Onboard Review: Discovery Princess—10 Reasons to Book for an Alaska Voyage

BEDDiscovery Princess in Alaska—10 Reasons to Book this VoyageBy Paloma Villaverde de RicoPrincess Cruises is celebrating its 55th anniversary in Alaska this year with the sailing of seven ships making 158 departures during a season running May to September. Among those ships sailing Alaska this season is the Discovery Princess. Having recently sailed on this 3,660-passenger/1,346-crew vessel, we wanted to give you 10 reasons why you’ll want to recommend this newest of the Princess ships plying the Alaskan waters to your clients. COUPLE1. MedallionClass Technology: The MedallionClass device, plus the MedallionClass app make for a seamless sailing experience. One of many perks is the keycard-less stateroom entry—the door automatically unlocks when the passenger is near their cabin. Additionally, this device allows crew to instantly ID (or recognize) your client. For example, I wanted to make a dinner reservation, so I went to the attendant at the Concierge Lounge (more on that in #9) and as soon as he got on his digital device he was alerted to nearby passengers, including “yours truly” (recognized via photo ID), and before you could count 1-2-3, I had a dinner reservation at the specialty restaurant of my choosing. Other perks include faster boarding, locating family and friends, access to all onboard events in the palm of one’s hand, point-to-point onboard directions, and the ease of having crew find a passenger anywhere on board. LADY UMBRELLA2. While at Port: Princess knows Alaska and its excursions are proof of that with offerings that run the gamut from the Underground Mine Exploration and Gold Panning option in Juneau to one of our favorites: the 2-hour Local Connections: Ghosts & Goodtime Girls Walking Tour Created By Madam Jan in Skagway. With a fun name like that, you know it’s going to be a good time, but as the group makes its way through the “Garden City of Alaska,” viewing the historic and picturesque architecture, the laughs are complemented by lots of interesting facts about its notorious residents, as well as some somber observations about the “women of the evening” and their living/working conditions during the Gold Rush era. It’s a well-planned and engaging excursion that should be a top recommendation. Oh, and there’s a stop at the Red Onion Saloon and a look at its restored brothel museum. 3. Hanging with Some Cuties: When in Alaska, it wouldn’t be a Princess sailing if “Puppies in the Piazza” weren’t part of the activities. Recommendation: Tell clients to get to the Piazza way before the event is scheduled to begin so they can assure their few minutes with these adorable “sled dogs in training.” Get ready to wait in a long line—it’s worth being able to cuddle with these cuties, though. FOOD4. A Taste of Italy: Imagine biting into a lobster tortellini that melts in your mouth, or a flavorsome burrata caprese…or perhaps it’s a mouthwatering ossobuco Milanese that will tempt your clients. Whatever Italian dish they might be craving, the specialty restaurant Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria has a dish for them. 5. Casual Night Out: One of our favorite places to eat on board, if one’s looking for a casual evening, is the Salty Dog Gastropub, another specialty dining venue. Here, passengers will find homestyle goodies such as burgers, short ribs, fried chicken, lobster mac & cheese and calamari. This lively establishment offers full views of the Piazza and the food hits the spot. MILKSHAKE6. An afternoon delight: Another must-stop is at the Gelato, with over-the-top sundaes such as The Michelangelo, which comes with a chocolate chip muffin, chocolate gelato, raspberry and choclate sauce and twirl twister lollipops. We opted for a sundae sans the lollipops (check out the picture to your right). 7. A Stateroom with a VIEW: We cozied up in a Balcony stateroom during our sailing, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that allow the beautiful outdoors to filter into the living space. This 214- to 222-sq.-ft. stateroom, which features a balcony with two chairs and a table, a spacious closet (truly offering ample room) and a work space as well as a comfortable bathroom area, is ideal for couples. Up it to a Deluxe Balcony for a bit more room—233 to 279 sq. ft that makes space for a sofa bed. SPA POOL8. Let’s Get Pampered: All that exploring in Alaska’s mesmerizing ports needs to be complemented by some R&R. For that, tell clients to head to the Lotus Spa, specifically The Enclave, its thermal suite. Here, they’ll find a hydrotherapy pool with a cascading rain shower and therapeutic air jets; heated stone beds; a hammam; a light steam chamber infused with herbal aromas; and a heated, dry chamber. We slipped away to this oasis quite a few times during our 7-day sailing (well worth buying a package that allows for unlimited access to the area, whether or not your client is getting a spa treatment). 9. Concierge Lounge Access: Clients staying in a Suite category or above have access to the exclusive Concierge Lounge, a more relaxed space to converse with friends and family. In this elegant space, they’ll find a private attendant (for those last-minute dinner reservations), complimentary hors d’oeuvres, coffee and select drinks. Upgrading to a higher category stateroom just to access the Concierge Lounge is well worth it. SIDE OF SHIP10. Close up to Natural Wonders: During our cruise we sailed the stunning Endicott Arm, which extends for 30 miles. Sailing past iceberg floats and along the teal-colored waters, the ship sets its sights on Dawes Glacier. During our sailing, we got a front-row view of this majestic natural wonder—the closest the Discovery Princess had been able to get to the glacier during its entire 2023 Alaska season. It was spellbinding. This was a late-September sailing and although you’ll have less families on board—if that’s what your clients are looking for—let clients know, they can expect rainy and cloudy conditions, somewhat rougher seas and cooler temperatures. If they’re okay with that, then this is a nice time to go as the port visits are a bit less crowded. Remind them, though, that excursions are weather-dependent (some were canceled during our sailing). Contact InformationPrincess Cruises: princess.com

COVERHAL GATE 1HAL GATE 2 & 3HAL GATE 4Table of ContentsSANDALSSANDALS SPREADEditor's NotesAMERICAN CRUISE LINESAdvisor Speak: Passion for Cruises Led Her Here— A $3 Million Travel AgencyIndustry Insights: Tour Operators are ‘Highly Confident’ About 2024Cruise: Swanky SailingsCruise: Multimillion-dollar Revamp for Windstar Sailing YachtsATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES SCATLAS OCEAN VOYAGESPRINCESS CRUISES SCPRINCESS CRUISESSCENIC SCSCENIC LUXURY CRUISES & TOURSSEABOURN SCSEABOURNDISNEY SCAlaska Cruise Season—Booking Options for 2024 & 2025DISNEY CRUISE LINEHOLLAND AMERICA LINE SCRECOMMEND EDU HOUSE ADALASKA RAILROAD SC ADOnboard Review: Discovery Princess—10 Reasons to Book for an Alaska VoyageOnboard Review: Celebrity Ascent Offers Elevated Experience for TravelersOnboard Review: Norwegian Viva—Cruising in Comfort and StyleMexico/Caribbean: Elevating Romance Through LuxuryPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUP SPREADATLANTIS SCATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND BAHAMASINCLUSIVE COLLECTION SCINCLUSIVE COLLECTIONSANDALS SCOnsite Review: Impression Isla Mujeres by SecretsOnsite Review: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & SpaOnsite Review: Sandals Dunn’s River—Sandals 2.0 Looks Mighty FineOnsite Review: 3 Melia Hotels & a Theme ParkPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUPCUNARD