Sapphire alaska a few thoughts and lots of pics

[catmand]

Hi all,

This was a 7 day B2B or a 14 day cruise, depending on who you asked, May 16th-30th. I flew into and out of Seattle and took the Princess transfer bus to and from Vancouver. The turn around day at Whittier has generated many questions so we’ll start there. I had the same cabin for both segments so there was no need to move. Two nights before Whittier I received instructions on what would be required, plus a new cruise card. There was some 400 people doing the 14 days and we gathered in Club Fusion (or is it Fusion Club?) around 10AM. They had a picture taker ding thingy set up and we simply walked through by it as they validated the new card. We kept the old one; the entire process took about thirty minutes.

There was a different process for folks taking one of the two excursions offered in Whittier. Also for people going ashore early to “sightsee.” Frankly, there wasn’t much to the town, I took advantage of the quiet and did laundry. One dollar to do each wash and dry, the dryer runs twenty eight minutes. Also you could buy a small box of detergent for one dollar.

I sailed Sapphire and this was my second time doing so. In October of 2004 when the ship was a few months old we sailed a ten day from San Francisco to Mexico. Now just under five years later the ship is “outdated.” Now, I think Sapphire is beautifully maintained, you would need to look really hard to see evidence of “worn” spots. I’m not talking about things like a little tile grout or a spot on a carpet but large issues. The crew is constantly painting, vanishing, or just cleaning and it shows. What I mean by outdated, none of the new additions like MUTS and Sanctuary, International Café, or entire ship Wi-Fi. If these are important things for you maybe look at a different ship.

I want to address s a couple of things that have been mentioned lately. Yes, it does feel like there is a greater push to participate in or buy “extras.” I will pass on mentioning all of them but things like soda cards, wine tastings, balcony breakfasts etc. Yes, there is also evidence of what can be looked at as “cost cutting.” I read a complaint of someone who wrote about the butter not individually wrapped, or the milk in pitchers. Honestly, can you blame the corporation for trying to save money where it can? If your cruise experience is going to be ruined because you “need to use tongs to get a piece of butter.” Maybe you should stay home. I look at these things as cutting down on waste AND saving them a few bucks. I would much rather use tongs than have beans for dinner one night.

Just FYI…..in the “old days” the buffet would have butter pats individually wrapped. Also the milk would be in those small half pint cartons. (think its half pint). Now it’s obvious they are using large cube butter, cutting it into small squares and serving with tongs. The milk is also poured into small glasses at breakfast, cereal size. We still had shrimp, and crab legs, lox and all the things that go with making a cruise a terrific vacation.

This was a wonderful cruise. I am a movie buff and the FREE in room entertainment was outstanding. The food delicious, the service very good, and the ship in great shape.

I would be happy to answer any questions; new pictures of Alaska are now up. Chuck

http://community.webshots.com/user/catmand100

[mii]

Great review and good pics Chuck. Since we were in Alaska the same time but different ships we sure had good weather didn't we.

 

Marilyn

[catmand]

Yes, it was truly amazing. The week going north was beautiful, t-shirt weather by early morning. We had clear sky and sun up to Whittier. I had a sun burn day 2, that's what I get for falling asleep out on the aft deck.

The week southbound was cool, cloudy, and raining almost the entire 7 days. It was my fourth time in Alaska and I have learned to take what you get.

Chuck

[GSD4ME]

Regarding the Sapphire casino.....wondering if you had a chance to experience it. If so, did you notice that the people playing slots were required to carry around their winnings (coins) in buckets OR was the casino modernized so that you only needed to transfer winnings on to your cruise card.

 

I was on last November's cruise and was disappointed to see the "older" style casino. Those onboard told me that the Sapphire was the last in the fleet to have the casino updated to utilize the latest technology and that the modernization would be taking place in the spring of 2009.

 

Anyone else who has experienced the Sapphire casino in the past 6 months, please chime in with your comments too.

 

Thanks!

[catmand]

I didn't play but a good friend also on the cruise did and she felt like you. We sailed Star last October and the Casino is set for a "cashless" (ya, right) system. Sapphire still has the carry the bucket.

