Not a great experience

Island Princess Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

Happyjcruiser

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 16

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

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

Sail date: June 29, 2016

Ship: Island Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: E714

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

We were not satisfied with the 10 day land cruise package.

The tours provided little interest and for sure lacked of any wildlife. The scenery at times is nice but doesn't take your breath away. Accommodations are simple but adequate prices are high.

The balcony cabin on the Island Princess was ample and had good storage. Service was adequate but not at the level we have seen in other cruises. Nothing particularly impressive with the food at the buffet or the restaurant. The specialty restaurant Sabattine was worth the extra charge.

We got the impression that when the ship was designed they forgot about a casino and a gym. The casino is the size of a mid size living room and the gym is indoors with no windows looking out. Not what you expect in a modern ocean linner

The one outstanding portion was the shows. In particular On The Bayou very well done.

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

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ample space with enough storage

Ports of call

Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska

3 out of 5

Cruise Hubbard Glacier

5 out of 5

Cruise Glacier Bay

5 out of 5

Skagway, Alaska

3 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Ketchikan, Alaska

3 out of 5

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

5 out of 5

4 Comments

wunderdoc 8 years ago

Erhasson1. How much extra was the 8 hour tour? Did you book it at home or did you book it at the lodge? Thanks

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dcaland2001 8 years ago

The negative reviews is kind hard to believe. Alaska has nature on display all around you. We have done the three day land tour, saw lots of wildlife and Mt. McKinley. During the cruise we saw humpbacks and orcas, dolphins, bald eagles and otters. Each of the towns has a lot of history. Glacier Bay was amazing and seeing the blue glaciers and hearing and seeing them calve. To each their own but for my family and I we were never bored. We have been on the Island Princess for a 14 day Panama Canal cruise and had a great time. Again, a lot of history and enjoyed our ports of call as well as going through the canal. Sorry you didn't enjoy the cruise

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erhasson1 8 years ago

We've been on 7 cruises on Princess and Royal Caribbean. This has been an amazing trip aboard Island Princes!!! I've read some negative comments and to each his own opinion. Personally, I liked the change in the deck plans. We usually always could find a seat for 4 at whatever venue we went. The ship is completely full, but never feels too crowded. We've truly enjoyed the food in dining room and buffet. We've seen 11 grizzly/brown bears, a black timber wolf up close by our Denali bus, 5 mouse, Dahl sheep, and lots of caribou, and orca whales, porpoises, and sea otters in Glacier Bay. Pay extra for the Tundra Wilderness 8 hour Denali National Park tour as 93% of wildlife sightings are between park mile 30 and 62, per years of park wildlife research. Well worth the cost!

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drcliffk 8 years ago

Island Princess is a Panamax ship meaning it was built to be the maximum size to go through the Panama Canal. Its long and narrow. It actually has a greater passenger to space ratio giving you a little more space but lacks the ability for certain spaces. Fewer passengers means smaller common areas for certain features. Fewer people statistically use gym and casino.

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