grandmaLUU

I am enjoying your review! We were on the Island Princess southbound from Aug 23rd--Aug 30th--We can compare notes!! I agree with the Customs --it was very smoothie--but long lines--We too worried about weight of luggage--I practiced run the packing few days before and with the help of the luggage scale I bought ( a lifesaver) we were ok-- but we had a 7 day land tour the week before--lots of clothes packed--some removed--many removed-- but we still had clothes that we never wore.

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Hello cruisers! We are on our last day of our Alaskan Cruise --this is our 2nd cruise to Alaska but our 1st Princess. Overall it has been a wonderful experience! I will review with pros & cons--and you can ask questions or make comments if you choose. ***these are additions after we returned home

PROS:

*Extremely organized check in process in all aspects--we did a land tour & train before. All the paperwork--welcome packets, luggage tags, explanations were all easy to understand and follow--timing of all transport was spot on. ***Disembarkation was just as easy & very quick--no complaints here.

*All the lodges as well as the ship stateroom were very clean and maintained as well as can be expected for older hotels and the ship being older. The dining rooms and public restrooms were very clean at all times.

*The grounds at all the lodges were very nice with plenty of walking paths and scenery to enjoy. We really enjoyed all 3 places--they each had their own special aspects that made them perfect. I really liked the McKinley Princess Lodge in the Denali State Park--we had great weather the days we were there and were able to see the Mountain peak. Denali Princess Lodge had multiple little shops on the property plus shopping across the street.

*Considering some of the negatives I read about the Island Princess, I was wondering how we would react to it. It is a beautiful ship--we did miss being able to walk totally around the ship but overall it didn't spoil our experience. We chose a mini-suite and it was perfect. We had a balcony stateroom last time on NCL and it was nice--but I would definitely do the mini suite again as it has plenty or closet and storage space plus an ample size bathroom. We loved it!!

*Every staff member at all the Princess facilities as well as the ship were polite-professional & accommodating in every way. I can't say enough how wonderful the Princess staff are!

*The Specialty restaurant Sabatini's was fabulous!! and both dining rooms were very good--in every way we enjoyed our meals and the service. We are not foodies and don't feel the need for having 3 large meals daily- but all were delicious. We are going to the Bayou tonite and expect that specialty dining to be as good as Sabatini's. ***We all REALLY enjoyed the Bayou--it was fine dining bit the ambience was more relaxed--food was outstanding and they had live music. We loved it!

*The Casino is fun--it is small, but I did better than the local places at home.

*Nice variety of shops--with quality items! They were even having end of season sales--I purchased a very nice quality T shirt for $6.99 among many other items.

*we enjoyed having the coffee card--we put it to good use and the coffee at the Patisserie was excellent so we definitely got our monies worth. My hubby had the unlimited soft drink card and used it-- we are not big drinkers of Alcohol so just purchased a cocktail when we wanted one.

*I love live music & entertainment so for me the production shows were great! Lots of fun. The comedian they had was also very funny.

Callie the Cruise Director along with his staff were very nice & lots of fun.

There were not a lot of negatives for us but I will list things those that were not so great or just everyday average.

CONS:

*the land tour was great as far as seeing the sites--but the the 2 day stays at hotels --packing -unpacking-on the bus with luggage out early is kind of difficult--and tiring. Not really Princess' fault, but we would not do again.

*although it is not a Princess establishment, we ate at Pikes Landing restaurant next to the Fairbanks Princess Lodge and had a very slow & rude server. The food was super good-- but bad service puts a damper on everything--again this was not a Princess establishment.

*the Horizon Court buffet was just OK--mediocre at best--ok for a quick and easy bite--I did not like their hot breakfasts--so if we wanted a hot breakfast we went to the Bordeaux Dining room--service however is very good.

*The Princess Theatre shows were awesome but the theatre itself cannot accommodate their demand. If you want a seat for the show you better head down about 30 minutes prior to the start or you won't get in--again, there are more people--less public space.

*We did go to a couple of the lounges--didn't spend a lot of time in them--service was very timely despite the crowds--the negative is the loud boisterous folks who maybe have had a little too much to drink & because these places are so crowded sometimes it's hard to escape from those folks & so we just leave--again you can't control others behavior all we can do is control how we respond.

*the train ride from McKinley Lodge to the pier in Whittier I was so looking forward to---It is supposed to be a great scenic ride but the weather was absolutely horrible that day--pouring rain--if we had a better day, I might be able to overlook the train ride itself--they were club car seating--not enough room-My husband & I felt very cramped and were seated on an angle feeling like we were going to slip off--we happened to be seated near the door at the end of our car--and the constant flow of people traffic made it miserable with cold air blowing in on us. We were glad to get off.

I know people are always asking about the dinner dress code. Well, as someone on this board mentioned--we really should not worry about how others choose to dress. And I do believe most travelers didn't care about how the other travelers dressed. But, we did adhere to the Princess code. We opted not to do the Formal nites. It is just not our style. Been there before & done it once--We saw very few men in tuxedos-mostly they wore suit coats & ties--again a handful of women in evening wear --but most in black dresses--skirts or pants and sparkly tops--even at our smart casual nights we saw many men in jeans & pullover shirts--women in very casual pants--No one was turned away. It is my opinion that the formal requirements for most cruises will be on the wayside in the next few years--at least on the average cruise lines that people vacation on---I may be wrong but I say this based on what I see---after all it is a vacation & who wants to dress up formally on a vacation--it is just my opinion. I do realize that there are many of you who enjoy formal night, and there will always be those cruises that will offer that option.

