Katy

@Matt Ha, despite having moved to northern New Jersey in 2010, I actually have never been to Hoboken!
@YOLO The reason we chose the August 21 date originally was that I was in a job where my busiest time of year was in the summer, and I was not able to take vacation time until the end of August. I have since changed jobs and no longer have the same summer travel restrictions. However, due to my kids' summer camp schedules, the beginning of August or end of July might be better than the beginning of July, but we certainly don't have to wait until the end of August anymore.
The Ovation sailing we are booked on has ports of call at Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, with one day sailing through Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier.
@AshleyDillo Awesome points about the extra activities available on Ovation. That's originally why we chose the ship.  I do love the idea of, if we love it, doing another trip with a land and sea component. I am very interested in going to Denali!
@Flacruiser99 and @carlosalonsor Good to know that I shouldn't write off Victoria.  I should know better. Last summer we went on a cruise around the Baltic and initially were least excited about our stop in Tallinn, Estonia. However, for most members of my family, it ended up being their favorite port, and we thoroughly enjoyed our day there.
 
 
 

When we cruise out of Port Canaveral and arrive a day ahead we do the following:
1.  Rental a car at the airport from Hertz for a one-way rental to be turned in at Cape Canaveral.  There is no one-way surcharge for a one-way car rental.  
2.  Stay at the Residence Inn 8959 Astronaut Blvd, CC  321-323-1100.  The cost was $195 plus tax
The reason to rent with Hertz is b/c the Hertz car rental office shares a parking lot with the Residence Inn.  You are able to use your rental car all day to do whatever you want to do - go sight seeing - visit Kennedy Space Center - eat lunch, dinner whatever you want.  Then you can return the car after hours, leave the keys in their late night drop box and walk a few steps over to the Residence Inn for the night.
The Residence Inn has a shuttle to the port the next day.

@Matt Ha, despite having moved to northern New Jersey in 2010, I actually have never been to Hoboken!
@YOLO The reason we chose the August 21 date originally was that I was in a job where my busiest time of year was in the summer, and I was not able to take vacation time until the end of August. I have since changed jobs and no longer have the same summer travel restrictions. However, due to my kids' summer camp schedules, the beginning of August or end of July might be better than the beginning of July, but we certainly don't have to wait until the end of August anymore.
The Ovation sailing we are booked on has ports of call at Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, with one day sailing through Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier.
@AshleyDillo Awesome points about the extra activities available on Ovation. That's originally why we chose the ship.  I do love the idea of, if we love it, doing another trip with a land and sea component. I am very interested in going to Denali!
@Flacruiser99 and @carlosalonsor Good to know that I shouldn't write off Victoria.  I should know better. Last summer we went on a cruise around the Baltic and initially were least excited about our stop in Tallinn, Estonia. However, for most members of my family, it ended up being their favorite port, and we thoroughly enjoyed our day there.
 
 
 

You're not wrong by thinking that the Radiance itineraries are superior, because they are. The issue with Radiance is you have to fly to Vancouver (international flight versus Seattle), plus of course the cost/extra time to fly to/from Alaska. Not to mention for your kids, Ovation will offer so much more.
If it makes you feel better, the Seattle itinerary is still awesome. It's not like you're visiting Hoboken, New Jersey or something.

Welcome to the boards, @Katy!