I was a little concerned after reading recent reviews of Island Princess, but in reality everything was great. We were among the first to board, having taken the train from Anchorage. For a couple of hours, it was like we had the ship to ourselves. We went straight to our cabins and settled in. I had an aft balcony (B741), which was wonderful, especially when we were leaving port. The bed was comfortable, and the space was adequate. The balcony was private, and I got to use it frequently.

The food overall was very good. One night I ordered a dish that was oddly prepared. The waiter watched me try it, and flew right back over to get me another entree. Otherwise, I thought the selections, presentations, and quality were very good. I was traveling with my 22 and 20 year old children, and they also enjoyed the food.

We chose the Kroschel Wildlife excursion out of Skagway, which was terrific. The ride to Haines was scenic, and Steve Kroschel is quite a fellow. You won't have another experience with Alaska wildlife like this one. Our other excursion was the float plane over the glaciers with a brunch at Taku Lodge. We had a beautiful flight, a delicious brunch, and a nature hike around the property. I highly recommend both excursions. Read more