Durbanite2000

We have experienced weather (in early July and early August) ranging from sunny and the low 80s (in Ketchikan of all places!) to the low 50s and rainy. Don't forget that when you are under sail on the ship it will feel colder, especially on Glacier Bay day. Everyone has instructions to bring at least a couple of short sleeve shirts, a couple of long sleeve shirts, a sweater or a sweatshirt, a fleece and a waterproof jacket that fits over the fleece, warm slacks/pants, dressier slacks/pants (for on ship dining), a pair of shorts (in case we hit another 80 degree day) and waterproof (silicone spray works well on leather and fabric) walking shoes in addition to a hat, scarf and gloves. I've also given everyone a plastic poncho which is great if the rain really starts to come down. Each couple has been instructed to bring a backpack to keep the layers in when not needed on excursions.

 

We haven't tried Share yet and probably won't on this cruise. We're celebrating our son-in-law's 40th birthday and he's a steak and potatoes type of guy. Since we all have a free specialty dinner included in our fare, we'll go to the Crown Grill which we know he and the rest of the 'kids' will enjoy (and so do we).

 

Have a spectacular trip!

That was really helpful! Thank you!

Not the OP but we are on our 20+ cruise on Princess and our 3rd to Alaska in less than 5 weeks. We wouldn't go without a balcony but, that said, on scenic cruising days (Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, etc.) it is better to be up on deck so you can move quickly from side to side of the ship. We use the balcony for peace and quiet and oftentimes for sitting and viewing the scenery in port. I've had an eagle fly directly at me veering off at the last moment, spent probably 1/2 an hour or more watching sea otters swimming and playing between the ship and the shore directly below my balcony, and spotted whales close by as we departed Glacier Bay. Make sure you have your binoculars on the balcony with you!

 

We have spent more than 30 days in the Sanctuary on various ships but always on a warm (sunny) weather itinerary. For me the weather in Alaska is too fickle (potentially cold and rainy) to pay for the Sanctuary.

 

Have a great trip!

Thank you!

We didn’t have to wait long. They started boarding at 11:00 and we were on deck by 11:09!!! How cool is that! We went right to the Sanctuary and reserved some space on the day we go into Glacier Bay as they have a special service going on that day. We are now fully unpacked and getting ready for muster.

 

 

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Hi. I am so thankful for your postings. This is our first time on Princess and first Alaska cruise. Do you recommend the sanctuary if you have a balcony? Do you miss out staying in your own cabin?

This post made me chuckle. We always leave a little room in our cases for shopping plus I pack an extra fold away bag in case that shopping goes a bit mad. However, one year, on a visit to Victoria & Vancouver, we had to buy an extra case because I really shopped! Mostly gifts, I might add. Other times, and I can think of San Francisco 2 years ago especially, I again had to buy another case as the spare bag wasn’t big enough. I’d hit Macy’s pretty hard that trip and almost had a new wardrobe when I’d finished!

 

So, my first cruise coming up in May on the Nieuw Amsterdam to Alaska and I’m really excited, I’ve been learning a lot about what to pack and think I’ve got everything covered thanks to lots of research and time spent skimming through CC.

 

Happy cruising everyone.

What did you buy in Victoria? We’re only going to be there 7-11pm, so shopping sounds good.

I read on another posting that it’s a hundred miles of travel and it’s best to book with the cruise line so they don’t leave without us. We’re booked with Chilkoot for bus/ train starting at noon with the ship departing around 8. Is that enough time built in? I figured we’d all be on the same trains, but the poster said that cruises take their own trains.

Be prepared to get addicted to cruising and to Alaska. We took our first Princess cruise to Alaska in July 2007. On June 30th we will be on the Ruby Princess for our 3rd Alaska cruise (and first one out of Seattle) and over 20th Princess cruise. We are bringing our 2 children, their spouses and our 3 1/2 year old granddaughter - it will be lovely to see their first time cruisers' reactions!

Hi! This will be my family’s first Time on Princess and first Alaska cruise. We’ll be sailing on the Ruby Princess on June 9th. What types of clothes do you recommend both for on the ship and walking around? Should I plan to have a short sleeve shirt and then a fleece and then a light rain jacket for out and about and then sweaters for inside the ship? I know layering is important off the ship but is the ship generally cold as well?

Do you like the specialty restaurants?

Thank you for your review! We go next June and I'm starting early to plan.

Thank you so much for your review? GreT info! Quick question--if you have a balcony why go to the Promenade for Glacier Bay? Do you need to reserve seats?

Glacier Bay

 

We were up on the Promenade deck a little after 6 a.m., equipped with cameras and binoculars, and stayed there until almost noon! It was definitely cold early in the morning. It was the first time I wore my light-weight down jacket and gloves, but warmed up as the morning went on. The national park ranger said they only get around 12 sunny days like that a year, so, once again, we were quite fortunate.

 

Before arriving at Glacier Bay, I couldn't have imagined standing out on a deck for almost 6 hours, but we were mesmerized by the sounds of calving and the majesty of our surroundings. It was so calm and beautiful, the captain actually did two 360 degree turns of the ship, so we could enjoy everything twice! At some point in the morning, the park ranger got on the loudspeaker, and gave an interesting narration. (Throughout the cruise, whenever we were in our cabin in daylight hours, we would have our television on the ship's camera station, as this is where any narrations would be broadcast.)

 

One wildlife highlight was a brown bear that was swimming right next to our boat. He passed by so quickly in the current, that it would have been easy to miss him. We, personally, did not see any whales in Glacier Bay, but talked to someone who said that just as he was returning to his aft balcony cabin as we were leaving Glacier Bay, a whale breeched right outside of his balcony window!

 

At noon we went up to the Horizon Court Buffet for the first time, and really enjoyed their seafood buffet. (Picture posted earlier in this review under dining.) The views were magnificent from our table, and we even got some good pictures through the windows.

 

In the afternoon we went back to our port-side balcony cabin to enjoy the view and take more pictures.

 

As I mentioned earlier, no disposable products were allowed while we were in Glacier Bay. We were so glad that we had purchased a thermal Princess coffee mug earlier in the week, as the store wouldn't open until much later in the morning. (I'm hoping that Princess considers my suggestion to have the mugs available for sale right at the International Cafe, especially on Glacier Bay day.) I realize we could have brought one from home, but honestly, don't think we could have fit it in our suitcase![

 

Thank you so much for your review! Great info! Quick question--if you have a balcony, why go to the Promenade for Glacier Bay? Do you need to reserve seats? I think I read people had to reserve lounge chairs?

The flight is on American out of Philadelphia. As I said, I think they will tweak the schedule, but that is okay, My concern is them dropping the flight all together, especially the return flight. I was thinking that maybe if they saw some action on the flight, they would be less inclined to cancel it. I was surprised to see the flight listed, I was just looking to get a general idea of what was available,and when it came up it was OMG it was if they had asked me when I wanted to fly.

I should also add that I am reserving for a group of 5. So right now seats together are easy.

How early are you flying out? We're looking to fly out of Dulles, VIrginia the day before the cruise, but perhaps we should build in an extra day to make sure we don't miss the cruise if the flight gets delayed?

Hi. We are looking at Princess Ruby in June 2018 and they go to Glacier and Skagway, as well as Juneau, Ketchikan, etc.