Inner Passage cruise on Noweegian Star in Spring 2007

I have to choose a cruise from the following three dates on Norwegian Star from Seattle:

May 26, June 9 or June 16

Will there be a bid difference in weather or other factors?

Is it less croweded in May?

This is my first Alaska cruise and any other recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Inner Passage cruise on Noweegian Star in Spring 2007

You won%26#39;t notice any difference in crowds on those 3 dates, and the weather just can%26#39;t be predicted with any accuracy even the week before. I prefer the early date (I%26#39;ve taken 3 Alaska cruises in the last 2 years) because there%26#39;s more snow on the mountains, but the less snow there is the better the glaciers show up. Everything is a trade-off. THE key to seeing Alaska rather than the Disneyland-esque cruise ports is to go on excursions - not cheap, but they%26#39;ll make all the difference between a ';cruise'; and a ';trip to Alaska';. Check out independent excursions particularly - smaller is always better when possible. THE Alaska excursion is a dogsled trip on a glacier accessed by helicopter - several are offered at Seward, Juneau and Skagway, and all get rave reviews.

Murray

Inner Passage cruise on Noweegian Star in Spring 2007

We chose this same cruise, but we are leaving May 19th through the 26th. We booked through cruisesonly.com and of the dates listed in May, that date had a sale running for a balcony cabin. Plus we received a $75 on-board credit to use toward drinks and speciality restuarants. We booked June, 2006.

This will be our first Alaska cruise also. However, we have booked and canceled 4 years in a row and gone to the Caribbean instead just due to the high expense. We finally have FF miles this time to get to/from Seattle.

The week of May 26 will have Memorial Weekend in it, so may be more crowded. Once June starts kids will be out of school. Though Alaska is not as kid friendly as the Caribbean.