jrw

I do not think this is the Crown. The Crown has a Riviera deck, and there is not one shown here. I believe this is the Grand.

Nope. Absolutely, 100% the Crown. The Riviera cabins at the stern have the portholes, which you can see in the photo. I just pulled out my photos from when we were on the Crown, and the photo you question is indeed the Crown.

I have to agree with you. We just did this on our last cruise on the Coral in Vancouver and it was as it says. Very easy, no trouble, everything worked out perfect and did not see our luggage until SFO where we got off.

 

Marilyn

Marilyn -- Is this what is also known as "US Direct" program??? I am curious because I would like to do this on my upcoming AK cruise, when we get off the ship in Vancouver & head to YVR. Just want to know if this is the same thing so I am not confused.

Thanks

Renée

Princess doesn't have pool towels either.

 

What lines still have pool towels?

Unless I am somehow misunderstanding "pool towel"...Crown Princess (just off it a few days ago) had pool towels. Saw MANY of them, and this was on a Canada/New England itinerary. Walked past the linen storage room one day, and could see (door was open) shelves of pool towels galore! They are blue & white striped, can't miss 'em. They were also in our cabin closet, though we had no need for them ourselves.

i have looked at princess, but their round trips do not go to glacier bay. i guess if i have to give up one or the other, i'd rather do glacier bay and sitka over skagway and a different glacier...

I never looked at r/t Alaska before, but after reading your comment, I wanted to take a look. From the Princess site:

Alaska Connoisseur

This exciting new 14-day voyage cruises deeper into Alaska to explore out-of-the-way places rarely featured on other itineraries. Visit Seward, Valdez and Kodiak as well as popular Inside Passage ports of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Ketchikan. Glacier-viewing in Glacier Bay National Park and a stop in Victoria, B.C. complete this unique, 2-week exploration roundtrip from Vancouver.

OK...so I don't know if you would want to do a 14-day (how long are the other r/t options you found?), HOWEVER...you could get the r/t you want (though it is via Vancouver vs. Seattle, don't think that should be a big deal -- or is it?), you would get Glacier Bay, and best of all, you would get BOTH Skagway AND Sitka. Another major bonus is Kodiak. I have a good friend who has been working in Anchorage for almost a year now, and he has to go to Kodiak often for a project. He RAVES over Kodiak!

Considering this is a large (14 people) trip, there will probably be at least a few who will never have this opportunity again -- a once in a lifetime trip. You could see all you hope for plus a lot more, while also getting the r/t. If you have the time and if the pricing works, it would really be worth it IMHO.:D

...i need a few opinions on whether you prefer sitka or skagway, and why???

I have not been to Sitka, but loved Skagway. The White Pass railroad (about 3 hr ride) is spectacular and enjoyable for all ages. I would have loved to see Sitka, though.

...the only cruise that does the inside passage and hits glacier bay and skagway is ncl pearl and i have seen too many negatives on them.

Have you looked at Princess? I went on Sea Princess and I know that Princess still does Inside Passage with Glacier Bay and Skagway. My trip covered those and current itineraries still do. From the Princess website:

Voyage of the Glaciers

This cruise between Vancouver, B.C., and Whittier, gateway to Anchorage, is a full itinerary that's sure to please. Explore the Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. Witness the wonders of Glacier Bay National Park. Sail the Gulf of Alaska past ice-age attractions, including 16 blue glaciers in College Fjord. Plus, take in the breathtaking beauty of Prince William Sound.

Hope this helps. We LOVED our Princess cruise.