Alaska is great. The tours we went on were all very good. Ship staff all seemed to go through the motions. I do not like the automatic tipping Princess does. Just raise the price of the cruise and let people tip if they want. We want to go back, but on a different cruise line.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Very smooth and easy. The entire experience was the best and most organized embarkation of a cruise in my experience of 5 cruises.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Food was average. Specialty dinner in Crown Grill Steakhouse was fair. Portions in the steakhouse were small. Steak was like a below average steakhouse (Bonanza). Buffets were crowded and seating was very difficult without sharing a table at times. Hamburger bar had better than average food and had specials every day which were all good. We had the soda package and it seemed to bother bar tenders every time you asked for a coke. But if you got a drink to pay for, you got better service.
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
Trivia functions were very good. We never won, but they were all fun. Watching kareoke was good, some singers were really good. A Voice of the Ocean was great. We really enjoyed that. Having a naturalist on board was great. She did several shows which were all very informative and had to do with where we were or going to be. Casino was good, about like all other ships we have been on.
Shopping was less than we have had on other cruises. They seemed to really push the jewelry hard. The "special" closeout shopping events had the same stuff as in the stores at the same price. They did have really good deals on port of call shirts (2 for $20). Shirts were nice designs and good quality.
Entertainment
1 out of 5
Stage shows were poor. Magic To Do should never ever be shown again anywhere ever. The magician did a show in a bar later in the week and it was great. The theater seat 700 or so. There are 3000+ guests on the ship. Do the math, even with 2 performances, you had to arrive 45 minutes early to get a seat. The comedian was great, even if we had to stand up in the back.
This was the real disappointment for us in comparing to Royal Caribbean cruises.
Children's Programs
2 out of 5
We did not have any children, but we did notice the children running around a lot more than on other cruises.
Service and Staff
1 out of 5
Our cabin steward was good. No towel animals at night which was disappointing. Bar staff was poor. We drank very few alcoholic drinks, but when we did, the service was better. We had a soda package and the bar staff all seemed to be bothered to get you a soda. They need auto machines so you can get your own sodas. It seems to me with the tips automatically coming out of your account has the staff doing less to impress. Comparing to other cruises, this was the worst we have experienced. Service at the hamburger stand was the exception. They were always happy to see you and went out of their way to try to please everyone. They said there was only a couple more cruises to Alaska this year. It seemed the staff were all ready to be somewhere warm.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
The ship was kept very clean. Layout of common areas was easy to navigate. Elevators were actually very fast even in crowded areas. The promenade shopping area was less than Royal Caribbean. Dishes left out at pool area quite often. The theatre seats about 700 people. Cruise had 3000+. The vast majority of the passengers were older (60+), so any early show was very, very crowded. We had 40+ people standing at the start of Magic To Do. most left within 15 minutes as it was that bad. The bars or entertainment areas all seemed too small for the number of people on the ship. They were always very crowded and this made it tough to enjoy the performances.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Size and storage was great. This cabin seemed larger than others we have had. closet area was large enough for everything was had and more. They supplied more than enough hangers which was a surprise.
Ship tip
Avoid the Princess productions. The wait is not worth it. Do not get the soda package. Take what you are allowed as you get on the ship, it will make things easier.
Best shopping of entire cruise. it rained 5 inches while we were there which made everything difficult. But, I think this is a very neat port. We went on a wildlife seeing excursion. Saw one small bear and one eagle, both a long ways away. The a crab feast which was excellent.
Shopping was good and convenient, except the shops all closed early. Went whale watching which was awesome. We had a whale breach in front of us which in uncommon in Alaska. Saw a Bald Eagle catch a fish, but missed it on the video. Then we had a very bright double rainbow right in front of Herbert Glacier.
Shopping was inconvienient. We did a dog musher camp, gold panning, Yukon train ride excursion. All were great. We had a blast with the sled dogs and gold panning. The train ride was great. If you go one this excursion, get some lunch meat and rolls from the buffet and take with you. The sold sandwiches at $15/ea. for a very basic ham/cheese sandwich. Views from the train ride are great and even photos do not do them justice.
WHY DID WE STOP? We had 3 hours to rush through a tour of the area...at night. Town looks like a very nice place to visit and see. But, the time we had there was so rushed, no one enjoyed it at all.
You do not have to do the prepaid gratuities. (We do not- we tip cash directly, more than what the PP gratuities are). We cruised Princess to Alaska (loved it) also have cruised to Alaska twice on Celebrity. They were excellent...
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