Name: Sean McGuire
Email: sean.mcguire@usa.net
Age: 28
Occupation: Geographer
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Crown
SailingDate: 5/25/98
Itinerary: 7 day Alaska Northbound
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 70
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 98
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService:
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 80
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace:
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 93
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 23 Jun 1998
Time: 16:16:04
Remote Name: 199.90.98.68
Remote User:

Comments

This was our first cruise, and also our honeymoon. The embarkation procedures were relatively well-orgranized, yet we still had to wait in lines for about
fifteen minutes. Several other folks didn't seem to understand that the lines were for everyone, and proceeded to walk past everyone in line to where the
embarkation staff were gathered. Very rude behavior; Princess should have better instructions about the procedure. We had booked a standard inside
cabin with a guarantee. We were very pleasantly surprised to be upgraded from a 'K' cabin to a 'DD', which is outside with a window.

We had unusually good weather for this trip. It only rained a little on the first day and on the last day. All the other days were slightly overcast to mostly
sunny.

Vancouver is a great town to visit, with lots to do and see. I recommend adding days to the beginning or end of your cruise if possible. We were able to
see Stanley Park, the aquarium, and the Sun Yat Sen Chinese garden. All were great especially the park. Unfortunately, we only had part of a day to
explore.

The Inside Passage is beautiful, with lush green mountains surrounding deep blue fjords. We spotted a few bald eagles from the viewing decks. The key
to dressing for Alaska is layering. The weather can be cold to quite warm all in the same day. It can be especially chilly on the forward viewing decks since
the ship adds 15-20 knots of wind simply moving along. Another tip is to bring all the film, videotape, and batteries that you will need. All are very
expensive aboard ship and in the ports.

Ketchikan, our first port, is a small fishing town. We booked our own tour, with Classic Tours which took us to the Saxman Village, and around town. Our
tour vehicle was a red '57 Chevy!

Advice on shore excursions: Book them yourself ahead of time. You will save lots of money (up to 50%) and get better tours. We were able to find lots of
info on the net.

In Juneau, we again booked our own excursions. We booked a combination nature cruise and flightseeing package through Orca Enterprises. Both were
outstanding. We saw a couple of humpback whales, but the highlight was bald eagles swooping down to catch fish only feet from the boat. The helicopter
to the Herbert Glacier was truly amazing with a landing on the glacier itself.

In Skagway, we booked a trip to Haines through Princess. While this excursion was a nice trip, it just didn't hold a candle to the others we booked
ourselves in quality or value. Also in Skagway, we saw the Days of Soapy Smith Show. I was really fun, with quality singing and dancing.

Our next two days involved glaciers when we cruised through Glacier Bay and College Fjord, an arm of Prince William Sound. As you might imagine, it was
a little cooler these days with all that ice around. We saw harbor seals and lots of glaciers.

Our cruise ended in Seward. The disembarkation was terrible. Mainly due to a lack of information. We ended up staying on the ship 3 hours longer than
we needed to - wasted time sitting in our cabin. We again had booked our own post-cruise nature tour of Kenai Fjords National Park. We went on a six
hour cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours. This cruise was the best for whale sitings with over 10 humpbacks plus a calf breaching! We also saw a group of fin
whales, plus sea otters, stellar sea lions, puffins and other birds. Plus we got to see Holgate glacier up close. All on a six hour cruise! Do not skip this
one.

We took the train from Seward to Anchorage. Normally, the trip takes about 3 hours, but we were held up by a moose and two calves for 30 minutes. The
train has to be better than the buses that Princess sticks folks on. We stayed in a B&B and flew out the next morning.

On board, the amenities were nice, but you could tell the ship had sailed many cruises. The food was excellent, as expected. Pick up sodas in port since
there are refridgerators in every room and they charge $1.25 for them on board.

Overall, a wonderful trip. Last suggestion: Book as little as possible through the cruise line itself. This includes air travel, transfers, shore excursions, etc.
You will save a lot of money plus have much more control over your itenerary.

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