Diamond in Alaska review

[woodspines]

I am eagerly waiting for someone to write a review on the Diamond sailing to Alaska.

[srphnx]

There have been a few whispers, great weather for the first, I am going in 5 days will report for sure.

Life is at it's best when your address floats
<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>
Ecstacy 09/01
<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>
Century 12/97
<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>
Century 9/96

[woodspines]

I can't wait to hear all about it.

[MRF777]

We should start seeing some reviews on Alaska as the first cruisers are back!

Scandinavian Sun
Emerald Seas
Island Princess
Seaward
Norway
Westward
Sensation
Facsination
Majesty of the Seas
Dawn Princess
Inspiration
Norwegian Dream
Norwegian Sun
Grandeur of the Seas (June 2002)
Carnival Paradise (Sept 2002)
Grand Princess (June 2003)
Disney Magic (Sept 2003)
Diamond Princess (June 2004)

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Diamond Princess Here We Come!

[zimmerjulie]

Hi All,
I toured the Diamond Princess last Sat and picked up a copy of the "Princess Patter" for the first night.

Welcome aboard show times were listed as 8:15pm and 10:15 pm--Comedian Billy Garran, the Diamond Princess Singers, and Dancers with the Cruise staff. Cruise director Billy Hygate. Music in the wheelhouse bar, Explorers Lounge, Crooners lounge, Club Fusion, and a dance party in Skywalker's nightclub. Also mentioned that they will have a "Princess Idol" competition.

I just touched on a few things. If you have any questions about what might be on the schedule for the first night, fire away.

[sboh]

We're traveling on the Diamond this July with our two sons ages 10 & 13. I understand that there is a get together for the kid's club the first night--any idea what time that would be?

[zebra]

Ok Woodespines....here's my review.
Starting with the food - this was awesome at the Horizon Court and in the PC Restaurants. Never had a bad meal. Sabatini's was a wonderful experience and the food was superb..this is a must! Of the PC choices, we liked the Vivaldi and Sterling the most. vivaldi does the pasta table side and the night that we went it was King Crab on the main menu- our waiter just kept bring more and more Crab for our table. The tiramisu was great also. Sterling had fantastic Prime rib and New York Strip. We enjoyed Pacific Moon (although I'm the only one in the party that had Sushi) the crispy Duck was great! Santa Fe was also good although that night I ordered off the Main Diningroom menu. This is what is so great about Pc dining - it's so flexible having the best of both worlds ordering off both menus!!

Our cabin was a mini-suite on Dolphin deck. Definitely the best cabin we have ever had - it was big and roomy and the balcony was huge with 2 lounge chairs and 2 charis and a table. As we had amazing weather on our cruise (5/8 - 5/15) we sat out there in the sun and enjoyed the scenery.

Our excursions: In Juneau we walked arounf the town during the day (this was our 2nd cruise to Alaska) and wore T-shirts because it was 69 degrees. in the evening we went on the "Evening Whale Quest" excursion which was awesome we saw 5 whales and Sea Lions - they served amazing appetizers including Prime Rib, Caribou Sausage and a hot Crab dip plus many other items with beer, wine and other drinks. we loved this excursion - the guides were very informative!!

In Skagway we did the Mushers Camp and Sled dog ride - this was OK - I wouldn't do this again.

Ketchikan was our best excursion. We did the guided Fishing and wilderness Dining and I could go on and on about our tour guide Larry and the whole experience was the best we have ever have on ANY cruise!!! Kudo's Princess for such a great excursion. My biggest complaint to Princess is that, Ketchikan should be a full day stop and they could make Skagway and half day, there's not that much to do and see in Skagway.

Now about the ship.... it is beautiful. Many bars and lounges.. all of which are great. Our favorite was Skywalkers Nightclub - especially during the day or evening. it faces the bow of the ship and has the BEST view!!!

The shows were all pretty good - we enjoyed them all, especially the Ventriloquist, Dan Horn.

