princess cruise reviews reddit

• Princess Cruises

Sapphire Princess Alaska- best excursions?

By jfe , May 26, 2006 in Princess Cruises

Recommended Posts

We will be on Sapphire Princess starting on June 10 from Anchorage to Vancouver. What are best excursions? Also, should we book through Princess or try to do it on our own?

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

Host Caroline

This June 10? wow you have not left yourself much time! You might want to head over to Alaska Ports of Call board here on CC.. Without knowing your ages, interests etc it's hard to say but here's just a few things.. AND I would book the White Pass RR onboard (or ahead of time online even better). Some independent operators may be sold out now so best to get on the stick this weekend if you want to try and get space... these are just my recommendations... lots will disagree, throw more in etc.:rolleyes: :)

Skagway : White Pass & Yukon RR, Hike 'n Float, rent a car and drive into Yukon

Juneau : Whale watching with Capt. Larry; glacier flightseeing or Glacier Hike, Taku Lodge tour, salmon bake

Ketchikan: kayaking, flightsee to Misty Fjords

critterchick

In Ketchikan, do your flightseeing with Island Wings if you can. Michelle is a fabulous pilot/narrator! I've also heard that the Wilderness Cruise and Crab Feast is wonderful.

I second Caroline's recommendation for the Railway trip in Skagway.

We did a Guide's Choice Adventure Hike in Juneau. There were only 10 of us, so I doubt that it would be oversold - check the weather first. They will only cancel in a blizzard - we went in pouring, c-c-c-c-cold rain. But on a nice day, it would be a glorious adventure and great exercise to boot.

Most of the excursions through Princess are booked up for my cruise which the week after yours, so I'd not be too hopeful. You may have to go on your own.

There is still room in some of the tours of the town, etc, but not the glacier tours, or bear watching, or stuff like that.

You can check on the personalizer at the Princess website.

CA traveler

We just got back from Alaska on the Mercury. We went whale watching with Capt. Larry and spent some time with a pod of Orcas, saw 2 hump backs and loads of bald eagles. He has a great naturalist on board who explained lots. We had a great trip with him.

Critterchick: We are going on the Dawn on June 24th and have booked the Adventure Hike and we're looking forward to it. I'm wondering if we really need to bring our hiking shoes with us or will a pair of runners do the trick? I'm trying to think of luggage space here and if the terrain is not all that bad we might not need the hiking shoes.

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 7 hours ago

LauraS · Started 10 hours ago

LauraS · Started 11 hours ago

LauraS · Started Tuesday at 11:57 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

Best Princess Cruises

Read Best Cruises Methodology

Find Cruises

Call to plan a cruise: 1-833-468-6732

with a cruise advisor

Sky Princess

Debuted in October 2019, Sky Princess can accommodate 3,660 passengers and 1,346 crew members. With so much space, you'll find plenty of things to do on board. Spend your days playing ball at the sports court or swimming in one of three pools, or shop until you drop at the onboard boutiques. Nightfall brings deck parties, movie screenings under the stars and live performances at the theater by musicians, comedians and magicians. Kids won't be bored, either, as there are clubs designed specifically for three different age groups.

Sky Princess features traditional Interior, Oceanview and Balcony staterooms, as well as a number of Suite-category cabins – some of which are equipped with the largest balconies at sea. Every room comes fitted with a queen-sized bed or two twin beds, a refrigerator, a flat-screen TV and complimentary 24-hour room service.  The biggest accommodation on board are the Sky Suites. They are approximately 1,873 square feet and provide guests with 270-degree panorama views while cruising. The suite also comes with additional amenities such as complimentary balcony breakfast and dinner, luxury balcony furniture and a deluxe telescope for stargazing at night. 

When it's time to chow down, cruisers will have their choice of nine inclusive dining venues and five specialty options. In the main dining room, passengers can choose between a set dinner time every evening or the line's Anytime Dining option, which will allow them to dine whenever – and with whomever – they want. You'll also find a complimentary buffet, a pizzeria, a seafood bar, a gelateria and afternoon tea. For a specialty dining experience, consider the intimate Chef's Table Lumiere or Bistro Sur La Mer by Emmanuel Renaut, a three-starred Michelin chef.

