Lovesacruise

On 6/13/2019 at 5:12 AM, ~*Lou*~ said:

We disembarked Coral this morning, I have typed this up quite roughly because we’re not home yet. We had 5 nights in Alaska (Anchorage, Girdwood, Seward, Anchorage) before the cruise and won’t be home until end of next week. We are a family of 4 with children aged 9 & 11 years, from Australia.

Happy to answer questions.

 

 

Wednesday 5th June

Snow city breakfast- we had made an online reservation so we were seated quickly, but our waitress advised they were finishing a big catering job so we had a long wait for food. we took an Uber back to hotel to save some time, walked from hotel to the train station , bag drop at princess tent next to main station building, arrived right on 1hr before train. We had a short  line up for our tickets to be printed (pre purchased online) & check of photo id, to be told a boarding call is 30mins from departure (so we didn’t need to rush & be there exactly 1hr before. 45 mins would have been ok to allow for queuing to collect tickets)

 

The Train from Anchorage to Whittier is very scenic. We had Better weather (therefore visibility) than I hoped. All along the turnagain arm and then through the portage valley, blue skies and great views of snow capped mountains. The train departed anchorage at 9.45am and arrived at Whittier at 12.05pm. The  Children were bored with the scenery but My daughter looked up from the iPad long enough to spot a moose.

 

We emerged from the Anton Anderson memorial tunnel on the Whittier side to spectacular weather - sun and barely a cloud to limit visibility- and our first view of Coral Princess. Off the train, direct to the ship is just crossing the road and following the white tent to the check in building. We had more time so we had a short walk from the train to the small boat harbour, then back to the cruise ship terminal to board glacier quest at 12.45 for 1pmdeparture. 

 

Lunch was served straight after departure- we had the vegetarian option of vegetable chilli & a small warm brown roll & butter & coleslaw & bag oyster crackers , the children’s meal were a hot dog and bag whole grain chips. We all had a slice of cheese, bag of fruit snacks, & a small polar bear smooch. Free water. Other drinks & sweet & savoury snacks available to purchase. There was a national park ranger on board and he did a great commentary and had great resources for the children - by the end of the cruise they had their Chugach national forest junior rangers badges. We saw Glaciers, sea lions, sea otters, sea birds and one shipwreck along with fabulous scenery.

 

At 4.45 we were back to Whittier, walked off  Glacier quest, through the white Princess tent to check in & through security. By 5.15 we were on board and in our cabin B321 (internal quad share).

 

Our bags were already in our cabin so we unpacked, went to deck 12 to check in to the children’s club (had registered online, just needed to go up and check the details were right), then onto a buffet dinner on deck 14, followed by the children finding the ice cream on deck 14 at the lotus pool. At 7.45 we had a muster, followed by sail away at 8.20pm (ten minutes early). The Children had a swim in the indoor lotus pool after departure, we took in turns to watch scenery and the children.

Departing from Whittier through prince William sound was far more scenic than I had expected and we wanted to be on deck to see it.

 

Thursday 6th June

More amazing weather - cloudy in the morning at sea but it was sunny, not cold, and barely any clouds as we got to Yakutat bay and the Hubbard glacier - it is 400-600feet high, 6-9 miles wide, and 76 miles long. We got as close as 9 miles to it and saw some calving & some seals. We were on deck 11 outside at the front of the ship and then deck 14 in the horizon buffet to view the glacier. 

 

The children had spent the morning in the kids club. We had lunch & the children had a swim before we arrived in front of the glacier. The children went back to the Kids club again after dinner.

 

Friday 7th June 

 

Glacier bay national park 

 

More amazing weather, sun, few clouds, great visibility, and did not feel as cold as I expected. We Collected the rangers on time at 9.15. They commended their Commentary 11am and kept going until 3.30. We traveled 140 miles within the national park. I wasn’t feeling well (head cold) so set myself up on sun lounger right against window on level 14 (lotus pool) to watch scenery go by, occasionally walking up to level 15 to step outside to take a photo. The glaciers were amazing, we saw some calving, and all the scenery was spectacular and we also saw seals, sea otters, whales, sea birds and bald eagles.

 

Saturday 8th June 

 

Skagway 

 

We had booked a full day tour with chilkoot charters. The first 2.5 hrs was in the bus, I lost count of the number of photo stops including toilet stops, and we spotted a black bear off the road after Fraser, as well as Dall  sheep high on a mountain above the road.

 

We had lunch at Carcross trading post at 11.45am. This was bbq chicken, coleslaw, potato and unlimited bread rolls, butter and Cinnamon donuts. We then had a short cart ride with sled dogs, they were all so excited to be hauling us along. And puppies! Four 2 week old puppies we could look at. There were other animals to look at too, horses and donkeys and alpacas, before we got back on the bus.

 

Next stop was Carcross where we had a 30 minutes stop - the children enjoyed ice cream and we had a short walk.

 

We then had a 1 hour drive back to Fraser (bit of a nap!) then 1:45 hrs White Cross and Yukon train from Fraser to Skagway.