Chuck

PS: better to carry the bucket than to kick it.

[billet]

Thank you Chuck for a great review. We are lookingto book a 14day on 8 Aug and I was wondering how different she is from the Crown. I will miss the international cafe and Vines but I am sure it will not be too much of a struggle!

[caber]

Thanks for that report.

Your photos are terrific. I love to see the ships against the snowy mountains.

[jed_gbd]

Hello,

I am not accustomed to forums so please excuse my typing and possible lack of etiquette.

My wife and I are taking the Alaska 11 day land and sea tour starting June 30, 2009. Our ship is the sapphire. We have only cruised once before on the Disney Wonder. We appreciate your comments on the extras on the ship; we would like to know before we get there about the soda cards and anything else that would be useful for everyday. Is the specialty restaurant good? How formal are the formal nights?

Your pictures are great! What shore excursions did you do?

John

[catmand]

Sapphire (at least for now) may lack some of the "new stuff" but she is a wonderful ship.

I too love some of the pictures, if I say so myself, there is one of a HAL ship against a glacier that I would love to send in to the Princess photo contest, I wonder???

John.....and thank you for the kind words too. You are doing fine, this is a great forum to learn about things and get information. As for excursions, first, take a look at the Alaska ports boards, you'll get loads of info there.

This was my 4TH sailing to Alaska so I didn't do any excursions. However, in the past we have done the White Pass and Yukon train in Skagway and also rented a car and drove to Emerald Lake. I truly think the train is a must do. In Juneau you can get a bus and for 7 bucks each way take a ride out to Mendenhal Glacier. There are also some great whale watch tours out of Juneau.

Out of Ketchikan one year we did the Back Country Jet Boat which was a great time. Victoria, tea at the Empress or at least a walk through the hotel.

Formal nights, at least for my cruise, were formal. I would suggest at least a dark suit. Now, I'll tell you what I did. I took jeans and 2 pairs of dockers and ate in the Horizon Court Buffet on formal nights. I know there are dining room snobs...;)....but when you sit in the buffet and look out those big windows you'll see why we prefer it. Yes, the service is a trade off but crab legs, shrimp, beef wellington,, lamb chops, not too bad as menu.

Soda cards? Depends on how much you drink. Princess pours "gun" soda (or pop) so if you are a can person you may just want to pay as you go. For coffee drinkers I really suggest the coffee card, think it was $27.....gets you 15 speciality coffees and all the fresh brewed from the bars.

Speciality restaurants? For sure, try at least one of them this trip. Sabatini's is different and a good experience.

Hope this helps, any other questions, fire away.

Chuck

[akawanda]

great pics, I am looking forward to doing another Alaska cruise.

[West End]

Chuck,

Great pictures and great reviews, thank you. My wife and I will be on the Sapphire Northbound on July 25th. Like you we are leaving from Oakland and flying into Vancouver. For first time cruisers are then any tips you can pass onto us either about the Sapphire or the Alaskan ports?

 

From the West End of Alameda!

[Pam in CA]

Thanks for the review. I was on the Sapphire in April and thought she was well-maintained. I was surprised at your comment about the Wi-Fi as I was able to use it in my cabin throughout my cruise. I didn't carry it around with me to see if I could use it elsewhere but I had "excellent" strength in my cabin so it was a pleasure to be able to use it there.

[Colo Cruiser]

Nice photos.

[nycgirl12345]

Was there free hot chocolate ???

Is there MUTS on the sapphire???

What were the show, will they still be there in 26 days???

Can anyone post the daily patters???

Thanks in advance :)

[ceilidh1]

I was on the same 14 day cruise as Chuck and have to agree that it was great! It was our third to Alaska so we also didn't do any excursions but found this is to be the "best" of all of them. We found the staff outstanding (though we had one or two issues with the passenger services desk) and by far the best group we have encountered so far. My hubby and cruise mate did the $150 ship tour the first week and raved about it throughout the rest of the cruise...even talk about it now! My hubby was really hesitant about paying $150 for it (he is ex-US navy so has seen quite a number of ships...) but was so glad he did - you actually get your money back in the freebies you have at the end - lots of pics from the photographer, plush bathrobe, chef's jacket, stationery, champagne...He has now vowed to do it on every cruise he goes on....yikes!

