If you’re visiting Skagway, Alaska on your cruise, one of the best ways to dive into the town’s rich history and charming sights is the Skagway Street Car Tour. Join us as we take this fun and informative 90-minute ride aboard a classic streetcar, exploring all the key points of interest in Skagway, including historic landmarks and scenic lookout spots 🏞️.
The narrated tour is perfect for history buffs and casual explorers alike, bringing to life the story of the famous Klondike Gold Rush and the vibrant culture that shaped this beautiful Alaskan town 🏔️. It’s a unique way to see more of Skagway beyond the typical cruise port experience.
Watch the full tour here to get a front-row seat on the Skagway Street Car and see why thousands of visitors recommend this excursion!
Our Alaskan adventure aboard the Grand Princess continued with Day 6 taking us to the charming waterfront town of Ketchikan, Alaska 🐟. Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” and rich in Native culture and Gold Rush history, Ketchikan is a favorite stop for many cruise travelers 🌲.
For this port day, we decided to experience the Ketchikan Duck Tour 🦆, a fun and unique amphibious excursion that takes you both on land and into the water 🌊 for an unforgettable sightseeing adventure. This narrated 90-minute tour gave us a fantastic overview of the city’s highlights, including Creek Street and the Salmon Ladder 📸. As the Duck vehicle rolled down the streets and then splashed into the harbor, we got incredible views of Ketchikan from both perspectives 😍.
After the tour, we spent some time exploring downtown Ketchikan before hiking up to Knob Hill Overlook, where we enjoyed stunning views of the town and harbor 🏞️. We also stopped to take photos under the famous Ketchikan sign 📷 and soaked in the vibrant local atmosphere.
Back on board the Grand Princess, we wrapped up the evening with a delicious dinner 🍽️ and the high-energy “British Invasion” show 🎶 in the Princess Theater.
From the charming streets to the sparkling harbor views ✨, Ketchikan and the Duck Tour made for a memorable Day 6 of our cruise. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning, this excursion is a fantastic way to see it all while having a great time 🤩.
Day 5 aboard the Grand Princess was truly breathtaking as we cruised through Alaska’s stunning Endicott Arm toward the impressive Dawes Glacier. This scenic sailing day offered awe-inspiring views of towering fjords, floating blue icebergs, and the vast icy expanse of the massive Dawes Glacier itself, all from the comfort of the ship.
While enjoying the peaceful surroundings, we were lucky to spot a bear on the shore and later a whale swimming nearby, making this day even more memorable.
After a day full of incredible natural beauty and wildlife watching, we returned to Botticelli’s main dining room for the Formal Night Gala Dinner. The elegant atmosphere and delicious cuisine made for the perfect dining experience.
The evening wrapped up with an incredible show, Remembering a Legend – A Tribute to Whitney Houston, performed by Cheaza in the Princess Theatre. It was a moving and powerful performance that capped off a wonderful day aboard the Grand Princess.
About the Grand Princess Alaska Cruise Series
This video and blog post are part of our complete Grand Princess Alaska Cruise Series, where we share detailed ship tours, cabin walk-throughs, port excursions, dining reviews, and entertainment highlights from our 7-night round trip cruise sailing from Vancouver, BC.
Join us on Day 4 of our Grand Princess Alaska Cruise as we explore the charming and historic town of Skagway, Alaska! Our day begins onboard with some relaxing downtime enjoying the quiet pools and hot tubs 🏊♂️♨️, a perfect way to unwind before heading ashore. For lunch, we stop at the Salty Dog Grill, savoring tasty meals in a casual setting 🍔🍟.
In the afternoon, we embark on the scenic and narrated Skagway Streetcar Tour 🚋. This tour takes us to iconic sights including the Gold Rush Cemetery ⚰️ and a panoramic lookout point that offers breathtaking views of the town and surrounding landscape 🌄.
After the streetcar tour, we spend time exploring downtown Skagway on foot 🚶♂️🚶♀️. We stroll along Broadway, taking in historical landmarks such as the historic train display 🚂, the infamous Red Onion Saloon 🍸, and the informative Visitor Center 🏛️. Along the way, we pause for a delicious snack at Alaskan Fry Bread, where we try their famous Doughboy treat 🍩 — a local favorite.
Next, we embark on a short but rewarding hike to Yakutania Point 🌲, which offers stunning views of the harbor and the cruise ships 🚢. On our way back, we stumble upon a fun Ducky Derby event 🦆🎉, adding a playful touch to our day.
Back onboard, we enjoy a wonderful dinner at Botticelli’s Dining Room 🍽️, followed by an energetic performance of “Sweet Soul Music” 🎶 in the Princess Theater. From start to finish, Day 4 was packed with unforgettable moments on our Alaskan adventure.
