Cruising through Glacier National Park

Grand Princess Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 46

Overall rating:

4 out of 5
Verified Review
Grand Princess

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

Sail date: July 25, 2015

Ship: Grand Princess

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: B244

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

highlight of cruise was the glacier national park, unfortunately the weather was not the greatest, but cleared and were able to see the glacier. Commentary by park rangers was great but difficult to hear in some of the open decks. Did a whale watching tour in Juneau booked through excursions, was wonderful, small boat, got close to whales and operators were great. Helicopter tour booked through cruise line was good, landed on glacier, weight overage charge was ridiculous, especially since traveling with 2 children who pay same price, but greatly under limit, would think they would consider that when charging one passenger for 10 lbs over limit.   Disembarkation was the smoothest ever experienced! Was very stress free, got off boat, got luggage, through immigration and into taxi in about 40 minutes!  Recommend taking taxi to Vancouver airport rather that pay for bus. Was $40 including tip.  Service in dining room and even cabin was slow, however very personable and pleasant. 

 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Food okay, not exceptional. Specialty steak restaurant was best meal Buffet was beautiful, clean, with large variety of food

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
Seemed that activities I liked were frequently scheduled at same time

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

5 out of 5
Kids loved it! Liked the educational events they brought in, park ranger came into camp

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Service slow at times

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Very clean, hand sanitizer everywhere!

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
As expected

Ship tip

Get a cabin near elevators, hallways can be really long

Ports of call

Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska

3 out of 5
Did not go into "town", used just as embarkation port

Cruise Hubbard Glacier

5 out of 5
Dress warmly, find a table by the window and make yourself comfortable

Cruise Glacier Bay

5 out of 5
Make sure you are on a deck where you can hear the commentary, stay away from the enclosed pool area, cannot hear

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5
Cute town to wander around, plenty of shopping

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5
Don't need to buy bus ticket from town, they do not charge you. Whale watching was great! Plenty of shopping

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5
Booked a seaplane tour independently through Island Airways, was great. Local company, local pilot, Michelle, was wonderful!

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

3 out of 5
Get to airport with plenty of time
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2 Comments

xmaskid    9 years ago

Should I pack for cool or warm weather?

glomarrone    9 years ago

Thanks for posting your first review here. It sounds like you had a wonderful Alaskan cruise.