Pacific Princess in Alaska in June?

[hugosmom]

Anybody familiar with the Pacific Princess southbound Alaska cruise? Is this a good ship for this destination? This is a smaller ship - what age groups are more likely to make this choice?

 

I'm interested in any feedback anyone can offer. Thanks in advance!

[halbfl2]

This ship came from Renaissance (they went under after 9/11). We sailed on one of their ships (I believe they had about 4 identical--some are now sailing as Oceania) several yrs. ago in the Meditt. We loved it, and I would have chosen it again for my Alaska cruise this summer, but made our choice & got our air before we realized they were using that ship in Alaska as they didn't in 2006. We chose the Island Princess because it and the Coral were the smallest ones left of the Princess Alaska group and have a high % of balcony cabins and did the one-way itinerary, which we wanted. I would guess that the people will be slightly older as this ship doesn't have all the "bells and whistles" of the newer, larger ones. I'm not even sure there is a casino. My recollection is that it's more on the traditional, elegant style rather than the glitzy, glass and chrome. I probably wouldn't take a family on this ship. When they were Renaissance ships, they did not allow smoking on the ship nor children. However, if you don't have to be entertained every minute while onboard, I would recommend this ship.:) Happy sailing!

[NancyIL]

I changed from an RCI cruise to the northbound Pacific Princess for June 2007 because of its unique itinerary (3 glaciers on the NB) and smaller size. Had I not wanted more time for a land trip afterwards - we would still be booked on that ship. But in September I changed to the NB Coral Princess leaving Vancouver 2 days earlier, in order to have 2 more days at the end of the trip for interior Alaska touring.

[hugosmom]

I'm thinking we'll take the southbound part because I'd like a little time ahead of the cruise in interior Alaska.

[hugosmom]

I would guess that the people will be slightly older as this ship doesn't have all the "bells and whistles" of the newer, larger ones. I'm not even sure there is a casino. My recollection is that it's more on the traditional, elegant style rather than the glitzy, glass and chrome. I probably wouldn't take a family on this ship. When they were Renaissance ships, they did not allow smoking on the ship nor children. However, if you don't have to be entertained every minute while onboard, I would recommend this ship.:) Happy sailing!

 

Wow - thanks so much for the information. Sounds like we would be very happy on Pacific Princess - we're slightly older, we don't need glitzy, glass, or chrome, and we won't be traveling with kids. We like traditional and elegant; we were thinking that the smaller ship might be better for getting in closer to the sights and also for the port days. Now we just need to find out about accessibility - like is there Braille on the cabin doors and in the elevators and what sort of arrangements they will make for my husband's dog guide's relief area. We'll keep investigating! Thanks for the responses so far. Anybody else?

[bbuchanan]

Another feature not mentioned is the Pacific's schedule. She sails Wednesday to Wednesday. The majority of Alaska sailings are Friday to Friday, Saturday to Saturday, etc. A mid week departure will put you in ports of call without five or six other cruise ships to share it with.

 

The Pacific has a lot going for her IMHO, this season. Wonderful size, traditional dining, off cycle itinerary, Glacier Bay; what's not to like about this??

[NancyIL]

Another feature not mentioned is the Pacific's schedule. She sails Wednesday to Wednesday. The majority of Alaska sailings are Friday to Friday, Saturday to Saturday, etc. A mid week departure will put you in ports of call without five or six other cruise ships to share it with.

 

The Pacific has a lot going for her IMHO, this season. Wonderful size, traditional dining, off cycle itinerary, Glacier Bay; what's not to like about this??

 

I found that the Wednesday sailing made it harder to plan pre- and post-cruise trips. We didn't need to spend 3-4 days in Vancouver pre-cruise, and 4-5 days afterwards in Alaska turned out not to be enough time.

[bbuchanan]

That could be a consideration if dates of travel are not flexible and must only be from weekend to weekend.