Alaska was always on the bucket list, but travelling from the UK we wanted to make the flights worthwhile so chose to leave from San Francisco rather then Vancouver or Seattle. We didn't have time to explore San Fransico before sailing but that was ok, we have visited the city before. The embarkation was ok and the only downside to the disembarkation was a late flight back to the UK and having to wander about with hand luggage from 9am until 1pm. While our hold luggage was put storage we wouldn't leave valuables.
We have sailed with Princess before so had an idea what to expect. The onboard entertainment was good. The food on this cruise was not as good as previous. I am maybe being a bit critical. Normally we are presented with a menu that has a number of items we want to try and knowing the menus are not repeated a choice has to be made. On this cruise we didn't think there was the same level,of choice and coarses were repeated during the cruise. We chose this cruise as it gave us a taste of Alaska and includes Tracy Arm fiord, due to ice we ended up at Endicott Arm but the experiance was worth it. We got up for 5am to watch the progress down to Tracy Arm and ordered room service for breakfast.
We enjoyed the port of Ketchikan got of ship and wandered around ourselves there is plenty to see. We had a trip, seaplane over the glazier from Juneau and explored the area around the port after the trip. Juneau could take a lesson from Ketchikan on how to keep the town clean. Would I go again the weather was exceptional clear sky's and warm, to a Scot it was warm maybe not to others who are used to higher temperatures. I would be disappointed if I went back and we didn't see as much due to rain and mist.
The cabin was ok a bit noisy in the morning when the sun loungers were being moved on the floor above
The ship docked right in the heart of down town San Francisco a short walk from Fishermans Warf and Pier 39
The main points in the town are a short walking distance from where the ship docks. We walked a loop along the water front up the the totem pole heritage centre around and entered the creek area via the Salmon ladder walkway, an easy port to get around. Check some of the Cruise Critic reviews
We did Victoria on our own. We were in Victoria last year in April so didn't want to repeat the gardens. Got of the ship and followed the directions to Town, a easy walk if you are reasonably fit