Amazing time but some things could be better.

Item: Sapphire Princess
Rating: 4.5
Author: akern1975

Sapphire Princess Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

akern1975

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 28

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5

Verified Review

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

Sail date: June 14, 2023

Ship: Sapphire Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: A220

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Overall this was a trip of a lifetime. My only huge disappointment in Princess was the booking process. I booked the trip in August of 2022 and was given a choice of rooms. I chose one on the starboard side as I thought I would get better viewing from the balcony. Once I downloaded the Princess app several months before cruising, I noticed the stateroom number was different than what was on my original paperwork. Fearing a mix up I called customer service and spent an hour on the phone to have someone tell me that my original room was designated for "covid isolation" so they moved me to the same room on the opposite side of the ship. No one ever emailed me to inform or ask me if this was ok. If I am given a choice and make a purchase I expect to get what I chose to begin with. They did not offer me any credit or compensation. My option was to cancel the trip or deal with it. On the first day of sailing we went over to our original room and there were names on the door. I'm sure they didn't have covid from the first day they walked onto the ship. That doesn't leave me feeling confident when booking with Princess.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Embarkation went really smoothly. I was expecting to do a lot of waiting in line but they kept you moving through all of the stops.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

I really enjoyed the food at the main dining rooms. We had dinner at the specialty steak restaurant and it was amazing. Making reservations was easy to do and manage. The staff was top notch. I do think the buffet could use some work. There was a wide variety of food but it just didn't taste as good as you thought it would. Everything tasted like off brand food.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

We did a lot of bingo and trivia. I enjoyed the activities that I did. Probably should have done more.

Entertainment

Didn't attend.

Children's Programs

Didn't bring kids.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

The staff was amazing! They really work hard to make sure that you are happy. Yitzak needs a raise he's phenomenal!

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Loved having the balcony. The room would have seemed too small without it. I'm sure there's nothing to be done about it but the bathrooms were challenging to work with.

Ship tip

Bring a nausea preventative whether you think you need it or not. I was surprised to find that the rocking of the ship affected me a bit.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

5 out of 5

We flew in a day early and enjoyed Vancouver for a day. Did a lot of bar hopping and shopping and found that the bartenders and servers were excellent, fun and friendly.

Thumbs Up 0

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

We took a wildlife tour that we really enjoyed. Didn't plan in advance just got off the ship and signed up.

Thumbs Up 0

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Juneau was amazing! So much to do and buy. Food was great!

Thumbs Up 0

Skagway, Alaska

3 out of 5

Skagway was a bit disappointing. If you don't sign up for the train ride there isn't much to do. A lot of jewelry stores if you are into that.

Thumbs Up 1

Cruise Glacier Bay

5 out of 5

We had perfect weather. This is a once in a lifetime experience!

Thumbs Up 0

Cruise College Fjord, Alaska

5 out of 5

College Fjord was amazing.

Thumbs Up 1

Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska

4 out of 5

This is where we got off so it wasn't too exciting to be leaving.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

There was some confusion about where to go. They have you meet up in a certain area and they let people go a group at a time. Seems like a good plan but the person that we were supposed to be following did not communicate to us where we were supposed to go. He disappeared at the elevators and no one knew where to go.

9 Comments

AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Appreciate your detailed review. Sorry about the cabin situation. Glad you still managed to enjoy your cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

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deconz 1 year ago

Thanks for your review

Thumbs Up 1

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tavo6 1 year ago

Thanks for your review glad you enjoyed your cruise 🚢

Thumbs Up 1

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javawoody 1 year ago

Appreciate the detailed review

Thumbs Up 1

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RetiredRay 1 year ago

Must be a first cruise, most bathrooms are tiny. I always ignore the disembarkation staging instructions, we go find a seat in the buffet (or outside if nice weather) and wait until it gets close to the end, then go. Graze up until the end and I do not need to pay airport prices for airport quality food.

Thumbs Up 2

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cruising2004 1 year ago

Thank you for sharing your cruising experience. Sorry about the stateroom issue. Glad you enjoyed Alaska.

Thumbs Up 1

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 1

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karlgrgurich 1 year ago

Skagway was one of our favourite ports. Love the dog sled adventure with a drive into the mountains and Skagway Brewing company! Sorry you didn’t get to do things you enjoyed

Thumbs Up 1

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karlgrgurich 1 year ago

Agreed. We book certain rooms for a reason. I too would expect to be notified about a change and then be give. an opportunity to select a different room if need be. Glad you had a good trip otherwise.

Thumbs Up 1

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