 

The railway is very scenic and we spotted 2 brown bears from the train, they were running along the tracks ahead of the train before scrambling up the embankment. We arrived in Skagway at 5.15pm. We walked through Skagway, where all buildings except one are built from wood, built during the 1896 gold rush, and past the Mollie Walsh Angel of the Klondike playground, back to the ship. As we walked along the dock to our ship, we saw a harbour seal in water next to the ship. Dinner on board.

 

Sunday 9th June

 

Juneau

 

We had milder drier weather than we expected.

 

At 8.45am we left the cabin, walked off the ship, as there were a number of ships in Juneau today we were down at berth B and not the central spot on town, but this gave us just a 900m walk to Avis, where we collected our rental car. We drove to Mendenhall Glacier, and had parked by 9.30 - we felt like we had the place almost to ourselves 

 

By 10.45am we were back in the car after walking the Nugget falls and steep creek trails - there were lots of buses of people arriving as we left. We had a good look at Mendenhall glacier next to nugget falls before the crowds arrived. 

 

We drove to Eagle beach for a short walk and then to the shrine of st Therese, where we saw a marmot on the rocky beach. We then returned the car at 1.30pm, we would have had time to drive to end of the road. We walked from Avis, past Coral, into the main part of Juneau. We found the Alaskan Fudge Co with a queue out the door for ice cream- they served very generous scoops. We walked back past ovation of the seas & grand princess to Coral for a late lunch & sail away.

 

4 ships in port including Ovation of the seas (huge), we were dock B - further from town but closer to Avis. Poor Radiance of the seas in dock A.

 

At dinner there was a chocolate fountain (with fruit & marshmallows to dip) in the horizon buffet - the children declared it the best night ever. Children to kids club and we walked 3 Laps (2.8 laps is 1 mile) of the promenade deck, saw whales, porpoises & sea lion and lots of sea birds in very clear flat waters. Was a bit tougher at bedtime, the ship was moving round a bit, so I gave the children sea sickness meds at bedtime just in case (they were fine).

 

Monday 10th June

 

Ketchikan

 

We woke to rain and 12 deg C and 10 knots wind(the “real Alaska”). We had a quiet morning on ship. There were 4 ships in port so we had to tender to shore. Arrival was published as 9.45am but we arrived earlier and tenders commenced at 8.40am.

 

At 11.30am we headed for deck 6 aft, and collected tender tickets for our independent tour (not ship tour), numbers 249-252 and sat down for only a short wait, We were on shore at 11.55.

 

We found the Ketchikan kayaking office right next to dock. Our kayaking Tour was 12.30-4.30. We were driven north out of town to clover pass harbour. There they provided us with waterproof over pants and jackets and wet bags and life jackets. We started in light rain and no wind, watched rain drops landing on the surface of the water, found lots of sea life (star fish and sea cucumbers and sea lettuce) and saw a seal from a distance. We saw Lots of bald eagles. We Rounded an island and saw porpoise ahead But the wind picked up and the rain increased, and we were getting wet through. We Saw several harbour seals on an island both in and out of the water, one swam quite close to us for a look. We paddled back to the harbour, they provided crackers and dip and hot chocolate (with and without Baileys), then we were driven back to town. We had a short wait for the next gender and we were back on the ship at 4.45. Warm dry clothes and food.

 

Tuesday 11th June

 

At sea

 

We chose to have a MDR breakfast today - this is an excellent way to eat less and in very leisurely way - without endless temptations of buffet, the service is not rushed in any way.

 

After breakfast the Children went to the kids club. We watched a 10ampresentation by executive chef and maître D followed by a Walk through the main kitchen.

 

The water was very smooth, but we were completely surrounded by fog, we kept hearing the fog horn. The sun must have beenout above the fog because it was very bright white to look out all windows, we needed sunglasses. Lunch, then some laundry.

 

The fog lifted after lunch, bright sunny day with flat water and snowy mountains visible both sides of the ship. Children swim in indoor pool then kids club. Lots of people lying round on outdoor decks in sun, some covered with Princess blankets. We saw Seals and whales (breaching) and porpoises and bald eagles. Very scenic in afternoon & evening through narrower parts of inside passage.

 

Outside viewing: 

 

Decks 9, 10 & 11 - access to front - not clearly marked on deck plans but can walk through past all cabins and door marked emergency exit to front of ship. Usually very quiet. Standing only.

 

Decks 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 -access to aft of ship - walk past all cabins and out door with window. Sun lounges. Quiet except for noise of wake.

 

Deck 16 front - through blue glass

 

Deck 16 aft - sports court - good views aft and to side

 

Deck 15 - front half through blue glass, aft half of ship waist height rails

 

Deck 14 - front - horizon court buffet- good for viewing outside in poor weather

 

Deck 14 - aft third of ship is outside and excellent outdoor viewing, middle section of ship is outdoor and then indoor pools. Sun lounger in both close to windows are good for viewing in poor weather (especially from lotus pool, decks 14 & 15).

