8/22/09 Diamond Princess & Alaska (Long)

[zamgwar]

Greetings all who helped me plan my journeys and those yet to go may I Help you plan yours,

When I am planning a cruise, or better yet have one booked, there are various steps of preparatory anticipation that I go through. There’s the looking at the deck plans stage. During that time I mentally walk the ship trying to guess where favorite place for a martini will be.

Trick question- the best place for a martini is ALWAYS in my hand.

There’s the online pre-boarding step, which requires pulling out passports, filling in blanks and proclaiming “We’re going somewhere”. There’s the total excitement that occurs when the packing fairy (AKA my wife, AKA “she who must be obeyed) pulls out the“big as a friggin’ house suitcase and starts filling the bed with piles of things to go in it.

There is perhaps NO greater tool for building anticipation than reading about the ship you’re going on. With that in mind I will forgo all tales of how I got there, embarkation, what I ate, my waiters name or who I ultimately gave half my clothes to (a long story) and tell you about the ship and just the ship. I WILL, however, uncharacteristically also conclude with a rundown of Alaska, as more people seemed to have questions about this cruise destination (myself included) than any other. Keep in mind, this is MY review. Being on a planet full of independent minds is one of the blessings of being human. Your experience may be entirely different.

The Ship-Previously enjoying several Celebrity cruises and an RCCL ship, it had been 7 years since I sailed on a Princess Ship. Upon boarding I was immediately reminded how darn beautiful and most of all, how “shippy” (an absolute nautical term) and yet intimate the Princess Ships are.

The Diamonds’ Atrium is a wonderfully open and bright central gathering place. On my 2002 sailing on Grand Princess, it was a great entrance hall, and since then it’s only gotten better. Time has “morphed it” into a grand gathering and entertainment space, sort of a seagoing town square. Beginning with the marble floor and topped off with a stained glass dome, the entire 3 deck space is filled with class. Open brass-like etchings surround the vista elevators. Curved dual brass and glass stairways join the floors. On a daily basis there was always some sort of entertainment here, ranging from the usual pianist or guitarist, to balloon dropping dance parties, a Dixieland band, big bands, martini demonstrations (I had a front row seat) and string quartets. I spent more time in this atrium than I ever had on any other ship. Perhaps it was because this was Alaska and I wasn’t full of Rum and singing reggae by the pool as in the Caribbean. By day there I was enjoying a book and a cappuccino, when it became acceptable I was enjoying the laugh of “She who must be obeyed” and a martini.

There were other public spaces which were equally special. The Wheelhouse Bar (though it is now MUCH larger than when I first fell in love with it on the Grand) still seems like a place old yachtsmen would get together to share a drink and a tall sea tale. Opulently finished with dark wood, brass, leather chairs and adorned with pictures of steamships, nautical paraphernalia, it still has as much class as any ship’s room I have ever drank in, and I’ve drank in a few. The casino is large, not at all cramped, has an African safari theme, and seemed as proficient at taking my money as all others have.

On my next cruise I have considered just taking my money and throwing it in the air upon entering the casino on the first day. I’ll have the same result and my fellow travelers who pick it up will be all the happier.

On deck 5 aft, is the club Fusion. It is another great performance, bingo parlor, entertainment and a dance space, but somehow doesn’t match its’ name. While it IS decorated very nice, its’ basic décor is cowboy western. I enjoyed the Captains’ Club party there very much, and they made the BEST mojitos on the ship, but I couldn’t connect the name and the space. Another confusingly named space can be found almost hidden in the same space. The WakeView bar is found down a small stairway at the rear of club Fusion. It is a very cool intimate space, probably seating no more than 20. It is a great place to enjoy a port or a cognac, but at least to my martini filled eyes, there was no WakeView, as I don’t THINK there was a window there.

Midships is the Explorers’ Lounge, an EXTREMELY large Egyptian themed lounge which also doubled as a performance venue, a dance club, a movie theater, lecture area and the obligatory art auction venue. Definitely a great place to have a few drink, and see what on this sailing, was a very funny comedian. On The very TOP of ship is Skywalkers’ Disco. With is floor to ceiling windows it is great space to view the world by day. I’d like to say it is a great space to party at night, but once again this was an Alaskan cruise. There were so many early morning wake ups, that this partying nightowl actually was in my CABIN most nights by 10pm.

