What did you think of the Sea Princess???

[dyddles]

My husband and I are planning on booking the 2012 10 day Alaska cruise on the Sea Princess. The trip will be in the middle of July. We did the first cruise of the 2010 Alaska season on the Sapphire Princess and loved it. We had one of the few forward facing rooms and were very pleased while sailing in Tracy Arm. 180 degree views from our front balcony.

I wanted to find out what people think of the Sea Pricness. She is a smaller ship with less people, which I would think to be a plus. She is older and her last dry dock was 2005. So if you have anything good or bad to let us know about I really appreciate it. We are also torn on what type of cabin to book. A balcony would be great but since this is a one time itinerary for 2012 they have jacked up the prices.

 

Thanks in advance for your comments. I am a Cruise Critic virgin, so be kind. Thanks.

[RaMar]

I'd love to know as well since we are considering the Sea Princess for our Alaska cruise this summer.

[Treven]

I was on the Sea Princess last May from FLL to SFO, and will be on her this September round trip, SFO to Alaska. Yes, it's an older ship & smaller (a panamax size ship - the maximum size ship that fits through the locks on the Panama Canal), but I found it to be quite comfortable. I didn't have any glaring problems sailing on her.

[shepp]

Having sailed on both her and the Sapphire in a 5-month period, I much preferred the Sapphire. I know that many people prefer the smaller ships, but the Sapphire rarely seemed more crowded than the Sea, in large part because many of the public areas were bigger. And the Sapphire has a covered pool, which makes a difference on an Alaska cruise.

 

The Sea was generally well maintained; the only real wear I saw was around the spa pool area. And since I live in San Francisco, the Sea was a great choice, requiring just a 15 minute car ride to the pier. But if she and the Sapphire were sailing the same itinerary, I'd choose the Sapphire every time. I liked the Sea. I loved the Sapphire.

 

Also...you might want to check again; there are plenty of 10-day Alaska sailings on the Sea in 2012. The reason that July prices are higher than your previous early-season Sapphire cruise is because it's in the middle of prime Alaska season.

[RickEk]

My husband and I are planning on booking the 2012 10 day Alaska cruise on the Sea Princess. The trip will be in the middle of July. We did the first cruise of the 2010 Alaska season on the Sapphire Princess and loved it. We had one of the few forward facing rooms and were very pleased while sailing in Tracy Arm. 180 degree views from our front balcony.

I wanted to find out what people think of the Sea Pricness. She is a smaller ship with less people, which I would think to be a plus. She is older and her last dry dock was 2005. So if you have anything good or bad to let us know about I really appreciate it. We are also torn on what type of cabin to book. A balcony would be great but since this is a one time itinerary for 2012 they have jacked up the prices.

 

Thanks in advance for your comments. I am a Cruise Critic virgin, so be kind. Thanks.

 

Actually, Sea Princess had an extensive drydock in September 2009. We were on the Alaskan cruise last year in July and had a great time. Although we only had an oceanview cabin, we were just steps from a stairwell and could jump up to the Promenade if we saw something interesting from within the cabin. That being said, we weren't in the cabin all that often. There was more than enough to do. We also thought the itinerary was great and loved the fact that it was a 10-day cruise. Even though she's an older ship, she was in great shape and we'd do this cruise again in a heartbeat!

[mr green]

I liked Sea Princess, she was once one of the biggest cruise ships afloat.

Two things. Unless it has been enlarged, the casino is smaller than its sister ships, Sun, and Dawn. Also she was with P@O some years ago, she was, and may be still, very popular with the 'Brits'.

If you like the itinerary, then you will enjoy your cruise.

 

john

[dfields1814]

I was on the Sea Princess to Alaska in Sept of 2010. I will be on her again in July 2011 to Alaska. I normally would not choose this ship but it does go to Alaska out of San Francisco RT so I don't have cost of flying. That is a big bonus.

 

The Sea Princess is my least favorite ship. Not that there is anything wrong with it - I just like the other, bigger ships better.

 

It is way smaller. The balconies are cut into the hull and do not overhang other balconies as with the larger ships. It seems to me the balconies are smaller than on the larger ships. However, we went to Alaska in Sept. Because the balconies were inside the hull there was a great wind block.That was really nice on the colder windy days.

 

It does not have an Explorers lounge. It has a'disco" instead called Razz Ma Tazz or something like that. The design is strange. I don't like it at all. Most of the music and dancing was in the Wheelhouse Lounge. I think it was larger than other ships. It does have a Vista Lounge.

 

The steak restaurant is sectioned off from the Horizon Court. I did not mind that and the food was excellent. I don't think there is a Sabitini's. We don't spend a whole lot of time in the Horizon Court, but it was pretty much the same as on other ships.... maybe a bit smaller because there are less passsengers on the ship. The ATD was about the same. It had good food and service like the larger ships. That also holds true for the Trident Grill.

