Reporting from 8/10/13 Star Princess

[Cortesefam]

We had a light lunch on the ship Monday before debarking for our whale watching trip with Harv & Marv's. They were on time to pick us up at the ship, and it was a 25 minute ride to Auke Bay for the excursion. Capt. Liz served as our guide, and did an excellent job of both commentary and getting us out to see whales. We spotted a total of 8 humpbacks during the 3 hours, including two pairs of cows and juveniles. No Orcas, and no bubble feeding. The water was like glass, with bright sunshine--a perfect day. We used their binoculars extensively--with the sunshine and calm water we were able to pick them out and track from a distance.

 

We spent about 20 minutes at Mendenhall Glacier on the way back, which was just right--good family pictures. We asked to be dropped off in town, and explored Juneau. The crowds were thick on the sidewalks with four ships in port, and got back to the ship around 6:30 p.m.

 

Dinner in the Amalfi dining room, and again, very satisfied with quality and selection. King crab appetizer and surf & turf were the favorites, with apple-walnut spring rolls for dessert. Family split up after dinner--daughter to music, son and wife to the ventriloquist/comedy show and me for the balcony and watching for the meteor shower and departure from port. The departure from Juneau was spectacular--sunset in the west over the mountains and a cool breeze off the water. Sadly, no luck with the meteors.......

 

Skagway: An early rise this morning for a Zip lining pick up at 7:30 a.m. We made our own arrangements to try the Grizzly Falls excursion through Alaska Excursions on-line. It was the first time for all of us, and we had a blast. The guides were young and enthusiastic while still professional and very safety focused. We had no concerns about safety, and enjoyed each of the lines and bridges. While more expensive than the cruise-sponsored alternative, we felt the quality and experience made for good value. We were picked up at the dock and enjoyed the 25 minute drive up to the Chilkoot trail head and town of Dyea. Afterwards, we asked to be dropped off in Skagway, and wandered around the town. We debated the railroad trip, but after the exhileration of the zipline trip, we decided to head back to the ship for a late lunch and some relaxation. Its about 76 degrees this afternoon in Skagway, with bright sunshine again. The Star Princess is at the Ore Dock, adjacent to the heliport--noisy on the balcony! The water off the back of the ship is green from glacial run-off, and choppy in the breeze--picture attached.

[Cortesefam]

Casavaha: Tuesday night appeared to be Western line dancing in the Wheelhouse Bar. According to today's Patter, Wednesday is Ballroom dancing with the Rick Kilburn Quartet.

 

Wednesday is also "no smoking night" in the casino.

[aSiAnRiCk]

Looking forward to the rest of this report as I'll be sailing the Star on Sept 14th.

 

It will be my first time on Princess, first Alaska cruise as well and my 4th cruise altogether (Carnival x2 and RCCL)

 

And would you say Harv & Marv is cheaper compared to the cruise line similar excursion?

[caribill]

And would you say Harv & Marv is cheaper compared to the cruise line similar excursion?

 

When we did H&M last year, the cost was actually about $5/person higher than the Princess tour. And it was worth it.

 

With H&M, there are a maximum of six passengers on the boat. That makes all the difference in the world. Everyone has a good view.

 

Picture below is from we were on an H&M tour.

[shootingstar07]

When we did H&M last year, the cost was actually about $5/person higher than the Princess tour. And it was worth it.

 

With H&M, there are a maximum of six passengers on the boat. That makes all the difference in the world. Everyone has a good view.

 

Picture below is from we were on an H&M tour.

 

Caribill

You must have been on 1 of my 5 H&M tours!! I have that same photo!! Great, consistent tours. Worth every dollar spent.

Kathleen

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Cortesefam]

Tracy Arm: Another cloudless and sunny day in Alaska. We ordered breakfast from the suite room service menu, and it was delivered in 20 minutes around 9:00 a.m. The conditions were perfect, and we enjoyed the scenery and narration through the cabin TV audio on our balconies. We had an extended close-up look at Sawyer Glacier, and saw two small calvings. A large yacht was anchored close to the glacier, providing a great sense of scale. We were in and out of Tracy Arm in about 3 and a half hours entering about 7:30 a.m., making for a wonderful morning.

 

We participated in two trivia contests over the afternoon, and enjoyed reading outside. Again, the temperature was ideal. We saw several whales from the ship through the afternoon--easy to spot on such calm water. It was Italian night in the dining room, and another good meal. We continue to be impressed by the main dining room experience on Princess. Early to bed tonight.

 

Ketchikan: We booked a Bear Viewing excursion through Seawind Aviation in Ketchikan. We finally have SE Alaska weather, cool and raining hard this morning at 6:30 a.m. as the Star Princess docked. Seawind had been great to deal with in planning our excursion, and performed very well today. I called to confirm the trip was a go at 6:45 a.m., and Lesley assured that we could get there and back. We were picked up promptly at 7:15, and on the aircraft by 7:30 a.m. Even with the mist and fog, it was a beautiful 20 minute flight to Traitors Cove and the U.S. Forest Service viewing area. Dan was our guide, and was very knowledgable about the bears and the best locations to see them. We saw a total of seven bears--two females with two juveniles each, and one male bear. The rain did not interfere in any way, and we saw the bears feed on salmon in the stream in front of the viewing station. Combined with the flight, this was an outstanding experience, and I would recommend Seawind Aviation for the trip.

 

We spent about an hour walking through Ketchikan before returning to the ship at noon. The rain stopped as we pulled out at 1:00 p.m.--again typing as sail from Ketchikan.

[Cortesefam]

We enjoyed a day at sea on Friday--very foggy in the morning but cleared by 3:00 p.m. Lots of activities on the ship--we enjoyed the culinary demonstration and galley tour. Tried lunch in the Portofino restaurant, and especially enjoyed the Hungarian goulash and spaetzle. In the afternoon, the family saw "Oblivion" on deck, while I read on the balcony.

 

With the late arrival in Victoria, we opted to stay on the ship--missed Canada on this trip! We had a relaxed evening, and dinner in the Portofino restaurant--the traditional late seating was cancelled in the Amalfi dining room, but Portofino was not crowded at 8:45 p.m. We won at trivia, and part of the family enjoyed karaoke while I packed. Victoria looked like a nice town from our balcony, but we love our days at sea, so figure we'll catch it another time--photo of sunset from our balcony attached.

 

Arrival in Seattle went smoothly. We had breakfast in the restaurant--not very crowded, and far better than waiting in one of the lounges. We went up to our designated holding point, in the Vista Lounge, at 9:05 a.m., and we were off the Star Princess at 9:15 a.m. Finding the luggage and Customs were a breeze, and we met our vehicle at 9:40 a.m. We had reserved an SUV through Seattle Express for pickup at 9:45 a.m., and they were waiting for us. The Seattle airport was jammed--took more than an hour to check-in and get through security. Lots of people were anxious about their flights--we were glad to have a 1:00 p.m. departure--no stress.

 

We enjoyed the cruise, and would absolutely sail with Princess in the future. I will write a comparison between Princess and other lines in a separate post.

[sprshop]

Can't thank you enough for your info re: the ship as you cruised. This is our first on Princess and the Star. The reports were so varied, it just goes to show it is what you make it.

 

You have eased my mind and I am looking forward to your next report.

 

We will be going on Oct. 6 to Hawaii (9 days at sea) 4 on the islands. I will pay it forward when my turn comes.

 

Your pictures inspire a future trip to Alaska (have never been).

 

Hope you are safe at home and savoring your memories of your trip to Alaska.

 

This is what I had hoped CC was all about.