Review Coral Princess N/B 5/22/06 - LONG

[sprinkles]

Have finally gotten settled back into real life and decided that I should write a review since we are total independants and do EVERYTHING ON OUR OWN. So if you want to know about Princess excursions this isn't for you. If it matters whose opinion you are reading, I'm 37, DH is 46 and this was our 11th cruise - 1st to Alaska. Just to start, we were blessed with AMAZING weather and only had rain in Vancouver, all other weather was sunny and usually warm.

 

Flew to VANCOUVER on Alaska Air via Seattle. Saved $100 apiece by changing planes in Seattle (it makes DH happy to "save a buck" where he can, LOL). I was slightly hesitant about the "puddle jumper" with 30 seats or so, but it ended up being fun. Seats were all leather and more comfortable then what we flew from Los Angeles to Seattle. Had seats on the right side and had a very scenic flight due to the low altitude all the way from Seattle to Vancouver. Ended up landing in Vancouver 1 hr later then we would have on a direct flight. Customs, no problem. Taxis were everywhere, but jumped in a limo for $39 (I believe), "splurging" for our anniversary.

 

Stayed one night at the Hampton Inn and Suites. Awesome room, with wonderful jacuzzi tub and heavenly beds, nice breakfast, complimentary shuttle around town and to cruise dock. We were exhausted and just couldn't muster up the energy to do much in Vancouver. Walked to Chinatown for lunch. Had dinner at a really cool "noodles" place up the street (next to subway). Called at 7:00am to reserve 12:00pm shuttle to ship. Had shuttle take us to the lookout, so at least we were able to "see" what we missed in Vancouver. Walked around Gastown and back over to Chinatown (walk between the two is a little "iffy" right through the downtrodden area). Shuttle to the ship and embarkation was a breeze.

 

CABIN

Another anniversary splurge was a mini-suite (1st time), Dolphin 604. Loved the location, ended up having no problems at all with the exposed balcony. We had sunshine and no rain. The view from our window was incredible. We felt very comfortable on the balcony and just didn't care if anyone was looking down on us or not. Only complaint about the room is the beds. They are miserable, hard to believe they were replaced, what a year ago? Each side had a HUGE sinkhole and the middle of the bed where the two meet is hard metal - impossible to snuggle, it's one side or the other. Had steward add egg crates which helped. Oh, we ended up having one other complaint, went to bed the first night and found out we had no heat whatsoever in our cabin. Could not be fixed at 11:00pm we were told, Purser offered extra blankets which we accepted. Froze the first night and next day was a sea day, called in the morning to remind about the heat. Frustrating day, several phone calls, finally around 5:00pm (after getting ready for dinner in a very cold cabin). Went back to the purser and jokingly asked for thicker robes in our cabin if we couldn't get heat. Supervisor followed us to our room and within 30 minutes had a maintenance man there to fix. Tuned out the heat was turned off and only the air conditioning was working. By having the heat turned all the way up, we were running the air at top spead instead (wish we could have figured that out the first night instead of freezing). The supervisor called later to see if our heat had been fixed, we thanked him and asked if we could still get the thicker robes, said sorry only enough for the suite pass - oh well can't blame someone for trying. Anyway, we moved on and it didn't ruin our cruise. Purser's desk definately a mess as first sailing after crew change. Otherwise loved our cabin and steward Andrew was fine, got us our feather pillows, kept the room nice.

 

SHIP & FOOD

 

Enjoyed the Coral, pretty ship, lots of places/spaces to go. Never really got our bearings on this one and always felt turned around (maybe because we spent alot of time in our cabin), never felt crowded. Sorry, didn't go to shows, started to go to one at the begining, but all the coughing/sneezing started up all around us and directly behind us (it's become a "thing" with us) and we just had to take off. Never had the desire to go back to any shows. Food ranged from good to excellent, no complaints there (anytime dining). Maitre' D set us up with a table for 2 with a standing reservation for 7:30 and it worked out great for us. Never went to any specialty restaurants. Buffet breakfast was good. Tried the dining room for breakfast first sea day, but as usuall, very slow. DH enjoyed the casino and kept us even playing on the nickel video poker machines (Royal Flush - Four Deuces) - I on the other hand would put it all back in the quarter video poker machines. Had a very good massage in the Spa (sorry can't find his name - I wan't to say Jim from Sweeden).

 

PORTS

 

Ketchikan was a shopping day for us. Walked up to the "Eagle Reserve and Fish Hatchery". We were very excited to see the 2 eagles they had, but later couldn't believe we paid $12.00 apiece to see them when they were everywhere hanging outside our balcony in Juneau. Took a free shuttle out to the wallmart where we stocked up on soda and water - no problem bringing it back on. Bought really neat jackets at the souvenier shop directly in front of the ship. $25.00 apiece nice fleece lined, hooded, embroidered Alaska on them. Got compliments on them everywhere we went, several others on our ship bought them as well. Wish we would not have packed our heavy jackets as we never wore them. It was either the new jackets of just our zippered sweatshirts.

