As experienced world travelers but first-time Alaska cruisers, my husband and I set sail from Seattle aboard Princess Cruises’ all-new Star Princess to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Can you believe that after 25 years together, this was our first trip to Alaska?
Highlights
- After 25 years together, incredible new “firsts” still await you: From watching icebergs drift past your balcony to seeing your very first whale in the wild, adventure doesn’t stop after decades of marriage.
- You can have the ultimate mix of rugged adventure and total pampering: Your days will be spent exploring dramatic fjords and historic ghost towns across Alaska and British Columbia, while your evenings belong to elite specialty dining and stone-massage spa treatments.
- A few strategic choices completely take the stress out of celebrating: Utilizing the Princess app early, upgrading to the Sanctuary Collection, and grabbing the Premier Package allow you to focus entirely on each other.
Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.
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The Magic of Shared “Firsts” Aboard the Star Princess
What made this journey so meaningful was the number of firsts we experienced together, proving that there are still plenty of discoveries to make when you travel side by side.
- That First Magical Morning: I won’t forget our first morning on our balcony. The air was cold, but we were so excited we didn’t feel a thing as we bundled up in robes and the ship glided quietly past floating icebergs.
- A Lifetime Dream Realized: After all the years I have lived in the Pacific Northwest and spent time on the water, I had to go all the way to Alaska to finally see whales. Watching humpbacks and orcas surface just a short distance from our boat was a dream come true, and totally worth it.
- Surreal Shipboard Views: One of our favorite experiences was waking up early in Endicott Arm to find massive icebergs drifting past. Equally memorable was watching the crew expertly perform a 360-degree turn in front of Dawes Glacier, ensuring everyone onboard had the perfect view.
Rugged Adventure Across National Parks & Historic Ports
Our shore excursions took us deep into untouched wilderness and rich history, offering breathtaking moments at every single stop.
- Ketchikan & Misty Fjords: Our Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer Cruise moved smoothly through the Tongass Narrows, eventually reaching the Misty Fjords National Monument with untouched cliffs all around. We passed the striking New Eddystone Rock while eagles soared overhead. Seriously, I’ve never seen so many eagles in my life!
- Juneau : Nestled within the massive Tongass National Forest , the Best of Juneau tour took us to the stunning Mendenhall Glacier, where we walked short trails to the glacier, then went whale watching and enjoyed a fresh seafood lunch.
- Skagway & British Columbia: Skagway & British Columbia: The White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad took us through mountain passes to the remote Gold Rush ghost town of Bennett, accessible only by train.
- The Ghost Town of Bennett: We explored the historic depot and traced the shores of Bennett Lake, where over 20,000 stampeders and determined prospectors once launched their watercraft to journey further north to the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush around 1897-1899. Our train ride then continued to Carcross before returning via the Klondike Highway.
- Victoria, BC: Our final stop in historic Victoria, BC, was the perfect end to our Pacific Northwest adventure.
Total Pampering and Luxury Aboard the Star Princess
Returning to the ship after each wild adventure felt like coming home to a floating resort, where high-end comfort and quiet romantic moments awaited.
- Dining as an Event: Each night felt special, from formal dinners to memorable wine pairings, steakhouse feasts and creative seafood dishes. Not gonna lie, I love formal nights and an excuse to dress up. Some of our favorite dinners were at Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, The Butcher’s Block by Dario, the Crown Grill and The Catch by Rudi.
- Our Daily Casual Favorites: For snacks and casual bites, Alfredo’s Pizzeria and the 24-hour International Cafe became our go-to’s.
- Indulgent Spa Recovery: After our excursions, we treated ourselves at the spa, a perfect way to unwind together.
- The Ultimate Spa Upgrade: The Enclave thermal suite was our favorite splurge, offering a tranquil escape with hydrotherapy and saunas.
- A Quick Spa Layout Tip: Note that the spa and The Enclave are located midship across Decks 5 and 6, while the Lotus Salon is located on Deck 18 (Sun Deck) toward the forward section of the ship.
- Top-Tier Entertainment: Each night, there was something happening. From live music to spectacular stage productions, the energy and choreography had us clapping along and moving in our seats, leaving us thoroughly entertained night after night.
