Diamond Princess Review
A thoroughly enjoyable, as well as satisfying experience, on my FIRST
Rating by category
Additional details
I booked this cruise through my favorite online site only 5 weeks in advance of our departure. Although the price I paid was a bit higher than I am used to, the $799pp fare, with $200pp in taxes, for a 14 night cruise to Alaska, was still fairly reasonable. (even though some on board paid close to HALF that fare!) The $500 of OBC did make it QUITE satisfying. ($250 for Retired Military and $250 for Carnival Stockholder)
Flew to Seattle (vice Vancouver) due to SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper airfare from the US Midwest. It also allowed me to spend a day with two of my kids who reside near Seattle. After touring the Boeing Aircraft Factory, we spent a very reasonably priced ($84 through Hotels.com) night at the SEATAC Ramada. (the free transfers both to and from the airport were easy and fast)
The Princess Shuttle Service between SEATAC airport and Vancouver ($49pp) was reasonably priced, as well as easy, friendly, fast and efficient. Passage through the US/Canadian border was MUCH quicker (less than ONE FOURTH the normal time) due to transparent-to-us procedures by Princess.
Cabin Review
Our inside room (C221) on deck 10 (Caribe) was spotlessly clean, comfortable, and efficiently laid out, with adequate storage. (similar to Celebrity M class) The "closet" and vanity form a "privacy wall" between the bedroom and bathroom areas, which is quite nice, as opposed to stepping out of the bathroom directly into the bedroom. The only negatives here, were a somewhat too hard bed, (even with an extra foam topper) and a standard shower curtain that wants to stick to you. (instead a shower door) Our Room Steward, (Thanks Sherman!) was possibly the best ever, professional, yet friendly, attentive and efficient. He received an extra tip at the end of the cruise.