Read our honest Majestic Princess Alaska cruise review. Discover cabin tips, dining insights, and why its indoor Hollywood Pool Club is perfect for Alaska.
Princess Cruises has been sailing to Alaska since 1969, setting the gold standard for the region. As the cruise line that brings the most passengers to the Great Land, Princess holds the best permits for Glacier Bay National Park and offers unparalleled onboard enrichment.
Among their fleet, the 3,560-passenger Majestic Princess is a fascinating vessel. Originally designed specifically for the Chinese market and later refurbished for global sailings, she features a few structural quirks that—almost entirely by accident—make her one of the absolute best ships for a cold-weather Alaska cruise.
Here is our honest review of the Majestic Princess for Alaska cruising, including what works, what doesn’t, and how she compares to her competitors.
When deployed to the Pacific Northwest, the Majestic Princess typically operates the classic 7-day Inside Passage itinerary sailing roundtrip from Seattle, Washington, or Vancouver, B.C.
A standard 7-day voyage includes stops at Alaska’s quintessential ports:
Note on 2025/2026 Deployment: For the 2025 and 2026 summer seasons, Princess Cruises has strategically rotated Majestic Princess to Europe and the Caribbean. If you are looking to book this exact Seattle-to-Alaska route for 2025 or 2026, Princess has seamlessly substituted her with identical sister ships, Discovery Princess and Royal Princess. You will get the exact same Royal-class Medallion experience on these vessels, but the core advice in this review remains essential for understanding Princess’s mega-ship Alaska experience.
The Majestic Princess is a Royal-class ship. In warm climates, critics sometimes complain that Royal-class ships lack a traditional wrap-around outdoor promenade deck. In Alaska, however, Majestic Princess counters this with a massive secret weapon: The Hollywood Pool Club and Conservatory.
Because the ship was built for the Asian market, Princess replaced the open-air adult “Sanctuary” found on her sister ships with a fully enclosed, climate-controlled solarium. In the unpredictable, windy, and often rainy Alaskan weather, this indoor paradise—complete with panoramic glass windows, a heated pool, comfortable loungers, and whimsical topiaries—is arguably the best public glacier-viewing spot on any mainstream cruise ship. While passengers on Royal Caribbean or Norwegian ships are shivering on the top deck, you can watch icebergs float by from a warm lounger.
Another standout feature is the SeaWalk, a dramatic glass-bottomed walkway that extends 28 feet past the edge of the ship, allowing you to look directly down into the pristine Alaskan waters.
Furthermore, Princess’s “North to Alaska” enrichment program is in full swing here. You will have a dedicated naturalist onboard for the entire voyage giving daily talks, park rangers boarding the ship in Glacier Bay, and the famous “Puppies in the Piazza” event where local sled dog puppies are brought onboard for passengers to meet.
Because the Majestic Princess lacks a wide, shaded outdoor promenade deck that wraps around the entire ship, booking a balcony cabin is highly recommended. Having your own private outdoor space allows you to quickly step outside for a photo of a breaching whale without navigating up to the crowded pool deck.
Port vs. Starboard: If you are sailing a one-way “Voyage of the Glaciers” route, choose the Starboard side for northbound trips and the Port side for southbound trips to maximize coastal views. For roundtrip Seattle sailings, neither side has a massive advantage since you travel up and down the same coast. During the marquee glacier viewing days, the captain slowly spins the ship 360 degrees so that every balcony gets an extended, perfect view.
Location: The waters of the Pacific out of Seattle and the Gulf of Alaska can occasionally be rough. If you are prone to seasickness, avoid cabins at the very front (forward) of the ship. Mid-ship cabins on Decks 10 (Caribe), 11 (Baja), and 12 (Aloha) are the sweet spots for smooth sailing and excellent, unobstructed sightlines.
Princess consistently delivers strong culinary experiences, leaning more toward traditional elegance than flashy gimmicks. You can choose between Traditional Dining (fixed time, same table and waiters every night) or Anytime Dining via the OceanNow app.
