jartelt Posted August 2, 2018 #1 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Hi all - I am just hoping to share a trip report I wrote that describes my experience on a 10 day Inside Passage Alaskan cruise on Princess. The cruise left from San Francisco and stopped at Ketchikan, Kaines, Juneau, the Tracy Arm Fjord, and Victoria. Overall it was a great trip with some really nice weather (low 80 degrees in Alaska)! We did the cruise in June of this year. You can find the full trip report with lots of pictures here: https://backpackersreview.wordpress.com/trip-reports/alaskan-cruise/ I'm happy to answer any questions about the trip! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare villauk Posted August 2, 2018 #2 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Thanks for the review; we go on the same itinerary in a few weeks ;). What did you think of the ship and entertainment onboard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jartelt Posted August 2, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Thanks for the review; we go on the same itinerary in a few weeks ;). What did you think of the ship and entertainment onboard? Overall we had a great time and thought the ship had plenty to offer and was in pretty good shape. To be honest, this was our first cruise though so I can't compare to anything else. For the entertainment, we thought it was pretty good overall! We enjoyed the music in the small lounges and cocktail bars the best. It was fun to relax and listen to the jazz and cover songs on the piano. The comedy show and singer in the big theater were entertaining but just ok in my opinion. What did you think of the cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare villauk Posted August 2, 2018 #4 Share Posted August 2, 2018 What did you think of the cruise? We go in a few weeks, but have been to Alaska before and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our first time on The Grand though ;). Did you have an internet package onboard? If so, how was your connection? If acceptable with you, I’ll put a link to this thread on our roll call so other pax are able to read your review? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srpilo Posted August 2, 2018 #5 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Nice report, thanks (y) Fantastic photos !! Srpilo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jartelt Posted August 2, 2018 Author #6 Share Posted August 2, 2018 We go in a few weeks, but have been to Alaska before and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our first time on The Grand though ;). Did you have an internet package onboard? If so, how was your connection? If acceptable with you, I’ll put a link to this thread on our roll call so other pax are able to read your review? My wife had the internet package and it worked ok for browsing. It was fairly slow in my experience, but I only used it once or twice (tried to stay off the phone...). I'd say the speed was maybe between 3G and dial up. She got it because she needed to do a little work while we were cruising. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to VPN into her work network, so that did not work out (not sure if this happens to everyone trying to VPN or if her work is just extra careful and secure). If it is helpful, you may go ahead and post this thread in whichever forum you see fit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare villauk Posted August 2, 2018 #7 Share Posted August 2, 2018 My wife had the internet package and it worked ok for browsing. It was fairly slow in my experience, but I only used it once or twice (tried to stay off the phone...). I'd say the speed was maybe between 3G and dial up. She got it because she needed to do a little work while we were cruising. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to VPN into her work network, so that did not work out (not sure if this happens to everyone trying to VPN or if her work is just extra careful and secure). If it is helpful, you may go ahead and post this thread in whichever forum you see fit! Thank you :*. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellipooh Posted August 2, 2018 #8 Share Posted August 2, 2018 I agree -- great pics, and lots of nice info. Thanks for taking so much time with your review! We leave on a similar itinerary in 4wks. The picture of the pier at Skagway has me concerned for DH, who cannot walk very far. We had JUST decided not to bring his travel w/c because we learned that the Port Authority in SF provides them and then hands off to Princess personnel. But looking at that looooong walkway has me re-thinking the decision. Did you notice any folks in wheelchairs, and if so how they managed things? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishinChris Posted August 2, 2018 #9 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Thanks for your review. I bookmarked your website, there is a lot of reviews to check out on there. