First Cruise

[frenchCow]

Very first cruise, going to Alaska on Princess Sapphire in September 2023.  Any tips?  Going for the wildlife, scenery, etc., not really into casino, nightlife, etc.  Have a balcony room facing the land side.  Thanks!

[CruiserBruce]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

For all the Alaska info you will ever need, do some reading on the Alaska portion of Cruise Critic, located here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/33-alaska/

 

Similarly, tons of Princess info on the Princess board, here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/119-princess-cruises/

 

 

[jsn55]

Biggest surprise on our Alaskan cruise was that it was HOT in June!  We were not prepared for 't-shirt & tanktop' weather.  So bring the whole gamut of layers.  Fab cruise on HAL out of Seattle.

[CruiserBruce]

2 minutes ago, jsn55 said:

Biggest surprise on our Alaskan cruise was that it was HOT in June!  We were not prepared for 't-shirt & tanktop' weather.  So bring the whole gamut of layers.  Fab cruise on HAL out of Seattle.

Well...it CAN be warm. Or it can be cold. We last sailed Alaska in June as well...we wore everything from shorts to heavy coats and gloves. Every combo we brought.

[Host Kat]

2 hours ago, frenchCow said:

Very first cruise, going to Alaska on Princess Sapphire in September 2023.  Any tips?  Going for the wildlife, scenery, etc., not really into casino, nightlife, etc.  Have a balcony room facing the land side.  Thanks!

 

Howdy @frenchCow 

 

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[navybankerteacher]

2 hours ago, jsn55 said:

Biggest surprise on our Alaskan cruise was that it was HOT in June!  We were not prepared for 't-shirt & tanktop' weather.  So bring the whole gamut of layers.  Fab cruise on HAL out of Seattle.

HAL does a good job out of Seattle -- it was close to 90 when we sailed - but cold enough when up by the glacier that the hot pea soup they served on deck was welcomed.

[capriccio]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

We've taken 3 Alaska cruises on Princess.  They have an excellent enrichment program in Alaska with a full time naturalist on board, plus guest speakers and musicians joining at the various ports.  Consult your Princess Patter (list of the next day's events) that is delivered to your cabin the previous evening and/or your Medallion App that has the same information.  The Alaska cruise board is great for information on excursions (usually cheaper than those offered by any cruise line and almost always not as crowded).

 

We've also been on the Sapphire Princess twice, including a cruise of the Norwegian Fjords with similar weather to what you might experience on an Alaska cruise - from high 70s in Bergen to low 40s and strong winds (I didn't want to know the windchill temp) at North Cape.  It is a great ship for potentially cold weather cruising since it has a covered pool with a mezzanine level above it that has lounges facing out the floor to ceiling glass windows and doors.  In inclement weather it is easy to go outside, take pictures, and get back in before you start to freeze.  The Sapphire Princess is also smaller (which is relative obviously) than the other Princess ships offering the Alaska itinerary I think.  We like it so much we are booked on a 32 day Hawaii and the South Pacific cruise next year.

[bonsai3s]

We love cruising in Alaska.

 

Random thoughts:

 

* Yes, we've been to Alaska when it was snowing...hot...fog and rain. Years ago, we arrived in Seward...the whole place was covered with snow...a winter wonderland...and snowing hard. Most of the crew were playing like kids on the top deck...most have never seen snow.

 

* Google is your friend. Check the weather the week before you leave. Layering is the key.

 

* Don't worry about formal nights...casual is fine.

 

* YouTube is also another good resource. You can watch videos of the Sapphire and all the ports you are visiting.

 

* Join your "Roll-Call"...to meet fellow cruisers and get ideas for excursions.

 

* This being your first cruise, you'll have to decide whether to pay for the expensive ship's shore excursions...or DIY. We usually DIY...for example, in Ketchikan, you can easily walk from the cruuse terminal to the charming Creek Street.

 

* Ask your cabin steward for extra blankets...great to bundle up (stay warm) while watching the scenery from your balcony.

 

* September...if you are cruising on the the last week for Alaska season, keep an eye out for "clearance sales". We found many of the stores wanting to sell old inventories.

 

* Happy Sailing!