Cruisin’ with a Princess
Posted in Romantic Locations, Scenery, Ship Travel | By Guest Author | Tags: Alaska, Cruises, Tours, Travel, Vancouver
By Guest Author Peggy Bradshaw
I was amazed at the size of the big white ship docked at Vancouver, B.C. We had flown in and were ready to board for our 7-day cruise through the famous Alaskan Inside Passage. Traveling with two other couples, we had mini-suites with balconies side by side on the Dolphin Deck, Deck 9.
Cruising from Vancouver Photo by George Bradshaw
To allow for easier visiting, the steward opened up the partitions between the balconies of our cabins. The Sapphire Princess is 946 feet long with a breadth at its widest deck of 136 feet. At full sea speed, it can reach over 22 knots. It can accommodate over 2600 guests with a crew of over 1100.
The cabins were roomy with a queen size bed, TVs, a sofa, a chair, walk-in closet and full bath with tub and shower. The whole ship was beautifully decorated and the cabins were no exception.
The dining rooms, serving world-class cuisine, offered a choice of many entrees, including a menu for vegetarians. The wait staff was excellent.
North to Alaska
We set sail from Vancouver, B.C. and made our way up the inside passage to the southeast region of Alaska. Our cruise lasted seven days and included ports of call in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. We also cruised Glacier Bay and College Fiord. At each port of call, there were many shore excursions to choose from or we could wander through the streets and explore on our own.
While at sea there were so many activities provided, it was hard to choose. One of the more popular spots on board was the casino, which was open only when we were at sea. The spa offered relaxing massages after a hard day at play.
Professional entertainment was offered every evening in the theater, the many lounges and clubs on board. A talented group of singers and dancers presented Las Vegas-type shows, and comedians and dance bands featured all types of music. Whatever our preference, it was there.
Our final destination was the port of Whittier, Alaska, where we disembarked to begin land tours or to fly home from Anchorage. We had traveled 1,673 nautical miles since leaving Vancouver.
Even on the days when it was drizzly and the sun didn’t shine all that much, the whole experience was wonderful. I know that this won’t be our last cruise; we are all eager to cruise again.
Tomorrow: Ketchikan connections