What Ship to Alaska?

[doone]

looking for everyone's opinion on what ship to take to Alaska land and sea cruise to celebrate a milestone birthday

 

First I am 3star Mariner with Holland America, but have always wanted to try Princess and thought since both lines do a wonderful job with Alaska this would be the perfect time to try it.

 

We would be sailing end of June or early July 2019. We are looking at either the Golden Princess, Island Princess or Royal Princess. What would you sail and why.

 

How does Princess differ from HAL?

 

I look forward to hearing your opinions. Thank you.

[neverbeenhere]

Royal is a newer, nicer ship with very small balconies for standard veranda staterooms. But in our cruises to Alaska, we haven’t spent “that much” time on our balcony.

 

The Island, we have not been on. The Golden would be fine, but it is getting older everyday.

[Murray's Pop]

Check out the thread on Island Princess for lots of comments regarding the layout. We are 4 star on HAL, and did not like Island at all.

 

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[moki'smommy]

I'll tell you when we get back from our Golden cruise.

 

What sort of cabin do you have in mind? The Golden is one of the three ships that have Window Suites (no balcony, but large room with all suite perks at a good price.) That and available dates made the decision for us.

[Wishing on a star]

Royal - for the newer ship that is nicer and has more to offer....

Coral for a smaller. (older) more laid back ship. (probably more like HAL????)

 

As an older design, the Coral does have more outdoor viewing areas.

We sailed Alaska on the Coral... enjoyed it!!!

If I were planning a second Alaska cruise, I would probably go with the newer ROYAL.

 

Princess absolutely does an excellent, perhaps the very best, at sailing Alaska.

 

And, itinerary should be the FIRST factor!!!

I suggest a Southbound. (or Northbound)

Of course Glacier Bay is a 'must'!

[doone]

I may be sailing in a cabin by myself, so cost is a factor and most likely I would get an inside cabin. As far as the others on my group, not sure what they will book, but giving Alaska is an expensive cruise they may do an inside cabin or perhaps a window cabin.

 

with that said, I will now ask which ship has the better inside cabin?

[Wishing on a star]

Look at the Ocean View cabins that are adjacent to the Casino on the Coral. (or Island if you find that this must be your choice)

They are nicer than all the other standard OV cabins... As they were added, new, during the retro-fits. They are like balcony cabins, with a huge picture window.

 

As far as the Royal... 'Sideways' cabins are slightly larger than the regular inside cabins.

Look for a good video of these on youtube.

They are larger, but the door opens right into the cabin bedroom, and not that closet/bath area.

Edited July 4, 2018 by Wishing on a star

[moki'smommy]

Each of the ships we've been on had basically the same cabins. Right now, there are tons of specials available, so if you are looking at 2018....there are last minute deals to be had.

Sometimes an obstructed oceanview is available at the same price as an inside....and obstructions can range from almost completely blocked to almost no blockage.

[Wishing on a star]

Ohhhh, and on Princess... AVOID inside cabins with berths for more than two passengers.

The pulldowns are on the walls, taking up the already claustrophobic space.

Edited July 4, 2018 by Wishing on a star

[Cruise Raider]

For a celebration, I would probably choose the Royal. The Island had a bunch of new cabins added and it took away a lot of the public space. Now, I hear it is just too crowded. The Golden is getting old. I've sailed on both and don't think I would choose either for a milestone birthday. So, out of the choices given, I would choose the Royal by process of elimination.

[biochemgrl02]

We took the Golden Southbound Voyage of the Glaciers, balcony on Aloha deck. Great itinerary, decent ship. If I do Alaska again, I would try the Royal. It looks like a very nice ship. And would do balcony again. My husband is a photographer and he loved being able to take photos from the comfort of our stateroom.