Sky Princess sails throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and the Mediterranean. The ship also completes some transatlantic sailings.

Regal Princess

Unique features – including a glass walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship – make Regal Princess stand out among competitors. Guests can expect quality service on the 3,560-passenger, 1,346-crew-member ship, which debuted in 2014 and was most recently updated in 2017.

Regal Princess offers plenty of onboard activities, from an indoor driving range to a photography studio to educational programming through Discovery at SEA events. While adults sip cocktails at one of the onboard lounges, kids and teens can enjoy age-appropriate youth clubs. Come mealtime, the whole gang can choose between the main dining rooms, a number of specialty restaurants (including Sabatini's Italian venue) and multiple laid-back eateries.

All cabins come appointed with minifridges and flat-screen TVs. While Interior cabins measure between 158 and 162 square feet, larger Balcony staterooms occupy 214 to 222 square feet. The ship also features Mini-Suite category cabins, which offer two flat-screen TVs, bathtubs and furnished balconies. Each guest aboard Regal Princess receives an OceanMedallion wearable device to unlock his or her stateroom, make onboard payments, track down friends and family and more.

Regal Princess sails to Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and beyond.

Enchanted Princess

The 3,660-passenger, 1,346-crew member Enchanted Princess made its debut in November 2021. Part of the cruise line's MedallionClass, the ship features new technology and each cruiser is given an OceanMedallion wearable device. Cruisers can expect things like keyless cabin entry, contactless boarding, speedy Wi-Fi access (for a fee), food and drink delivery to anywhere on the ship and more.

With one main dining room, several casual eateries and four specialty dining venues – ranging from Italian to steak – guests will have no problem finding suitable spots to eat. As for entertainment, the Enchanted Princess offers musical productions, movie screenings under the stars, comedians, singers, magic acts, a casino, bars and more. Daytime activities might include playing a game of basketball or volleyball at the sports courts, relaxing in two deep tank pools and several hot tubs, or indulging in spa treatments at the Lotus Spa. The ship also has kids club offerings for youths ages 3 to 17.

When it comes to cabins, all Enchanted Princess staterooms are outfitted with flat-panel televisions, desks and minifridges. The lowest (and most affordable) cabin class, Interior, ranges from 158 to 162 square feet, while the roomiest option, Sky Suite, sprawls across 1,873 square feet of space. Several stateroom options also include balconies.

The Enchanted Princess is expected to sail around Mexico, the Caribbean, northern Europe and Canada and New England on its upcoming voyages.

Grand Princess

First launched in 1998, the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess underwent a renovation in March 2019 that added new top-deck dining venues like Alfredo's Pizzeria, Salty Dog Grill and Coffee & Cones. The Princess Theater was also refreshed to provide a more immersive audio experience. Other onboard amenities include the adults-only Sanctuary, duty-free boutiques and educational programs through the Discovery of SEA program.

The ship houses numerous dining venues, including one main dining room, two specialty venues and a variety of casual eateries serving classics like burgers and pizza. Come nightfall, passengers can enjoy cocktails at their pick of lounges.

The recently refurbished accommodations are outfitted with amenities like flat-screen TVs and minifridges. Though only 76% of exterior cabins offer private balconies – a lower percentage than other ships in the fleet – guests describe cabins as comfortable and spacious. Plus, thanks to a nearly 2-to-1 guest-to-crew ratio (the ship features 1,150 crew members), past cruisers describe the onboard service as attentive and friendly. What's more, each guest aboard Grand Princess receives an OceanMedallion wearable device to unlock his or her stateroom, make onboard payments, track down friends and family and more.

Grand Princess sails to destinations worldwide, including Alaska, Hawaii , Australia, the California coast and the South Pacific.

Royal Princess

Like its sister ship,  Regal Princess , unique features like a top-deck pool and the SeaWalk (a glass-paneled walkway that stretches 28 feet beyond the ship's edge) make Royal Princess stand out among competitors.