In the Caribbean, I’m just warming up by 10pm.

The gym and spa were (according to my wife and the others couples we traveled with)very nice, and well equipped. I walked thru once and agreed. Those who had spa treatments LOVED them, which hasn’t always been the case on other ships. Daily workouts in the gym however, weren’t always easy due to crowds. All felt this was once again due to the itinerary and that half the passengers weren’t basking in the Alaskan sun. Maybe 20 were. While I do exercise daily on ships, I prefer walking the decks, which segues perfectly to the next section

The BEST thing about the Diamond Princess and the Grand Class ships in general are it’s beautiful outside pool and deck areas and the large windows (almost) everywhere, which allow the outside to come in. The Diamonds’ color scheme in general is wonderful. On a sunny day, the way the light plays through the windows and off the brass, glass, and light wood everywhere, is one of lifes’ simple joy.

I’m a theater lighting designer by trade and notice that stuff.

The pools, in my opinion (and even in Alaska- they were heated) are THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS. I think there are five on Diamond. Two aft in a beautiful wide teak terraced area, two large pools amidships (one enclosed) and one in the lotus spa area. They are surrounded by ample teak decks, with PLENTY of deck chairs. There are bars at all of them. Best of all, the exterior promenade on deck seven allows you to completely walk around ship, (albeit up one flight at the bow). While it is not teak, it is at LEAST faux teak padding rather than some awful carpeting. When combined with the wooden deck chairs, wooden storage cabinets, teak railings, lifeboats overhead and of course the ocean next to you, it screams, “THIS IS A SHIP DAMNED IT”, as opposed to “What a wonderful floating hotel this is”.

We Stayed in a Mini-suite on Dolphin Deck. Princess mini-suites are STILL the best Cabins I have ever stayed in. It is the description of a “stateroom”. Tons of storage, plenty of space, a large bathrooms, and brightly appointed with teak touches. If we go on Princess, and if they are discounted, we go in a mini-suite from now on.

Food and Service- I found the Princess Service to be still wonderful and definitely on an even Steven with Celebrity. If you didn’t have it they would get it for you, if you wanted more you got it, if something wasn’t right they fixed it. We chose anytime dining and loved it. We had NO problem (with ample tipping) getting a reservation for 6 people each evening and being escorted immediately to our table upon arrival.

We LOVED the smaller anytime dining rooms on The Diamond. There were three, each VERY intimate, and with a totally different décor. One (our nightly choice) was decorated Southwestern, one Asian, and one had a rich dark wooded steakhouse feel. All had the exact same menus but featured a special themed to the room. FYI, all specials were available in all dining rooms. I wish all Princesses anytime dining venues were like this. The traditional seating restaurant was large, with a low ceiling and areas sectioned off to give a smaller room feel.

The Horizon Court Buffet is a great glass surrounded space. Once again this area suffered from the itinerary. Because no one basked on deck, because the weather was cool and often rainy, and because the entire ship’s compliment seemed to move in unison, the buffet was often packed. This was the one sour point of the cruise, long buffet lines and people spending forever at tables because they offered such a great view of outside. There were plenty of attendants to get you what you wish and who tried their best to move dawdlers along. People just were slow to give up their spots. If you were exceptionally early or exceptionally to breakfast or lunch, there was no problem. I seemed to always move with the herd.

The Food in GENERAL was good to very good, with something’s being exceptional. Keep in mind once again taste is subjective. I frequently eat mystery meat on a stick in New York City and say “That was great”.

Normally I spend a good amount of time talking to my fellow passengers to find out what they thought of the ship. Normally, I would also be in a bathing suit and would have had a day full of cocktails. On days I wasn’t off ship I was glued to the scenery that passed outside. If I talked to my fellow passengers, the conversation usually involved gaping jaws and the word “Wow”. I therefore cannot tell you what my fellow passengers thought of Diamond. I loved the ship. My wife, and her girlfriend very much liked the ship but felt food was a tad better on Celebrity. My friends from New Hampshire prefer Princess, loved Diamond but felt the Celebrity dining experience was a tad better. All felt the buffet lines and table situation during the day put a damper on the total experience.
For those who will be sailing Diamond to other destinations, thanks for reading. For those with Alaska as a Destination, the rest is for you.

