Alaska book - Princess

[santamaria]

Can anybody tell me about the Princess Alaska Cruise Campanion Book & Map - worth getting before cruise?

[Genessa]

absolutely! We travelled with two other couples and my dh & I got one and one of the other couples did also. The third couple was very jealous [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Seriously, it is a great book, especially with the map, at least if you are in a balcony cabin. It was terrific to be reading about places and being able to spot them! Even my husband, who is not the map lover I am, got a big kick out of it. We kept it on the tv table, so that we could take it outdoors with us whenever we went out onto the balcony.

Plus, it was very pleasurable reading. I read it through even before we left home and read it again in Alaska.

[Host Caroline]

Second that recommendation! This is one book that should be on everyone's pre-cruise shopping list.. Plus it's a great "diary" of the places you will see...

Host Caroline
<font SIZE="1">[B]One can [I]never[/I] have too many days at sea...[/B]</font> [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Sept 04-Royal Hounds Mariner of the Seas
Feb 05-Partae Pirates Carnival Miracle

[mscloyd]

I've never heard of this book. What is it, where do you get it, and how much does it cost?

[Coral]

I 3rd the recommendation - I wish I would have bought it last year. Here is info on it - I believe you can just call Princess and order it:

[url="http://www.princess.com/onboard/sendagift/exclusive.html"]http://www.princess.com/onboard/sendagift/exclusive.html[/url]

They are also available on the ship (Princess sailings).

[stephenandrew]

Hi--

For what its worth, you might want to check E-bay--that's where I got mine. I think I paid about $12 (w/ shipping) for my copy. I don't recall the Pricess Price, but I think it was around $20. Anyway, you might save yourself a few bucks if you can find one on E-bay.

I would agree with those who posted before me--it is worth the purchase price--even if you have to pay "retail"!

[vicreg]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by stephenandrew:
Hi--

For what its worth, you might want to check E-bay--that's where I got mine. I think I paid about $12 (w/ shipping) for my copy.

Do you remeber what words you used to search for the book on e bay? Thanks

[mii]

We also got the book and it is fantastic. My DH got hold of the map and would not let it go. He lived it and while we were sailing he followed our route and I have to admit I also enjoyed it. I think the author is Bob Upton and you will find it on the ship (Princess) and now I am not sure what the cost was as we got it on our first sailing of Alaska which was 2000. Pleas try to get it. It is worth every penny.


Marilyn

[20YearsBetweenCruises]

Going on the NCL Spirit in June - inside passage from Seattle. WIll this book work for any cruise or is it geared toward ones on teh Princess?

NCL Spirit 6/4/04
Carnival? 9/1984

[minner80]

I just phoned Princess to order one & she said that they were out of them and didn't know when to expect more in. Bummer, I was hoping to have it before cruising. I will keep trying I guess!

[stephenandrew]

vicreg--

I don't recall exactly what words I used to search, but it was something like "alaskan cruise guide" or "princess alaskan cruise guide". I have seen two of them for sale so far on E-bay. On the first one, someone out bid me, but that book did not have the map. As someone earlier mentioned, the map is pretty nice. I was the winning bidder on the second book, and it had the map. Now that I have seen the book and map, I would personally pay the full price unless the copy on E-Bay had the map included. Happy bargain hunting.

[Travalot]

The book is called "The Alaska Cruise Companion." There are Northbound and Southbound editions. Mine will be going on its third cruise. I don't think it matters too much which edition you have unless you are REALLY detail oriented. I have the northbound, but also used it on a southbound.

HAL's Ryndam - Northbound Alaska - May 28, 2004

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;05;28;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[Genessa]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 20YearsBetweenCruises:
Going on the NCL Spirit in June - inside passage from Seattle. WIll this book work for any cruise or is it geared toward ones on teh Princess?

NCL Spirit 6/4/04
Carnival? 9/1984<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

it should be good for any cruise line. If I remember correctly it is sectioned off by sea mile - historical facts and anecdotes as well as natural history and an idea of what "critters" you might be seeing where.

[mpk]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Travalot:
The book is called "The Alaska Cruise Companion."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I found that book, but it doesn't seem to be connected with Princess. I guess it doesn't matter...

[mpk]

My mistake- there is one by Princess:

Alaska Cruise Companion, Princess Cruises, Southbound:The Mile-by-Mile Guide to the Magic of the North

[Coral]

I believe there used to be a separate North and South edition but when it was revised, it became one edition.

It is not written by Princess but there is definitely a connection of some sort between Princess and Joe Upton (author). I also believe that you can only get this book through Princess.

[SueR]

I tried to order this book from Princess in March and was advised to wait. A new edition is coming out in May. This may be why they are saying that they are out right now. We are sailing June 26 with my inlaws. I am planning on getting this for my father in law for Father's Day.

Sue

You haven't lived until you've cruised.
Viking Serenade 8/92
Golden Princess 12/01
Grandeur of the Seas 10/02
Monarch of the Seas 6/03
Disney Magic 8/03
Carnival Imagination 10/03

Monarch of the Seas 5/17/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008000&cdt=2004;5;17;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
North to Alaska! Diamond Princess 6/26/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;6;26;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[vicreg]

I just purchased a book on half.com called The Coastal Companion: A Guide for the Alaska Bound Traveler by Joe Upton. I hope it will be good. I couldn't find the one being talked about on ebay or half. I will try to get that one before we sail on July 11. Thank you all for the recommendations.

[Travalot]

vicreg - I'll bet it is pretty much the same book as the original "Princess" one, which was written by Joe Upton. My 1998 edition "includes information on shore excursions, Princess Lodges, the Midnight Sun Express, and Denali Park." With all the different cruise lines sailing in Alaska, it probably made sense for the author to have a more general guide.

HAL's Ryndam - Northbound Alaska - May 28, 2004

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;05;28;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[damerch]

After following this message, I searched for this book and found the Southbound one(used) on Powell.com. $8

[cfs]

Is Powell.com the correct address? I get an electronis company.

[schoolmarm]

I called again and they said to call next week. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

[mscloyd]

Does anyone know if it's worth it to buy a new version or would it be the same if you bought a used one?

[damerch]

cfs, Sorry it's Powells.com I received it in the mail today and the map alone was worth it. It has great detail.

[tonymsrad]

It was very helpful. It's for sail on the ship for around $20, but we found a copy in our room as a gift from our travel agent, Buycruises.com