This was our 10th cruise, first on HAL and first to Alaska. We are active 60+ "young adults". We traveled with my brother and his wife. Their first time on HAL and in Alaska. Trip started at Anchorage airport with bus to Westmark Hotel for a night. Would not stay there again. Think Motel 6. HAL should be ashamed to put customers up there. Next day took a bus to McKinley Resort Chalet at Denali. ...
My husband and I had cruised Alaska in 2019. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to go again, but to do a land/sea tour. Holland American seem to have the best reputation for this. The land tour was great. But Holland America should be ashamed to put their guest in one of their motels, The Westmart in Anchorage that they use for their one night stay was dirty. The hotel was in need of updating ...
We chose Princess for Alaska because we wanted to do land and sea; Denali and Glacier Bay National Park. Princess was impressively responsive in regards to assisting after flights got canceled.We had a mini suite room onboard and it was definitely the best cabin we have ever had - spacious with a beautiful balcony, which you 100% want for an Alaskan cruise if you can at all swing it.
On the ...
So Alaska was beautiful. It was amazing. Our original trip was supposed to happen in June of 2022. Our family members had just gotten off of the same cruise on the same ship. They had a great time. Days before our trip was supposed to happen, we received an email that the entire trip (land and sea) was cancelled due to crew shortages. We were a little confused since our family members had just ...
After we had booked this cruise months in advance, we received disturbing news. We were informed that we were on our own at debarkation as far as COVID testing. Up until this notification we were led to believe testing would be provided before our flight home. Several hundred people had to scramble to get a covid test before we could fly home from Vancouver. The cruise would have been much more ...
We enjoyed the destination and staff, but there are any number of areas that need to be improved. Entertainment, food quality and the land cruise portion come to mind. However, the glaciers and landmass so spectacular its difficult not to be in awe - so definitely visit Alaska.
The land portion was spectacular in terms of the natural beauty (and we hit the perfect time for fall leaf color). ...
We have been on about 15 cruises, last one 15 years ago. We have been all over the Caribbean, Mexican Rivera a number of times. Been through the Panama Canal, New Zealand and Australia. First cruise I have been on were I was charged for a soda. First cruise I have been on were they wanted to charge me $40 per person per day to look off the stern of the ship. Charged $29 per day service charge ...
Bed as twins felt like falling out of bed
Carpet very worn different colors
Our stateroom attendant was more interested in going home changed stateroom attendants middle of cruise
Captain aborts Hubbard glacier due to weather and fog
Princess now serves cool whip in place of whip cream
Cream bulee now egg Custer not creamy
Princess in crown grill now serves imo instead of sour ...
Overall we enjoyed the cruise. Some solid entertainment, however timing was off based on your dinner seating. The food bland and unexciting. The lounge, bar and restaurant staff could not produce drinks that were not on the menu; and the drinks were also not good. All fruity with no punch. The staff (wait, buffet, bar) seemed unpersonable and disinterested. Our room (mini-suite) was a good ...
My wife and I added this trip on to an inland photography workshop we attended up north (Lake Clarke Park). We hadn't seen the inland passage and wanted to enjoy a bit of luxury on the way home vs simply jumping on an airplane in Anchorage and fly back to Phoenix.
The Island Princess is smaller than some of the larger ships and included views of Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, where other ...