Is the Crown Princess the right ship for your Alaska cruise? Our in-depth Crown Princess Alaska cruise review covers itineraries, cabins, dining, and more.
The Crown Princess has been a stalwart of the Princess Cruises Alaska fleet for over a decade, offering a consistent and traditional cruise experience for travelers focused on the destination. As a Grand-class ship, she shares a layout and itinerary style with her sister ship, the Ruby Princess, making her a familiar favorite for loyal Princess cruisers.
While not the newest or flashiest vessel in Alaskan waters, the Crown Princess delivers a solid, destination-focused voyage. This review breaks down what works—and what doesn’t—for an Alaska cruise on this particular ship.
Crown Princess typically sails 7-night “Voyage of the Glaciers” itineraries, either northbound from Vancouver to Whittier (the port for Anchorage) or southbound in the reverse direction. It also offers roundtrip sailings from Seattle. These classic routes are popular for a reason, hitting the marquee ports of Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.
A major highlight of the Crown Princess itineraries is consistent access to Glacier Bay National Park. Princess is one of the few cruise lines with a permit to enter this UNESCO World Heritage site, and they ensure ships like the Crown Princess get to spend a full day of scenic cruising within its protected waters. This is a significant advantage over competitors who may substitute with other glacial areas like Tracy Arm Fjord. On these days, National Park Rangers board the vessel to provide insightful commentary over the ship’s public address system.
For Alaska cruising, viewing areas are paramount. The Crown Princess offers several excellent vantage points. Skywalkers Nightclub, perched high on Deck 18 aft, provides a warm, indoor space with panoramic windows, making it a prime spot for glacier and wildlife viewing, especially on colder days. For those who want to be outside, the ship features a wrap-around promenade deck, which is a classic feature often missing on newer mega-ships and allows for unobstructed views closer to the water.
Princess’s “North to Alaska” program is a significant enhancement to the Alaska experience. Onboard, this translates to an Alaska naturalist who hosts lectures and provides commentary from the bridge during scenic cruising, pointing out wildlife and explaining the geology of the glaciers. The daily newsletter, the “Princess Patter,” also provides information on what to look for in the sky and sea each day. This educational focus deepens the connection to the stunning landscapes you’re sailing through.
To make the most of an Alaska cruise, a balcony cabin is almost essential. The ability to step outside your room to watch the scenery glide by, especially during the long daylight hours of the Alaskan summer, is invaluable.
For one-way “Voyage of the Glaciers” itineraries, the side of the ship matters. On southbound sailings from Whittier to Vancouver, the port side (left side) will face the mainland and the Inside Passage. On northbound sailings, the starboard side (right side) is preferable.
The dining experience on Crown Princess is in line with what you’d expect from a mainstream cruise line—solid, but not necessarily spectacular. The ship offers both traditional fixed-time dining and “Anytime Dining” options in its main dining rooms.
The Horizon Court buffet is expansive and offers a wide variety of options, making it a convenient choice for a quick breakfast before heading out on a port-day excursion or for a casual lunch. The International Café in the Piazza atrium is another highlight, serving specialty coffees, pastries, and light snacks 24/7.
For an upgraded experience, the Crown Grill, the ship’s signature steakhouse, offers high-quality cuts of meat and seafood in a more intimate setting. While there is an extra charge for specialty dining, it can be a worthwhile splurge for a special occasion.
On sea days and in the evenings, the Crown Princess provides a range of traditional cruise ship entertainment. The Princess Theater hosts large-scale production shows with singers and dancers, while smaller venues like the Explorer’s Lounge and Club Fusion feature comedians, magicians, and live music.
The heart of the ship is the multi-story Piazza atrium, a lively hub with street-performer-style entertainment, the International Café, and various bars. Movies Under the Stars, a giant poolside screen, is another Princess signature, though its appeal in the cooler Alaskan climate may be limited.
Compared to newer ships, the Crown Princess lacks the high-tech, adrenaline-pumping activities. You won’t find rock climbing walls, go-kart tracks, or virtual reality arcades. The experience is more relaxed and geared towards an adult audience that appreciates classic entertainment.
As one of Princess’s most reliable Alaska deployments, the Crown Princess is a popular choice, so booking in advance is recommended, especially for preferred cabin locations.
Yes, Crown Princess is a solid choice for Alaska. It's a traditional Princess ship that has sailed these waters for over a decade, offering reliable itineraries that often include Glacier Bay National Park. While it may lack the flashy amenities of newer mega-ships, its classic design and focus on the destination, with features like an onboard naturalist, make it a strong contender for those who prioritize the Alaskan experience over onboard thrills.
For the best scenery, a balcony cabin is highly recommended. For southbound itineraries through the Inside Passage, the port (left) side of the ship will face the mainland. Mid-ship cabins on the Dolphin Deck offer a good balance of stability and value. For more dramatic wake views, consider an aft-facing balcony on the Baja Deck.
Yes, Princess Cruises is an authorized concessioner for Glacier Bay National Park, and Crown Princess is one of the ships in their fleet that regularly includes it on its Alaska itineraries. This provides guests with incredible glacier viewing opportunities, often accompanied by commentary from National Park Rangers who board the ship.
Crown Princess typically sails 7-day 'Voyage of the Glaciers' itineraries between Whittier (for Anchorage) and Vancouver, as well as roundtrip sailings from Seattle. A typical itinerary includes stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, with scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and either Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord.
With a capacity of 3,080 passengers, Crown Princess is a large ship, and you will notice its size in popular Alaska ports, which can be bustling with multiple ships at once. However, Princess has a reputation for securing preferential docking locations, which can make for a smoother experience getting on and off the ship. Onboard, some guests have noted that the ship can feel crowded in certain areas, particularly during scenic cruising days in cooler weather when most passengers are indoors.
The Skywalkers Nightclub, located high on the ship's stern, offers spectacular panoramic views, making it an excellent spot for glacier viewing. The ship also features a wrap-around promenade deck, providing closer-to-the-water vantage points. A key feature is the 'North to Alaska' program, which includes an onboard naturalist who provides lectures and commentary, especially during glacier viewing days.
Compared to newer ships from Royal Caribbean or Norwegian, Crown Princess lacks high-energy amenities like waterslides or racetracks. Its strength lies in its destination-focused programming, such as the onboard naturalist and strong connection to Glacier Bay. It offers a more traditional and consistent cruising experience, which appeals to Princess's loyal customer base. Competitors may offer more for families with young children seeking onboard activities, while Crown Princess excels for those prioritizing the Alaskan scenery and educational components of the journey.