 

Big draw back is that it doesn't go to Glacier Bay. It goes to the Tracy Arm instead. Lots of people on CC say Glacier Bay is best. (We did not see Tracy Arm last Sept due to a huge storm.)

 

I would take a little bit larger ship to Alaska. (I would take a hard look at the Coral). However, if none of them are going out of SF, I would gladly take the Sea Princess. (Also the Sea Princess cruise is 10 days insteaf or 7.... another plus.)

[RickEk]

 

Big draw back is that it doesn't go to Glacier Bay. It goes to the Tracy Arm instead. Lots of people on CC say Glacier Bay is best. (We did not see Tracy Arm last Sept due to a huge storm.)

 

I would take a little bit larger ship to Alaska. (I would take a hard look at the Coral). However, if none of them are going out of SF, I would gladly take the Sea Princess. (Also the Sea Princess cruise is 10 days insteaf or 7.... another plus.)

 

That just depends on the itinerary. We went to Glacier Bay last year on the Sea Princess... some itineraries don't...

[bdjam]

As mentioned above Sea Princess does not have Sabatini, but it does have a full service pizza restaurant on deck 8 that overlooks the atrium and serves pastas and salads as well - no additional charge.

The ship is smaller and is based on a mid-90s design - which at the time was cutting edge for ships with balconies. While she doesn't have all the amenities, she's a great little ship that sails well and tolerates the sometimes bumpy ride north from San Francisco quite well. You should be very comfortable.

[dyddles]

This itinerary is the only one in July that hits Haines and Glacier Bay. Two places I have not yet been. I believe this may be the reason it is a little more costly. There is a cruise the week prior and the week after but they only do Tracy arm and the 3 other main stops. Thanks for your great comments. I loved the Sapphire too!!! My favorite ship so far.

[mycruz]

The Sea is tied for my favorite ship with the Coral. We sailed the Sea Princess from Londong to NY and the Coral Princess Vancouver to Alaska and Panama Canal.

 

I personally like the smaller ships, but don't hate the larger ones. The Sea's crew was by far the best we've had yet on Princess. The Cornich Cafe, was such a great place for a light lunch or dinner, they had the best Cesar Salad of any restaurant on any of the ships! The pizza and pasta's were very good too.

 

We had the aft AB cabin on the Caribe deck and just loved it there.

[gdisney]

Nice thread - I'm going on the Sea Princess in July. It will be my first Princess cruise. Looking forward to it! - and our itinerary does go to Glacier Bay :)

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

The Sea Princess is heavy marketed to Brits for the Caribbean, charter flights etc.

 

That said she is a nice ship, casino is smallest in the fleet.

 

But does have Muts

 

yours Shogun

[Treven]

Nice thread - I'm going on the Sea Princess in July. It will be my first Princess cruise. Looking forward to it! - and our itinerary does go to Glacier Bay :)

Personally I think you'll be pleased with the ship. Congratulations on no longer being Princess virgins!

 

I think you'll enjoy the Cafe Cornich. Fortunately for me, I was on the same deck, and my cabin was just a few off from the elevator & stairs landing, so it was only a 2 or 3 minute walk from my cabin to the cafe. The pizzas are small (individual size), so you'll need to order something else as well. I'd get a bowl of soup before my pizza, or I'd have the Caeser salad, or I'd order Lasagna (also individual sized). There were times when I'd gone to the buffet for dinner, then a few hours later hit up the pizzeria!

[kruzinon]

Personally I think you'll be pleased with the ship. Congratulations on no longer being Princess virgins!

 

I think you'll enjoy the Cafe Cornich. Fortunately for me, I was on the same deck, and my cabin was just a few off from the elevator & stairs landing, so it was only a 2 or 3 minute walk from my cabin to the cafe. The pizzas are small (individual size), so you'll need to order something else as well. I'd get a bowl of soup before my pizza, or I'd have the Caeser salad, or I'd order Lasagna (also individual sized). There were times when I'd gone to the buffet for dinner, then a few hours later hit up the pizzeria!

 

How late is Cornich open? I could see some late night pizza happening after a few cocktails!

[gdisney]

I think you'll enjoy the Cafe Cornich. Fortunately for me, I was on the same deck, and my cabin was just a few off from the elevator & stairs landing, so it was only a 2 or 3 minute walk from my cabin to the cafe. The pizzas are small (individual size), so you'll need to order something else as well. I'd get a bowl of soup before my pizza, or I'd have the Caeser salad, or I'd order Lasagna (also individual sized). There were times when I'd gone to the buffet for dinner, then a few hours later hit up the pizzeria!

 

Ooh..sounds yummy!

[shepp]

How late is Cornich open? I could see some late night pizza happening after a few cocktails!

 

Not all that late, as I recall, and the Corniche is closed mid-afternoon, also as I recall. (If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me.)

