Inside Passage Alaska Cruise
Just returned from a cruise along the Inside Passage of Alaska and would definitely recommend it for those of you interested in seeing some of the most spectacular scenery of your lives.
We chose the Princess Cruise Lines for this trek, deciding on the smaller 650-passenger Pacific Princess. Now, I have to admit, cruising's not my preferred vacation style, but I feel a cruise is the only way to experience the majesty of Alaska's Inside Passage.
Don't get me wrong, cruise tours are a wonderful way to see the world while never having to change hotel rooms. However, sometimes the restrictions (such as a set dinner time, formal dining and shore excursions that last only a few hours) are things I can do without. However, this cruise appears to have relaxed some of their standards. We didn't have to wear tuxes and gowns for formal night, and the "smart casual" dress appears to have gotten more casual in the past few years. The Pacific Princess still has set times for dinner seating in the main dining room, but, if you're not into a set time the buffet was open during dinner hours.
Of course, the service on a cruise can't be beat, and Princess Cruises is no exception. We found the room service to be lightening-fast, the dining room wait staff to be very professional, and the housekeeping immaculate.
Now for the views. If you're going on an Alaska Inside Passage cruise, definitely go for a balcony room. While it's true that the weather is often rainy and cold and you don't spend much time on your balcony, neither do you want to have to venture outside in the cold for a good view of the fjords and glaciers. And, you will see some spectacular glaciers.
As for the shore excursions, don't think you're missing out if you don't purchase the optional helicopter landing on a glacier. Yes, it's fun. But, it's also expensive. There are many cheap ways to experience your Alaska shore excursions while still having fun. Our best shore excursion was had in Skagway with a 7-mile hike in the local rainforest. Our shore excursion through the ship had been cancelled due to lack of interest, so we just headed out on our own and had a great hike. Of course, if you want a pricey shore excursion, do remember that you can get them cheaper if you go to independent operators not affiliated with the cruise lines. You can sign up for them on the internet before your cruise, or wait till you get to the shore and chose one at a booth on the dock. Just remember that they might be sold out if you wait, and that if you go on an independent shore excursion that should you arrive at the ship after the departure time the ship is under no obligation to wait for you as they are on one of their shore excursions.
We chose the Princess Cruise Lines for this trek, deciding on the smaller 650-passenger Pacific Princess. Now, I have to admit, cruising's not my preferred vacation style, but I feel a cruise is the only way to experience the majesty of Alaska's Inside Passage.
Don't get me wrong, cruise tours are a wonderful way to see the world while never having to change hotel rooms. However, sometimes the restrictions (such as a set dinner time, formal dining and shore excursions that last only a few hours) are things I can do without. However, this cruise appears to have relaxed some of their standards. We didn't have to wear tuxes and gowns for formal night, and the "smart casual" dress appears to have gotten more casual in the past few years. The Pacific Princess still has set times for dinner seating in the main dining room, but, if you're not into a set time the buffet was open during dinner hours.
Of course, the service on a cruise can't be beat, and Princess Cruises is no exception. We found the room service to be lightening-fast, the dining room wait staff to be very professional, and the housekeeping immaculate.
Now for the views. If you're going on an Alaska Inside Passage cruise, definitely go for a balcony room. While it's true that the weather is often rainy and cold and you don't spend much time on your balcony, neither do you want to have to venture outside in the cold for a good view of the fjords and glaciers. And, you will see some spectacular glaciers.
As for the shore excursions, don't think you're missing out if you don't purchase the optional helicopter landing on a glacier. Yes, it's fun. But, it's also expensive. There are many cheap ways to experience your Alaska shore excursions while still having fun. Our best shore excursion was had in Skagway with a 7-mile hike in the local rainforest. Our shore excursion through the ship had been cancelled due to lack of interest, so we just headed out on our own and had a great hike. Of course, if you want a pricey shore excursion, do remember that you can get them cheaper if you go to independent operators not affiliated with the cruise lines. You can sign up for them on the internet before your cruise, or wait till you get to the shore and chose one at a booth on the dock. Just remember that they might be sold out if you wait, and that if you go on an independent shore excursion that should you arrive at the ship after the departure time the ship is under no obligation to wait for you as they are on one of their shore excursions.
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