So far I haven't seen any negatives! That alone says a lot. DH and I went up our first time in 1983 and it turned out to be a world changer for us. We were in our 43 and 51 at the time and had chosen to back pack for 5 weeks (using the 6th week of our 2 year-combined vacation) to go up and back on the "Alaska Marine" ferry (we were deck passengers).
It was glorious! We took our time on our 5 seperate trips, hitch-hiked (was very common in Alaska then) and savoured every moment. On the last week of our camping DH said, "Next monday I'll be back at the office (dealing with problem children, and worse, problem parents... he had chlldren he had been working for die at the hands of their parents, although the courts had removed them the mother, usually, got them back because of "budget" problems of the state). I looked at him and thought WHY should anyone have to do a job they don't want to do. 15 years was long enough! It took us a year to get our ducks in a row but we sold everything and worked in Asia at mission schools, a very rewarding job! We came home when my dad need us 10 years later.
We would never choose to go by cruise ship because it isn't "our thing". But the ferry deck is awsome! If one person sees something they call out and everyone runs and gets to see it also. If you drive up, go one way on the Cassier hwy (if you come from the south, turn west at Prince George and north on the Cassier; it is shorter, and at that junction area there are 3 towns with totems featured, not for tourists but for local families. A mile or two beyond that junction going north is one of the best native craft shops at the best prices you'll find. You can return by the Al-Can just to see it. Get a current "mile post" book if you drive.
Our oldest son, a troubled lad, went to Alaska when he was about 20 and was astounded that there is a "real" place in this world that doesn't think of "styles, 'in' things", "what others want you to do," etc. You can be yourself. Now he is an engineer with two beautiful children. Three years ago our summer trip with the children (a tradition) was to go to Alaska (we took 3 up, ages 6, 7, and 8 and met the other two up there), took 10 days to go and come back, stopped at every rest stop (first stop: "Grammy, there is NO toilet, only a big chair and a great big hole" AKA outhouse)! Took a bin of books and activities, lots of nutritious snacks, and it was a great trip!
Oh dear, don't let me REALLY get started talking about the glorys of Alaska!
