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PRINCESS CRUISES
Coral, Island, Sun, Dawn, Regal, Diamond, Sapphire Princess

Princess is a major player in the Alaska market sending seven ships to the region in 2006 and boasting the widest selection of pre and post cruise tours of any line. Princess Cruises' history as part of the British steamship company, P&O, brings a long tradition of passenger travel to the line. Incorporated in 1837, P&O is the oldest and largest British shipping company. Its cruise division, P&O Princess merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003 however, Princess Cruises continues to operate as an independent cruise line and passengers should see little difference in their cruise experience from past Princess sailings.

Princess switched from Seward to Whittier as a turnaround port on Gulf of Alaska sailings from Vancouver last season and will continue to use the more convenient port next year. Situated in Prince William Sound, Whittier is just a 1.5 hour motorcoach ride form Anchorage, along scenic Turnagain Arm. Copper River cruise tours will depart right from the ship as the catamaran to Valdez will come alongside in Whittier. Rail passengers can embark their train right at the pier for the transfer to Anchorage and right to Denali Park.

Princess excels in cruise-tour organization with over 40 offered. Their luxury wilderness lodges are outstanding. The new Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge is the first time a cruise line has ventured into the Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest National Park in the United States, which boasts the largest concentration of glaciers in North America. Well worth a visit. For more details, see my Copper River Lodge article at www.cruisemates.com/articles/feature/PrincessTours.cfm.

Note that Princess shore excursions can be viewed and ordered from their web site www.princess.com.

Princess' "Personal Choice Dining" gives passengers the choice of traditional cruise dining, in two seatings (6:30pm and 8:30pm) with the same passengers and wait staff every night or, new restaurant style seating, where you dine with whom you like between 5:30 and midnight. Each party will be seated on their own, not with other passengers. (Re tipping: Whichever dining style you choose, traditional or restaurant style, a $10.00 per person per day gratuity for wait staff will be added to your shipboard account. The amount can be amended at the pursers desk at any time during the cruise.)

CORAL PRINCESS / ISLAND PRINCESS

Click here for ship photos and Island Princess christening story

The new sister ships Coral and Island Princess debuted in Alaska in 2003. Coral entered service on January 3, 2003 and Island was christened in Vancouver on July 11, 2003. The 92,000-ton, 1,970 passenger ships are a unique class for Princess with ample space for extensive entertainment and dining facilities. The ships' power generation system is a new diesel/gas turbine engine combination with the gas turbines placed in the ships' funnels, allowing for more passenger space.

Coral and Island sail seven-night Gulf of Alaska sailings between Vancouver and Whittier in 2005.

These ships boast nine dining areas including two main dining rooms, 24-hour dining in the Horizon Court and the Bayou Cafe, a New Orleans restaurant with jazz music and Cajun specialties. Anytime Dining is available in the dining room. This gives passengers the choice of traditional cruise dining, in two seatings (6:30pm and 8:30pm) with the same passengers and wait staff every night or, new restaurant style seating, where you dine with whom you like between 5:30 and midnight. Each party will be seated on their own, not with other passengers. (Re tipping: Whichever dining style you choose, traditional or restaurant style, a $10.00 per person per day gratuity for wait staff will be added to your shipboard account. The amount can be amended at the pursers desk at any time during the cruise.)

Interesting additions to these ships are the first ceramic and pottery studio at sea complete with kiln and wheel. New for Princess are the Cigar and Spirits lounge and a retro martini bar called Crooners. A wedding chapel with web cam (Princess is the only line where Captains can legally marry couples) 24-hour Internet access, nine-hole putting course, London-style casino, kids and teen centers, fitness center and Lotus Spa are some of the many amenities on board. Another notable feature is the interactive showlounge with Television production equipment and three revolving stages.

SUN PRINCESS SAILS TO ALASKA
Sailing from Seattle in 2006 are sister ships, Sun and Dawn Princess . These 77,000-ton megaships were designed to have the feel of much smaller vessels. You will find the public rooms surprisingly intimate. The Wheelhouse Bar is a delightful haunt, reminiscent of the grand liners of the past. There is no forward facing observation lounge but many beautiful lounges and spots to sit and look out.

The Horizon Court buffet dining area does have wonderful forward and side views from the top of the ship. Dining Rooms are very traditional, intimate, designed for fine dining, not for watching the scenery as you eat. The atrium is four decks high with the Italian restaurant on the top level.

Sun and Dawn were built before the days of multiple restaurants aboard ships. They do feature the Sterling Steakhouse, open every evening from 6:30pm - 9:30pm at the poolside restaurant. Choose your steak from the presentation tray and watch the chef prepare it for you. There is a surcharge for the steakhouse and reservations are recommended as seating is limited to 70.

DAWN PRINCESS TOP DECK
REGAL PRINCESS
Designed by Renzo Piano to resemble a dolphin.

Regal Princess returns to sail the Inside Passage from San Francisco in 2006. Regal Princess enjoyed a multi-million dollar makeover in 2000 to bring her in line with the other ships for "Grand Class Cruising". She is looking extremely elegant. She now has a children's and teens center and alternative bistro dining for romantic, candlelit dinners.

What is in the dome above the bridge? It's the casino and observation lounge area. The atrium is three decks high. There is no full promenade or forward facing deck space.

DIAMOND PRINCESS AND SAPPHIRE PRINCESS
the largest cruise ships to ever sail in Alaska

Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess both enter service in 2004 and are the newest and largest cruise ships sailing in Alaska. The 116,000-ton sisters have plenty of space on board to offer a wide variety of entertainment and dining options. Four theme restaurants are available in addition to the main dining room. They also feature a wedding chapel, expansive Internet Café, Lotus Spa, a multi-room youth center, Wheelhouse bar, and numerous balcony staterooms.

These ships are similar in design to the Grand-class ships Grand, Golden and Star Princess, however Skywalkers disco/lounge at the top of the ship will be enlarged and a 125-foot wide balcony added for scenic viewing. Club Fusion is a new high-tech dance lounge.

This year they homeport in Vancouver and become the largest ships to ever sail an Alaska season from this city.

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©Susan Milne, 2006