Alaska - Golden Princess or NCL Jewel

[toyotaford]

A group of friends has decided to cruise to Alaska this summer. We have narrowed it down to either Princess or NCL and could use some help.

 

 

Itinieraries are very close. Princess does Tracy Arm and NCL does Sawyer Glacier. The only major difference I see is in Victoria. Princess is there from 7 PM until midnight and NCL is there from 2:30 PM - 9:30 PM

 

 

Prices are very close

Inside - NCL $8 cheaper

Ocean View - NCL $349 cheaper

Balcony - Princess $351 cheaper

We will be booking pretty evenly between OV and Balcony

 

 

Deposit on NCL is $250 per cabin and Princess is $1280 but final payments are only 2 days apart.

 

 

The Golden Princess was built in 1993 and NCL Jewel in 2005. I traveled on the Jewel in May and it was a beautiful ship but when I went to Princess website to look at deck plans I had to choose before or after May 2013 so I assume it is going to be refurbed right before we would be going.

 

 

There is no roll call for the Princess cruise and the NCL roll call only has two members.

 

 

My husband and I have 20+ cruises under our belts and love the suite life on NCL but have traveled Princess twice and had great times. We will be staying in a standard balcony room on this trip regardless of line.

 

 

Most of our group will be first time cruisers and I want them to have a great experience.

 

 

Posting this on both forums.

 

 

Advice, please!!!!!!

[lamchops]

I've been on the Golden Princess as well as her sister Grand. I've been on the NCL Pearl which is the sister to the Jewel as well as the Star.

 

My favorite is the Pearl which happens to go to Glacier Bay out of Seattle and Glacier Bay is an Alaskian cruise highlite.

 

I like NCL because:

prefer freestyle dining

friendlier staff

onboard amenities

better entertainment

better "free" coffee

 

I like Princess because:

Movie under the stars

larger cabin layout

best shipboard pizzas

[marym933]

I've been on the Golden Princess to Alaska and loved her! I booked the cruise more for the itinerary than the ship. The Golden did r/t Seattle that year with a day in Glacier Bay. One of my favorite things was the International Cafe. It was so convenient to get a quick breakfast or lunch before of after excursions. IMHO Alaska is more about the ports and experience than the ship that takes you there.

[toyotaford]

I've been on the Golden Princess to Alaska and loved her! I booked the cruise more for the itinerary than the ship. The Golden did r/t Seattle that year with a day in Glacier Bay. One of my favorite things was the International Cafe. It was so convenient to get a quick breakfast or lunch before of after excursions. IMHO Alaska is more about the ports and experience than the ship that takes you there.

I agree about it being about the ports as much or more so than the ship. The two biggest differences I see in these itineraries is Princess does Tracy Arm and is in Victoria from 7 PM until midnight and NCL does Sawyer Glacier and is in Victoria from 2:30 PM until 9:30 PM. My husband and I have done Alaska 6 times and have done Tracy Arms, Sawyer and Glacier Bay. I remember one of them being more impressive than the others but don't remember which one. It also may have depended on the time of year we were there. I do know we have never had a bad cruise to Alaska as far as ports go. And we have been to Alaska on both Princess and NCL and loved them both. I wish there was a huge difference at this time on one of them that would make the decision easier. And both PCCs I am working with are great. Thanks for your input.

[deschoolie]

Did the Jewel last May to Alaska and loved it. Can't speak to the Princess. Depending on the dates you are considering, I recommend researching Victoria and what you may be interested in doing. The Gardens has different operating hours starting in Mid June than it does earlier in the season. Also, due to ice, you may get possibly diverted to a different glacier depending on how early in the season you are planning on going, regardless of ship. I can tell you that on glacier viewing day, DW and I spent the whole time in the thermal suites. It was the best view on the boat! Don't forget the binoculars...

[sdmike]

Sawyer Glacier IS Tracy Arm. TA is the fjord that was formed by the glacier, and the South and North Sawyer Glaciers are up at the end.

 

I would go with the Jewel because you can spend the day in Victoria. I also LOVE freestyle and the entertainment on the Jewel.

 

I have a full review of the Jewel trip to Alaska, with pictures, in my signature.