Alaska was amazing, Princess not so much

Item: Emerald Princess
Rating: 3
Author: csdh123

Emerald Princess Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

csdh123

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 14

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

7 Night Inside Passage With Tracy Arm Fjord (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 11, 2017

Ship: Emerald Princess

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: D502

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

My family and I would recommend a cruise to Alaska any day. The views were majestic and no words really describe the beauty of it. We rode ATVs in Ketchican, horses in Skagway, zip lined in Juneau, and shopped in Victoria. Every excursion was a fun filled day with so many memories we will have forever! I will however, not cruise with Princess again. They bombard you to purchase alcohol when you get on board-- and while we have a glass with dinner every now and then we are not heavy drinkers. The nicest restaurants (specialty), cost extra, and after spending so much money already I was not happy with that. We were talked into a club class mini suite, and bc our kids were in another room (14,20) they couldn't eat with us if we chose club class dining. My husband is military and was told 5 times (no joke) he would receive extra onboard credit if we go to the front desk. We did --and were told we needed to fill out paperwork 2 weeks prior to embarking. What? He couldn't simply show his ID like he had been told 5 times prior. No big deal-- but with all those items combined I will not ever cruise with this line again. Oh and the majority of the staff aren't even remotely as nice as Disney or Carnival.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

We had a club class mini suite and it was fine-- no reason to upgrade though if you have kids

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

3 out of 5

Ketchikan, Alaska

3 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Skagway, Alaska

3 out of 5

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5

Traveler Photos

7 Comments

Tbcruise 7 years ago

We watch for the all inclusive beverage package sale which is going on now. Great deal especially for longer cruises. We also just say no to what we don't want. They walk away. My husband is also a vet and always get the credit. $250 for longer cruises. Out TA sets it all up and gets whatever other deal we are afforded.

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GIL155 7 years ago

I do agree. We do not buy the drink package but it is being sold (oversold?) the first two days.

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csdh123 7 years ago

Mejulie333---same for the wine tasting!!! It got so old!

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csdh123 7 years ago

GIL155-- we weren't expecting free booze by any means, just got annoyed at the constant badgering of my whole family-- kids included. One is almost of age but my 14 yr old sure isn't! Lol

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mejulie333 7 years ago

My sister got the credit, it did it prior to the cruise. I agree on the booze push. we were asked 5 times in an hour to do wine tasting. It became comical as they kept asking us.

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GIL155 7 years ago

I too thank your husband. I travel Princess each cruise and also pre-registered for the military credit. Booze push - common on every line which does not include free booze as part of the cruise price. However- you did enlighten me about Club Class dining. I did not know your children could not join you. Thanks for sharing the review.

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Dutch3901 7 years ago

Every time I cruise with Princess I get $100 onboard credit (Retired AF). It's always arranged prior to the cruise. Whoever you went through to set your cruise up let you down... sorry. We find the main dining room is sufficiently nice, but do occasionally pop for a specialty restaurant. You were talked into a club class mini suite? see Carnival having the most aggressive alcohol push. We are the same way on having wine with dinner, and an occasional beer, but when someone approaches us and we don't want a drink, I say "no,thanks". Our next cruise is on the Emerald (2nd time on her) and we plan to have another great cruise on her. I wish you good luck in finding a cruise line that suits you better so you can relax. And thanks to your husband for his service....

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