 

The ambiance is pretty nice, but...we often had to wait to be seated, then wait for a menu, wait for our order to be taken, and wait for the pizza to be custom baked. Unless substituting the Corniche for lunch in the MDR, I prefer the Lido-deck pizza counters, where a slice or three of just-as-good pizza can be in your hands in a minute or two.

 

The tiramisu was nice, though.

[CruisinMinnie]

Ooh..sounds yummy!

 

It is delicious! And no extra charge! Except of course for the glass of wine for me and beer for DH. :D

[silvercruiser]

Hi All

 

The Sea Princess is heavy marketed to Brits for the Caribbean, charter flights etc.

 

That said she is a nice ship, casino is smallest in the fleet.

 

But does have Muts

 

yours Shogun

There were 1500 Brits and 400 Americans when we took the Sea a few years ago. Charter flights made it nice for the Brits and they arrived and left from Barbados, so, since Americans boarded in FLL we had two different groups of Brits on our cruise.

[tbears]

I was on the Sea Princess to Alaska in Sept of 2010. I will be on her again in July 2011 to Alaska. I normally would not choose this ship but it does go to Alaska out of San Francisco RT so I don't have cost of flying. That is a big bonus.

 

The Sea Princess is my least favorite ship. Not that there is anything wrong with it - I just like the other, bigger ships better.

 

It is way smaller. The balconies are cut into the hull and do not overhang other balconies as with the larger ships. It seems to me the balconies are smaller than on the larger ships. However, we went to Alaska in Sept. Because the balconies were inside the hull there was a great wind block.That was really nice on the colder windy days.

 

It does not have an Explorers lounge. It has a'disco" instead called Razz Ma Tazz or something like that. The design is strange. I don't like it at all. Most of the music and dancing was in the Wheelhouse Lounge. I think it was larger than other ships. It does have a Vista Lounge.

 

The steak restaurant is sectioned off from the Horizon Court. I did not mind that and the food was excellent. I don't think there is a Sabitini's. We don't spend a whole lot of time in the Horizon Court, but it was pretty much the same as on other ships.... maybe a bit smaller because there are less passsengers on the ship. The ATD was about the same. It had good food and service like the larger ships. That also holds true for the Trident Grill.

 

Big draw back is that it doesn't go to Glacier Bay. It goes to the Tracy Arm instead. Lots of people on CC say Glacier Bay is best. (We did not see Tracy Arm last Sept due to a huge storm.)

 

I would take a little bit larger ship to Alaska. (I would take a hard look at the Coral). However, if none of them are going out of SF, I would gladly take the Sea Princess. (Also the Sea Princess cruise is 10 days insteaf or 7.... another plus.)

 

I concur with Paul. I think we were on the same sailing (last cruise to Alaska for Princess). I've been to Glacier Bay twice and it is beautiful. We really wanted to see Tracy Arm and was very disappointed. Glad the captain chose to try to outrun the storm instead since what we encountered after leaving Ketchikan was very rough. This was our second cruise to Alaska in Sept and think it's not a good time weatherwise. I've also cruised to Alaska at the end of May (my very first cruise and on the Diamond) which had much better weather. I also prefer the larger ships like the Diamond. Also like Paul, we took the Sea Princess (the other time was her sister ship, Dawn) because my elderly parents won't fly and will only cruise out of SF. It's very convenient since we live here!

[Cruiserkenn]

Actually, Sea Princess had an extensive drydock in September 2009. We were on the Alaskan cruise last year in July and had a great time. Although we only had an oceanview cabin, we were just steps from a stairwell and could jump up to the Promenade if we saw something interesting from within the cabin. That being said, we weren't in the cabin all that often. There was more than enough to do. We also thought the itinerary was great and loved the fact that it was a 10-day cruise. Even though she's an older ship, she was in great shape and we'd do this cruise again in a heartbeat!

 

Special thanks! Your comments are always great! I'm going on the Sea Princess, for sure!

[gdisney]

It is delicious! And no extra charge! Except of course for the glass of wine for me and beer for DH. :D

 

You mean glassES of wine and beerS....I know how you guys are!

[RaMar]

Thanks for all your responses since I haven't seen many reviews about the Sea Princess.

[Elequieu]

I concur with Paul. I think we were on the same sailing (last cruise to Alaska for Princess). I've been to Glacier Bay twice and it is beautiful.

It was a great cruise, no? Too bad we had to miss Tracy Arm as we haven't been there and we didn't like Mutts but great anyway. See ya maybe someday again. Doris and Wayne

[tbears]

Hi there, you two!

It was a good cruise but not "great" especially after having just been on the beautiful Oasis.We didn't think having MUTS was practical for an Alaskan cruise. Strange how they would still have movies and shows on it even in the rain. The detour we took in the Inside Passage was very scenic though. Did you guys see the little Dall porpoises frolicking in the wake of the ship when we were there?

Happy Sailing and I hope our paths will cross again on another cruise! :D