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Name: Paul Coles
Email: pcoles@comm.net
Age: 40
Occupation: Computer Analyst
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Sun
SailingDate: 06/20/1998
Itinerary: Seward,AK to Vancouver
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 80
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 95
LoungeService: 100
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 18 Jul 1998
Time: 09:49:29
Remote Name: 199.254.157.107
Remote User:
Comments
Our journey began with the alarm clock sounding at 4:00 AM. Getting up with only four
hours of sleep is not a problem when going on vacation.
Two stops along the way and we arrived at the New Orleans Airport at 5:30 AM for our 6:30
AM departure. Princess Cruise lines chose our route ---
Northwest Airlines from New Orleans to Memphis….change planes…Memphis to
Minneapolis with a hour layover and a continuing flight to Anchorage.
We were scheduled to arrive at 2:28 PM Anchorage time. Northwest Airlines decided in
Minneapolis to make an equipment change. We had to change
concourses and wait for an arrival of a new flight before departing. This caused a 2 ½
hour delay, thus changing our arrival time in Anchorage to 5:00
PM.
In Anchorage, it will take about an hour to tag your luggage before you board a bus for a
3 hour ride to Seward. The bus ride takes you through miles of
scenic highway seeing moose, eagles, and whales.
It was 9:30 PM Anchorage time (12:30 AM New Orleans time) before we got to our stateroom.
We missed our seating in the main dining room and opted
for a bite in the food court. After eating and unpacking, it would be 11:00 PM (22 hours
since we woke up) before we went to sleep. We didn’t have the
energy to stay awake for any bon voyage celebrations. Our stateroom resided over one of
the popular nightspots. As tired as we were, we fell fast asleep,
ignoring the noise of the partying guest.
The next morning, I was in line at 6:30 AM to purchase the shore excursions. There were 60
other passengers ahead of me. Several of the excursions we
wanted to go on were sold out by the time I got to the cashier. I had planned to be in
line at 5:30 AM, but with the long travel day we had the day before
and not knowing where to find coffee, I didn’t make it.
To avoid the shortfalls we experienced , I would recommend traveling a day early. Make
plans to arrive at the ship when embarkation begins (3:00 PM).
Spend some time touring the ship to find where every thing is. Read the ship’s
newsletter to find out the times of the next day’s activities. We wasted day
two’s morning becoming aware of those things. Our 7 day cruise turned into a 6 day
cruise.
On Tuesday, we arrived in Skagway. In the morning, we took the White Pass and Yukon Route
Railroad ride. We enjoyed the scenery and stories narrated
by the train crew. In the afternoon, we shopped for souvenirs in town.
On Wednesday, we arrived in Juneau. We took the afternoon wildlife expedition tour. We
were very lucky because we spotted both hump back and killer
whales as well as harbor seals, stellar sea lion, eagle and other native birds
On Thursday, we arrived in Ketchinkan and went on the Charted Salmon Fishing Trip. Our
luck did not prevail. We didn’t get a bite.
On Friday, I watched a pre-recorded telecast from my stateroom’s TV on departure
procedures. My favorite line in this video was “Now Is the Time For
Reality To Set In”. Your cruise was coming to a end and you would have to return to
your normal lifestyle.
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