 

Juneau, did the Whale Watch with (oops - don't think I say the name anymore?) I think I can only reply if someone asks. Anyway the one that is often talked about here. Only had 16 people on the boat. For 1st time whale watchers, we were fascinated with the whole experience. Saw about 6 humpbacks and had a great time. Next time we will definately do a glacier landing (even if I have to heavily medicate to get on a hellicopter,). Then, you guessed it, more shopping (glacier smoothie soap is really nice and the lip balm - look for the little shack). Once back on the ship enjoyed watching the eagles that were everywhere. Onle landed on a lightpole literally 50 ft from our balcony. Juvenile was on the rocks eating a fish, way cool.

 

Skagway, rented a car from Avis and took off. Just happened to be our anniversary and we had an amazing day. Every turn was more breathtaking then the last. We're not bus people and LOVED being able to stop wherever we wanted to, most of our best pictures are from that day. Enjoyed the little general store in Carcross. Amazing pictures of Emerald Lake in the sunshine. Continued on to White Horse (we decided we needed Harley Davidson T-Shirts from there), found the Harley Dealership in the industrial area. Spent about an hour then headed back. Using Yukon's guide (THANKS!) we kept our eyes open where he told us to for bears and lo and behold on the way back saw one coming down the ridgeline. Stopped and watched him come all the way to the roadside, pop his head up, look both ways (no kidding) then run across the road (about 40 ft away from us). US Customs coming back was a little "grouchy", but no big deal. Stopped at the Pioneer Cemetary, walk to the waterfall is worth it.

 

Better split this up

[sprinkles]

Continuing on - (oh my gosh - still have laundry to do - what am I doing sitting here?).

 

Glacier Bay - College Fjords, beautifull relaxing days watching the scenery go by.

 

Disembarkation. OK - so we actually booked a Princess Transfer. Called Princess before cruise and they said we could go to the airport or to the Courtesy Area (can't remember right name for that, area downtown where you could catch shuttles to hotels, etc). Got our luggage tags and just knew they wern't right. They give you a list describing where all the colored tags are going to take you and I saw a different color that said "independant's car rentals - airport". Our was saying the "courtesy area". Went to the ship excursion desk first thing in am on last day. Told that we had to go there, then we could catch a car rental shuttle to the airport, get our car, then come back and get our luggage. Luckily I overheard the couple next to me being told, that they could go to the airport or the courtesy area. I was told they are on a tour, but then he changed his mind and gave me the other color tags (Red 4). I KNOW without a doubt this was what was better. Got off the ship, boarded a bus (nice ride into Anchorage), went straight to the airport. Sent to a room to claim our luggage, There was not alot of luggage in that room at all, found our suitcases immediately, took the elevator straight down and voila' we were in our rental car with our luggage and on our way.

 

Anchorage,

 

Very easy to get around. Went straight to the Comfort Inn Ship Creek and checked in at 10:00am. Went exploring, saw the "Great Alaskan Movie" very cool, but if motion sickness is a problem, forget it. Drove out to the Alaskan Zoo - kinda sad place, it was Memorial Day, lot's of families, enjoyed seeing the animals in the wild. Wish we would have just driven straight to Seward on that day, would have had plenty of time, but we just didn't know. Anyway, left next morning for Seward and just took our time. Took the Girdwood/Aleysa Tram, very pretty views. Drove the Great Alaska animal park. Loved watching the bears play there. The animals have alot more room here (then the zoo).

 

Seward, went to the Sea Life center where we fell in love with the puffins. Stayed at Murphy's motel. OK, no black out curtains which were tough. Next am walked to our private tour - run by a company mentioned on here before - they run a lodge. Only had 8 people on the boat and what an AMAZING day (sorry for not finding better adjectives). We saw everything, whales Orcas and humpbacks (hence we could have passed on whale watching in Juneau), eagles, stellar sea lions, puffins, on and on. The glacier we went to was more blue then any of the others we saw the entire trip. Just sitting on the bow of the boat by myself watching the calving from that close to the water, was awesome.

 

Last day in Alaska, went to a local well-known well-advertised family run dog sled camp at 8:00am. Fun, informative and glad we did it. Walked to exit glacier, worth the walk. Took our time driving back to Anchorage. By 3:00pm we were done and had a long time till our 12:30 am flight. Went to the floral gardens, nothing blooming yet, went back downtown for more shopping, went to the mall, watched a movie. Somehow drug it all out till 10:00pm when we turned in our car at the airport. In the end we wish we would have driven to Homer or planned a rafting trip or something for our drive coming back from Seward.

 

Next time (which won't be very long), we will explore the other way and go to Denali and Fairbanks. Sorry if this was too long and boring, but if you made it to this point, maybe it was of some help to you independant type people like ourselves. LOVED this trip and Alaska!!!!

 

Tammy

[Julia’s Journey’s]

Thanks for the review, we also like doing independent excursions, do you have a link to Yukon's suggestions for the drive to Emerald lake, we have rented a car and looking forward to the wonderful scenery.

[kml1211]

Sprinkles- May I please have the names of your tour companies? (See, now there has been a request!)

