We flew into Anchorage the night before the cruise and stayed at the Hampton Inn. Van service was prompt and very courteous. After a very nice breakfast buffet we took the van service back to the airport for a Princess transfer to Whittier. The driver to Whittier was a wonderful tour guide with a stream of information. We even saw a mother bear and two cubs on the drive down. Embarkation was probably the fastest we have ever experienced. Since this was our second time in all the ports we took different tours than most people would take on their first trip to Alaska. It was nice to start out with a day at sea, leading to an attempt to get to Hubbard Glacier. Fog and ice kept us away. Then on to Glacier Bay where we had a beautiful day. Information about "secret decks" picked up on Cruise Critic made the time in Glacier Bay uncrowded and almost private. Skagway was the next port. We took the Princess tour to Jewell Gardens and were very pleased. In the afternoon and other Princess tour led by one of the "staff" of the Red Onion Saloon. She had the entire group strutting their stuff around the streets of Skagway. In Juneau two more Princess tours, a nature hike on Mt. Roberts and a miniature steamboat ride. In Ketchikan we took the Crab Boat Excursion on our own. This was truly a great tour led by a most enthusiastic crew. Food on the ship was great in Anytime Dining, with little or no waiting. We found Horizon Court to be crowded ONLY on the first morning when everyone slept in and arrived at the same time for breakfast. Horizon Court had a wide variety of tasty food and was managed very well. The entertainment was the best we have seen in several years on Princess. The cast in the shows were the strongest dancers/singers we have seen on a ship. Dan Oliver was exceptional in Crooners. He had a packed room every night in Crooners. The ship is in great shape, especially considering it was scheduled for dry dock in four weeks. Self disembarkation was painless. More than 80% of the cruisers were first time Princess cruisers and most of those on their first cruise ever.