There is no place I have ever been that is like Alaska, and I have been a few places. Now as beautiful as the cruise was (and it was spectacular) it paled in comparison to being on land in Alaska. I would URGE anyone who is planning that big once in a lifetime trip to the great Pacific Northwest, to go Southbound from Alaska, and spend a minimum of one week more seeing the mind blowing amazing beauty of it.

We had originally booked our Land tours through Princess. We chose land first, because we liked the idea of not having to unpack for a week at the end of journey. After reading reviews on the hotels, looking at the price, and pondering what we would miss by moving with a herd, we opted for a week on our own and couldn’t have been happier. What we saw in just five days pre-cruise will be burnt in our minds forever. Here’s what we did, and we did it at a token of the cost of a land tour package, and that was even after Princess offer 2 for 1 Land packages.

We l anded in Anchorage on Monday at 2PM (Blue Skys 63 degrees), and stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn. Not downtown BUT with a van to take you pick you up at the airport, and take you anywhere you wanted downtown for free. We took the van to Hertz near the Captain Cook Hotel, to pick up our rental car. We then picked up our “Cruise suitcases” and dropped them off at the Anchorage B & B we would be staying at Thursday on Friday. We spent the rest of the day walking around Anchorage and Hiked about four miles of the Tony Knowles bike trail along cook inlet. Breathtaking.

Tuesday we were up at 7AM. (57 and pouring). By 9 were on the way to Healy, stopping a gazillion times to take pictures of the incredible vistas as well as in Talkennka (sp?) for lunch. At FIRST we were disappointed with the “Northern Exposure” inspiration because it was packed with tour buses and we saw no charm in it. After lunch however, the tour buses were gone leaving us almost alone in the town and we all said “OH THIS is why this town is a “must see”. It just needed plenty of time to meander without crowds, and talk to all the people who live and work there. We Drove on to Our B & B in Healy- The Denali Lakview Inn (about 15 miles North of Denali. The rooms and setting were spectacular. On a lake, facing the mountains. That’s what you see from your deck. Though it really is more of a hotel than a B&B (you never see the owners or intermingle with the guests), I would stay here again in a heartbeat. We ate at the golf course within walking distance.

On Wednesday (59 Degrees and drizzle) we caught 6:30 Shuttle to Eleison (son) visitor center in Denali. Denali. Amazing. Even in the Rain, mud, clouds, and snow (yes it snowed beginning about mile 55- temperature 31 degrees) it is almost a religious experience. We saw over a dozen Grizzlies and cubs, Mooses munchin’ right next to the road, a herd of Caribou, a fox, a coyote, Golden Eagles, Dall sheep and a white rock that we thought was a dall sheep. While Mt. McKinley wasn’t out, the experience was well worth and spending 8 hours in a school bus wasn’t an issue. On our ride back from the visitor the weather broke, and seeing the vast tundra and mountains against the Blue sky. Ate dinner south of Glitter Gulch, saw mooses along the road and spent another night in Healy

Thursday- (Blue Sky about 68 degrees BUT 29 DEGREES WHEN WE WOKE) )Drove back to Anchorage . Mt. McKinley was out in cloudless sky. We stopped maybe 5 times to take pictures. MIND BLOWING SCENERY. At the Denali STATE park viewing platform, two bald eagles soared by to add to the moment .We detoured to Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine State park (For those considering we went in from the Palmer Side). MIND BLOWING SCENERY!!! We pulled off on the Susitna River and panned for Gold on our own (We purchased pans) and I GOT SOME !!! Not enough to pay for a Pretzel, but I got some. We stayed at the Susitna Place B & B in Anchorage, in the only rooms with Decks. Within walking distance of almost everything, this place was a gem. It had great Breakfast, wonderful rooms, and great company speaking with the other guests. Linda the owner is tremendous, as are the views of Cook Inlet and “The Sleeping Lady”.