 

KML

[skarletohara]

sprinkles,

 

when you drove up to Carcross, was there anywhere to grab a bite to eat.

 

we've rented a car from avis as well, but i HAVE to eat at least every

hour and a half (blood sugar problem) and so, i was wondering if there's

anywhere go grab a little bite like soup or sandwich?

 

thanks

[sprinkles]

ITD, you should be able to find Yukon's guide here (I'm not good at posting links)

 

http://www.explorenorth.com/library/...e-photos1.html

 

KML

 

Juneau - we used Capt. Larry - Orca Enterprises

Seward - http://www.alaskasaltwaterlodge.com (by the way - people on the boat were staying at their lodge and said it was very nice). Just a little more on them too, it is a much smaller boat then the big companies take. We loved this, we were able to get SOOO much closer (I'm sure) to everything. Also, if you take their morning tour, they get you out before the bigger boats and we were all by ourselves everywhere we stopped.

 

Skarlet, we brought our own food and sodas, etc - BUT you should be able to get "something" at the little market in Carcross or for sure in Caribou Crossing (just a little down the road from Carcross).

 

 

By the way, I must have been tired at the end of my review. When talking about the Alaska Zoo, I meant that we enjoyed finding the animals out in the wild by ourselves NOT at the Zoo (the black bears were just pacing the fence, not very much room there). However, they did have quite a few animals and is probably a "must" stop with young kids. If you do go to the Alaska Zoo, bring mosquito repellant they are everywhere!

 

Tammy

[sprinkles]

IDT, I just checked and my link doesn't work, but if you scroll down the Alaska page, look for the post "Rental car Skagway to Emerald Lake" it is listed on the 1st page of that post (I just checked it and it works). It just had replies on it yesterday so it is not that far down.

 

Tammy

[kml1211]

Tammy- Thanks for the link for Saltwater Lodge. It seems that you felt that this would have been sufficient for whale watching and you wouldn't have done Capt. Larry's? I don't want to "double up" on experiences if I can manage to find a few new ones!

 

KML

[tapia]

Thanks for all the great info! (I'm greedy) Do you have any pictures you could share?

 

Who'd you use for the dog sledding?

[sprinkles]

KML,

 

Well, I just asked DH what he thought about your question and he totally disagrees with me. Our day with Capt. Larry was magical (keeping in mind that we had NEVER gone whale watching before), we were both mesmerized. We stayed on the top deck almost the entire time. Like DH said, Capt. Larry is going to get you whales. Where he took us, the water was like glass and the first time we saw - that first spout then the bobbing up and down and especially that first tail was really cool. Then we just wanted more and more - which we did get (didn't see any jumping though). When we left our excursion with him we were very happy we did his tour. DH says that on our Kenai Fjords tour we were lucky to see the whales that we did and it wasn't as magical as that first day with Capt. Larry.

 

On our tour with Saltwater we literally saw everything and wouldn't have missed that one for the world, but maybe they don't always see whales. I'm sure they can only spend so much time looking for them as they cover ALOT of area.

 

If whales are an interest to you, I would say do Capt. Larry and another excursion. You definately have time, his tour isn't that long. I know another poster here, did his morning tour then also booked a glacier landing with them as well and did that after their whale watch tour.

 

If you are not going to be heartbroken not to see a whale then skip it with Capt. Larry if you would rather do just one thing in Juneau. I know when we go back that I will make myself do a glacier landing there. Have a great time whatever you do, sorry if I just made it more confusing.

 

 

Tapia, we went with the Seavey family http://www.ididaride.com

 

Tammy

[sprinkles]

Oh Tapia, I forgot. Yes we do have pictures (489 to be exact), but I have no idea how to share them on here, sorry.

 

Tammy

[kml1211]

Well, I really like the idea of seeing whales, but I must say I may be harder to impress than most. I went whale watching in Boston a few years ago and saw quite a few Humpbacks. On top of that, we had one that WOULD NOT STOP BREACHING! It went on for over 20 minutes and the entire crew and captain were in awe. They said they had never seen a whale act like that before. They thought that perhaps he had some barnacles that were really botheirng him and he was trying to break them off. It was wild. I have some unbelievable shots (sorry- before I went digital or I would post them).

 

But, I would really like to see Orcas, and other wildlife.

 

I also heard that Harv and Marv's -out of Juneau is a great tour- but again I wonder "More of the same?".

 

KML

[Cruisechick82]

Oh Tapia, I forgot. Yes we do have pictures (489 to be exact), but I have no idea how to share them on here, sorry.

 

Tammy

 

Probably easiest to use an online photo sharing site such as shutterfly, webshots, etc. and upload your pictures there than post a link.

[sprinkles]

KML,

 

Sounds to me like you would not be heartbroken to miss Capt. Larry and there are certainly alot of other choices in Juneau. You will see TONS of wildlife doing a tour out of Seward. Have a great time!!!

 

 

Thanks Cruisinchick, maybe one day I'll get more computer literate, so far all I use it for is travel and shoppin :)

 

 

Tammy