Coral

Unfortunately people will often book these rooms who do not need them. I would escalate this with Princess and ask them if everyone booked in a handicapped room really needs it.

Sorry typo.

I would agree - usually in ports - I get out of town so I am not surrounded by shops. While ISP is shiny - I do have to say they did spent money and things run seamless. The gondola from the farther pier into town works like magic and is very nicely done. They are staffed well and genuinely friendly. I still am glad I went into Hoonah for my day.

I would highly recommend staying at Pan Pacific. For a $10 tip or so, they will take your luggage from your room and you will see it next in your room on your ship. The pier is attached to the hotel. I have heard similar reports with Fairmont Waterfront but can not confirm that.

On the flip side, some excursions in September may also not be going. For example - snow on glaciers would have melted so taking a helicopter to a glacier to go dog mushing stops in August. I prefer May but have never gone this early in May. May is my first choice of when to go.

It is a smaller menu compared to Royal Class ships. Though you can grab food at International Cafe (salad, etc..) and bring it over. Still good :)

It seems like a "fake port" for me. I enjoyed going to Hoonah - a real Alaskan village. Just my thoughts. ICP is "very shiny".

I watched a Disney documentary on one of their ships. Disney took possession but they were not done decorating the interior. They sailed across the pond with workers on the ship (no passengers) and did the inaugural in the US. I believe the Coral Princess inaugural was in the US (did not sail with passengers from Europe). I was booked on the Diamond Princess innaugural and that was going to be out of Seattle. The ship burned so I didn't get to take my initial cruise that was going to be inaugural.

I don't have anything yet.

ISP - I like Glacier Wind in Hoonah: https://www.g-wind.com . You can also do whale watching in Juneau: https://jayleensalaska.com or https://www.harvandmarvs-juneau-whale-watching.com I only see orcas about 1/3 of the time. Bears - ISP or Ketchikan. I have used this company in ISP/Hoonha: http://geestahuntours.com I did whale watching in the morning and wildlife viewing in afternoon.

I will often book B2B because it is not that much more expensive in the scope of things.

Coral is a good choice. It is a toss up for me between Coral and Sapphire Princess. Both are good.

Princess usually lets you keep your luggage at Egan Center until your flight. You could rent a car in Anchorage airport and drive around (and return to Anchorage). I think renting in Whittier and dropping off in Anchorage would be expensive.

Libby Riddles does come onboard every ship but doesn't always bring her dogs. She is on the ship in Juneau towards the end of the day usually. Definitely worth attending! I would definitely attend all the "Alaska talks" Princess offers. There are onboard naturalists who will speak on sea days.

Not Caribbean Princess! I would say Sapphire Princess #1 and Coral Princess #2. Sapphire Princess has a similar layout of Emerald except there are 500 less passengers, a covered pool, a wider promenade deck, a sit-down pizzeria (on Plaza deck). A few more extras.

I have been on Princess many times in Alaska with covered pools and the covered pools (and sometimes non-covered pools) are used frequently in Alaska. Bring your suit! I have seen pools emptied if there are rough waters, not due to amount of passengers.

Air is a killer the week after (flying on Thanksgiving weekend). I agree about cruises the first of December.

IMO - they changed before that.

This is my favorite spot. It is Deck 7 and is covered (in case it rains). You can walk easily from side to side (either around the ship or cut through the ship) to get from one side to another. Everyone heads to the top. I actually prefer Deck 7 as pictures turn out better when you are at a lower level as opposed to looking down. Also, this area is often not crowded. There maybe people on deck but you are not fighting for spots. You want to be mobile as the ship goes towards the glaciers to get the best view. The other area when leaving the glaciers that I like is the aft pool area.

Have you looked at the entire day tour: https://chilkootcharters.com/yukon-rail-bus/#book I think the further you get into the Yukon the better.

There are times where I have not been thrilled with the port offerings but have done them because that is the activity that the port is famous for. I have been extremely surprised that I enjoyed the activity. If one doesn't think they are into whale watching and the port is famous for it - I suggest they try it once to see if they enjoy it. If they don't - that is fine. Some people never have an opportunity to see whales in their life. Or worse, they had an opportunity and skipped it and regretted it later. For many - Alaska is a one time trip. Thus, I suggested they try it anyway. I agree the videos don't do whale watching justice.

Yes they do on every floor. It would be an inside cabin that backs up to the back of the elevator.

I do not drink and have always had non-alcoholic versions of drinks available at all venues on Princess. I wouldn't worry about this.

I had a great whale watching excursion in Hoonah: https://www.g-wind.com And a wildlife excursion which included bears: http://geestahuntours.com If you have never been whale watching before - I recommend it. It is amazing up close.

I hope these posts will educate others the cons of booking a brand new ship during the first few months of service. If you do book it, you just need to go with the flow. Unfortunately one is paying a premium at this time to not have everything working.