Okay, I think we’re finalizing our plans. Thought I’d make another post to let you all know what we decided. This forum has been VERY helpful in assisting our thought process as we consider the many options 
We met with a travel agent yesterday evening. Didn’t need to discuss much since we had made most of our decisions using a cruise book provided by Princess Cruise lines. We’ve selected Princess CruiseTour 2S which departs from Fairbanks on June 16. One day in Denali, 2 at Mt. McKinley, Bubble-top railcar via Anchorage to Whittier where we board the Dawn Princess on June 20. Winding up in Vancouver on Day 12, then bused to Seattle where we return home.
We got a quote on the CruiseTour and have them holding it for a few days (no deposit). I’m now doing a pricing blitz to see if there are prices out there that are substantially lower than the TA quote. If there’s only a few hundred dollars difference (for my wife and I combined) then I’ll probably stay with the TA for the added advantage of local help. However, I’ve heard stories from frequent cruisers who compare prices with fellow cruisers on the same ship that paid 20-30 percent more. In our case, this could approach a thousand dollars. My loyalty for an hour’s work on the part of the TA begins to wane at that point. As best I can tell, we’re paying “sticker price†for the tour.
Anyway, much of my research began and ended with this forum, mostly on this thread. The weather question got us thinking about an early trip (late May, early June) - Thanks, Howie . Then my daughter got pregnant with a June 6 delivery date. I think later in June will be okay. It gives us over a week after the due date before we leave. All indications are that she will deliver on time or labor will be induced (not for our trip, or course). The Dawn is a “Sun class†ship and I was influenced by PEB’s recommendation.
Once I pay my deposit for the cruise, we can put that part behind us and begin to plan our shore excursions. I also need to arrange transportation surrounding the CruiseTour. The TA wanted $799 each for the trip RDU -> Seattle -> Fairbanks then Seattle -> RDU. I think I can beat that. I’ll arrange something that will get us into Fairbanks at least a day early to mitigate any snafu on the air part (cancelled flights, etc.)