We enjoyed the Art Auctions and bought a great piece of art. Have read that other posters had a problem with the Art auctioneer - we found them both to be great and helpfull. We always attend and purchase art on our cruises... and if you are new at this, go along and enjoy the free Champagne!!!

Travy Arm was spectacular - what a day!!! Also they offer you a special Champgne breakfast for 2 that morning - on your balcony or in your cabin. The menu was: French Champagne, Warm basket of Homemade Pastries, Delicate Smoked Copper River Salmon, Medley of Fresh Fruits and Forest Berries, alaskan King Crab Quiche. The package cost $25.00

there is so much to mention.... if you would like to know more let me know, I also have all the Princess Patters.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!

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Until Millenium 9/6/2004 to Europe!

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[80's cruiser]

Wow! Can't wait now for my Sapphire cruise! Tracy Arm champagne breakfast sounds great and a great price. Are you sure that's all they charged?

Grand Princess 09/01
Grand Princess 01/02
Grand Princess 05/02
Brilliance of the Sea 01/03
Enchantment of the Sea 07/03
Island Princess 01/04

[WolfpackFan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by zebra:
In Skagway we did the Mushers Camp and Sled dog ride - this was OK - I wouldn't do this again.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Zebra - Can you talk a little bit more about this excursion. We are booked on it. Why wouldn't you do it again?

-----
WolfpackFan

June 1994 Premier Atlantic
June 1995 Regent Rainbow
March 1998 Celebrity Century
January 2000 Norwegian Sky
January 2003 Golden Princess
June 2004 Diamond Princess

[augie]

Great review - I'm anxiously awaiting my turn!

Which nights were the formal nights?

Carnival Holiday 10/94
Carnival Sensation 10/95
Carnival Destiny 1/97
Carnival Fascination 1/98
Carnival Tropicale 9/98
Carnival Destiny 10/00
Carnival Triumph 10/01
Disney Wonder 12/01
Carnival Destiny11/02
Princess Diamond Princess 6/04
Carnival Miracle 11/04

augiegator@att.net

[woodspines]

Zebra, THANK YOU for the wonderful review. I have never cruised Alaska before and am so anxious about everything. I'm happy you had such terrific weather. Did you see any whales other than on the excursion? The king crab sounds wonderful. They better buy extra the week I go! I'm signed up for PC dining and will follow your recommendations.
Thanks again, and I hope you are not suffering post cruise depression too badly. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[zebra]

80's Cruiser.... Yes it was only $25 for this wonderful breakfast for 2 people!

WolfPackFan.... about the Mushers Camp and Sled Dog Ride. You go to the Camp -(small log cabin and about 20 dog houses each with a sled dog tied up to it) by van. The guide then took us up the hill 2 by 2 in his 4 wheeler. Half way up the hill was the wheeled sled with the dogs hooked up rearing to go. It took all of 4 minutes to ride up to the top of the hill, we were then told to get out whilst they manoevered the sled and gave the dogs water - we then got back in the sled and rode the same distance down the dirt track - the downhill ride took 2 minutes! That was it!!!!!

Augie.... the first Formal night is your 2nd night aboard and the second Formal night is the night of Ketchikan.

Woodspines.....Yes, we saw many more whales whilst on the cruise, they were all Orcas - we also saw Dall Porpoises.

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[augie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by zebra:
Augie.... the first Formal night is your 2nd night aboard and the second Formal night is the night of Ketchikan.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you Zebra. The second night is when we'll celebrate our anniversary. Which of the PC dining rooms would you say has the most romantic atmosphere?

Carnival Holiday 10/94
Carnival Sensation 10/95
Carnival Destiny 1/97
Carnival Fascination 1/98
Carnival Tropicale 9/98
Carnival Destiny 10/00
Carnival Triumph 10/01
Disney Wonder 12/01
Carnival Destiny11/02
Princess Diamond Princess 6/04
Carnival Miracle 11/04

augiegator@att.net

[gardeningqueen]

I'm happy to hear the Dolphin mini suites are wonderful. We recently received an upgrade from an Emerald mini suite to D500.