Cruise Details:
📍 Ship: Grand Princess 📍 Cruise Line: Princess Cruises 📍 Departure Port: Vancouver, BC, Canada 📍 Itinerary: 7-night Alaska Cruise (round trip from Vancouver) 📍 Port of Call (Day 4): Skagway, Alaska
Grand Princess Alaska Cruise Vlog – Day 3: Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Exploration
Day 3 of our Grand Princess Alaska cruise brought us to the stunning port of Juneau, Alaska – and what an incredible day it was! From calm ocean views to glacier-fed waterfalls, it was the kind of day that reminds you why Alaska is such a bucket-list destination.
We started the morning onboard with a peaceful breakfast in the Botticelli Dining Room, enjoying classic cruise cuisine while watching the mountains glide by. After breakfast, we headed up on deck where we were lucky enough to spot whales 🐋 in the distance as we cruised through the Inside Passage – a truly unforgettable moment.
In the early afternoon, we arrived in Juneau. Rather than book an excursion, we opted for the local city bus 🚌, an easy and budget-friendly way to explore the area. (🚌 Check out the Juneau Bus Schedule here.)
We rode out to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, where we hiked the trail to Nugget Falls. The views of the glacier and roaring waterfall were absolutely breathtaking. To access the trails and visitor center, a fee or pass may be required depending on your visit time or the specific areas you plan to visit in the park, so be sure to check the official Mendenhall Glacier site for details.
On the way back, we stopped by the Juneau Whale Project to see the iconic whale statue before strolling through the shops and soaking up the coastal charm of downtown Juneau.
Back on the ship, we enjoyed a delicious dinner in the Da Vinci Dining Room and wrapped up the night with a fun and energetic juggling show in the Princess Theater.
This was a day full of natural beauty, Alaskan adventure, and memories we’ll never forget. Don’t miss the full Day 3 vlog here: 📺 Watch the full Day 3 Juneau Vlog on YouTube
Day 2 of our Grand Princess Alaska cruise was our first full day at sea, giving us the perfect chance to enjoy everything the ship has to offer. After a relaxing start in our cabin, we headed up to the Horizon Court for a buffet breakfast with amazing ocean views.
Throughout the day, we explored the ship, checked out some shopping, and watched the Officers vs. Guests axe-throwing competition. We also toured the Grand Princess self-serve laundromat, perfect for anyone cruising longer than a few days.
Andrea joined a fun dance class, and together we later watched a lively martini demonstration. We also enjoyed afternoon tea in the Da Vinci Dining Room before dressing up for formal night and capturing some pre-dinner selfies. Dinner in the Botticelli Dining Room featured the Captain’s Welcome and an elegant multi-course meal. We capped off the night with the “Born to Dance” show in the Princess Theater – an energetic and professionally produced performance.
🛳️ Cruise Line: Princess Cruises 📍 Ship: Grand Princess 📍 Location: At Sea 📍 Itinerary: 7-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver
Come along as we enjoy everything the Grand Princess has to offer during a fun and relaxing sea day!
If you’ve ever dreamed of cruising to Alaska, our Day 1 aboard the Grand Princess by Princess Cruises is a great way to see what the experience is really like! In our latest video, we bring you along as we kick off our 7-night round-trip adventure from Vancouver, BC.
We start our journey by taking the SkyTrain to Canada Place where we board the Grand Princess. Once onboard, we explore the ship, tour our obstructed Oceanview cabin E224, and soak in the excitement of embarkation day. One of the most memorable moments is our scenic sail away from Vancouver, cruising under the Lions Gate Bridge and past Stanley Park with stunning coastal views.
In the evening, we enjoy dinner at Botticelli’s Dining Room and take in a live performance at the Princess Theater. It’s the perfect start to our cruise as we head toward the glaciers and natural beauty of Alaska. Day 2 brings a relaxing sea day as we sail north.
If you’re curious about the Grand Princess or planning your own Alaska cruise, this video gives you an honest look at the embarkation experience, ship atmosphere, and more. Follow along with us each day as we document our full cruise journey!
🛳️ Cruise Line: Princess Cruises 📍 Ship: Grand Princess 📍 Cabin: E224 – Obstructed Oceanview, Deck 8 📍 Itinerary: 7-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver
If you’re planning a cruise on the Grand Princess and considering an Obstructed Oceanview Cabin, you might be wondering exactly what you’re signing up for. We recently returned from a 7-night round-trip Alaska cruise from Vancouver aboard the Grand Princess and stayed in Cabin E224, located on Deck 8. In our latest video, we give you a full walkthrough of the cabin so you can see it for yourself before you book.