The 3,560-passenger ship debuted in 2013 and was last refurbished in December 2018. Onboard activities include an indoor driving range, duty-free boutiques and educational programming through Discovery at SEA. Younger passengers can participate in age-appropriate youth clubs while adults play games in the casino or sip cocktails at one of multiple lounges.

When it's time to dine, passengers can choose from the main dining rooms, six specialty restaurants or several casual eateries. In terms of lodging, all cabins are appointed with minifridges and flat-screen TVs. While Interior cabins measure between 158 and 162 square feet, larger Balcony staterooms offer 214 to 222 square feet. Each guest aboard Royal Princess receives an OceanMedallion wearable device to unlock his or her stateroom, make onboard payments, track down friends and family and more.

Royal Princess offers itineraries throughout Alaska, Canada, California, Mexico, Asia, Australia, Hawaii and the South Pacific.

Discovery Princess

The newest ship in the Princess fleet, Discovery Princess launched in March 2022. The ship is equipped with Princess Cruises' signature MedallionClass technology, which allows cruisers access to Wi-Fi, touchless experiences (such as contactless payment) and food and beverage delivery anywhere on the ship. Discovery Princess holds 3,660 passengers and 1,346 crew members. Overall, the new ship gets positive reviews from recent cruisers, with many complimenting the staff and the modern, clean spaces.

Cabins range from interior rooms and ocean view accommodations (158 to 172 square feet) to balcony cabins and suites (214 to 1,873 square feet). There are a variety of dining options on board as well, serving everything from pizza and American classics to sushi and seafood. Specialty dining venues include the French Bistro Sur La Mer, Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, The Salty Dog Gastropub and Crown Grill steakhouse. Or, for an extra special experience, enjoy a meal on your balcony or snag a reservation for a multicourse dinner at the Chef's Table Lumiere. (Note: Specialty venues incur an additional fee and some require reservations.) When it comes to entertainment, Discovery Princess boasts a casino, a show lounge, a jazz club and a theater that puts on Broadway-style shows.

Other amenities cruisers can enjoy on this ship include several pools, movies under the stars, a spa and an art gallery. Meanwhile, traveling families will appreciate the kids clubs, which offer programming and activities for youths ages 3 to 17.

The only major complaint from recent cruisers was that the internet connection was fairly slow and sporadic.

Discovery Princess sails mostly in California, Mexico and Alaska, with stops at ports like Cabo San Lucas, Mexico , and Juneau, Alaska .

Ruby Princess

With offerings like movie screenings beneath the stars and massages at the adults-only Sanctuary, Ruby Princess is a good choice for couples. Debuted in 2008, the ship was most recently refurbished in October 2018 to add top-deck dining options like Slice Pizzeria and Coffee & Cones. Ruby Princess holds 1,200 crew members and 3,080 guests.

In terms of lodging, 80% of exterior cabins are appointed with balconies, and all rooms come equipped with flat-screen TVs and minifridges. While Interior cabins range from 158 to 162 square feet, Balcony category cabins offer more space and Pullman beds to accommodate extra guests. Each guest aboard Ruby Princess will receive an OceanMedallion wearable device to unlock his or her stateroom, make onboard payments, track down friends and family and more.

Reviewers are complimentary of the ship's onboard programming and amenities. Activities include a nine-hole putting course, duty-free shopping boutiques and enrichment opportunities through the Discovery at SEA program. Dining is just as diverse, with a total of eight venues to choose from. Come nightfall, travelers can try their luck at the casino, see a show in the theater or dance until the wee hours at the top-deck nightclub.

Ruby Princess offers itineraries in California, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and more.

Majestic Princess

Welcoming 3,560 guests and 1,346 crew members, Majestic Princess touts new features not available on any other Princess ship, including two specialty restaurants with dinner menus created by Michelin-starred chefs. Beyond the ship's specialty restaurants, passengers can dine in three main dining rooms and grab snacks and beverages at a handful of casual eateries, including lobster and wok-style noodles.

Similar to the rest of the Princess fleet, this ship houses the Lotus Spa, a casino, a fitness center, a sports and pool deck, and the SeaWalk – a glass-paneled walkway that stretches 28 feet beyond the ship's edge. Majestic Princess also features several bars, lounges and theaters. One of the ship's most noteworthy performances is the Watercolor Fantasy Show, a choreographed water show set to music.

