We Saw Alaska OnBoard The Dawn Princess Summer 2002
Written: May 18 '03 (Updated May 18 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Everything's right there
Cons: Can get expensive
The Bottom Line: A wonderful ship and first cruise for my husband and I.
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| KMINER's Full Review: Dawn Princess |
I finally went somewhere - that's right, this summer my husband booked us a 7 Day Cruise through Alaska. We booked through Yahoo Travel, and selected the Princess Cruise Line. For the time period we wanted, the ship that was sailing was the Dawn Princess. (the Dawn also goes to warmer places, but spends many summers in Alaskan waters). This being our first cruise, I do not have anything to compare it to, other than regular vacations. However, I was exceptionally nervous about going - and was really hoping to get some much needed first hand accounts of this ship. It is my hope that the information I leave here provides just that.
Preparing For The Dawn Princess
First, you have to pack. Know that anything you might have left behind can also be purchased onboard the ship, or at any of the ports you stop in. But it's still more cost efficient to take it all with you. Also, I suggest booking any excursions (going ashore on any planned events) before you board - many people onboard the ship were disappointed to see their preferred activities taken. The Princess line provides you with lists and details of things to bring or what to expect before you go - that serves as a good guide.
It would have been helpful to me to have knowledge of certain things before I boarded. Internet service is pretty expensive ($8.00 for 15 minutes) so plan to call from shore or bring your cell phone. Even the cabin's phone is too expensive. Bring an assortment of clothes - 2 of the nights are pretty formal dinners. You don't have to go (you can always eat at the open buffet), but if you want the nice dinners (and I know you will) pack well (I bought 2 dinner dresses, and my husband packed a suit with 2 different shirts and ties). You only have to dress up for dinner, so feel free to bring shorts and pants for all other meals. I wish I had packed a sweater. Dinner dress most nights was similar to what I'd wear out around here - khaki pants and button down shirt, skirt and blouse, blouse and pants set.
To Get To The Dawn Princess
Our trip took us from VanCouver, Canada, to Anchorage, AK - then to Juneau, Seward, through the Fjords, and into Anchorage. We flew to VanCouver and a bus chartered by Princess met us off the plane and took us to the boat dock. All of our baggage was taken care of.
Stepping Onto The Princess Dawn
Never been on a ship - or seen one up close? I hadn't. I was amazed . Pictures were being taken by professional photographers upon our arrival and there were tons of Princess employees waiting to assist us (they all had tags with their names and country they were from and were dressed accordingly). We were issued what looked like credit cards with a picture of the ship on them, our room number, dates of tour and our name. This was to be our room key, our way on and off the ship, our bar tab - you name it.
Just give them your name and they take you to your room (your bags are delivered later). We picked the cheapest, smallest room, with no windows. Our theory was we didn't come to Alaska to sit in a room. So for something basic to change in, sleep and clean up, this worked great. It had 3 huge mirrors, a nice sized closet, a desk with drawers, a night stand, assorted lamps and switches, a coat rack. It also had a tv, mini fridge, and a mini vault for you to program and store your valuables. The bathroom was small but was easy to move around in - complete with shower, sink with counter space, toilet. The toilet makes this horribly loud "wooshing" sound, so don't let it scare you. I felt our room on this ship to be basic, but tastefully done. Small but everything looked like it used space effectively.
The first day, having no direction and not being on a cruise, we weren't sure what to do. The Dawn Princess left us a flyer that listed times and that days activities. Also from time to time announcements were made over the general speakers (this was very infrequent once the cruise got underway). The first day we were all (yes I mean all) directed to major rooms with our life jackets and explained what to do in an emergency. The flyer, called The Princess Patter, was to be a daily thing - every morning you were left one, and it outlined the days events, meal times, activities, etc. One thing it did not list was what was to eat. You had to travel to the main floors where the food was being served to read the menu outside each restaurant (much like you would anywhere else).
Becoming a Pro on the Dawn Princess
The journey will be different depending on what trip you take, any how many days. As stated, we took the 7 day trip through Alaska. The Dawn Princess made this most enjoyable. We always felt safe and treated royally on this ship. There was plenty of things to do and overall the ship was wonderful. The Princess Patter would be left outside our room each morning, telling of the daily events (art auction, fruit sculpting displays, movies, comedians, Broadway type shows, demonstrations, lectures on nature, etc).
I did get a $40 manicure in the Spa, complete with hot rocks. It was very relaxing, though pricey. My husband attended a workshop at the Gym (complete with steppers, treadmills, weights). We never did go swimming or hot tubbing, though both were available. We had booked a few excursions in advance, and it was always noted on the ship where we were to go. All were well run and organized. Our ship always docked close to the cities we stopped at, so there was never far to walk. I lost about $20 in the Casino - they have a ton of those slot machines. They also have tables to play more formal card games, and the Casino is open most of the cruise.
