My dad did this twice with my Great Aunt. He prefers Holland America as they cater to a more mature crowd. Not geriatric, just not geared for screaming kids. They do the inside passageway and offer day trips to Glaciers, Denali NP etc. He reccomends a balcony room as you can watch from your cabin, but says its unnecessary. There are plenty of observation lounges, where you can sit and watch for free. As its all incusive, coffee, beer etc are on the House. Figure about 2K for 10y-14 days. That's one way to do it.
Here's the other depending on how hard core you and the missus want to get. You can book passage on the farey that runs from Bellingham to Anchorage. Zero accomadations, sleep on the floor with a bag, or book a spartan berth. Food and drink is on you. BUT, you can get off and get on when you want. Spend a few days sight seeing here or fishing there. Buy a couple of bikes and have mobility. Its kind of like a Euro-rail pass. You buy a certain number of days and travel as much or as little as you want. Its a great way to DIY a trip. You can book giudes and hotels along the way. Its very standard and much more flexible, though obviously less plush than the cruise ships.
Either way, a great, low hassel trip
FQ13
PS I've also spent time in Juneau, rent a car, lots of great fishing in town. I then booked a fly in/drop off to Admiralty Island. The State offers very nice cabins with wood bunks, a wood stove, wood (you split into smaller pieces), a 12 foot boat (BYOM) or row, and a clean Chemical toilet. It was $40 a night, plus 1.5 hours fly in at $300 per hour (higher now obviously). Still, a lot cheaper than a lodge and a very cool trip.
FQ13