Better than Good Alaskan Cruise

Item: Ruby Princess
Rating: 4.7
Author: 3GStew

Ruby Princess Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

3GStew

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

4.7 out of 5

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

Sail date: May 19, 2018

Ship: Ruby Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: R258

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

So many people consider this to be a 'Bucket List' cruise. But it seems too many people wait until they can't carry their own bucket. Go while you can get out and make the most of where you are.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

So much faster and easier than I ever imagined--certainly faster than cruises out of Florida.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Crown Grill is incredible. Main dining rooms better than most. Buffets? They're like buffets. Only they ran out of plates once.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Fitness center was okay. Skip the Lotus Spa. Disorganized and the 'shared' facilities with public bathrooms made for a horrible experience.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Everywhere you turn someone is greeting you with a smile.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ship tip

If you're traveling with another couple request balcony cabins directly across from the ship from one another (R258-R259 or equivalent) so whether the best view is on the port or starboard, you'll have a nice private place to view it.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

5 out of 5

Check out "Wings Over Washington" by the aquarium. REI Flagship store is amazing. Be ready for the biggest crowd of your trip at Pike Place Mkt.

Thumbs Up 3

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Allen Marine Tours (booked through Shore Trips) has great boats for whale watching. Twisted Fish might just deliver the best meal on your trip. Make the time to hike the waterfall at Mendenhall.

Thumbs Up 2

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5

Booking Chilkoot Charters through Shore Trips meant smaller shuttles/groups for the White Pass Train and Drive. Meant more photo ops on the way back down. The town is small but fun.

Thumbs Up 2

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Don't miss Creek Street. Sweet Mermaids on Front Street makes for an incredible 'local' breakfast. Misty Fjords Air & Outfitting provided the flight of a lifetime.

Thumbs Up 1

Victoria, British Columbia

4 out of 5

The Legislation Building is a must see (and check out the totem pole on the front lawn near the marina). Walk through the neighborhoods on your way back to see some amazing homes.

Thumbs Up 2

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Traveler Photos

3 Comments

BigMerk57 6 years ago

I agree with the sentiment. If you can afford it, travelling when you are fit enough to enjoy it fully is great. Doesnt stop you returning when you are older too.

Thumbs Up 0

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CruiseMom5 6 years ago

Thanks for the review! This is a bucket list cruise for us since we are from the Deep South and may never make it up there again. Thank goodness we are working on our bucket list early in our lives.

Thumbs Up 2

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Jakers 6 years ago

That's too bad....thankfully I'm still able to carry my bucket! Lol

Thumbs Up 0

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