We did a combination land/sea package. We flew from DFW to Seattle, changed planes (a very interesting boarding process with Alaska Air requiring us to go outside, down a long flight of stairs, across the tarmac, and back up the stairs at the rear of the plane. It was dark and we had to lug our carry on items with us. Not favorably impressed with Alaska Air) and flew into Fairbanks. Even though it ...
We sailed on the 9-7-2013 "Voyage of the Glaciers" from Vancouver to Whittier. Overall, the experience was a good one, but there were some significant "problems." However, as the saying goes, "even the worst day at sea is better than the best day on land." While this quote may not be literally true, the spirit of it is.
The Good: Princess was remarkable with both embarkation and ...
I have taken ten cruises on eight different ships and 6 different lines and I can say that the staff on a recent Sapphire Princess cruise to Alaska was the most efficient and courteous I have experienced to date. The ship was spotless, the cabin clean and well maintained, and the cabin steward outstanding, as were every one of the dining room staff that we had contact with. The food, while not the ...
Took our third cruise so far and first to Alaska on Sapphire Princess departing the 7th of September. Not to downgrade Princess but Alaska would at least be a 10 on a tug boat. We ran out of adjectives to describe the awesomeness and beauty of the entire trip.
However, we really liked the Sapphire. We haven't taken a ship as big as this one and wondered if we'd feel crowded. Never once did this ...
We have always wanted to take an Alaskan cruise and upon finding a good deal online, our group of six (ages 24-67) booked our three inside cabins less than three weeks before embarkation through Costco. We were assigned three rooms that happened to be handicapped rooms. Two of the rooms (E717 and E714) were very spacious with sitting areas complete of a second TV, minibar, and a sofa. I read ...
We've done 3 Caribbean cruises prior to this Alaska cruise, and this was by far the most relaxing cruise we've ever taken. We did a 5 day connoisseur land tour prior to the cruise and highly recommend spending the extra money for this level (friends did the Denali Explorer version and didn't enjoy it nearly as much as we did). But I'm here to talk about the cruise!
Embarkation: By taking the ...
We were first time cruisers, at least on a big ship. We?d previously only gone on windjammers, so our expectation of amenities was not that high. Service was a different story. We had been told Princess was top shelf among the cruise lines.
ARRIVAL:
We boarded at Vancouver. The US Direct program was a big disappointment. Technically, we got through customs faster; however any time we saved, and ...
Cruising Alaska was magical. Cruising it on the Sapphire Princess was a mixed bag. Here are my grades.
Buffet " C-" Our hearts sank when we ate our first lunch on board. It was awful and the buffet space is small and sterile feeling. But the window seats toward the back of the ship are wonderful and you are somewhat separate from the masses.
Dining Room Food "A" So surprising that the dining ...
This is our 2nd cruise with Princess and 6th cruise overall. My wife and I traveled with our two older (20 and 22) children. This was our first cruise to Alaska. All of our other cruises have been in the Caribbean. We booked the 14 day Off the Beaten Path cruisetour, of which the 7 day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise was the first week.
Getting there. We flew into Vancouver the day before the ...
We toured Anchorage by land for several days before embarking on the ship to sail toward home. We liked touring by land first and then relaxed on the ship the second part of our trip.
Princess cruises are the best although we haven't sailed on any other ship. I would recommend the Sapphire Princess...................we had an excellent time.....................
The food is excellent; we ...