Princess Alaska Cruise

Ruby Princess Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 47

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Ruby Princess

7 Night Alaska Inside Passage With Glacier Bay (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 17, 2017

Ship: Ruby Princess

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: E312

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

We took this cruise mainly to see Glacier Bay, which was wonderful and made the entire trip for us. However, as a cruise, there was much left for improvement. My main complaint is the time allowed in the ports were not enough time to enjoy some excursions for wildlife viewing. It seemed the stops were geared for shopping trips and not so much sight seeing opportunities. Our last stop in Victoria B.C. was not only short but at night when it was impossible to enjoy a good visit to the Butchart Gardens. Very disappointed with port shore time schedules!

 

They had a LOT of maintenance issues going on the ship which included smelly painting (even interiors with little ventilation) and closed swimming pools and fountains, which made it very unsightly. The interior paint smell was very strong and would bother those with respiratory issues, as it did me. I felt major maintenance items should have been reserved for when the ship was dry docked, but not so on this cruise!

 

The service was very good, the food was good, not excellent, as their meats are all fried on a flat grill, including the higher quality steaks, which was another disappointment. The extra fee dining restaurants were not worth the extra expense; the meals in the dining room were just as good.

 

I have cruised with 5 other cruise lines and Princess would rank 3rd out of 6, so take that into consideration. I would classify it as average for an overall rating.

 

 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
The dining room food was good and also the pizza however the buffet was below average in food quality and selection.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5
They could have had a LOT more activities for seniors who are not interested in gambling or bars.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
Not much for seniors. Would have preferred more in-room TV stations and movies.

Children's Programs

N/A

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Great service from the restaurants and the room porter. Very happy with the on board service!

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Way too much construction/repairs going on and interior painting was intolerable.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Good room steward. Shower was a very tight for large framed people. Other than that, the room was very roomy.

Ship tip

Don't buy anything at their seminars; they are not returnable, as I found out the hard way!

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

3 out of 5
Good for being able to drive to ship from home and not have to fly in.

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5
They need to add more wildlife excursions.

Skagway, Alaska

3 out of 5
They need to add more excursions.

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5
They need more wildlife excursions.

Victoria, British Columbia

1 out of 5
Needs a daytime visit, not night!
Was this review helpful? 47

5 Comments

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

sandyvideo    7 years ago

I have read the Ruby doesn't get dry docked. the refurbishing is done while cruising. too bad.

twangster    7 years ago

Seattle is more convenient, no doubt. Flights often cheaper. I will do another Alaska cruise and I may do Seattle, having done a southbound. Lots to see.

eblackey    7 years ago

I wish I had known what Twangster is advising. I haven't gone yet but I think the north south trip would be better. Guess I'll have to take a second Alaska trip.

twangster    7 years ago

You should have been able to see the port times before you booked the cruise. Doing Alaska from Seattle round trip is a challenge, for a better experience take a cruise that runs North or Southbound. Lots of time in port. That's why I chose not to do to do it out of Seattle.

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