Princess vs NCL Alaska 2019

[thedaltonb]

I am looking at booking a cruise to Alaska in August of 2019, and cant decide between Princess (aboard the Ruby Princess), or NCL (aboard the Norwegian Bliss). The itineraries are exactly the same, and the price is $200 difference, so if anyone can respond with their experience, positive and negative, and/or opinions about which line they preferred I would very much appreciate it!  

[sprint180]

I have gone to Alaska on both Saphire Princess and NCL Pearl.  We loved both trips.  They offer the same type excursions.  The NCL had a slightly lower age demographic.  If I was to go again I would go on NCL and i'm sorry I can't really say why.  Probably because Princess didn't have a lot of activity later in the evenings.  I am 49 years old still like to have a bit of fun on my trips.  Either way you can't go wrong, enjoy your trip.  maybe someone else can give you a better answer.

[donaldsc]

Are the itineraries (ports, port times, port arrival times, port departure times) really exactly the same.  The fact that they may visit the same ports does not mean that the itineraries are exactly the same.

 

DON

[Ferry_Watcher]

The Bliss carries 4,000 passengers; the Ruby carries 3,080.  I would chose the Ruby.

[Shmoo here]

8 hours ago, donaldsc said:

Are the itineraries (ports, port times, port arrival times, port departure times) really exactly the same.  The fact that they may visit the same ports does not mean that the itineraries are exactly the same.

 

DON

Ruby Princess

Seattle depart 4:00 pm

At Sea

Juneau arrive 11:00 am depart 10:15 pm

Skagway arrive 7:00 am depart 8:15 pm

Glacier Bay (cruising) 6:00 am to 3:00 pm

Ketchikan arrive 7:00 am depart 1:15 pm

Victoria arrive 7:00 pm depart 11:59 pm

Seattle arrive 7:00 am

 

Norwegian Bliss

Seattle depart 3:30 pm

At Sea

Juneau arrive 2:30 pm depart 11:00 pm'

Skagway arrive 7:00 am depart 8:15 pm

Glacier Bay (cruising) no times listed

Ketchikan arrive 6:00 am depart 1:15 pm

Victoria arrive 7:30 pm depart 11:59 pm

Seattle arrive 6:00 am

 

[Roz]

I just came back from Alaska (for the 5th time), and noticed that HAL and Princess seem to get the prime docking spots.  For instance, in Juneau, NCL docks in an industrial area and the passengers use shuttle buses to get into town.  In Skagway, NCL's ships are a longer walk from main activity center.

 

Roz

[donaldsc]

On 5/15/2019 at 8:40 PM, Shmoo here said:

Ruby Princess

Seattle depart 4:00 pm

At Sea

Juneau arrive 11:00 am depart 10:15 pm

Skagway arrive 7:00 am depart 8:15 pm

Glacier Bay (cruising) 6:00 am to 3:00 pm

Ketchikan arrive 7:00 am depart 1:15 pm

Victoria arrive 7:00 pm depart 11:59 pm

Seattle arrive 7:00 am

 

Norwegian Bliss

Seattle depart 3:30 pm

At Sea

Juneau arrive 2:30 pm depart 11:00 pm'

Skagway arrive 7:00 am depart 8:15 pm

Glacier Bay (cruising) no times listed

Ketchikan arrive 6:00 am depart 1:15 pm

Victoria arrive 7:30 pm depart 11:59 pm

Seattle arrive 6:00 am

 

 

Big difference.  You get 3 1/2 hours more in Juneau on Princess.  

 

DON

[capriccio]

56 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

Big difference.  You get 3 1/2 hours more in Juneau on Princess.  

 

DON

And if you plan to do an independent whale watching excursion I would check the times offered before you book the cruise.  I have read on cruise critic of vendors offering their latest tours in the late afternoon which makes accommodating all those on ships with a late arrival in Juneau (like the Bliss) problematic. 

[ohhbother]

No question for me - Bliss all the way. Much newer ship. Gorgeous amenities. And the food is a hundred times better on NCL. We find Princess food to be on the edge of inedible.

[Shmoo here]

11 hours ago, ohhbother said:

No question for me - Bliss all the way. Much newer ship. Gorgeous amenities. And the food is a hundred times better on NCL. We find Princess food to be on the edge of inedible.

Food being "good" or "inedible" is a personal decision.  I can't speak to NCL food, but I find the food on Princess the be the best of the lines I've been on.

[Sea Hag]

We've gone to Alaska on both Princess and NCL. Great cruises on either line. I'd go with the Ruby, but that's only because the Ruby has a specific cabin type that I'd be trying to get.