 

Promenade deck 7 - 2.8 laps= 1 mile. Sun lounges down each side. Not usually busy. I like being close to water level so this was a favourite place on the ship. 

 

Laundry- there is a self serve laundromat on most decks. Use cruise card to purchase tokens for washer and drier and laundry powder. We found clothes that we didn’t want to put through the drier dried within hours if hung on coat hangers in our cabin, thanks to drying effect of air conditioning in the cabin. 

 

Wednesday 12th June 

 

We had Docked in Vancouver before 7am. We had to be out of the cabin by 8am. We weren’t in a rush so had elected for a later disembarkation time - we were allocated 9.30. So we had buffet breakfast then watched the Vancouver port activity from the library on level 8. There were two other cruise ships at Canada place at same time as us. They called our group right on 9.30. Off the ship, collected our bags, through customs and into a taxi by 9.45am.

 

happy to answer questions & photos to come in a couple of weeks when I get home, I have all the patters but again would be a couple of weeks before I get home & can scan and upload them. 

 

Lou 🙂

I love this! I am looking at Coral for June next year. Got some great tips. What did you think of the ship in general. I think she had a refurb in January this year.

46 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Another vote here for Coral because of the outside viewing areas.  Don't book a balcony thinking you can see everything from there.  There are another 200 degrees of viewing on the other side of the ship...  EM

Ironically I book balconies but always still end up around deck :) tha ms v much what did you think of Coral?

1 hour ago, thinfool said:

The Coral would be my choice.  Having sailed for 2 weeks on the Royal...impressive ship but it lacks outdoor viewing locations, it is huge, which is a minus in Alaska.

Our experience with food on the Royal was beyond disappointing.  We suspended our MDR seating and finished our trip using the buffet.  And the Royal has no exterior promenade...which is a place that I spent hours with binoculars watching for wildlife on our ship.  We love the wrap around promenade on the non-Royal Princess ships.

That is a good point. I did wonder about the size of Royal particularly around access to glaciers and the small ports. I started with Celebrity then when on my first Cunard cruise discovered the joys of wrap around promenades..shame it was transatlantic haha not many views but a great walk. Since then did the Norwegian fjords with a ship that had a wrap around promenade it's fantastic.

Thanks for your help. Have you sailed on Coral?

1 hour ago, XBGuy said:

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

You are going to have a great experience on your Alaska adventure.

 

We have completed six Alaska cruises and loved every one of them.  To be honest I don't think the choice of the ship has affected our enjoyment, at all.  Of the three ships that you mention we have cruised to Alaska on two of them:  the Grand Princess (twice) and the Royal Princess (once).  I would not hesitate to go back to Alaska, again, on either of them.  I should also say that we have viewed glaciers on all six of our Alaska cruises.

 

We have been to Icy Strait Point only once, and I agree that it is a highlight.  I, certainly, encourage you to follow your wishes regarding that port.

 

I will make this comment about the food.  I do not believe you can rely on any historical information about the food on any single ship, because my belief is that that the food, and the dining experience, is dependent on the management team for a given galley or a given room on any particular cruise.  If the headwaiter of a room is not engaged with his staff, you will see a decline in service.  Similarly, if a galley chef is not engaged with his staff and not verifying that meals are leaving the galley only after the best preparation and presentation, then there is a good chance that the diner will be disappointed.  The management staff is constantly changing.  I was on the Royal Princess in Alaska three weeks ago, and have my opinions about the dining experience in the various rooms.  However, since you are going to be cruising, at the earliest, six months from now, my opinions are really not going to be helpful to you.  There is no way of predicting who will be in charge of the various operations when you take your cruise.

 

 

I truly hope I have not created more questions in your mind.  Just do it.  You're going to have a great time.

 

This was really helpful thank you. I think the itinerary with icy straight point is the one I am leaning towards. Think because she is smaller may be for me in this particular itinerary.

I do see what your saying. When I was on Serenade of the Seas in Norway the food was really varied and since then others have had improved comments about the food. Never really thought about like that.  I am focused on a round trip bit would consider a one way north or south but then planning trips in Denali is a bit daunting 🙂

Hopefully I can be of help in return sometime.

Hi there fellow cruisers!!!

Hope all is good. First post here and looking for a bit of help if that's ok.

I have a few cruises under my belt now. I have been thinking about Alaska for my next adventure. I am really intrigued by the round trip (14 nights) that Princess offer as it gives you both Hubbard and Glacier Bay (with two visits to Glacier Bay). My thnking was it would increase chases of good glacier spotting and lots of scenic relaxation. 

The bit I am stuck on is which ship. It appears Royal, Grand and Coral all go there. Coral is my preference based in itinerary as it also visits Icy Straight Point.

I would love your honest appraisal of the ships if you have any Alaska tips then those are most welcome too.

Quality food,  good upkeep of the ship and customer service are the most important to us. I can entertain myself if need be and happy just relaxing so lots to do onboard is not as important. 

Many thanks and happy cruising. 😎🚢