Ginny Leger Loc: Hampton, NH

I've done the Inside Passage on both the Holland America and Princess Cruise lines. I kind of liked the Holland America better (a little smaller and more relaxed).
If you want something soon, check out the "Copper River Delta Shorebird Festival" in Cordova, AK. It runs from May 3 - 6, 2018. You can find information there for hotels in town and car rental (if you want to stay a little longer before or after to get around for other wildlife photography - and it's there). Have a great trip.

pilot64 Loc: Atlanta, GA

Took a small boat cruise from Sitka (7 days along the inland passage) four years ago. Beats the living daylight out of the big boats. Costs more, see more, closer to the action. Food is good but minimal extra curricular activities. Cost 7 days about $4500 pp. Your 70-200 lens and 150-600 gets lots of usehere. Eagles galore, Bears, etc. Big Boats say "Look - whales on the starboard side" Little boats say - look - whales on the starboard side - lets go check them out !" Fly from SEA to Sitka.

ILFarmer

We went on Holland American and our cruise had a daily lessons on photography which I attended every time I had no conflict. I got many good pictures and we were advised to take as many side trips as we could because we will probably never get back there. I am not a photographer. Just a picture taker. I have better cameras now than I did then.
Have a great time.

ILFarmer

We went on Holland American and had a great time. The cruise we went on had daily classes on photography which I attended every time I did not have a conflict. We were advised to take as many side trips as we could because we will probably never get back there.
I now have better cameras than I did then.
Have a great time.

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

My recommendation:
Start by reading this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Overbooked-Exploding-Business-Travel-Tourism/dp/1439161003/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515795681&sr=8-1&keywords=overbooked+elizabeth+becker

Then use Airbnb or something similar to book rooms.
Fly into Anchorage and rent a car. Spend a few days exploring the local sites.
Move south to the Kenai Peninsula. Spend a minimum of three nights in Seward then head over to Homer for two or three nights.
Head back to Anchorage and stay another night. Head north to Talkeetna via Hatcher Pass for a night.
Continue north to Denali Park and Fairbanks.
Fly to Juneau. Spend a day there. Take the ferry to Haines and spend a day/night. From Haines take the ferry to Skagway. Spend a day there.
Take the ferry south to Bellingham Washington.

I would avoid large cruise ships unless you enjoy being treated like cattle.

Mama Bear984 Loc: Langley, BC Canada

Inside passage cruises leave from Vancouver. Seattle departures go on the outside.
Princess does one way Vancouver to Anchorage or reverse. Celebrity does a 7 day round trip.
Find a travel agent that specializes in cruises & see what’s offered.

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia

All Alaskan cruises have a stop in Canada. This is the official beginning or end of the cruise.
This is how the cruise industry circumvents the Jones Act.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Marine_Act_of_1920