An Alaska Cruise on the Island Princess is a wonderful way to see America's last great wilderness.
The Island Princess first launched in the summer of 2003, and it is one of the newest and most impressive ships to sail Alaska.
The Island Princess has a capacity of just under 2000 passengers (1970, to be exact) spread over 16 decks.
The ship has the highest percentage of rooms with balconies of any ship in the Princess line, which is a real advantage on the Alaskan routes - balconies provide a great place to view the fjords, glaciers, and wildlife along your journey.
Island Princess: dining options
The ship has a wonderful array of dining options, from the two large, traditional dining rooms to a 24-hour buffet to hot dog and pizza stands.
On-board dining choices during your Alaska cruise on the Island Princess include:
Provence - formal dining room, seats 500
Bordeaux - second formal dining room, seats 570
Horizon Court - huge 24-hour buffet
Pizzeria
Poolside hamburger and hot dog grill
Bayou - premium Cajun dining ($15 per guest surcharge)
Sabatinis - premium Italian restaurant ($20 per guest surcharge)
24-hour room service (complimentary)
With the two formal dining rooms, you can choose between traditional seatings (you sit at the same table, with the same guests at the same time each night) or "anytime dining", which allows you to eat when you want and with different people.
Traditional seatings tend to be more popular with senior cruisers, though they can be a great way to meet people and form lasting friendships.
On-board activities
The ship hosts a great array of activities, events, and entertainment, from chili cook-offs to yoga, Pilates, step aerobics, spinning, and weight training in the ocean view gym.
There are also two pools and five hot tubs on board, and even a nine-hole putting course for golf lovers.
Princess is known for its wonderful and inventive activities, which run the gamut from ice carving to participatory game and talent shows.
Afternoon movies are offered daily in the ship's large theater, and night time brings Las Vegas and Broadway style shows and reviews, along with dancing, gambling in the casino, stand up comedians, cabaret shows, and variety shows.
You truly will never get bored - there is something to do pretty much any time of the day or night - that is when you are not on deck enjoying the jaw-dropping scenery and the glaciers.
A word on the dress code - while pretty much anything goes during the daytime hours, at nights, slacks and shirts with collars are required for men in the formal dining rooms, and women are required to wear either skirts, dresses, or pant suits.
Two nights a week are formal nights in the main dining rooms. At these times, men must wear sport coats, while women wear evening gowns.
Of course, if you hate to dress up on vacation, you can simply avoid the large dining rooms on formal nights and eat elsewhere.
An Alaska cruise on the Island Princess is truly a wonderful experience. The ship has a great look and feel, and Princess really knows how to operate a cruise ship.
