Just back from Sapphire Alaska 7/18-7/25 (not long)

Hi all,

First of all, many, many thanks to this entire board for all the tips and recommendations. Our trip would have been less enjoyable if not for the things I learned on this board. I won't go into a litany or print my journal here, but a couple of things that may be of interest. We are Princess first-timers and have cruised 3 other lines before. Bottom line, we made an open booking onboard, can't wait to sail with Princess again. Shows were excellent, food very good, service excellent, drinks plentiful! What else is there? We did have to tender in Juneau due to crowded port, but we let staff know we had pre-booked an excursion (not with Princess, Captain Larry on our own) and they escorted us off in the first tender. Staff was always attentive, room kept immaculate (we were in E509). We were lucky, had excellent weather all week except Juneau - rained on the bus ride back from whale watching. Ship is incredibly beautiful - still has the new ship smell, surprised they didn't sell the scent in cans in the gift shop!

Embark and disembark very smooth, cabbed to airport and had 2-plus hrs to kill for our 11:45AM flight back home.

Again, thanks to all for sharing their ideas and hints.

Happy sailing!

Glad to hear it Murph! As a recent Princess first-timer myself, I must say I agree: I LOVED the Golden.

P.S. Please tell me that you saved the Patters/Menus! :o

We are considering the Sapphire for next summer. Thank you for your thoughts on your cruise. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

We test drive the Sapphire in 6 weeks, her Sister Diamond gets us 4 times this year, I know how happy you are. Wecome back and be warned it will be tough to be happy on another ship anytime soon.

We just got off the Sapphire today, as well. I'll second everything RxMurphy said. Great shows, great food, friendly crew, smooth seas, good weather, and great service...!!!

My 16 y/o daughter had a BLAST in the Off-Limits Teen Club. We barely saw her. What a great vacation...!!!

I too disembarked from the Sapphire today, we had a wonderful time as all the others stated. The ship is beautiful, our mini suite(D525) was awesome as was our room steward, Andrew. I will be posting a review in several days, touching on some very helpful hints I learned here & put into use, but also a few things we discovered on our own(discrepencies on different policies, dinner reservations, room service) in addition: good indepentant,. reasonalbe land tours etc. Overall we had an incredible experience, Princess was great and Alaska was incredibly beatiful, not only the scenery but her people. To all who have an upcoming cruise to Alaksa ck back for some good helpful tips!!!! I must go, I seem to be suffering from CPD, must get some rest-didnt happen on the trip :) ......Liz

Lizzy. We don't sail her til Sep.05, but are always looking forward to soaking up whatever info/tips we can get. Glad to hear everyone is enjoying themselves so much.

We were on Sapphire on the 7/11 sailing. We also had Captain Larry and the tour desk told us we had to wait unitl all tours had left before we could catch the tender. I had previously talked to Carol and Captian Larry's and she told me not to worry about the tender, they would wait. We got to the tender and off the ship in plenty of time.

COULD SOMEONE PLEASE EMAIL ME THE PATTERS!!!!! I will be eternally grateful!!!! - OR - if you have a way to post them for all of us - that would be great.

We will have our 16 year old granddaugher with us, so, roadpossum, glad to hear your 16 year old daughter had a good time. I only hope I will be able to get ours to participate. I have corresponded with a fellow CC person who has a 16 year old son. They have emailed, so hopefully they will get together for some of the activities!!!

Will anxoiously await your review!!!

If anyone can email the Patters - my email address is morganrp@color-country.net

Judy

Glad to hear it Murph! As a recent Princess first-timer myself, I must say I agree: I LOVED the Golden.

 

P.S. Please tell me that you saved the Patters/Menus! :o

Jon and Judy-

sorry, DW is too quick for me, she's the type that cleans the house before the cleaning lady comes, you know. I had all the patters stacked on desk and she had "tidied up a bit" for Ramon so his last day wouldn't be so busy. Sorry!