Friday- (Blue Sky about 70 Degrees) We drove (about 2 hours) to and hiked on The Mantanuska Glacier. It was a highlight of the land portion. Linda (our B&B) host encouraged us to drive an additional 20 miles passed the Glacier once we were done.
We were glad we did. The scenery was the best we saw in two weeks. We had a great lunch in the mountains in place she recommended owned by a regular racer in the Indinarod.

Saturday- (Blue Sky about 74) We took a Cab to the Train Station (About 5 minutes away) and took The Glacial Discover Train RIGHT TO our ship in Whittier. We checked our bags with the Alaskan Railroad Baggage handlers and the next time we saw them, they were outside our Cabins. The train ride is absolutely incredible. MIND BLOWING SCENERY on both sides as it travels next to the water. Glaciers everywhere, the train actually STOPPED when the engineer spotted beluga whales

For ships excursions while on board, we charter a private boat for whale watching in Juneau at less than the cost of the ship’s excursion and hired our own guide in Skagway(Dyea Dave) who put us on the white pass Railway, and the another 5 hours around the Yukon and Back. Both I would highly recommend over traveling with the herd.

It was cool to cold at nights and Rained frequently on the cruise. We OVERPACKED, and could have done with half as much. Doing laundry is easy. You need layers (Thermal t-shirt, shirt, sweatshirt) a waterproof jacket with a hood, shorts, jeans, a bathing suit (if you enjoy the pools) sneakers, casual wear, and two nights formal wear (call me old school, I pack my tux as did all others in our party- About 80 percent of the guests at least puts on a jacket and tie for Formal nights, and the remainder didn’t dress at all). You ONLY need waterproof pants if you will be standing on deck whale watching, in the pouring rain, as I did. There is no better side of the cruise ship to be on, and at any moment during the cruise you can be treated (as we were) to schools of Dolphins, eagles, Orches, seals , and humpback whales right next to your dining room window,

This was to be our “once in a lifetime” trip to Alaska. We are all in our mid 50’s and decided to go now rather than when we were much older, so we could bike, hike, and be independent, before our ill spent youth gets the better of us all.

Like so MANY others before us, we agreed that one trip to such a spectacular place is just not enough. No matter how you see Alaska on your trip, I’m sure you will Agree.

My your seas be smooth, your days sunny and your drinks be chilled,

John
Office of Amazing Trips
The Zamgwar Institute

[Party Teacher]

John,

Thanks for the AMAZING review!!! (My husband is wondering why I'm laughing at the computer screen!) Consider this review passed on
and copied!

PT

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the intensive review.

[PatchesPal]

Thanks for a GREAT review....we sail on Sapphire next year and can't wait!

[zamgwar]

you're all most welcome- thanks for your tips along the way

John
Office of Back to Work
The Zamgwar Institute

[rdsqrl]

Thank you for this eloquently witty review! Really enjoyed reading it.

[trapezemom]

Is tipping expected to be seated at the dining room.....I guess I never read that or noticed anyone doing it. Though perhaps it answers why we were seated last. What is the appropriate protocol? We made reservations each night but were seated after others, what is the appropriate amount of tip? Planning to sail again in March and I want to be sure I do it right this time!

[zamgwar]

Hiya Trapeze Mom,

No tipping is NOT expected. It is included on a daily basis on your cabin tab. I have over the years however, always tipped beyond what is expect if things are especially good. Hence "She who must be Obeyed"s comment..."You're tipping us toward the poorhouse".

She however also admits we always have great dining experiences.

While I enjoy anytime dining, the thing I MOST enjoy about it is, that 6 is too early and 8-8:30 to late. I STILL enjoy having the same waitier, table and time, just at our own chosing. On our previous two Princess trips we found making actual facial contact, with a particualr anytime dining room Maitre D..and a decent tip, has always resulted in a great waiter and a great table, at the same time (say 7:20) and no waiting with a pager.

We usually also tip the Princess waiters extra the first night of they were very good, and extra on the last night, if they were extraordinary.

That is not expected, we just do it

John
Office of Not made of Money, Just always applaud good work
The Zamgwar Institute