The only really sad thing is we had more bad weather than good. 5 sunny days and 9 cold rainy cloudy day so--of course that is not Princess' fault-- and we tried not to let that discourage us. I guess if I want sunshine I should of went to the Caribbean right???

I definitely would cruise with Princess again and try a new ship and location. I hope you all enjoy your upcoming cruise. I hope we get to do this again over the next few years! We did see a lot and probably will not be back to Alaska again--will probably opt for warmer climates!

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We are set--hubby with new collared shirts and nice casual pants

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Thanks so much!!

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Hello fellow cruisers!! My husband & family will be leaving on The Island Princess next week for our Alaska Cruise! So excited! We are choosing not to do Formal Nite. My question is , we have reservations on two evenings for the 2 specialty restaurants--Does the formal Nite code apply to those restaurants as well or just the MDR--if our reservations happen to fall on formal night--or Dan we keep with our resort casual attire! Thanks!!

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We will be on the Island Princess coming up August 23rd--and it's not a first Alaska Cruise but a first Princess Cruise. We are very excited & we don't let a lot of the negative reviews bother us--A vacation is what we put into it & we feel blessed that we are able to take a vacation like this!!! So excited!'

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Thank you very much!!! Questioned answered!! [emoji568]

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We will be on an Alaskan Cruise--Island Princess--With Land Tour prior coming up in 3 weeks. We have printed our Luggage tags which have our name-Ship name & Room number--I will be packing 1 large suitcase for the cruise piece & another for the 6 days we are on our various land trips--We each will have a backpack with the things you keep directly with you---I understand we can have the cruise piece of luggage sent directly to the ship--with a "meet me at the ship tag"---Where & when do we get those? Are they on the Princess website? Thanks!

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We will be on the Island Princess --in 1 month--we will let you know our experience--taking the Island from Whittier to Vancouver--Aug 23rd--30th--we are excited--2nd cruise--1st on Princess--we will have a great time no matter what!!

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Glad to hear all the positive reviews on the Island Princess. I know we all have different tastes, and priorities. We are going on the Island Princess Southbound Whittier to Vancouver--this August 23rd after 7 days on a land tour ( we booked an extra day in Fairbanks). We are very easy to please! Not foodies--not into all the formal nights--- I too liked the Princess Itineraries and that is why we picked this cruise. We love the scenery and relaxation of Alaska--having a cruise just will make things extra special. Very excited!! [emoji3]

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We also have the same issue--so we booked through Princess an additional night--there is no problem--they will email you a new itinerary & you still get your transport voucher

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I appreciate your comments! I love love love the UK--lived there back in the late 70's early 80's--went back in 2005--would so love to go back again--

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Thank you all--we are somewhat flexible but due to health issues on my part eating after 6:30 pm is just getting too late for a dinner for me--I wouldn't make it in Europe with the late night dining that is their practice! [emoji3]But we actually have decided to change & go with the traditional dining at an early time--it will just meet our needs best. I appreciate your comments. Thank you! We are excited!!

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Thanks so much

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Hello everyone!

We are taking our 1st Princess Cruise (2nd overall cruise) to Alaska this August on the Island Princess-- I have been reading mixed reviews about the Anytime Dining--long waits in a queue for the MDR--having to share a table with another group of cruisers if you want timely seating--We did Freestyle cruising on NCL--and it was great-- no lines--5-10 minute wait at the very most--and sat by ourselves like you would at a restaurant. We are early diners (5 pm ish) and actually would be ok sharing with other cruisers--(we are traveling also with my sister & BIL) but I wouldn't want that all the time--everyday--every meal--we would of signed up for conventional dining if that was the case. I don't necessarily want the Buffet all the time either. I don't mean to sound so picky and the dining certainly is not a deal breaker-- we are so looking forward to this cruise! I know it will be a wonderful experience. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you all.

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I hear what you are saying! We are young retirees--raised 4 children all now on their own. We live very modestly--saved and contributed to our 401K from a young age--not drinkers, we don't eat out that often--if so it is a local chain or maybe a pizza. We just paid off our home--a very modest 3 bedroom ranch. Like you my hubby is very handy and will remodel or fix anything he can. We had downsized a few years ago--We know how fortunate we are that he is gifted that way. We also have an RV & mix up our vacations--we are doing an Alaska cruise in August--booked it last year and pay every 2 wks / monthly --treat it like a bill so it doesn't impact the budget--much easier for us this way!

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I have only been on 1 cruise & currently "saving" for our 2nd cruise this August 2017. It is almost paid off--just need a bit of spending money. I treat vacation savings like a bill. Money is put aside and every 2 weeks--I pay an amount that I can afford for that week. We are retired and I do still work a part time job. We cannot afford more than 1 big vacation /year, so we do have to plan & save. We like to have nicer accommodations, I won't go too cheap anymore--we've been there, done that, & don't want that anymore. I know if I research more we could get some better deals.

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Thank you all for the suggestions and info! I try to pack light--coordinate colors and simple accessories! It is all exciting! Can't wait!

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Hi Everyone! My sister & I along with the hubby's are doing a 6 day land tour prior to our Cruise in August on the Island Princess

We have been on 1 Cruise before to Alaska 10 yrs ago on NCL and it was fabulous--had a balcony---but we are excited about traveling on Princess.

My question is in regard to how best to pack-- I feel good about what we need to wear--ie: casual, layering etc but should I pack 1 suitcase for the 6 day excursion piece and then another for the cruise part?

I was thinking it may be easier as the land tour is ultra casual where as our cruise clothes will be more smart casual--we won't be doing the formal attire-- not really into that

I also plan to have a daypack too for our day excursions. Any thoughts or ideas? Thank you all!

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