Diamond Princess Review by a First-Timer

[dbhome]

Just back from the Diamond Princess Southbound, July 12-19. DH and I were first-time Alaskan cruisers celebrating our 10th Anniversary. We booked our cruise on a last minute sale, used frequent flier miles for our airfare and were on a pretty tight budget. Here are some of our highlights.

The Best Part of the Trip for Me : 2 glacier days! The Diamond Princess Southbound visits College Fiord the first day and Glacier Bay the second day. I’d looked at tons of photos of this online, but it was even more breathtaking in person. I also loved that the first two days were spent on ship, giving us time to wind down and relax without having to hit the ports right away. We spent lots of time up top and on the Promenade deck and would duck inside for a hot drink (sitting by picture windows) in one of the bars when we got too cold.

Best Low Cost Excursion: We rented bikes in Anchorage the day before embarkation and biked the Tony Knowles Coastal trail. The bikes rented for $15 per bike for 3 hours. We ended up going 22 miles roundtrip (I could hardly walk when we got back.) We saw beautiful scenery, had beautiful weather and saw three moose. It was a great way to spend the first day of our trip when we were too jet-lagged to stay awake in a museum. A close second in this category would be our do-it-yourself tour to Mendenhall Glacier. We had a great day for only $14 per person round trip.

Best Decision of the Trip: Taking the train from Anchorage to the port in Whittier. It was easy and the scenery was gorgeous. We were so excited by the time we pulled into Whittier and saw our ship. The cost was $60 per person which was comparable with the other shuttles services I found.

Stupidest Question I Asked on Cruise Critic: How do I get to the ship from the train station in Whittier? Answer: Walk across the street.

Biggest Waste of My Vacation Time: Taking the spa tour the day we embarked. It was just one long sales pitch. I just wanted a peak at the spa so this was a bad choice for me.

Best Splurge: In Ketchikan we booked an independent tour with Southeast Sea Kayaks. We did the 4 hour Orcas Cove tour for $149 per person. We were on a tight budget and didn’t have a lot of $$$ for excursions. We are so glad we did this. Neither of us had kayaked before, but they made it easy. We only had six people in our group along with a guide and we never saw another kayaker for the 2 ½ - 3 hours we were on the water. When we returned, we had a smoked salmon snack on board our small boat. This was one of my favorite days. Our other splurge was The White Pass and Yukon Route Rail and Bus Tour with M & M Tours in Skagway. This was $109 per person and was an excellent tour, but sea kayaking was still my favorite.

Best Unplanned Fun: After we got back from the White Pass and Yukon tour in Skagway, we stopped by the Red Onion Saloon for some nachos. We took photos with the girls and even took the brothel tour – “$5 for 15 minutes – just like the old days.” The humor was a little risqué – but after all it is a brothel tour.

Best Use of Sales Resistance: We didn’t buy any of the overpriced photos that they took of us on ship. Do you know how hard it is to let them trash a cute photo of you? We stopped by and took a longing look at our photos every day. But being home less than 24 hours, I’m not missing any of those photos. DH and I both took a camera and we have tons of beautiful photos.

Best Pre-Trip Purchase: Gore-Tex jackets from Sierra Trading Post. We saved over 50% off retail on great jackets that we used every day of the trip. Even though we didn’t have rain, these breathable waterproof and windproof jackets were perfect layering pieces for our coldest to our warmest days. And if we’d not been so lucky with the weather, we would have been dry in a downpour. The waterproof pants we bought, were unused, but better safe than sorry. Another great purchase: A small digital luggage scale from Bed, Bath and Beyond ($20).

Yummiest Thing We Ate on the Trip: World Famous Bread Pudding at the Glacier Brew House in Anchorage. Here’s the description from the menu: Classic apple and currant bread pudding, wood oven roasted. Topped with caramelized pecans and Yukon Jack sauce. Food on the Diamond Princess was hit or miss.

Favorite Things About the Diamond Princess: Anytime Dining; checking out books from the library and finding a sofa by the window on one of the public decks on sea days; going to the beautiful indoor pool at 7 pm while everyone else goes to dinner and catching a late dinner afterward.

Our Choice for Pre-cruise Lodging in Anchorage: Between the Arms Bed and Breakfast. Very comfortable accomodations in a private home with a delicious breakfast. An easy 40 minute walk to downtown on the coastal trail. For around $100 for a King room with a private bath, we thought this was a steal and a great way to start our trip.

[CalifCruiser1]

You did a wonderful job on your post. thanks for the info Karon:)

[c3p1]

Thanks for posting, I liked the topics you choice and the format of the report!

Paul

[gertz]

Thanks for the review. If you haven't you should post this on the Princess Board and in reviews.

 

Was on the Diamond last September Vancouver to LA great ship never crowded.

 

GERTZ

Princess Elite

Next Tahitian 9/18 Vancouver to Honolulu

Coral 4/12 FLL to LA

Island 8/17 back to Alaska 4th time w/grandson

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome home

 

Thanks for the wonderful report.

[mii]

Great review and very thorough.

 

Marilyn

[ddeprez]

Great review! We'll be on the Diamond the 2nd week in Sept (land tour first). Since you were just there, can you comment on the dress for formal nights? With the extra airline charges, we're really hesitant to bring extra luggage for a suit, dress, etc. Did you go to formal nights? If not, were the same food selections available in the buffet? Also, were many people using the pools/hottub, and how "inside" is the inside pool?

Thanks for the help!! Glad to hear you had a great time!!

[dbhome]

For formal night, my husband packed a suit, dress shirt and tie for formal night - wore the same thing both nights. I packed two sleeveless solid color dresses - the kind of thing that can be dressed up or down - they didn't take much space. Most men had at least a dress shirt and tie. I did see a guy sitting next to us who didn't seem to have a coat. Only a couple of tuxedos and evening gowns. I don't think that the same food items were available in the buffet.

 

There is one pool that is totally glassed in. windows and ceiling, with hot tubs around the pool. I think the key is to go at odd times. We had it all to ourselves one night at about 6:30 pm. In the day it was crowded.

[parrotsrfun]

Hi,

 

It was very interesting and helpful to read your post as we will be taking the same cruise starting the 26th of July. Ketchikan sea kayaking...did you see much wild life or just get a lot of good exercise??? Wondering if anyone else could weigh in on tours that are on the "path less traveled" by the vacationing hoards. With cruising I like to book off ship to get less of the being part of a herd feel.

Your stupidest ? obviously isn't as we were dumped from the rail trip to Whittier by the cruise line due to overbooking and when I said that the Alaska railroad still had seats available the TA said I would have to make my own arraingments to get from Whittier to the ship??? I guessing we can manage the walk?

[dbhome]

Sea kayaking - we saw 2 bald eagles and sea anemones and star fish. We saw some type of little diving duck on the water and a seal stuck it's head up for just a moment. Mainly we just paddled at an easy pace around a beautiful shoreline. It was very quiet and peaceful. Still, being out for a while, we got plenty of exercise.

 

As far as getting to the ship at Whittier, if you can cross a two lane road with zero traffic, you will be at your ship.