This was our 20th cruise and the fourth with Princess, previously sailing with Cunard (4), Disney (4), Holland America (5), Royal Caribbean (2) and Celebrity (1). This was also our 2nd time to Alaska, previously sailing the 7-day southbound from Seward to Vancouver on Holland America.

Overall, another great experience. Flight was from Newark into Seattle and overnight at Seattle Sheraton. If you don't have a lot of luggage and have no mobility problems, the Sound Transit Central Link Rail public transport from the airport into Seattle Westlake station at $2.75 per person one way is a great deal and you can also bypass road traffic. Travel time is 35 minutes. Then a $15 cab ride from hotel to port and Pier 91 the next morning.

We arrived at 11 am and were onboard by noon. For those who arrive between noon and 1:30 pm, instead of lunch in the crowded buffet, the International Dining Room is open during this time. The check-in staff will tell you that only the buffet is open but we went to the Dining Room anyway to check for ourselves and found it open. There were perhaps a total of 30 people throughout, like our own private dining room. Read more