Princess Cruises to Alaska - Favorite Ship??

Question

I've read a lot of postings about cruises to Alaska, and it seems to be that Princess is the favored cruise line...but which ship? There are a few options during the dates I have available, and I'm not sure which I'd be more pleased with. Just two of us...both female...but not wanting a "singles" experience...just need a vacation! Want to see some oceanlife...whales, dolphins, seals, etc. Neither of us have cruised before. Help?!

Answer 1

If you are just going for a 7 day cruisethen visit NCL.com & Princess.com I have been on both Norwegian & Princess (Spirit-now out of NYC & Iland Princess) and Norwegian was a much better ship with more things to do and more things included in your cruise price. Princess charges for ice cream.Norwegian has more places to eat that are included and generally the lay out of the ship is better. You will see plenty of wildlife.

If by chance you are thinking of a cruise tour then Princess 9N is a great deal. Althou several lines offer this Princess has you stay in Denali at the best lodges and in Fairbanks you will stay at a 5 star lodge Pike's. Plus you get a real paddle wheel cruise where you go to a native indian village and see some of the wildlife of Alaska.

Alaska is a great place. May & Sept. have the best fares. Sept. all stores in ports have 50% off sales. A T-Shirt on ship is $15.00 in port $5.00. Visit Alaska Shirt.com. Any else just email me.

ENJOY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...

Answer 2

A lot depends on what you are looking for and where you want to go - and when you're looking to go (this year or next).

Are you looking for a "small ship" experience with not as many passengers compared to most ships?

Then Pacific Princess this year or Tahitian Princess  next year are your options for Princess.

Looking for a round trip cruise?

This year you have Sun Princess and Golden Princess  from Seattle, Dawn Princess from San Francisco.

Next year you have Star Princess, and Golden Princess from Seattle, Dawn Princess from San Francisco, and Tahitian Princess from Vancouver.

Would you prefer a one way cruise?

This year Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, and Pacific Princess will be sailing one way cruises between Vancouver and Anchorage, while Coral Princess will be sailing one way cruises between Vancouver and Whittier.

Next year Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess, will be sailing one way cruises between Vancouver and Anchorage while Coral Princess and Island Princess will be sailing between Vancouver and Whittier.

You should really call a travel agent who specializes in cruises to discuss this further.  I recommend Cruise Planners at www.mycruiseplanner.net, 888-286-9827.  They're very experienced with Alaska cruises and Princess in particular, they offer the same specials as the big online sites and the cruise lines, plus the don't charge any service fees.

Answer 3

My husband, son and I did the one way from Vancouver to Juneau last year (I think it was the Diamond Princess but many of the ships are the same).  Overall it was a great trip, but here are some high points and low points:

1. We spent a couple of extra days in Vancouver - and it was worth it - beautiful city - lots of outdoor activities (Stanley Park is beautiful, and a easy bike riding afternoon) and good food.  

2. The cruise was ok, not as nice as some of the European ones, but ok.  Don't be expecting marvelous food - it's ok but not anything to really get excited about.  According to one industry 'insider' we talked to, all the cruise lines have overbuilt, and so their goal now is to fill cabins - this means the prices are pretty good, but to pay for it, they have cut the goodies.  No more nightly lobster and Baked Alaska.  There were some reasonably good nightly shows and music - at least two competing 'events' were going on each night, and there was always dancing.  The good news is that with the lower costs, the passengers were relatively young for a cruise, which should be good for you, travelling single - there were many fun guys hanging out in the hot tub on the Lido deck (ok, so I'm married, don't sue me for flirting a little!).  Many of the longer, more expensive cruises are full of people who are REALLY old.  Most of the towns on the cruise were small and not very interesting - the outdoorsy tours were much better.

3. Some great activities - do take one of the seaplane flights to see the Bears and the salmon hatchery - this was a great trip.  We also heard that the glacier trip was great (didn't do this one).  The steam train trip up to the Yukon was also very picturesque and interesting.  And we did see seals, dolphins and whales, - right next to the boat!  on our whale watching excursion.

4. Do take the associated Princess train trip - although if I were going to do it over again, I would start with the train and THEN do the cruise (do what we did but in reverse) - more relaxing that way.  

5. There are two hotels at Denali - one at the north end and one at the south - I'm sorry I don't remember the names, but you should be able to see in the brochure which is which.  Do NOT miss the one at the south end - the hotel location is absolutely gorgeous and there are a lot of neat activities here.  The lake kayaking trip is great- you're out kayaking on this absolutely pristine lake and there is NOBODY else around.  Also good horseback riding, if you are into that sort of thing.  The second Princess hotel at the north end (where the Federal park is) was a complete bust.  The ambience of a strip mall.  The tour to Denali park is on a SCHOOL bus and you have to commit all day to it - people said the wildlife was amazing but honestly, 7 hours on a school bus?  We did go rafting here - but even with 'dry suits' the water was so ice cold (and the wind too... it was late August and we got snowed on) we were absolutely miserable.

Sorry, I rambled.  Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I live in AK and I would suggest contacting the Princess line and letting them know what kind of cruise you are looking for. They can best get you booked on the right cruise. Good luck, Alaska is a beautiful place to visit!