Majestic Princess offers a variety of lodging types, with Interior cabins measuring between 158 and 162 square feet and Suites spanning 323 to 1,500 square feet. Though cabin sizes vary, all feature flat-screen TVs, minifridges and desks. 

This ship sails to destinations in Alaska, Australia, Mexico, California, Hawaii  and the South Pacific.

Crown Princess

Debuted in 2006 and last refurbished in April 2018, the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess features some megaship amenities like a casino, a kids clubs and a 300-square-foot poolside theater. The ship also features quiet nooks, like a library and the Sanctuary (an adults-only area that requires an extra fee). Updates for 2018 included new luxury beds in every room, new dining venues and an upgraded spa. 

Past cruisers were satisfied with the ship's relaxing atmosphere, describing public areas as pleasant and rarely overcrowded. Another main selling point for previous guests is the ship's versatile dining choices. Cruisers can choose from seven eateries, including the main dining room and three informal restaurants. For specialty dining, guests can choose between Italian at Sabatini's, or steak at Crown Grill or burgers at The Salty Dog Gastropub.

In terms of lodging, 80% of Crown Princess' exterior cabins feature private balconies. All staterooms are appointed with minifridges and satellite TVs, but guests who opt for Mini-Suite and Suite cabins can enjoy extra amenities like bathtubs, multiple TVs and 57-square-foot balconies. The Reserve Collection cabins feature all the amenities of Mini-Suites, plus access to an exclusive dining venue with expanded menu options, priority boarding and a complimentary one-time wine setup. What's more, each guest aboard Crown Princess now receives an OceanMedallion wearable device to unlock his or her stateroom, make onboard payments, track down friends and family and more.

Crown Princess cruises through Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Australia, Mexico and the California coast.

Caribbean Princess

Launched in 2004, the 3,140-passenger Caribbean Princess was last refurbished in May 2019, which updated the ship's staterooms, added new dining options, reimagined the Reef Splash Zone for kids and more. Grown-ups will enjoy the adults-only Sanctuary, where they can sip craft cocktails in private cabanas.

Guests can choose from a variety of dining venues, including a main dining room, a fresh marketplace, a pizzeria, two specialty restaurants and more. Lodging options are just as varied; travelers have the choice of Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, Mini-Suite, Club Class and Suite category staterooms. Standard amenities include minifridges, flat-screen TVs and refreshed decor, and more than half of the exterior cabins offer balconies. 

Onboard activities and entertainment range from sports courts and mini-golf to more enriching pursuits, like educational programs in partnership with Discovery Communications. Thanks to the ship's 1,200 crew members, Caribbean Princess ensures that service is a priority. What's more, each guest on all Caribbean Princess sailings now receives an OceanMedallion wearable device to unlock his or her stateroom, make onboard payments, track down friends and family and more.

Caribbean Princess departs from a variety of ports for sailings in the Caribbean, Canada, New England, Mexico and Europe.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

This is the announcement bar for Poornima to test the Close Button.  It will expire May 31 2024.

• Pre-Cruise FAQ
• Onboard FAQ
• Post-Cruise FAQ
• Cruisetours FAQ
• Special Offers Sign Up
• Cruise Deals

You have been logged out

Your window will update in 5 secs

Princess Cruises – Find The Best Cruise For You

Sun princess cruises, star princess cruises, last minute getaways, best value cruises.

Now Booking 2025-26 Asia Voyages

Experience the beautiful harmony of ancient wonders and modern metropolises

3rd and 4th guests sail free, drinks, wi-fi and more., save on the things you're gonna do anyway., discover nearby cruises.

Cruises Departing

Princess® Rewards Visa® Card

Earn 20,000 bonus points, that's $200 toward your next cruise. Terms apply.

Get the new Princess® App

Download the brand new app and take your upcoming cruise to the next level.

2025 World Cruises

For a limited time, you’ll enjoy our Princess Premier package – at no extra cost.

† Subject to full  terms, restrictions, and conditions