Background: We are an active couple in our mid-50's on our first trip to Alaska. We were amazed how many people did not know anything about excursions in general or even what they had booked. Doing even minimal research on the Alaska board will put you in the top 20% of your fellow cruisers. We had an inside cabin that worked our very well for us, since we spent little time in it. We have cruised the Caribbean several times. Like most of our cruises, we overpacked. This is a far more casual cruise than the Caribbean and we suggest you bring jeans, hooded sweatshirts, fall/winter jacket that is preferably wind and water resistant, winter hat, gloves, rain ponchos and an umbrella. It was very cold on deck in Glacier Bay (even though we had one of the few sunny days there) and especially in College Fjord. We dressed nicer for dinners. On our cruise, it was not warm enough for us to wear our shorts even once. Bring good binoculars or a spotting scope, your best camera and a video camera, if you have them. Much of the wildlife (whales, seals, otters, bears, sheep) may be a considerable distance from the ship or bus and without zoom lenses, they will only be dots in the distance. Even the jumping 18-inch salmon look like sardines from the deck. We saw whales at some oddball times: outside our dining room window while docked at Skagway, and 2-3 hours after leaving Glacier Bay heading toward College Fjord. Always be on the lookout. We also saw whales and porpoises at the narrow Snow Passage, 4 ½ hours after leaving Ketchikan toward Juneau (announced by the naturalist on board). In case you have the mistaken impression that bears and moose in Alaska are just like their docile zoo counterparts, be sure to read the National Park Service web page http://www.nps.gov/dena/naturescienc...lifesafety.htm before you go. You do not want a close encounter with either of them. The Park Service naturalist at the Denali Visitor Center told us she was chased back into the Center by a moose recently.

Embarkation: Our flight went from the U.S. into Toronto so we cleared customs and immigration there (very quick). We landed in the Vancouver, B.C. domestic terminal. It took us 35 minutes to get our luggage and board the Princess shuttle; 1 ¼ hrs for shuttle ride to Canada Place, clearing customs there, and check-in. TIPS: On the shuttle ride, watch for some very nice houses from about 50th St on toward the port. Muster drill was at 4 pm (scheduled departure time). It's nice to be on deck for sailaway as you pass under the Lions Gate Bridge and to view the very expensive homes shortly thereafter.

The Ship & Service: The professional review on the Sapphire Princess is very informative and we'll try not to repeat info. Pros: The ship was beautiful and well maintained. Even with a full ship, we never felt overcrowded and thankfully it was very stable on our Inside Passage trip. Staff were helpful and not overly aggressive in trying to sell drinks on deck and in the theater. Dining room staff were attentive and efficient. Our cruise director Neil Roberts was energetic without being overbearing. The Calypso Pool (enclosed) is a great place to relax. This is also where they sign out blankets (retain them for the entire trip). The photography on formal nights was the best we have had on any ship. The hot tub pools were well utilized throughout the cruise. And best of all was the Princess naturalist, Pat Kramer. Her narration throughout the trip (heard on all outside decks and many inside areas, including the Horizon Court was terrific. We also went to her 1-hour lectures on totems, bears, glaciers, Skagway history, etc and really enjoyed each of them. We also enjoyed the dog sledding talk by Libby Riddles. Cons: The stairways are very narrow. You can reach the Savoy Dining Room from the midship elevators and stairs but not from the aft! The Princess Theater while very attractive, is too small for a full ship -- by 20 minutes prior to the 8:15 pm shows, it was at full capacity. With the prevalence of norovirus, we were disappointed that use of hand sanitation was not required before entering dining areas. It was there, but few cruisers utilized it. Read more