Stunning Alaska!

Coral Princess Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

DrDennis

Contributor Level: First Mate

21 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 11

Helpful Votes: 360

Overall rating:

4.7 out of 5

7 Night Voyage Of The Glaciers Northbound (Vancouver To Anchorage)

Sail date: May 29, 2019

Ship: Coral Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

My wife Kim had been after me for years to take an Alaskan Cruise, but I really didn’t have an interest....wasn’t on my bucket list! I’m a “throw the bathing suit, flip flops and shorts in the suitcase” kinda guy! Give me some sun, the beach and scold drink and l’m a happy camper. However, I finally acquiesced and we were off to Alaska. I am now one of those people who have done a complete 180. I truly can now recommend an Alaskan Cruise. I would also recommend doing a cruise/land package. And do it with Princess...they have their own trains to take you into the interior and their beautiful lodges are in the National Park.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Once we got through Customs (arrived in Vancouver), it was clear “sailing”! The motor coaches supplied by Princess were waiting at the airport to whisk you right to the port. Boarding the ship at the port was swift and smooth!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

The food and drinks were really good. It certainly lived up to Princess standards. Even the buffet, which can get boring on most cruises, was varied and well done.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Obviously, on an Alaskan Cruise there are not many poolside activities. However, “Movies Under the Stars” was a good experience....good movies. The group we were with really enjoyed the onboard (inside) activities...dance lessons, cooking classes, health classes, wine tastings and especially the “Learn to Play the Harmonica” (which we did!). There were a number of presentations (that I usually don’t attend, but glad I did) given by Naturalists and a woman who won the Iditarod. Great talks with videos.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Here’s where expectations were not met. The entertainment was not what we usually experience on Princess. However, considering that Alaska is “The Land of the Midnight Sun”, this was no biggie, since there was plenty of daylight to take in the scenic views.

Children's Programs

Don’t have children

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

From the cabin steward, to the dinner waiters, to the buffet staff, to the guest relations staff and everyone in between....we were pleased with all interactions with these folks. We did the cruise/land package and found all the staff in the Princess Lodge’s and restaurants to be friendly and eager to please.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Most of the ship was clean and tidy.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Room was large enough, nice layout, comfortable bed, adequate bathroom and good storage. The cabin(s) is (are) dated. Also, balcony area definitely needed “sprucing” up.

Ship tip

Definitely do not forget to visit The International Cafe. Great coffee(s), desserts and quick bites. Not as good for “people watching” as The International Cafes on the other Princess ships which are located in ships’ atrium, but it is still a good bet! AND don’t fail to purchase the coffee card!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia Did not visit port

Had no time. Wish we had arrived a day earlier so we could have spent time there. From what we saw from the motor coach, it was a city worth visiting.

Thumbs Up 1

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Beautiful city with lots of “stuff” to see....rivers, canneries, totem poles, wildlife and let’s not forget, Dolly’s House! (Look that one up!). We took an excursion that showed you a lot of the highlights of this city.

Thumbs Up 5

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Great city for sighting seeing! Helicopters, Glaciers and Whale Watching....need I say more??!!

Thumbs Up 6

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5

Main Street in Skagway is loaded with historic buildings, cafes and shops. Booked a sight seeing tour there which dog sledding and visit to great museum and petting zoo. Lots of fun. Our bus driver was terrific. She was a novelist and was so entertaining and knowledgeable.

Thumbs Up 4

Cruise Glacier Bay

5 out of 5

Can’t really put into words how great this was....just view our photos.

Thumbs Up 7

Cruise College Fjord, Alaska

5 out of 5

Just look at the photos....”one picture is worth a thousand words!”

Thumbs Up 2

Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska

5 out of 5

Please, please DO NOT miss the Riverboat Rid

Thumbs Up 1

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Easy Peasy!

Traveler Photos

Look at the Reindeer behind us. BTW, we were told Reindeer are just domesticated Caribou.

Traditional Alaskan Huskies on the left (powerful) can pull heavy loads. Dogs on left are bred for the Iditarod (speedy)

We were surprised by the variety and abundance of flowers during our trip.

Best excursion ever. You got to take the Discovery paddle boat down the river! There is all sorts of attractions along the way that you will thoroughly enjoy!

Moose bathing and eating Lake vegetation.

Enjoying the beautiful weather. Most of the days were sunny and clear. Didn’t need most of the outer wear that we brought.

Whale watching...sea lions were front and center!

If you ask for a”full rack” at dinner....be prepared!

Not sure what kind of meat was in this pot pie, but I did notice I kept having the uncontrollable urge to sing”Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”!

After “several” Alaska Ambers, I decided to find some wildlife. Yep...I found the real deal. An authentic American Bald Eagle!

Wasn’t fast enough...only caught in the tail!

Just a few miles down the road and the views change dramatically.

A limestone mountain in the middle of two granite ones....a rare sight!

A desert in Alaska?....who knew??!! Kim doing her wanna be “The Price is Right” model pose!

In the Yukon on the way to Carcross (used to be called Caribou Crossing.

Vintage counter stool in old cafe in Skagway.

Selfie on Whale Watching Boat. We had a great time.

Just before boarding Whale Watching Boat.

Photo op just across from “Dolly’s House”

7 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

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cruisereckoning 4 years ago

Alaska is great and so beautiful.

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DrDennis 5 years ago

Check out our photos if you haven’t already.

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DrDennis 5 years ago

“Tour”....not your!

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DrDennis 5 years ago

KiwiAussie....you’re welcome. BTW, my wife’s nickname is Kiwi....so there you go! Sus50 Yep...you’re going to love. It is truly awe/inspiring. The only thing I wish we had done differently was to have done this cruise the way you’re doing it...Southbound. Please, please.... if you have the time to do it (while in Fairbanks) do the Discovery III Sternwheeler your. You will definitely thank me! Have fun...you’ll really enjoy your cruise!

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sus50 5 years ago

Thank you for such a great review. We are doing the same trip but south bound. Starting in Fairbanks. thank you for making me so exited my husband has been wanting this trip forever and I’m like you. Now I’m exited for our adventure.

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KiwiAussie 5 years ago

Thanks for the great review!! Glad you enjoyed yourself

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