Husband grew up in Fairbanks and we've traveled many places in Alaska, but never to the Southeast area, which is best done from a ship. We booked this trip as a "last minute" vacation less than a month and a half before sailing and got an excellent price from Vacations to Go. Flew into Anchorage a day early and stayed at a hotel in the mid-town area. There are many hotels in that area and they are the type that provide free shuttle service from the airport and have free breakfast. The shuttle served three hotels and would also go to Walmart and to downtown Anchorage (visitors center). Check out the Market in downtown Anchorage on Saturday morning. Local artisans, along with produce and entertainment and food trucks. We bought authentic souvenirs and met the people who made them. Bought sea salt made in Homer, gold nugget jewelry (mined near Fairbanks), children's book signed by author, etched baleen from Native artist, locally made soap and more.

Did not want to go back to the airport and ride a large coach bus to Whittier, so we booked a shuttle from Anchorage Tours and Transfers. It was less expensive. They came to our hotel at 2:30 to pick us up and then other hotels. The mini bus holds 24 and they have a trailer in back for the luggage. We didn't need a "tour", but our bus driver provided lots of information and we had time for a stop at a viewpoint before getting to the tunnel for Whittier.

Star Princess was a nice size (one stats description says 2600 passengers). We were on the very large Carnival Vista last year. Cabin size is smaller than Carnival (which we were aware of). Our discounted cabin was a fully obstructed view (seemed like almost the entire 8th deck was obstructed views because all the life boats were hanging in front of windows -- who designed that?!) I thought I wouldn't mind (good price last minute, too cold for a balcony, just this time), but I didn't like it. Even if I didn't have a view, I needed the daylight. Read more