Some times we would just walk around the ship. There is one deck that is reserved outside with a wooden deck and directional tips for walking. It was nice to just stroll along after dinner, or change into sweats and take a more brisk walk.
You Gained How Much?
I did, I ate like a pig. To me, the food was amazing. Even when I didn't want what was being served in one of the 2 Formal Dining rooms, I could go to the buffet and eat whatever I wanted. I fell in love with their bread rolls and fancy butter. The buffet was always up to date and fresh, with a wide variety of food - we mainly ate there for Breakfast. You could get eggs to order, hot and cold food, you name it. We generally had Lunch and Dinner in the Dining Room - with Personal Choice Dining (not offered on all cruises) we could come whenever we wanted and just signed our name in like a regular restaurant. We never had to wait long. We did have to sit in a bigger group, with people we didn't know, but that was a nice way to learn a little more about the people on the ship we were traveling with. I gained 4 pounds - yep, in 7 days.
The food, for me, was amazing. There was one night I didn't like any of the choices (and I am a picky eater, so they tell me) and that was "French Foods" night (frog legs and the like). You get to pick an appetizer, soup or salad, main course, and desert. I got to try an assortment of foods never exposed to me before - Seafood Pastry, Oranges Seeped in Mint Sauce, Fancy Lobster Tails .... to me, it was fine dining.
There was also an outdoor cafe for burgers and the like (I never ate there). On our floor was a Pizzeria - they make you your own pizza - it was amazing and yummy. Also, there was an ice cream parlor, but it was generally too cold to head over there. Staff members would come by often with offers of drinks - usually you had to pay for them. Coffee was free, and I did have to pay a small fee for hot chocolate - which I drank daily.
Ports
There are many options, to just leaving the ship and shopping around to booking excursions from the ship. While there was a variety to do, I can only speak for what we participated in.
Ketchikan
Our first and favorite port. The shops were right off the boat, and the view amazing. Lots of little coffee and bagel shops, as well as novelty shops. We had a great time walking around this small town. We went to the Lumberjack show, which was an amazing hour of competitions, similar to what you may have seen on TV, but with some "skits" thrown in. Lots of easy shopping to do and easy to walk around as it's fairly level.
Juneau
Our least favorite port. We only paid to go on the Tram ride - a straight cable car leap up the face of a mountain. There was a place to look out (and get views of the top of our ship!), and a small museum to look through. In Juneau we mainly walked around. Stores when you first come in (we saw our first McDonalds and Subway of the ship, as well as a drugstore), and certainly a little more "commercial". (Where Ketchikan was more native, local shops). We did walk up and down the hills using the map tour to see older famous buildings - a church, state building, etc. It was nice but also kind of damp and run down looking. I went back to the ship to lay down while my husband went on a Beer glass hunt.
Skagway
Our most "natural" outing - and amazing. We took a 30 minute ferry ride and tour (even saw a whale!) to an Eagle Preserve - this was the neatest thing. We had a nice outdoor lunch, and then we got in groups and took rafts (not whitewater) down the river and watched literally 50 or so Eagles in their natural habitat. Not being a huge bird fan, I must admit I was in awe. The raft had a guide and was fairly relaxing overall.
Overall Weather
For us, the week was went was beautiful. It was sort of overcast and foggy every morning, but by mid-day it warmed up and the sun was out (the locals said this was not always the norm). We often dressed in layers - a light rain coat, t shirt, light khaki pants. I didn't wear too many pairs of shorts on this trip.
Leaving The Ship
We packed our bags the night before and left them for the ship to get. We paid the bill and waited for our group to be called. We then took an hour bus ride to Anchorage - which is quite a major city for them. The bus ride was nice, complete with tour driver, and we all got to stop at a Wildlife Preserve (a set stop on the route) and stretch and visit native animals. In Anchorage we ate, and I even visited the mall (habit, I know).
Thoughts
Clearly I have many. I was a bit nervous about the trip at first, and worried that I would not be prepared. I feel confident now that, even had I forgotten something, the Princess ship certainly provided for my every want and need. We did not have a negative experience - I kept telling my husband I felt like royalty! It was such a wonderful trip that my husband's whole family (along with us) are taking a 4 day trip to the Bahamas this October.
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Please let me know if there is anything additional you want to know - I know I scoured website for weeks before the cruise and had a huge list of questions that went unanswered.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
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