My family will be going to Alaska this summer to celebrate my mother-in-law's 70th birthday. After a lot of research and deliberation, we have chosen Princess as our cruise line, and have decided to go one-way northbound from Vancouver to Seward. My travel agent has us booked on the Dawn Princess. I had hoped to be on one of the newer ships, but she says Coral Princess and Island Princess aren't even in the water yet, and we're better off going on the Dawn -- AND the price is better. Any opinions about this? Will we like the Dawn Princess?

Coral Princess will be sailing on 12/24/02 as her inaugural so she will be &quot;tested&quot; before the Alaska season. She was supposed to sail 12/14 but got pushed back to the next sailing. Island Princess debuts in Alaska so that will be trickier in booking in case she has delays.<BR><BR>The one point that Coral Princess has that Dawn really doesn't is a pool with a retractable roof so that you can swim in Alaska if the weather is cool. There are probably other points but that is the main difference that would affect me.<BR><BR>I personally would choose Coral or Island but that is my desire to sail newer ships. <BR><BR>Saying that, I have sailed the Sea Princess (sister to Dawn) and enjoyed her. I am also sailing Sun Princess (another sister to Dawn) next month. There is nothing wrong with this class of ship whatsoever and you will enjoy your trip on the ship.

We sailed on the Dawn Princess 2 years ago and had a great time. It is a very nice ship and I don't think that it is over 5 years old. We have been on 16 cruises and I would sail on her again anytime.

Thanks Theresa and Jim for the encouragement. Can't wait to go!<BR>Sandy

Sandy,<BR><BR>We sailed on the Sun Princess, sister to the Dawn, and loved her. Since then we have also sailed on the Grand. Though the Grand was very nice, we would rather sail on the Sun/Dawn size ship. Easier to get around and less passengers. We found the Sun decor truly beautiful with a lot of marble, brass and wood. The Dawn is about the same, only newer. I think you will love sailing on her. As a side note, we love sailing Princess. We have also sailed on Carnival and RCCL and will return to Princess. The staff is friendly and helpful and the food was excellent. Have a great trip!

Thanks, Deb. You confirm what I have been thinking about hte size of the ship. The Grand (and others like it) looks TOO BIG.