🛳️ Royal Princess Alaska Cruise Review (June 2025)
Our family Alaska cruise on the Royal Princess in June 2025 was one of those trips I know I’ll remember forever. It was me, Tanner, and my parents — three generations together — and the ship, the scenery, and the whole experience made it such a special week.
My son Tanner and my Dad - Royal Princess
We’ve sailed Princess before, but this was our first time doing Alaska on the Royal Princess, and she was the perfect ship for this itinerary.
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🌄 The Ship: Royal Princess in Alaska
Royal Princess is a beautiful Royal‑class ship with tons of indoor viewing spaces, which is exactly what you want for Alaska. Between the Piazza, the lounges, and the covered decks, we always had a warm, comfortable spot to watch the scenery roll by. I had previously sailed on the Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess, and I love the layout of the Royal Class Ships.
The ship feels elegant without being stuffy — classic Princess.
🧳 What We Packed for Alaska (and Actually Used)
Alaska packing is different — layers and weather‑proof gear make all the difference.
Some must‑haves:
waterproof jacket
warm hat + gloves
binoculars
magnetic hooks
non‑surge power strip
motion sickness patches
waterproof backpack
Shop my Alaska Cruise Amazon List
🌊 Our Balcony Cabin (and the Upgrade Bid Win!)
One of the highlights of our trip was scoring an unobstructed balcony thanks to an upgrade bid. It made such a difference.
We had incredible glacier views right from our room
Morning coffee on the balcony became our daily ritual
Tanner loved spotting whales and seals from the railing
My parents could relax and enjoy the scenery without fighting for rail space on deck. My parents had their own room, but we invited to join us for Glacier National Bay day.
If you’re sailing in Alaska, a balcony is worth every point, mile, or dollar you can throw at it. However, if you don’t want the extra spend, there are plenty of amazing places on the ship to enjoy the view.
👉To save money, an interior cabin can be a huge travel hack: Cruise Interior Cabins travel hack
🧭 The Alaska Itinerary
Me and my mom Glacier Bay National Park
June is such a sweet spot for Alaska — long days, mild weather, and tons of wildlife. Our itinerary included:
Ketchikan
Every port felt different, and the Royal Princess handled the scenic cruising beautifully. Glacier Bay day was unreal — the ship rotated slowly so everyone had a perfect view.
Check out my full Alaska Cruise Travel Hacks
🍽️ Dining on Royal Princess
We were really happy with the food on this sailing. Some standouts:
Main dining room dinners were consistently good
International Café became our go‑to for snacks and coffee
My parents loved the variety and never felt overwhelmed
Princess does comfort food really well, which hits the spot after chilly port days.
👉 Don’t miss where you can eat free on Princess Cruises - Free dining on Princess Cruises
🎭 Entertainment & Activities
Royal Princess has great entertainment options, and we enjoyed:
Production shows in the Princess Theater
Live music in the Piazza
Movies Under the Stars (with blankets!)
Naturalist talks about wildlife and glaciers
It felt like the perfect balance of relaxing and engaging.
🧳 Excursions
Alaska excursions are always a highlight, and this trip was no exception. We mixed cruise‑line excursions with third‑party vendors depending on the port and what we wanted to do.
Some favorites:
Whale watching
Scenic train ride
Easy family‑friendly hikes
Local food stops
I’ll link my full Alaska Cruise Port Guide for anyone planning their own trip.
👉Check prices here on Viator
💙 Final Thoughts
Our June 2025 Alaska cruise on the Royal Princess was everything we hoped for — relaxing, scenic, and full of family memories. The ship is a fantastic choice for Alaska, especially if you love indoor viewing spaces and classic Princess style.
The unobstructed balcony upgrade made the trip even more magical, and sharing it with Tanner and my parents made it unforgettable.
If you’re considering Alaska with Princess, Royal Princess is a ship I’d happily sail again.
About the Author
Julie is a travel‑hacking expert and the founder of NO POINT LEFT BEHIND, a resource for families who want to turn everyday spending into unforgettable trips. She shares practical guides, points strategies, and real‑life travel experiences to help you maximize every dollar. Stay connected — follow Julie on Facebook for fresh travel tips and join the Travel Hacking Moms Facebook Group to be part of a supportive community of travelers learning together.
