IT was the TV show Ice Road Truckers that got me interested in Alaska. Who wouldn’t want to drive a lorry across frozen lakes? But, as a bucket-list trip, I decided a seven-night cruise to Alaska’s Inside Passage on the Discovery Princess was a far more comfortable way to experience the majesty of this incredible destination. It was, and there was still plenty of ice.
Russia sold this northwest corner of North America to the US for a song in 1867. Twice the size of Texas, Alaska is a remote, mountainous wilderness, carved by flowing glaciers over thousands of years. From Seattle we sailed to the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, with a stop-off on the way back in Victoria, Canada .
And we were definitely sailing in style. Princess Cruises are known to be specialists at Alaskan cruising and the new Discovery Princess can accommodate 3,660 passengers over its 19 decks. Built in Italy , the two-year-old vessel has a luxury spa, theatre, swimming pools, Jacuzzis and themed bars.
Though family-friendly with a dedicated kids’ club, there are no waterslides or zip lines and it feels very much a playground for grown-ups. The popular casino even allows those feeling lucky to smoke. I did wonder how we’d all manage to haul our luggage up the gangways and find our cabins but it’s well organised with the MedallionClass app.
You book a time slot for boarding and drop off your suitcase at the dock. There’s also a linked Medallion on a lanyard to collect as you check in. I.