[Solstice23]

i think butter in less packaging for waist is a good thing!

esp at dinner, I like how on the Summit this past march Butter was in dishes not in packages..!

[springfire]

Really great photos, thanks for your review. I will be cruising on the Sapphire Princess in August. Nice to see you had a good time.

[Rauld]

Hey Chuck: Great pictures. I only hope the weather is as good on our August sailing.

[want2retire]

Catmand - so are you saying that in the Horizon Court on formal nights they served crab legs, shrimp, lamp chops etc.?? Thanks. :o

[catmand]

Hi again and thanks for the comments and questions.

Pam.....the "HOT SPOTS" for the WI-FI were supposed to be the Horizon Court, Atrium, and also the Internet Cafe itself. Now, understand I was in cabin number E-102 which was as far forward as you can get. Friends who were more mid ship were able to pull in the signal. Technically Sapphire is not completely wired (or UNwired I guess) but will be after next dry dock.

Chuck

[catmand]

Chuck,

Great pictures and great reviews, thank you. My wife and I will be on the Sapphire Northbound on July 25th. Like you we are leaving from Oakland and flying into Vancouver. For first time cruisers are then any tips you can pass onto us either about the Sapphire or the Alaskan ports?

 

From the West End of Alameda!

 

Hi there, what I would suggest, if you haven't yet, go to the roll call for your cruise. Go to the main roll call board, click on Princess than Sapphire and find the sailing for July 25th. You'll meet a bunch of great folks and get lots of good ideas. Also, read the port boards for Alaska. Have you checked back on this thread? There are some good ideas for excursions. Chuck back tomorrow and I'll have some more ideas for you.

Want to Retire.....yes they did but the Lamb chops were much better than the Lamp chops....:D......Princess has made the HC a great alternative for the dining room.

[catmand]

Was there free hot chocolate ???

Is there MUTS on the sapphire???

What were the show, will they still be there in 26 days???

Can anyone post the daily patters???

Thanks in advance :)

 

You know, I didn't drink hot chocolate, maybe someone else can answer that, sorry.

No MUTS

The shows: "Piano Man", "I Got The Music", "Do You Wanna Dance?", can't say if they will be the same when you sail. I have all the Patters for both weeks but my scanner is old and a real P.I.T.A. did you have something specific you were interested in?

Chuck

[ridolphi]

Thanks for your very detailed report and your pictures are wonderful. Obviously you and your Mom had a wonderful time.

 

I am trying to figure out how you got to do the Sabatini's breakfast since you were in a standard balcony room and that is a perk for full suite guests only - not even Elites can do that unless they are in a full suite.

 

Again, though, thanks for a very detailed report. We are sailing on Sapphire in Sept to Mexico and are very much looking forward to our cruise, as its been quite some time since we've been on Princess.

[Coolmama_1]

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

[catmand]

Thanks for your very detailed report and your pictures are wonderful. Obviously you and your Mom had a wonderful time.

 

I am trying to figure out how you got to do the Sabatini's breakfast since you were in a standard balcony room and that is a perk for full suite guests only - not even Elites can do that unless they are in a full suite.

 

Again, though, thanks for a very detailed report. We are sailing on Sapphire in Sept to Mexico and are very much looking forward to our cruise, as its been quite some time since we've been on Princess.

 

Joann.....please! I'm getting older every day and more confused than ever. Are you sure you posted to the right thread? I sailed alone, but with friends. Didn't do Sabatini's, matter of fact I don't think they even had "the breakfast" on Sapphire. What I did mention was what they call The Ultimate Balcony Breakfast, which would have been a mess since I sailed with an inside cabin. Hey, hope you don't mind my kidding a little here. Have a great time on your cruise.

Chuck