As the Sun Princess passed under the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver harbor, I realized I was on my way to Alaska for a seven day cruise. An adventure I had wanted to experience since childhood. The pristine Sun Princess, built in Italy, is like living in a Five Star Hotel or at a tropical resort. There are six dining areas for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and late supper.
We chose The Regency Dining Room for dinner at 8 PM with the late seating. Heitor Vidal was our waiter and Artur Jawofski was the Junior waiter. Roni Salamat was Head waiter. They gave superb service at dinner every day. We had breakfast and lunch in the Regency with no assigned seating. There was not a lavish buffet at midnight on the Sun Princess but new is the Sterling Steakhouse with a menu featuring American Steak House favorites. An $8.00 cover charge per passenger applies.
As we sailed through the Canadian Inside Passage we enjoyed the cuisine of Executive Chef Paolo Merjo. His Italian sauces and dishes are some of the best I have ever tasted. I felt that every time I was served a pasta or any of the Classic Dishes I was back In Italy. Some of the dishes I enjoyed were: Tuscan Garbanzo Bean and Vegetable Soup flavored with rosemary, Ravioli Di Ricotta Con Salsa Vellutata and on my birthday I had Papparielle al Sugo di Lepre (wide egg noodles simmered with tender braised Rabbit and roasted Red and Yellow Peppers in a rich Dem-Glace with Sage Sauce). Each evening the dinner menu was based on a theme. The French Night we had a choice of Classic French dishes I haven’t seen on a menu in years.
There was nonstop entertainment aboard daily and nightly. The cooking demonstrations were amusing as well as informative. There was a fruit and vegetable carving demonstration. Bingo games as well as a gambling Casino. Broadway and Las Vegas type musical reviews, Line Dancing classes, Art auctions, movies and great boutiques.
Great sport is to stroll throughout the ship and enjoy the Princess Cruises fine arts, the largest gallery at sea. While on board you’re invited to join a tour of the $3,000,000 permanent art collection, This is just one of many ways to enhance your experience at sea.
On the second day at sea we started our sight-seeing in Alaska. Our first port was Ketchikan. It was raining that day but our buses were there to take us sight-seeing. Some people just walked in to the town to shop and lots of passengers stayed aboard to enjoy the ship and its array of interesting pastimes.
The third day we were in Juneau. The capital city is worth a walking tour for its turn-of-the-century residences, museums packed with gold rush history, rustic hotels and saloons. We chose to go see the Mendenhall Glacier and the Rain Forest. The tour of the Rain Forest is a “must”. It is spectacular.
Then we continued on to Skagway, Glacier Bay, Vollege Fjord and our last stop was Seward. We chose the train to take us to Anchorage. It was a scenic ride along the Gulf of Alaska.
Captain Nicolo Bo!mnarco, his Officers and Crew made our trip on the Sun Princess a memorable vacation. There isn’t a better way to relax and enjoy a true vacation. I highly recommend this magnificent ship. As of October it will be berthed in San Pedro traveling to Mexico and the Caribbean.
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