The #4 would be an interesting one for certain circumstances. The stop in Victoria is an all day one instead of the couple of hours. Although there is no glacier, if this is not your only time to Alaska (these ports are some of the closest to us) it could provide a nice variety. I agree if this is your only chance to go to Alaska, I would make a different choice.
Thanks! Look for those soon... I'm excited to put them together. We celebrated our 20th anniversary by doing a 25 day Mediterranean cruise, and it was unforgettable!
Thanks so much for subscribing! The scoring is a bit complicated. - The score methodology was co-developed with a friend of mine who's a statistics professor at NYU, It's very helpful for comparing itineraries against each other (vs a score of "X out of Y"). If we're being technical, the highest score an itinerary could get is 100. That's practically impossible though. I have ten facets per destination (with a rubric for every point scored - in an attempt to remove as much bias as possible), five additional facets per itinerary (again with a rubric I follow), factor in any scenic cruising and overnights, and then run it through the algorithm. The algorithm uses a weighted average to total everything up and balance it out to what could be 100. Sort of like a school grade (Quizzes are 20%, Homework is 30%, Final is 50% of the grade) The reason it's almost impossible to get to 100 though is because some of the destination facets are so difficult to get 5/5 in multiple categories. For example, I have a "Natural Beauty" score and a "City Quality" score. A place like Amsterdam would land a 5/5 on city, but a 1/5 on Natural Beauty. Geiranger Norway (one of the most beautiful places I've ever been), gets a 5/5 on Beauty, but isn't a city at all, scoring a 0/0. Some places are pretty and great cities, but not as safe as we'd like. (Rome for example) My highest scoring itinerary to date doesn't yet have a video, and it's only 62.8... but that one's coming soon. ;-) I hope that helps - and thanks again for watching and subscribing!
@@ThisistheCruise thanks so much for explaining in such detail. The scoring could be subjective depending on what one is looking for…i.e. natural beauty would be important for most Alaskan cruisers. No perfect place, just like no perfect human being. 😉 Can’t wait to hear/see your analysis on 2025 Alaskan cruise!
I have a few other videos in line before those, but they're in the queue - thanks for letting me know you're interested in those! I'll try to get them done sooner than later!
You're going to love it! - Rating cruise itineraries is challenging because we're talking about comparing one great thing to another great thing. They're basically just edging each other out on near-technicalities! Keep me posted on how it goes! What did you love? What would you do again? What would you do different? Have fun!!!!
The #4 would be an interesting one for certain circumstances. The stop in Victoria is an all day one instead of the couple of hours. Although there is no glacier, if this is not your only time to Alaska (these ports are some of the closest to us) it could provide a nice variety. I agree if this is your only chance to go to Alaska, I would make a different choice.
Completely agree!
Our 2nd cruise to Alaska will be on Ovation of the Seas Aug 9th 2024. First time was Norwegian Encore and what a great ship that was.
I loved this! When are you doing the 2025 itinerary rankings? 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Working on them now! Thanks for asking!!!!
@@ThisistheCruise great! We booked ours already. They are selling out fast
I would love a version of this but for Royal's Europe and Mediterranean itineraries
Thanks! Look for those soon... I'm excited to put them together. We celebrated our 20th anniversary by doing a 25 day Mediterranean cruise, and it was unforgettable!
We are in the august 16th sailing on Radiance of the seas. So excited that it was your top choice!!
Wow that's awesome!!!! Let me know how it went when you get back!
Radiance on June 21st and we can’t wait!
Nice! It's going to be great!
Quantum on May 6th! Cant wait
It's going to be awesome!
Could you do this same kind of analysis for cruises through the Panama Canal?
I’ll add it to the list! Thanks for asking!
Would love this analysis for late May/late June 2025. You’re awesome, Clint! Perfect score is 30? New sub here. Thanks!!
Thanks so much for subscribing!
The scoring is a bit complicated. - The score methodology was co-developed with a friend of mine who's a statistics professor at NYU, It's very helpful for comparing itineraries against each other (vs a score of "X out of Y").
If we're being technical, the highest score an itinerary could get is 100. That's practically impossible though.
I have ten facets per destination (with a rubric for every point scored - in an attempt to remove as much bias as possible), five additional facets per itinerary (again with a rubric I follow), factor in any scenic cruising and overnights, and then run it through the algorithm. The algorithm uses a weighted average to total everything up and balance it out to what could be 100. Sort of like a school grade (Quizzes are 20%, Homework is 30%, Final is 50% of the grade)
The reason it's almost impossible to get to 100 though is because some of the destination facets are so difficult to get 5/5 in multiple categories. For example, I have a "Natural Beauty" score and a "City Quality" score. A place like Amsterdam would land a 5/5 on city, but a 1/5 on Natural Beauty. Geiranger Norway (one of the most beautiful places I've ever been), gets a 5/5 on Beauty, but isn't a city at all, scoring a 0/0. Some places are pretty and great cities, but not as safe as we'd like. (Rome for example)
My highest scoring itinerary to date doesn't yet have a video, and it's only 62.8... but that one's coming soon. ;-)
I hope that helps - and thanks again for watching and subscribing!
@@ThisistheCruise thanks so much for explaining in such detail. The scoring could be subjective depending on what one is looking for…i.e. natural beauty would be important for most Alaskan cruisers. No perfect place, just like no perfect human being. 😉 Can’t wait to hear/see your analysis on 2025 Alaskan cruise!
@icedteamama176 exactly! Thanks again!
You missed that the Ovation September 27th cruise is a one way as well, not a return to Seattle as mentioned in video
Good point, thanks for catching that!
When will you post about 2025 Royal Alaska cruises
I have a few other videos in line before those, but they're in the queue - thanks for letting me know you're interested in those! I'll try to get them done sooner than later!
Quantum May 20
Nice - going to be a great time!
May 20th quantum too
Anthem replaces the Ovation in 2025.
I'll be working on a 2025 video later this year - gotta keep the content fresh! :-D
May I ask what is the Best route visiting Norway or Iceland or Scotland or all for the period more than 7 days for the honeymoon in june month?
This year (2024) or next year (2025)?
Ovation on May 24 - one of your worst-rated picks, but we’re excited first-time-to-Alaska cruisers nonetheless.
You're going to love it! - Rating cruise itineraries is challenging because we're talking about comparing one great thing to another great thing. They're basically just edging each other out on near-technicalities!
Keep me posted on how it goes! What did you love? What would you do again? What would you do different?
Have fun!!!!
Quantum leaves Vancouver at 3am because it has to go under Lion Gate Bridge at low tide.
Ahh. That makes sense.