Our video covers the cabin layout, storage space, bathroom, TV, and most importantly — the window view. While labeled “obstructed,” we were pleasantly surprised by how much ocean we could actually see. This could be a great budget-friendly option if you want some natural light and a glimpse of the sea without paying for a full oceanview or balcony cabin.
We also show the power outlet setup (for those of you bringing tech gear), and talk about the overall condition of the room. The Grand Princess is an older ship, but we found the cabin clean and comfortable for our week-long journey through Alaska.
If you’re on the fence about booking an obstructed cabin, this video will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your cruise. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more Alaska cruise tips, cabin tours, and vlogs from our Grand Princess adventure!
🛳️ Cruise Line: Princess Cruises 📍 Ship: Grand Princess 📍 Cabin: E224 – Obstructed Oceanview, Deck 8 📍 Itinerary: 7-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver
Planning an Alaska cruise can be exciting, but it also comes with plenty of unknowns, especially if you’re sailing on a ship for the first time. Before we boarded the Grand Princess by Princess Cruises for our 7-night round-trip Alaska cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia, we had quite a few questions and concerns.
We weren’t sure what to expect from an older ship like the Grand Princess. Our cabin was an obstructed Oceanview stateroom (E224) and we didn’t know if we’d be able to see the ocean at all. We had questions about the number of power outlets, the food options outside of the buffet and dining room, whether the pools and hot tubs would be warm enough, and even if we’d be able to get into our cabin early on embarkation day.
There were also rumors online about plumbing issues, and we received an unexpected email from Princess Cruises before our trip offering us the chance to switch sailings in exchange for onboard credit, which definitely raised some concerns about whether the ship was overbooked or if something was wrong with our room.
To help others who might be wondering the same things, we created a video that answers all of these questions based on our own experience aboard the Grand Princess.
If you’re booked on the Grand Princess or considering an Alaska cruise with Princess, this video offers a first-hand look at what you can expect, from food and entertainment to stateroom details and embarkation tips.
We’ll also be sharing more from this sailing including a full cabin tour, ship tours, daily vlogs, and plenty of cruise tips, so stay tuned for more.
Sailing on a cruise out of Vancouver? If you’re arriving a day or two early, finding a comfortable and convenient hotel can make your pre-cruise experience smoother and more enjoyable. We spent two nights at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, part of Metro Vancouver, and it was the ideal place to kick off our Alaska cruise adventure.
Just a short ride from Canada Place, where cruise ships depart, this resort offers everything from easy SkyTrain access to fine dining at Gordon Ramsay Steak. We filmed our full stay so you can see what it’s like:
The River Rock Casino Resort is located just three SkyTrain stops from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and about a 20-minute ride to Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. From there, it’s just a short walk to Canada Place, where most Alaska cruises begin.
The resort’s location in Richmond makes it a smart and accessible choice for cruise travelers looking to stay near Vancouver before boarding.
🥩 Gordon Ramsay Steak: An Unforgettable Dinner
During our stay, we had an incredible dining experience at Gordon Ramsay Steak, located right inside the resort. Our meal featured:
🍞 Warm artisan bread 🦀 A flavorful crab cake 🐟 Perfectly cooked sablefish 🥩 Tender Wagyu beef 🥧 Classic Beef Wellington 🍮 And the famous sticky toffee pudding
This restaurant was a highlight of our pre-cruise stay and the perfect way to start our vacation.
The River Rock Casino Resort has everything you need to relax and recharge before setting sail. Amenities include:
💦 A pool with water slide 💪 A fully equipped fitness center 🍽️ Chairman’s Room Lounge and Buffet 🅿️ Complimentary parking ☕ Starbucks 🎬 An in-house theater 🎰 A full-service casino
Whether you’re winding down before your cruise or looking for something fun to do, this resort has it all.
🛒 Booking Your Stay at the River Rock Casino Resort
If you’re planning a cruise out of Vancouver and looking for a convenient and comfortable place to stay nearby, consider booking your stay at the River Rock Casino Resort through Hotels.com. It’s a great way to secure a room close to the airport, SkyTrain, and cruise port, while taking advantage of flexible booking options and rewards. 👉 Check current rates and availability on Hotels.com (Affiliate)
🛳️ Final Thoughts
If you’re planning to sail from Vancouver, the River Rock Casino Resort in Metro Vancouver is a top-notch place to stay. With quick transit to the port, luxury amenities, and a memorable meal at Gordon Ramsay Steak, this spot checks all the boxes for a perfect pre-cruise experience.
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