All of the world had shut down during the 2020 cruise season, so we were eager to cruise post-pandemic. We scheduled a cruise along the California coast for July, but Princess cancelled that cruise, so we rebooked on this cruise to Alaska for August. Canada was still closed to foreigners and Princess changed the itinerary to go in and out of Seattle, eliminating one port stop on their normal Alaska inside passage itinerary.

This particular cruise required all vaccinated passengers and crew. Prior to the sail date the Covid Delta variant was breaking out all over the US, and governmental entities were tightening up on their covid-related mandates, such as wearing masks indoors. Although when booking the cruise we thought we were beyond mask restrictions, Princess decided at the last minute (two days before sail date) to fall in line and require all passengers and crew to also wear masks indoors except when eating/drinking. Disappointing but (from my perspective) understandable. Appropriate precautions were taken throughout the cruise and we felt safe at all times. For the most part, all passengers complied with the restrictions and, as far as I know, we had no outbreaks of any kind.

As has been our experience on Princess and all other cruise lines, crew and staff were professional and courteous, the ship was clean and in good working order, food was plentiful and good, and the variety and quality of excursions was excellent. Read more