Alaskan cruise with land package

Grand Princess Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

judychadwell

Contributor Level: Purser

22 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 57

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

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

Sail date: July 04, 2015

Ship: Grand Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: L239

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

Nice "quieter" ship experience than we were used to with other cruise lines. Not all the loud music and games . . . . the beautiful Alaskan mountains are your entertainment. At night they offer "Movies under the Stars" by the pool complete with popcorn. Cookies & milk offered each afternoon and yummy. Naturalist board the ship (by ladder as we sail toward the glaciers) and narrate about the Alaskan experience and glaciers. Glacier Bay is unbelievable and you can see seals floating by on icebergs and cute otters. Was 84 degrees in Vancouver and Juneau so some summer clothes needed plus the "layered" clothing. Ketchikan was where we found the best buys! Entertainment was just so-so but we loved the Staff Game shows. KAREN from England was a "hoot".

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Average but they did serve lots of salmon and seafood since Alaskan cruise. At buffet there is a smaller buffet that you have to ask for peanut butter (didn't know they had it till day 4) and it has good vanilla ice cream at night you have to ask for. Poolside soft serve not good so only had once.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Outside entertainers not as good as the Grand crew was. Surprised by that! Staff game shows hilarious, don't miss.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

All of crew was very nice and attentive. Loved Elmer our room steward.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Older ship but super clean and I liked all the wood everywhere.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Plenty of storage space and nice balcony with rubber mat on it. Really helps soundproof when people are moving around their deck hairs. Never heard a neighbor either thru the walls and bed and pillows perfect. At this time of year sunny all but about 4 hours so if drapes are open you wake up at 3:30am!!

Ship tip

At the International cafe on 5 there is a small area with sandwiches, salads, and lots of desserts and you can get them all throughout the day. However, the coffee bar right beside it costs for all coffees. Small musical groups preform there and warm cookies along with milk are offered. Yummy!!!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

5 out of 5

Hotel food was high at Four Seasons but a few blocks away is Cafe Crepe. Don't miss this one!!!

Thumbs Up 2

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Nice little town and prices the best the entire trip. Bought a T-shirt tehere that was double the price in Anchorage.

Thumbs Up 2

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

One main road that does not go around island and one bridge. Cute and quaint.

Thumbs Up 2

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5

Easy walk into town "if" ship is docked close by. Can do $5 round trip on bus & jump on and off.

Thumbs Up 3

Cruise Glacier Bay

5 out of 5

Wonderful and best to see from the very front of the ship so you can see all around. Wear many layers and gloves & hat good to have. Not as cold on sides.

Thumbs Up 1

Cruise College Fjord, Alaska

5 out of 5

Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska

5 out of 5

Everyone gets bag tickets and time for departure on train plus assigned seating on train if going to Wilderness Denali lodge. Train by ship.

Thumbs Up 2