Island Princess Review 8/16/2010 Cruise

[Posaune]

Whittier to Vancouver

 

We flew into Anchorage the night before the cruise and stayed at the Hampton Inn. Van service was prompt and very courteous. After a very nice breakfast buffet we took the van service back to the airport for a Princess transfer to Whittier. The driver to Whittier was a wonderful tour guide with a stream of information. We even saw a mother bear and two cubs on the drive down.

 

Embarkation was probably the fastest we have ever experienced. Since this was our second time in all the ports we took different tours than most people would take on their first trip to Alaska. It was nice to start out with a day at sea, leading to an attempt to get to Hubbard Glacier. Fog and ice kept us away. Then on to Glacier Bay where we had a beautiful day. Information about "secret decks" picked up on Cruise Critic made the time in Glacier Bay uncrowded and almost private.

 

Skagway was the next port. We took the Princess tour to Jewell Gardens and were very pleased. In the afternoon and other Princess tour led by one of the "staff" of the Red Onion Saloon. She had the entire group strutting their stuff around the streets of Skagway.

 

In Juneau two more Princess tours, a nature hike on Mt. Roberts and a miniature steamboat ride. In Ketchikan we took the Crab Boat Excursion on our own. This was truly a great tour led by a most enthusiastic crew.

 

Food on the ship was great in Anytime Dining, with little or no waiting. We found Horizon Court to be crowded ONLY on the first morning when everyone slept in and arrived at the same time for breakfast. Horizon Court had a wide variety of tasty food and was managed very well.

 

The entertainment was the best we have seen in several years on Princess. The cast in the shows were the strongest dancers/singers we have seen on a ship. Dan Oliver was exceptional in Crooners. He had a packed room every night in Crooners.

 

The ship is in great shape, especially considering it was scheduled for dry dock in four weeks.

 

Self disembarkation was painless. More than 80% of the cruisers were first time Princess cruisers and most of those on their first cruise ever.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=72113

[farmfan1]

Sounds like you had a great cruise. We will be on the Island next year for our honeymoon doing the same trip. I have cruised holland america but never princess, so im trying to find all the info i can about the Island Princess. Please tell me more about the "secret decks" and any other "secrets" you found while onboard.

[RickEk]

Sounds like you had a great cruise. We will be on the Island next year for our honeymoon doing the same trip. I have cruised holland america but never princess, so im trying to find all the info i can about the Island Princess. Please tell me more about the "secret decks" and any other "secrets" you found while onboard.

 

The "secret" decks are the forward balconies on the Caribe and Baja decks. Just go forward on either deck and there will be a set of doors. Go through and you'll be on the forward balconies under the Bridge. They may be locked when the ship is underway, but will definitely be open when the ship is scenic-cruising. Great place to sightsee!

[Posaune]

...and the back of the ship on deck 8 & 9.

 

We had at most a dozen people on any of those decks while in Glacier Bay.

 

Unlike on the Crown class ships, the decks were open all the time on our cruise.

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for the review.

[cruisercathy]

We will be taking this cruise next August 3, with a 3 night land tour before. I plan on flying in the day before so I am looking for ideas for a hotel. Did this hotel privide the transportation back to the airport?

[Posaune]

The Hampton Inn and its two partner hotels in Anchorage share a van service. They will take you anywhere in Anchorage you want to go including airport pickup and drop-off.

[Rstamper]

Thanks for the review. I will be on the Island Princess in 24 days. Woo Hoo!