Cruise Director Richard Joseph was literally born to his job. Princess includes serious lectures on Alaska, a friendly staff, some of whom imparted interesting information we are seeking. For example, Tim Spicer knew specific details for planning a dream Tahiti cruise. He confirmed what others suggested: Air Tahiti Nui direct from L.A. is the best, and try the local bread fruit, mangos and other delicacies.
Several shows were memorable, among which Greg Bonham, the trumpeter who could hit the high notes, and who could also sing in a voice with a huge range. Excellent in cabin TV (CNN, ESPN, BBC) and the movies both in cabin and on the big screen at the Princess Theater ("Calendar Girls," "Plot With a View," and "Mona Lisa Smile," plus many more). For sports enthusiasts, there are three decks 14, 15 and 16 with aerobics, gym, Center Court, Princess Links golf, Lido and Lotus pools, hot tubs and spas. Princess has it all covered.
PORTS OF CALL
This was our second Alaskan Cruise with the same itinerary doing the Inside Passage out of Vancouver.
July 10th, Saturday: Vancouver Embark. 12:00pm Depart 5:30pm
July 11th, Sunday: At Sea
July 12th, Monday: Ketchikan Arrive 6:30am Depart 2:30pm
Its name means Eagle River in the Tlingit native language, and this is the best place to see Bald Eagles. There are the following tours: 42A - Totem Pole and Town tour 2.5 hrs, $36. 48I - Great Alaska Lumberjack Show 1.5 hrs, $29.
July 13th, Tuesday: Juneau Arrive 6:00am Depart 7:40pm
Alaska's capital is named after the co-finder of three of the largest gold mines in the world. Among the available tours are these: 18A - Mendenhall Glacier and the Salmon Hatchery, 3 hrs, $39; 28P - Whale Watching, 4 hrs, $109.
July 14th, Wednesday: Skagway Arrive 7:00am Depart 8:42pm
The tour of choice for us: 67H - White Pass Scenic Railway, 3.5 hrs, $95. There are great number of tours for hiking, fishing, boating and flying.
July 15th, Thursday: Glacier Bay Cruising through the bay from 6:00am to 3:00pm.
If there is any one left who doesn't believe there is global warming occurring, well, from the ship's Bridge, Park Ranger Adam Gomez narrated this interesting fact about the bay: 200 years ago Glacier Bay was covered by 400 feet of ice. Captain Poggi, with immense respect for the area, slowly and reverently navigated this bay of still water with floating icebergs and views of magnificent glaciers. Some of the icebergs (growlers) make noises like bubbling seltzer water. There were Orca whales in the lower part of the bay, where they feed in shallow waters near the shores.
July 16th, Friday: College Fjord Cruising in the fjord from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.
Cruising by the famous glaciers named after some of the United States oldest and most famous Ivy League Colleges and Universities (Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Holyoke etc.). Enchanting sights! That evening we cruised across Prince William Sound on the way to Whittier.
July 17th, Saturday: Whittier Arrive 1:00am Debarkation began as early as 7:00am for those passengers with early flights.
DEBARKATION
Exiting the ship was orderly and color coded. When our color was called, crew assisted us with the wheelchair off the ship and we collect our luggage. For those continuing on the Land Tour, there was the Alaskan Airlines check in desk located at the end of the baggage claim area. Be careful of heavy luggage. There is a charge for extra weight over the allotted amount (44 lbs per passenger? Check it with the airline!): The lady in front of us had to pay $50 additional for the extra weight. We were off the ship by 9:00am and on a bus to begin our Alaskan land tour.
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