Our new Favorite Ship

Island Princess Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

KyKernel

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 5

Helpful Votes: 181

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5

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

Sail date: July 11, 2018

Ship: Island Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: A620

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

If this cabin is typical of Princess ships, we have found a favorite cruise line (after being on 5 other cruise lines). The layout is unique and we actually had room to walk between the bed and the wall! Our waiter, Melvin, really knew his way around the menu. A couple times he recommended against a particular selection but brought an extra plate of it for us to try. Be sure to go to the show that features the Head Chef and the Hotel Matre' de. It was great fun.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Embarkation is never fun. This was typical.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Horizon Court

2 out of 5

Too small and not enough selection. We ate breakfast in the dining room.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Casino

4 out of 5

The great thing about it is that one does not have to pass through the casino to get from one end of the ship to another. It does have electronic Hold 'em poker, but it is seldom used.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

We could actually find out way around the ship! The fact that carpet colors differ on starboard and port sides is a great help. A hallway passes the casino. The theater is a little small, however.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ship tip

Notice that the rug color differs between the port and starboard sides. This helps when getting off the elevator. Larger cabin numbers aft.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

3 out of 5

Embarkment. Did not really visit.

Thumbs Up 0

Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Alaska

1 out of 5

A real disappointment. Not much there. Some people took the zip line and liked it. We did get to see an eagle, and whales were near the ship in port.

Thumbs Up 0

Juneau, Alaska

4 out of 5

If you take a whale-watching excursion, get a small ship excursion. For the extra $20 it is easily worth it. Gordeau Guiding gives great excursion. They were our guide on our previous Alaskan cruise, and we were tickled to get them again.

Thumbs Up 1

Skagway, Alaska

4 out of 5

We rode the train to the top of the pass two years ago. A nice excursion, although our travel mates who took it this year experienced cloudy weather and saw less. We took a Skagway tour, which was enjoyable.

Thumbs Up 2

Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska

2 out of 5

We disembarked here. I wish they had taken a few minutes to drive around the small town and explain that 75% of the population lives in one building.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Traveler Photos

Cabin taken from the hall door. The "closet" is on the left.

1 Comment

floridagirl3 6 years ago

We had a balcony cabin on IP, worst cabin I’ve experienced on a cruise so far. We were on an upper deck and looked down into balconies of multiple decks below us. Shower size was absurdly small with ridiculous shower curtain. Food was average. I realize everyone has their own opinion so if you were happy that’s a good thing.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Adventure filled ALaskan Cruisetour

7 Days on Motel 6