Cozy Romance in Our Deluxe Balcony Stateroom
Our deluxe balcony stateroom offered approximately 235 square feet of beautifully designed space, serving as our perfect private sanctuary.
- The Ultimate Viewfinder: The floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors meant we never missed a moment of the scenery. Some mornings we enjoyed breakfast delivered right to our balcony in the warmth of the sun, while on cooler days, we could watch massive icebergs drift by from the absolute comfort of our bed.
- Our Divine Deluxe Balcony: Our starboard-side stateroom featured a thoughtfully designed space with lots of cleverly hidden compartments that made organizing easy. We loved the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. Some mornings we enjoyed breakfast delivered right to our balcony in the warmth of the sun.
- Cleverly Integrated Storage: From spacious closets to cleverly designed shelving, drawers and hidden compartments, everything had a place, making it easy to stay organized without ever feeling cluttered.
- The Extra Comforts: We especially loved the added touches of plush robes and slippers, which made it so easy to bundle up, settle in and relax after long, active days ashore.
- Surprised by the Crew: Because we noted our anniversary on the app ahead of time, the crew surprised us here with little things that made a big difference, from placing champagne in our room to leaving special treats that reminded us throughout the cruise that this was a celebration worth honoring.
Seamless, Stress-Free Celebrating
The Star Princess crew really helped make this a memorable occasion with so many special touches. To make the most of it, a little pre-planning goes a long way.
- Get “OceanReady” Early: Download the Princess app before your cruise to upload documents and note your special occasion. The crew surprised us with special treats, and even sang to us after dinner (maybe a little embarrassing, but so memorable!). Get the app on Apple or Google.
- Book the Sanctuary Collection: This unlocks access to the totally-worth-it, adults-only top-deck Sanctuary Club retreat featuring a private pool, stylish lounge areas and a champagne wall. Accommodation options with full Sanctuary privileges range from spacious Sanctuary Suites and well-appointed Mini-Suites (with separate seating areas and larger verandas) to Sanctuary Balcony staterooms.
- Get the Princess Premier Package: It’s more than worth it, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. It covers unlimited cocktails, specialty and casual dining, Wi-Fi for up to four devices, shore excursion savings, photo downloads and prepaid crew gratuities.
- Keep an Eye on the Clock: My only real regret was not having much time to explore the Alaskan towns themselves before heading back to the ship, due to the length of our (otherwise incredible) excursions. Plan your time wisely!
FAQs
Not gonna lie, it is more than worth it for the perks and not having to worry about a thing. For a milestone celebration like our 25th anniversary, the last thing you want to do is stress over budgeting on board. It completely covers your unlimited drinks, including cocktails, wine and my daily specialty coffees, plus unlimited specialty and casual dining. Having complimentary room service and OceanNow® delivery anywhere on the ship, Wi-Fi for up to four devices, shore excursion savings and prepaid crew gratuities wrapped into one price let us focus completely on celebrating.
Booking the Sanctuary Collection unlocks access to the totally-worth-it, exclusive, adults-only top-deck Sanctuary Club retreat. My husband and I had one-day access and absolutely loved every single minute of the private pool, stylish lounge areas and the champagne wall. Accommodation options range from spacious Sanctuary Suites to well-appointed Mini-Suites with separate seating areas and larger verandas, to Sanctuary Balcony staterooms, all of which come with full Sanctuary privileges to elevate your journey.
You will want to note that the spa and salon are actually located in two completely different areas of the ship, which is good to know so you don’t get turned around before your treatments. The main Lotus Spa and the Enclave, the premium thermal suite where you can purchase a pass for the hydrotherapy pool, sensory showers, aromatic steam room, unique salt room, sauna and heated stone beds—are located midship across Decks 5 and 6. However, the Lotus Salon, where I enjoyed my deeply relaxing Fire and Ice Pedicure, is situated way up on Deck 18 toward the forward section of the ship.
My only real regret from our cruise was not having much time to explore the historic towns of Ketchikan, Juneau or Skagway themselves due to the length of our excursions. Because bucket-list tours like our wilderness cruise through the Misty Fjords or our whale-watching adventure in Auke Bay are so incredibly comprehensive, we found ourselves heading straight from the ship to the excursion and back again just in time for departure. The excursions are totally worth it, but you will definitely want to keep an eye on the clock if you want to see the local streets.
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