Why Princess?

[luvscruising2007]

I am beginning to research a cruise to Alaska. Our trip there was a Cruisetour with Royal Caribbean our line of choice.

I asked my TA which line she would recommend and she said Princess. That sort of agrees with many of you here on Cruise Critic.

 

So, here is my question. Why? What does Princess do that is so much better than the other many lines that travel to Alaska? If you disagree please respond also.

 

Thanks for all input.

[CruiserBruce]

As commonly discussed on the Alaska board, HAL and Princess have the most ships in Alaska,the most options as to routes, and the most permits to Glacier Bay.

Edited August 24, 2016 by CruiserBruce

[wheezedr]

Princess has been sailing in Alaska for a long time and has more glacier bay permits than other lines. However if other lines itineraries or amenities work for you that should be the deciding factor. So look to see where and when you want to go and work from that. We have enjoyed both our Princess Alaskan cruises but I have no fair way to compare as I have never taken another cruise line to Alaska.

[GUT2407]

For us Princess just "Fit".

[paul929207]

We felt the Princess Denali and Princess Mt. Mc Kinley Wilderness Lodges were excellent.

[Buck Turgidson]

We like that they sail out of west coast ports, no need to fly, road trip. We also love the international cafe.

[OCruisers]

Princess has been offering Alaskan cruises for a very long time and enjoys a great reputation of providing excellent cruises to Alaska. :)

[SeagoingMom]

So, Luvs, it seems the general consensus is: "Princess is best because Princess is best..." :cool:

[FlyerTalker]

We like that they sail out of west coast ports, no need to fly, road trip. We also love the international cafe.

I would say so...there are very few (if any) Alaskan cruises that depart from Florida.

 

;)

[luvscruising2007]

So, Luvs, it seems the general consensus is: "Princess is best because Princess is best..." :cool:

 

Yes, I got that too.;)

 

But, what I was looking for was the differences on board the ship, the excursion experience, lectures or presentations aboard, ports of call.

I do like that there are more options.

 

I guess I will continue to research.

 

Thanks, everyone.

[SeagoingMom]

Yes, I got that too.;)

 

But, what I was looking for was the differences on board the ship, the excursion experience, lectures or presentations aboard, ports of call.

I do like that there are more options.

 

I guess I will continue to research.

 

Thanks, everyone.

I have found it almost impossible to get Princess fans to be specific about what they love about Princess -- it's like pulling teeth. The general response is, as on this board, "Princess just 'fits,' or "We feel at home on Princess." And as for what makes Princess best for Alaska.... wow, I imagine it will be even tougher to get specifics on that!

 

What little success I have had on these boards has been to respond to individual posters who gush about Princess, and ask them a few specific questions. Some seem to be able to itemize what they like about the line. Others don't. And I have learned not to ask too many questions at once -- when I do, it seems to overwhelm some Princess fans and they revert to, "I can't explain it -- we just love Princess!"

 

Perhaps your TA who recommended Princess for Alaska is your best source of specific information? There must be some reason why she recommended it...Hopefully her only answer won't be, "Everybody who cruised in Alaska on Princess just loved it!" :eek:

 

I'll be keeping track of this thread to see if you succeed where I never have... :rolleyes:

[FlyerTalker]

Much of the issue of "what line" comes down to the analysis of expectations and delivery. As such, it is a very individualized decision, with each individual having their own analysis and evaluation.

 

Where this is leading is: do you know what YOUR expectations/desires/wants are for this trip? Have you made price/performance assessments on these items? Have you prioritized these thoughts into some kind of hierarchy?

 

The reason for asking is that there's a spectrum of experiences for cruising in Alaska. From mega ships with bargain pricing to initimate luxury. Until you have made your own priority list, you have only moving, shifting targets to aim your thoughts toward.

 

So, let's start you thinking - which portion of your trip is more important, the cruising or the land segment? How much time do you want to devote to each? What level of service do you want/need/expect? What do you want to do, both at sea and on land? If only one thing happens for you on this trip, what would you want it to be? How much are all these factors worth to you on a cash basis, both individually and collectively?

 

This is the kind of pre-planning that needs to go into successful decision making. Sure, it can seem needless - but is it better to just ask a relatively random group of people "what's the best"? Because those answers will reflect THEIR values and choices, not what matches your needs and wishes.

[ccastner]

I did Alaska on HAL in 1988. It was great. I haven't done Alaska on Princess, as there are so many other places to see that I haven't seen. Since I have started cruising in 2010, I have been loyal to Princess. When I started, itinerary and price were the decider. I had such a great time. I enjoyed everything about the cruise. Food, activities, excursions, the ship, the room.

 

My second cruise, I searched multiple lines, and again, Princess met my itinerary and price. For my third (and soon fourth) I didn't even bother to look at any other line besides Princess.