 

 

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[coopco]

We were on the Island last year for a PacificCoastal. Although I thought the ship was beautiful and enjoyed the trip, therewere a few hundred (over 500 if I'm remembering correctly) in transitpassengers who had just crossed the Panama Canal. They all complained about howcrowded the Princess Theater was during the previous portion of the cruise. Wenever experienced it because most of the passengers had already seen the shows duringour portion of the cruise and didn’t care to see a “rerun”. One of the publicareas taken away during the last refurb was aft lounge (i.e., Vista Lounge,Universal Lounge). When I was on Island Princess, I thought no big deal. Butthis spring we were on the Grand Princess and I realized, here I am watching “TheShape of Water” in the Vista Lounge. That means I, along with all the other passengers watching the movie, amnot in the Princess Theater. That’s why people are complaining about how crowdedthe Princess Theater is when there isn’t an aft lounge. So not only do you havemore passengers because of the cabins that were added when the public areaswere taken away, but now passengers have one less option for entertainment inthe evening, forcing more crowds into the public areas that exist.

We have never been on the Golden or Royal but I guarantee,we’ll book a cruise on Royal within the next couple of years. I have beenfollowing her West Coast itineraries, which will be more frequent soon, and amsure to book one in the near future.

Enjoy your cruise.

P.S. Make sure to note which side Sky Walk is on, and whichside you want to be on if you book a balcony based on the itinerary if doing aNorthbound or Southbound.

[neverbeenhere]

I believe that the s crap of water in destroying your mind.

[Murray's Pop]

I believe that the s crap of water in destroying your mind.

Ok, does anyone understand this or is it just me?[emoji54]

 

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[neverbeenhere]

While the Academy was impressed by the movie, I have found that most (me included) thought of it as “not impressive”, mind numbing schlock.

[doone]

Thank you for all your reviews, I really appreciate all this information. I was leaning towards the Royal, aside from being new, it looks so spacious with lots to do.

 

If anyone has anything else to share, I would love to hear it.

 

Thanks everyone, this has helped so much with my Alaskan cruise.

[thegoaliegirl]

Haven't sailed on the Golden, Island or Royal but for what it is worth, we are booked Aug 2019 on the Royal. For us, it came down to timing (the dates lined up best), having connecting inside staterooms (for our family of 5 this was ideal as we can't swing balcony prices on this trip) and a newer ship for our friends that are joining us.

[doone]

Haven't sailed on the Golden, Island or Royal but for what it is worth, we are booked Aug 2019 on the Royal. For us, it came down to timing (the dates lined up best), having connecting inside staterooms (for our family of 5 this was ideal as we can't swing balcony prices on this trip) and a newer ship for our friends that are joining us.

 

I will look forward to your review and how you enjoyed the inside cabin. I am looking at those sideway cabins, I can be very happy in one of those....

[cr8tiv1]

My vote is for the Coral for her public viewing areas (especially if you are in an inside stateroom). I think she is the best overall small ship (have not been on the Pacific Princess). I've been to Alaska on the Coral a few times.

[BarbinMich]

We've sailed on most of the ships that Princess uses for the Alaska itinerary: Golden, Royal, Ruby, Star, Coral (sister to Island). The only one in that list that we sailed to Alaska on is the Star, which I don't believe you mentioned. IMHO, it's much more suitable for Alaska than the Royal (been on her twice on other itineraries). The Star (and Golden, Ruby) have copious covered areas on the wraparound Promenade deck, which is better than the small, uncovered deck space on the Royal's Promenade deck. If you want to be outside for viewing/taking photos while at Glacier Bay, covered decks are better than uncovered. The Royal is a beautiful ship and we enjoyed being on her in the Caribbean and on a TA. Didn't spend much time outside the ship on either of those itineraries. Whichever ship your group chooses, enjoy Alaska!

[bTW, 2 of our 4 Alaskan cruises were on HAL.]

[shepp]

While the Academy was impressed by the movie, I have found that most (me included) thought of it as “not impressive”, mind numbing schlock.

 

Loved it. Ninety-two percent on the Tomatometer, 73% audience approval. Don't know who "most" is. But then, opinions are like....

 

One thing no one has mentioned is that the Royal doesn't have a covered pool, which, on an Alaskan itinerary, may or may matter to you. And yeah, the Promenade alcoves are kinda crummy and not all that easy to access from inside. But she's a lovely ship.