Which cabin were you in and did you enjoy the open deck plan versus the covered decks? Also, did you request the chaise lounge chairs or were they already on your deck?

Glad you enjoyed the cruise and had beautiful weather. August 14th can't come soon enough for me...

[WolfpackFan]

Zebra - I know his has been asked in other places before, but I'd like to ask again (mainly because I can't find the previous posts). Can you list in as much detail as possible what dishes are on the various specialty menus (Sante Fe, Sterling, etc.). We're basically going to do each once and three of them twice and I'm trying to decide which one restaurant to do only once.

Also, I thought I had read somewhere else that you can really order whatever you want off any of the specialty menus at any of the specialty restaurants because all the food is really close together and the waiter doesn't have to go far. Did you see this happening anywhere?

-----
WolfpackFan

June 1994 Premier Atlantic
June 1995 Regent Rainbow
March 1998 Celebrity Century
January 2000 Norwegian Sky
January 2003 Golden Princess
June 2004 Diamond Princess

[woodspines]

If you could post the Patters also, that would be great.

[zebra]

gardeningqueen, we were in D609. It is pretty spacious with a seperate sitting area (3 seater couch, leather armchair, coffee table and TV. There is also a TV in the bedroom. Between the bedroom & sitting area there is a Wet Bar with fridge etc etc. With regard to the verandah. We loved the open deck - but there again we didn't have any rain or drizzle. The 2 loungers are big padded lounge chairs which can be put in the reclining position - they are not actually chaise lounges (sunbeds) which one has next to the pools. They are on the verandah when you get to your cabin as well as a table and 2 chairs. You can look up to the decks above you - none of them have as much space as Dolphin verandahs (except the Suites of course.)

WolfPackFan, I didn't bring any menu's home as the PC menu's are in leather covers. Sterling has Prime Rib and New York Steak, Sante Fe has Chicken and Beef Fajitas, Vivaldi has the most awesome Osso Buco (Veal Shank) to die for!!!! Pacific Moon has California Sushi starter, Pot Stickers and Spring Rolls and Crispy Duck - I remember this the best because we went their on the last night, so it's still fresh in my mind. We did Sterling twice and also went to Sabatini's (this is a must!!!). I would have loved to have done Vivaldi again but we went on an Evening Whale Watch and they served amazing food - included in our excursion - so when we got on board at 9:30 we went up to Horizon for a cup of coffee.
Augie.. about the most romantic atmostphere - without a doubt Sabatini's!!!! This is definitely a special occasion restaurant.

On one of the evenings they serve an Alaskan Barbeque at the Trident Grill by the pool. It's very light and one can have it as an appetizer before dinner that evening. They serve Grilled Salmon, a skewer with shrimp and scallops and also Reindeer Chili which my DH had and said it was excellent.

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[WolfpackFan]

Zebra - One more question before you get too tired of all the questions. What did you do on the final night as far as eating and going into Victoria? Did you leave the ship? If so, did you eat early or eat late or not eat on the ship at all? What time did they let people leave the ship in Victoria?

-----
WolfpackFan

June 1994 Premier Atlantic
June 1995 Regent Rainbow
March 1998 Celebrity Century
January 2000 Norwegian Sky
January 2003 Golden Princess
June 2004 Diamond Princess

[emmysmom]

Zebra - Thanks for supplying all this great information! The Diamond sounds fantastic! It makes waiting until August 14th almost unbearable.