 

Why the food: I choose anytime dining, and seat early. I always sit with new and interesting people, and I have never had a bad meal. I am up early and always have breakfast at Horizon court and sit by the pool. The staff everywhere are nice, prompt, etc.

 

I always get the coffee card. I always get a mocha every morning. It is delightful to sit on the promenade deck, drinking my mocha as we pull into port.

 

Afternoon tea on sea days.

 

Pub lunches on sea days

 

Trivia

 

Comedy shows. Watching dancing and karaoke.

 

Ability to sit and read or x-stitch or knit on my own (solo traveler) and not be interrupted by my fellow passengers to engage in conversation

 

Balcony room. I will save up longer for one. I love the space it gives and ability to sit and get sea air without being on a pool deck.

 

Port lectures and other instructional lectures.

 

Mojitos and Pinot Grigio

 

As a solo traveler, I am never made to feel weird or odd. I am treated well by all the staff/crew.

 

Movies under the Stars or Sun.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[WupperAV]

I would rate Princess, Competetive, middle of the curve, RCCL at the bottom and food, service and the whole trip excellent for the price. Ships are clean, food is good to excellent and there are a whole lot of complainers who gripe about everything. We are going to S Am on Princess this year.

[zqvol]

I am beginning to research a cruise to Alaska. Our trip there was a Cruisetour with Royal Caribbean our line of choice.

I asked my TA which line she would recommend and she said Princess. That sort of agrees with many of you here on Cruise Critic.

 

So, here is my question. Why? What does Princess do that is so much better than the other many lines that travel to Alaska? If you disagree please respond also.

 

Thanks for all input.

 

 

If you are going to go mass market Princess is probably the best way to go, but if you are going upscale or luxury you want either Regent or Silversea. Their smaller ships and superior food make the extra costs well worth it. They usually go to Hubbard Glacier which I like better than Glacier Bay.

[Texas Tillie]

If you are going to go mass market Princess is probably the best way to go, but if you are going upscale or luxury you want either Regent or Silversea. Their smaller ships and superior food make the extra costs well worth it. They usually go to Hubbard Glacier which I like better than Glacier Bay.

 

Crystal will also be in Alaska in 2017. Most of their cruises include Glacier Bay.

[Cruisin' Chick]

We went on our first Princess cruise after six carnival ones (one of hubby's co-workers was dating a Princess employee and got us a "friends and family" discount).

 

Princess just seemed less crazy (no hairy back contests, less PA announcements about that "last chance bingo" match, when you know darn well it's not), the decor not matching any Vegas casino, a fridge in the cabin, lots of activities that I like... there was a naturalist on board narrating what you're seeing during the glacier cruising on the Alaskan cruise (Princess has this on every Alaskan cruise, but perhaps other lines do this too). Princess has self-service laundries (we don't have to worry about allergies to laundry detergent or clothes getting shrunk due to the heat used). Princess still has the traditional dining option (we didn't care for anytime dining).

 

We've been on five Princess cruises and I imagine the next one will be on Princess.

[celebrity]

I feel your pain. Everyone raves about Princess and I have no doubt that it's great.

Having sailed with Royal and Celebrity for the majority of my cruises, it's tough to give up the perks I've earned over the years.

Only sailed Princess once, on the Crown to the Carib and it was just ok.

However, Alaska is all about the scenery so it's a real tough decision.

When my time comes to sail, I will carefully weigh all my options.

[Bbearz]

As has been stated... It feels right..

So- decor is less glitzy and more subtle glam...dining rooms not has hectic/loud...less children...more areas to sit around in...less people walking around with alcohol...more lounges(bars) with nicer, calmer decor...entertainment choices...more "mature" activities (no who makes the biggest splash...)...opinion-staff more knowledgeable...food is mostly equal...specialty dining more to our taste and a bit better by our standards (Princess = A-, Royal = B)..promenade more shops/more jewelry...

 

We took Royal past spring...just too much commotion....

 

We are not "old", and my daughter of 32 says she prefers Princess too...

 

Good luck!

[bettyboop16]

We sailed on the Coral Princess to Alaska 2005. I chose Princess due to people saying if you cruise to Alaska Princess is the best & sail from Vancouver because you will see more of Alaska. Cruise left from Vancouver & we departed in Seward. We only cruise there 1 time so I nothing to compare it to.

 

It was a good cruise & we both enjoyed Alaska. My only complaint would be the entertainment was lacking on the ship.

[Pudgesmom]

I'm going to disagree with some of the above posters. I have been to Alaska on Holland America and Princess. Both lines had essentially the same itinerary. Princess went to Glacier Bay and Hal went to Hubbard Glacier. Both were outstanding. The shore excursions were identical.

 

I thought the food on Princess was well below that on Hal. Service was also not that great. We mostly cruise on Windstar, so I don't have all that much experience with mainstream lines. Based on that one trip, I would not book Princess again.