The money
What it costs the four of us
Two balcony cabins with two people each, using cruise-line fares sampled in fall 2026. The crew tip figures are the lines' standard daily rates, which are added automatically.
Not included: taxes and port fees (usually a few hundred dollars per person), flights, hotels, drinks and excursions. Crown Princess ends in Whittier, near Anchorage, so plan on a one-way flight home from Anchorage instead of a round trip to Vancouver. Each line sells a bundle of drinks, Wi-Fi and dining extras (see Amenities) that can be worth it for a celebration.
The verdict
There's no wrong answer, only the right fit
For a relaxed, scenic 70th with great food, Eurodam is the most graceful choice. For the most Alaska per day, Crown Princess wins, especially with Denali added. Royal Princess covers the classic highlights for the least money. If the group wants lots to do and a big-ship buzz, it's Norwegian Encore.