Alaska Cruise: A First-Time Cruiser’s Perspective
Day One: Embarkation from Vancouver on the Discovery Princess
It was a gorgeous day in early May when my husband and I landed in Vancouver, BC, ready to kick off our Princess Cruise adventure. We found ourselves in the Blue Line, waiting to grab our cruise medallions — basically our magic keys to the Discovery Princess.
Cruise Tip: Order your medallions ahead of time to skip the line!
Once on board, we headed to one of the upper decks and found our stateroom, complete with a balcony and our bags already waiting (win!). We knocked out the safety video and checked in at our muster station thanks to the app. Formalities done, it was officially vacation mode.
We set off to explore the ship, but the sunshine and pool bar tempted us first. Gin and tonics in hand, we relaxed as the ship set sail. Hunger hit later, so we made our way to the buffet. The lines were long, except at the salad bar. So salads it was. With salads and over 10,000 steps a day, we joked that we might be the first people to lose weight on a cruise.
We explored the ship and enjoyed dinner with friends at the Ketchikan Dining Room, served by one of the friendliest servers on board. The evening ended with a nightcap at the Irish Pub and some lively line dancing in the atrium, as amused spectators. Then off to bed, rocked to sleep by the waves.
What I Learned: Pro Tips for Cruise Embarkation
✅ Download the cruise line app ahead of time
✅ Order your medallions (or equivalent) in advance
✅ Print luggage tags if instructed
✅ Study your boarding pass to find your stateroom location
✅ Check in at your muster station early
✅ Watch the safety video through the app before boarding
Day Two: Exploring Ship Life and Finding Our Favorite Spots
The theme for today: find our hangout zones.
We woke early and claimed a hot tub with mountain views off Vancouver Island. Later, we found a quiet lounge for work (briefly quiet until Zumba started in the atrium). Then it was time for breakfast.
One of the perks of cruising: unlimited food access, included in the cruise fare.
My husband and I often commented how great a cruise would’ve been when our kids were younger, endless snacks and no cooking! We saw families enjoying the pools, basketball courts, pickleball, arcade, and dedicated kids and teen zones.
We had a lovely meal at the Skagway Dining Room, with more top-notch service. The evening featured a live show in the main theater, followed by a nightcap in a cozy bar. Tomorrow: Ketchikan!
Day Three: Shore Excursion in Rainy, Charming Ketchikan
Land ho! We awoke to views of colorful Ketchikan. Despite the rain, we spent the day walking around town, visiting:
Creek Street
Totem Heritage Center
Annabelle’s Famous Keg and Chowder House (for smoked salmon chowder and a beer, of course!)
We later took a public bus north to Totem Bight State Park, which I loved. The totem poles and their stories were fascinating.
Other passengers did:
✅ Whale watching (successful!)
✅ Pub crawls (also successful!)
✅ Lumberjack shows (no updates)
We created our own adventure and loved every minute.
Day Four: Soaking in the Last Moments at Sea
Our final day was about checking off the last items on our ship bucket list. We started with an early hot tub dip, a must-do before the crowds arrive.
We enjoyed:
🍣 Lunch at the ship’s sushi spot
🎭 A live show in the theater
🎶 Dinner and an Irish band at the Irish Pub
The band, straight from Dublin, was a highlight, and the evening ended with a sunset on the back deck. Magical.
Final Thoughts: A Cruise Experience Worth Remembering
I enjoyed my time on the Discovery Princess. There was always something to do, making it an ideal trip for:
Families
Friend groups
Anyone looking for flexibility
The ship experience is the main event on a cruise like this — not just a mode of transport. I now want to try a smaller cruise ship or even a river cruise, where the destinations take center stage.