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BSR Posted August 2, 2018 #10 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Enjoyed reading your review. Sent from my SM-T380 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belle Posted August 2, 2018 #11 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Your pictures are Great! Beautiful. I was on this cruise in May but went to Skagway instead of Haines. I've been to Alaska a few times. Alaska never disappoints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jartelt Posted August 2, 2018 Author #12 Share Posted August 2, 2018 I agree -- great pics, and lots of nice info. Thanks for taking so much time with your review! We leave on a similar itinerary in 4wks. The picture of the pier at Skagway has me concerned for DH, who cannot walk very far. We had JUST decided not to bring his travel w/c because we learned that the Port Authority in SF provides them and then hands off to Princess personnel. But looking at that looooong walkway has me re-thinking the decision. Did you notice any folks in wheelchairs, and if so how they managed things? To be completely honest, I don't recall much about that. I do remember the Princess personnel loading some wheelchairs onto and off of the tenders in Ketchikan, so they were helpful there. On the ship there were certainly folks in wheelchairs or on electric scooters, so I assume the crew is helpful about getting these folks onto the ramps and walkways. I just can't confirm either way because I must not have been paying attention. Sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bemidji Ty Posted August 2, 2018 #13 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Thanks for your review. Did they have any yoga or other exercise programs? Thanks and cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jartelt Posted August 3, 2018 Author #14 Share Posted August 3, 2018 Thanks for your review. Did they have any yoga or other exercise programs?Thanks and cheers. They definitely had exercise classes on several of the days. I don't recall if there was yoga or not. But, I know for sure my wife did a couple spin classes. Sorry, I don't remember more specifics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted August 3, 2018 #15 Share Posted August 3, 2018 Thanks for the report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
provencedelsol Posted August 3, 2018 #16 Share Posted August 3, 2018 ... But looking at that looooong walkway has me re-thinking the decision. Did you notice any folks in wheelchairs, and if so how they managed things? Skagway piers are long and depending upon the actual berth can be looooong. Same with Juneau if you are not taking an excursion. Excursions pick up right outside the ship from any of the berths. Walking the boardwalk into downtown Juneau is rough. As noted, plenty of elex scooters and a few folks being pushed by family/friends in w/c. We did the Grand three times in June and saw similar experiences each time. We were only in Skagway once. Sitka once, shuttle into town, marginally friendly to w/c. Third time was Haines. We stayed onboard but dock was medium length walk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donaldm Posted August 3, 2018 #17 Share Posted August 3, 2018 A fantastic report! We were on the same cruise and loved every minute of it - especially the weather. What great memories you have preserved. I agree with you about Tracy Arm. We have been there five times, but only reached the glacier once. While it is good, it pales in comparison to Glacier Bay or Hubbard. As to wheel chairs, passengers should contact their travel agent or Princess. There were a good number of wheel chairs on board various Princess cruises we have enjoyed and the crew seem to take good care of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helencruising Posted August 4, 2018 #18 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Thank you so much. We are going to Alaska for the first time next year. Loved your photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffeeluvr05 Posted August 4, 2018 #19 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Thanks! We go to Alaska our if SF in Sept but ours goes to glacier bay instead of Tracy arm. Thanks for the report! Gonna go read it! [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debi56 Posted August 4, 2018 #20 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Enjoyed your review, pictures are very nice! Thanks for taking the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare travelin.sisters Posted August 4, 2018 #21 Share Posted August 4, 2018 thank you for the wonderful info & beautiful photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted August 4, 2018 #22 Share Posted August 4, 2018 Great review and even better Photos. (y) Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairns Cruisers Posted February 14, 2019 #23 Share Posted February 14, 2019 On 8/3/2018 at 3:43 AM, jartelt said: Hi all - I am just hoping to share a trip report I wrote that describes my experience on a 10 day Inside Passage Alaskan cruise on Princess. The cruise left from San Francisco and stopped at Ketchikan, Kaines, Juneau, the Tracy Arm Fjord, and Victoria. Overall it was a great trip with some really nice weather (low 80 degrees in Alaska)! We did the cruise in June of this year. You can find the full trip report with lots of pictures here: https://backpackersreview.wordpress.com/trip-reports/alaskan-cruise/ I'm happy to answer any questions about the trip! Congrats on a wonderful review. Very detailed with great pictures! We are doing May 2020 out of S.F. on Carnival,staying 2 nights before sailing. Currently thinking of staying in the financial district/Chinatown area,do you that is an okay area? On sea days when you were mostly inside, was it still too cold for shorts? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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