[zebra]

WolfPackFan...we booked the Vivaldi for 5:30pm which gave us plenty of time to eat before the ship docked in Victoria. In Victoria after you have gone through Customs/Immigration you will see many tours options all vying for your business. There are stretch limo's, horse and carriage and also a shuttle bus. We were with another couple so we took a stretch limo 2 hour tour of Victoria for Can$100 for the 4 of us. This was a good deal and a great and informative way to see Victoria. We asked him to drop us off in town after our tour so that we could do some shopping. We took a taxi Can$7.50 back to the ship at 11:00pm

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[srphnx]

Three days until we add to the Alaska on Diamond lore, what time did you have to put out luggage on Victoria/last night?

Life is at it's best when your address floats
<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>
Ecstacy 09/01
<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>
Century 12/97
<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>
Century 9/96

[dperry]

thanks very much for your informative posts!
we're on the diamond on 5/22 and are very excited. hope we have great weather, too!

[yancycruiser]

Thanks to all who posted for all the great and informative info. We are booked on the Sapphire on in August and your post makes us even more anxious for our time to come. It is also our first Alaskan Cruise.

yanceycruiser

Sapphire Princess 8/22/04
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[e095521]

Yancycruiser....finally someone else here who is on the 8/22 Sapphire cruise....it's also our first Alaska cruise...actually our first cruise! Since we live in Seattle, it'll be an easy trip down to the pier! What deck will you be on...would be fun to meet....we're on the Lido....can't wait to see the Sapphire arrive here..for now, we're drooling every Saturday when the Diamond arrives.

Linda

[yancycruiser]

Hello Linda,

Believe it or not, we had been booked on the Celebrity Infinity for about six months and just switched to the Sapphire about four days ago. Friends of ours in Edmonton are going on this cruise so we switched to be with them.

You live in Seattle - how great! This will be our 6th cruise with the rest being either Eastern or Western Caribbean cruises. The ports we have sailed out of have been between 500 and 700 miles from our home.

Maybe we can arrange to meet. We are staying on the Plaza Deck. How many cruises have you been on?

yanceycruiser

Carnival Pride Feb 03
Grand Princess Jan 01
RCL Enchantment of the Seas Jan 99
NCL Norway Jan 97
NCL Dream Jan 95

Sapphire Princess 8/22/04
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[e095521]

This is our first cruise and first trip to Alaska. My husband's cousin and her husband and about 800 http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gifof their closest friends (not really - but some of the people she works with got this group together and we just joined in.) Never really wanted to do a Caribbean cruise because of the long flight from WA to FL but this will be great..

where are you in Alabama? My brother and sister in law are moving to Orange Beach within the year...

[zebra]

srphnx, they said to put the luggage out after dinner, but before 11:00pm. Most people ate really early - before 6:00 and then put their bags out. What we did was, when we got back on the ship in Victoria we packed our warm clothes that we wore in Victoria, into the bags, and then put our luggage out immediately. We were travelling to Florida and certainly didn't need jackets etc!!

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[srphnx]

Thanks Zebra, we are returning to 100 degree Phoenix, also no need for bundling up.

Life is at it's best when your address floats
<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>
Ecstacy 09/01
<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>
Century 12/97
<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>
Century 9/96

[yancycruiser]

Linda,

We are in Montgomery, Alabama about 180 miles north of Orange Beach. Orange Beach is a beautiful area within a stones throw of Florida's north coast.

yanceycruiser

Carnival Pride Feb 03
Grand Princess Jan 01
RCL Enchantment of the Seas Jan 99
NCL Norway Jan 97
NCL Dream Jan 95

Sapphire Princess 8/22/04
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[e095521]

I've seen pictures of Orange Beach and can't wait to go and visit them when they move...they are going to right on the water and have a boat....those are the kinds of relatives to have!!

Let's keep in touch and we'll see you in Seattle in a few weeks. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I'm going to try to get up early this Sat and head off to the harbor to watch the Diamond come back from Alaska...

[vegasguy]

Thanks so much for this Info and tips. My wife and I are looking forward to this and you are only uping our excitement. We leave on the 5/29 cruise!!!