This was our first Princess Cruise and Alaska was amazing! Thanks to other reviews we had read we were prepared for the weather---which was chilly and sometimes rainy. As the locals we spoke to in port said--"It's Alaska!". We had a balcony room on the Aloha deck and it was as we expected. The balcony was large enough for two people and had two chairs and a table. The room was as spacious as could be expected on a ship with 3400 guests and 19 decks. The cabin services were good and the cabin staff were polite and efficient.

The food was excellent and the dining room, buffet and specialty restaurant staff were great! They were quick, polite and amazingly attentive considering the size of the rooms and the number of guests they had to serve. The deck staff were great too, always eager to assist and answer any question you might have, especially that first day or two when you aren't quite sure where you're going! The charges for drinks and specialty restaurants were average and to be expected.

Be forewarned though, the beverage policy was not what we were led to believe. If you dine in the buffet, the staff is more than happy to bring you coffee, tea, iced tea and lemonade. This is not the case in the dining rooms where you can only get coffee or tea, milk, chocolate milk juice and ice water of course. There is no lemonade or iced tea available in the dining rooms, only soft drinks ($2 per can). Something to keep in mind if you have children. The $7 per day beverage package (soda, hot chocolate, non-alcoholic "mocktails") unlimited might be best. The specialty coffee bar has some great offerings (for a cost), however be aware that they will charge you for coffee or tea ($1.25). My best advice to you if you're a coffee drinker is to bring along a travel mug coffee cups with a lid, you can fill them at the buffet and take them with you to other events. The International Cafe had some great desserts, open all the time and the gelato although charged ($1.50) was worth it. Read more