Sun Princess in Alaska for 2005
 

What have the impressions of this ship been recently. I know that it went into dry dock for a rehab. Any thoughts on her since the re-fitting? Food, cabins, service, etc. - any info would be appreciated.

Just need to bring this to the top - someone must have some input. Please respond.

Just got off the Sun. Good food, great entertainment, and no complaints about any of the staff. All of them were polite and helpful. The ship is old style lovely with nice promenade deck. Did not like the activities and the constant charging for talks, exercise, etc. Princess line has changed since Carnival took over it. It used to be our favorite line. At sea days I watched a lot of movies in my room. Since each island we swam, I am not much for pool sitting. Very crowded on sun decks. All ship tours are very expensive and we did all touring on our own.

Truthfully, I don't think the changes Princess has had the last few years deals with Carnival Corp purchasing them. After all, Carnival Corp owns Cunard, Seaborne, HAL, Windstar, etc. .

All cruise lines had to make changes after 9-11 to stay competitive in the cruise industry. Prices dropped drastically after 9-11 and lines had to fill their ships and had to drop prices to do so. When you drop prices, lines can not offer the same items for a heavily discounted price.

I have sailed the Dawn Princess to Alaska (sister to Sun) and had a great time. I have also been on the Sun Princess to Mexico. Our service has always been very good on Princess and food is very consistent form ship to ship. The cabins on the Sun class are a little bit smaller then the other ships but the ship is a very classy ship and I am sure you will enjoy it.

When we sailed in Dec 2002 on the Sun, it has been to dry dock in September and it looked brand new when we sailed. I am sure she looks great!

Does Princess actually add an extra charge for informational talks and exercise equipment?

There are no fees for the lectures onboard (natualist, Libby Riddles who won the Iditarod, etc. .)

There are a few exercise classes that they do charge - I believe spinning and pilates but to use their equipment there is no charge.

I just got off the Sun Princess and there were no lectures, A day at sea had for exercise Walk a Mile, free; Yoga $30; Pulse cycling $30; thats it for exercise that has a person leading it. Lotus Spa Seminars to sell things free; Computer classes $25 for 50 min.; Trivia; Princess Links $20 per 1/2 hr; Ceramics for fees; food demo; shopping; bingo; some deck games and sports. There are a few non hosted items, which means if you can find a group there is a spot you can meet.
I have conducted a survey of past princess travelers and all have said there is a difference since Carnival brought Princess. There seems to be a difference also on HAL, but I haven't been on a Hal recently. Princess is still a good line, but not as good as it once was.

The ONE big consideration for the Sun is the SUPERIOR deck viewing space for Alaska sailing. :) I have sailed this ship 3 times to Alaska- it also is now considered one of the "smaller" ships sailing. :) The only big negative that has me not considering this now is the Whittier port. My clear preference is Seward- but way too many people just pass though and miss this gem. :) I also do not recommend any Princess cruisetours- but also wound never consider any one ways without at least another week interior touring independently. Especially for most people, Alaska isn't a frequent trip- take advantage of being there.

Thanks for your input, Budget Queen. Can you be more specific concerning the Princess land tours and why you don't recommend them? We can only spend a total of 10 days on this journey.

Having sailed Princess many times to the Caribbean and Alaska - I know that there are no naturalists/lecturers on the Caribbean route BUT there ARE SEVERAL on Princess' Alaskan trips.

Princess has a naturalist on each Alaskan cruise. On all 3 of my Princess Alaskan cruises, they gave several lecturers through out the week. Libby Riddles (first female to win the Iditarod) came onboard each Princess ship that has stopped in Juneau to give a great talk, etc. .There are also park rangers that come aboard when you go through Glacier Bay.

All cruise lines have gone through many changes since 9-11.

Carnival allows their lines to operate independently. HAL is owned by Carnival and has since 1989. People only started noticing changes after 9-11.

The whole cruise industry is changing. People on Celebrity are complaining about the changes on their line also. Cunard is trying to attract a different type of customer.

Len3- since you ask, 10 days total is NOT ENOUGH time to even consider an added land tour with Princess. You need at least an added week going the cruisetour option and at least 5 additional days independent. I would never recommend a three day add on- you just can't do anything and all your time will be in transit. Distances are VAST in Alaska and TIME is necessary- no way around it. My suggestion to you would be consider HAL and a round trip out of Vancouver. I find the Seattle sailings have too much outside passage sailing for my prefereces. Look at ports, time in ports, glacier, route, price.

Many thanks, Budget Queen, for the great suggestions. We'll have to save alot of Alaska for our retirement days.
Question, is the "personal choice" dining option on Princess a good bet?

I sailed on the Sun Princess and the PC dining was an excellent option.

Question - with "personal choice" dining, is it necessary to book a certain dinner time at embarkment so that you don't have to wait until really late to eat?

I didn't and never had much of a wait. I would not lock myself into fixed reservations. Evening sailing is a priority as is a long port day for me.

Len,

I have done PC dining in Alaska and I never had to wait. With the ships in port later (compared to the Caribbean), more people are at port or on deck and there is ususally not a wait in the dining room. The only exception could be on formal night but it really isn't a big deal.

Budget Queen: What is the distance to Seward to do Kenai Fjords tours from the Whittier port? Is it posssible?

You will need TIME. Only public transportation that I know of if PJ's taxi out of Seward. Other option would be a one way car rental Whittier/Anchorage with Avis. Then allow 2 hours for the drive. With an early departure- be at the Harbor Store for the Avis pick up at opening- I believe 8am? And you should be able to catch the 11:30am Kenai fjords boat tour. BE AWARE of tunnel opening times. Then allow a 3 hour drive Seward/Anchorage. This is NOT a day trip so overnight in Seward and plenty to see and do. request their visitor guide. www.sewardak.org

Found out that there is another trip out of Whittier that goes around Prince William Sound called the Wilderness Exployer Cruise, alsso 6 hours. Do you have any feedback on this area to explore?

Thanks.