Arrived in Anchorage Aug 14. Stayed at ComfortInn Ship Creek for one night. Very nice hotel. I used my Choice rewards to get a free night, but would stay at this hotel even if I had to pay for it. In the morning we took advantage of the free continental breakfast and it was very good. Had reserved a car through Enterprise. They had someone come pick us up and then went back to Enterprise to fill out papers and we were on our way. very nice rental company and fast. I used my Northern Lights Coupon to get 50% off a three day rental.The book paid for itself twice over just with that coupon. After roaming around Anchorage for awhile we eat at Rumrunners. Used my Northern Lights coupon. Food was just ok, but the Alaska beer was great!! Now we were on our way to Wasilla. Scenery was beautiful. We rented a cabin on Lake Wasilla with Gatehouse B & B for 2 nights. Nice lttle rustic cabin with all the facilities (kitchen, nice soft bed, laundry area, pourch) However don't expect to watch tv, but there are lots of videos you can watch for free. We weren't there to watch tv, the view was amazing. We sat on the porch drinking wine and watched as the sun sank behind the mountains. Irene is a lovely lady and her home made coffee cake was the best I have ever eaten. We turned in early since tomorrow we had a long day coming up. It was raining when we got up, but by the time we left it was starting to clear up. I had booked a private tour with Heiny's ATV Adventure as a birthsay present for my husband. This trip was the high light of his Alaska trip.They have easy to extreme rides and are great people to deal with. I decided to do a hike at the Eagle River Nature Center inside the Chugach State Park. It was wonderful. I photographed moose, grizely bear, beavers, swans and salmon on my 8 mile hike. After that I hiked to Thunderbird Falls,drove to Eklutna Lake and then to Hatcher Pass. We both had such a long eventful day we decided to get take out and turn in early. Aug 17 we headed back to Anchorage, dropped off the car and took Alaska Leopard to Whitter. I really enjoyed the tour. Learned about the area and our driver was great. Once out of the tunnel I saw our ship. I was SO excited. It took around 15 minutes before we were on our way to our ocean view room on Plaza deck. This is the first time out of 7 cruises we did not have a balcony. At first I felt I made a mistake, but the savings allowed us to book another cruise for our upcoming anniversary (that one is a balcony) Plaza deck was great. Will book this area again if we decide on an ocean view. Our cabin steward Randal was very nice and pleasent. Room always cleanned with full bucket of ice in refrig. We choose traditional dinning. We had anytime dinning the cruise before and decided to go back to tradition. Our waiter was good, but Carlos our matridee was excellent. We had signed up for the Chefs Table and were picked. I am not going to go into detail since there is already great reviews on this. If you have the chance to do this, it is a must. The Chefs table was held the night crab was going to be served and I didn't mind knowing we were going to have a great meal. However to our surprise Carlos had arranged for us to have the crab the next night. What a great guy. I thought the food was very good to excellent. I thought the wine we purchased was reasonable and the drinks we had were not over priced with all the liquor they put in them. The first sea day we relaxed and watching the scenery. Glacier Park was beautiful and I saw several whales. There were hardly any calving due to no sunshine and cool temperatures. Still a wonderful day. Ports: Skagway we rented a car from Avis and drove to Emerald Lake. It drizzeled most of the day, but that made taking pictures more dramatic with clouds hanging low and deap rich colors. On the way back we spotted a black bear and snapped many pictues before it crossed in front of our car and into the wood. After returning the car my husband went back to the ship and I shopped. Make sure you pick up an Alaska Coupon book. Lots of free stuff to get in every port. Juneau was a tour with Harv & Marv (second time with them) Great trip with seeing so many whales we couldn't keep track. Also saw a big sea lion, many seals & eagles. Went to the glacier and then eat at Tracis Crab Shack. Time for a lttle shopping and back to the ship for a nap before dinner. Another great day. Ketchikan we had no tour planned except I choose to power shop for family here. I felt this port was the best to bargin and I feel I got a great buy on some of my larger purchases. A nice sunny warm day we walked to Creek Street and watch the salmon try to jump up the falls. Came back to the ship early since the Chefs table was tonight. Stopped at Wheelhouse Bar for our usual afternoon 24K margarita. Next day was a sea day. I took a book up to the enclosed pool area and stayed there almost all day watching our the window and soaking in the sun. Celebrated Hubbys Birthday at dinner and had a wonderful time together reminissing on our great trip. Went to our asigned area and within 10 minutes was off the ship. Took a taxi to Holiday Inn Downtown, dropped off our bags and took the hop on hop off trolly. Great tour. Vancouver is a beautiful City not to be missed. Eat the best halibit and cod at Prospect Cafe. Back to our hotel to relax then had dinner at the hotels resturant. Very good. We had a morning flight and back home by late afternoon. Our two pets we had arranged for someone to watch while we were gone greated us with licks and love. Thank you Princess for a wonder trip.