The ship’s Asian-market origins provide a delightful perk for Alaska cruisers: the Chopsticks Noodle Bar. Located on the open pool deck where other ships normally have a burger or taco stand, this venue serves up steaming, fresh bowls of noodle soup. Eating hot soup on the deck while sailing past snow-capped mountains is a brilliant, highly underrated experience.
For specialty dining, the Crown Grill steakhouse ($39-$45 cover charge) is a must-do. It features a rich, wood-paneled atmosphere and exceptional cuts of beef that rival land-based steakhouses. Majestic Princess also features a unique Asian specialty restaurant, Harmony, created by Michelin-starred chef Richard Chen, offering a welcome break from standard cruise fare.
The onboard vibe of Majestic Princess is decidedly relaxed. You won’t find go-karts, laser tag, or waterslides here. Instead, the focus is on enrichment, relaxation, and connection with the destination.
A staple of the Princess experience is Movies Under the Stars. Even in Alaska, the crew sets up the giant outdoor LED screen, transforming the chilly pool deck into a cozy cinema by passing out thick tartan blankets, fresh popcorn, and warm mugs of hot chocolate.
In the evenings, the multi-story Piazza acts as the bustling heartbeat of the ship, featuring string quartets, acrobats, and live bands. The main Princess Theater hosts Broadway-style production shows that are visually impressive, though they skew toward a slightly older, classic demographic. Another fun holdover from her original design is the inclusion of private karaoke suites—a fantastic, unique way for multi-generational families to spend a cold sea day.
Finally, the entire experience is powered by the MedallionClass wearable technology. This quarter-sized disc replaces your cruise card. It automatically unlocks your cabin door as you approach and allows you to order food, drinks, and extra blankets to be delivered directly to wherever you are standing—even if you are out on the top deck watching a glacier.
When planning an Alaska cruise on Majestic Princess or her sister ships, timing and packages are everything.
The 2025/2026 Reality Check: As noted, Majestic Princess is sailing the Caribbean and Europe for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. If you want this exact ship class and experience in Alaska right now, book the Discovery Princess or Royal Princess out of Seattle. Current prices for 2025/2026 7-day Princess Alaska sailings generally start around $700–$900 per person for interior rooms, and $1,400–$2,200+ for balconies.
Upgrade to Princess Plus: Princess offers base fares, but upgrading to the “Princess Plus” package (typically around $60 per person, per day) is almost always worth it. It includes Wi-Fi (powered by Starlink, which actually works in Alaska), prepaid crew appreciation (gratuities), and the Plus Beverage Package. In Alaska, you aren’t just drinking cocktails; you will be ordering countless premium coffees, lattes, and hot chocolates to stay warm, making the package highly cost-effective.
Book Early for Glacier Bay: Ships are severely restricted in Glacier Bay National Park. Princess has the most permits, but these specific itineraries still sell out 12 to 18 months in advance. Always check the itinerary details carefully to ensure Glacier Bay is listed before putting down your deposit.
Yes. In fact, her unique indoor Hollywood Pool Club makes her arguably the best Royal-class ship for Alaska, offering a massive climate-controlled space with panoramic windows for glacier viewing.
Mid-ship or aft balconies on decks 10 (Caribe) through 12 (Aloha) offer excellent viewing while minimizing motion. A balcony is highly recommended since Royal-class ships lack a full wrap-around outdoor promenade.
Yes, when deployed to Alaska, Majestic Princess benefits from Princess Cruises' premier permits to enter Glacier Bay National Park, complete with onboard park rangers.
Historically, the ship has sailed 7-day roundtrip Inside Passage routes from Seattle, stopping in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Victoria, and Glacier Bay or Endicott Arm.
With 3,560 passengers, smaller ports like Ketchikan can feel busy during peak hours, but onboard crowds flow incredibly well thanks to Princess's MedallionClass technology.
The enclosed Hollywood Pool Club, the SeaWalk (a glass-bottomed walkway extending over the ocean), and the Chopsticks Noodle Bar for hot soup on chilly days.
Princess offers unparalleled Alaska enrichment (naturalists, sled dog puppies onboard) compared to competitors. Majestic's enclosed pool gives it a weather-proof edge over equivalent Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships.