On 19 June I flew from Cork to Seattle with British Airways, ready for a long-awaited Alaska adventure. After a smooth journey, I spent two nights at the Crowne Plaza Downtown Seattle: the perfect base to catch my breath, adjust to the time difference and get a first taste of the Pacific Northwest.

From the hotel it was easy to explore. Seattle’s skyline, buzzing waterfront and great coffee culture created a lovely prologue to what was to come.

But the real excitement started when it was time to head to the port and board Star Princess for our 7-night Alaska sailing.

Our itinerary took us from Seattle to some of Alaska’s most atmospheric ports: Ketchikan, Endicott Arm, Juneau, Skagway and then Victoria in Canada. A classic route, but nothing prepared me for just how special it would feel in person.

Life on Board Star Princess

From the moment we stepped on board, Star Princess felt like a floating resort: elegant spaces, warm smiles, and that lovely sense that everything has been thought through for you. One of the most impressive spaces was The Dome, a stunning glass-enclosed area that felt bright and airy by day and transformed into a glamorous, atmospheric venue by night.

Outstanding Service

The service throughout the ship was consistently excellent. Crew members quickly learned our names and preferences, and nothing ever felt like too much trouble. From our stateroom attendant keeping everything immaculate, to the bar staff who quickly knew our favourite tipples, it felt genuinely personal rather than scripted.

There is a calm confidence to the way the ship is run: restaurants flowed smoothly, the bars never felt chaotic, and there was always someone on hand to help with any question.

Dining: A Foodie’s Dream at Sea

Food was one of the absolute highlights of this sailing. We had the Princess Premier package, which includes a host of extras and, crucially for us, unlimited speciality dining. This meant we could really explore the ship’s culinary scene without constantly thinking about the bill

Main dining rooms: Beautifully presented dishes, generous portions and a menu that changed daily. Whether it was perfectly cooked seafood, tender steaks or comfort-food classics, the quality was consistently high.

Speciality restaurants: With unlimited access, we made the most of it. Think rich, flavourful sauces, creative starters, indulgent desserts and wine pairings that complemented it all perfectly.

O’Malley’s Irish bar: A particular favourite of mine. The food here was really good, hearty and full of flavour, and the atmosphere was fantastic. Evenings were often filled with excellent Irish trad music that made it feel like a little slice of home at sea.

Casual bites: Even the more relaxed venues impressed: freshly made pizza, delicious burgers and tempting sweet treats that were ideal for a quick snack between activities or after a busy day ashore.

Spellbound: Another standout experience on board was Spellbound, a brilliant immersive bar that combined creative cocktails with a fun, theatrical feel. It was the kind of place where you could lose track of time, enjoying the magic show, the atmosphere and the attention to detail in every drink.

Every meal felt like an occasion. It is rare on a cruise to have that level of consistency across so many different dining venues, but Star Princess truly delivered.

The Magic of the Medallion

One of the stand-out features on Star Princess is Princess’s Medallion technology. Each guest wears a small, coin-sized Medallion that quietly powers a whole range of smart features: Your stateroom door unlocks automatically as you approach. You can order food and drinks from your phone or the app and have them delivered to wherever you are on the ship. It makes embarkation and disembarkation smoother and quicker. It helps you find your way around and even locate travelling companions on board. What I loved most was how unobtrusive it felt. The tech is there, working in the background, but the overall effect is simply that everything seems easier, more seamless and more personal. It is a lovely example of how technology can genuinely enhance the holiday experience instead of getting in the way of it.

Alaska’s Unbelievable Scenery

As wonderful as the ship was, Alaska itself was the real star. Sailing through this part of the world feels like gliding through a living postcard: mountains plunging straight into the sea, waterfalls threading down sheer rock faces, and forests so dense and deep green they hardly look real.

Ketchikan greeted us with its colourful waterfront and rich native heritage.

Endicott Arm was a jaw-dropping highlight: ice-studded waters, towering cliffs and the eerie crack and creak of distant glaciers.

Juneau combined wild beauty with the charm of a frontier town. Here we joined a tour to the famous Mendenhall Glacier, standing in front of this vast river of ice and watching the meltwater rush past. Seeing the glacier up close really brought home the scale and drama of Alaska’s landscape.

Skagway offered that Gold Rush feel, with wooden boardwalks and a misty, mountains-and-railway backdrop that feels straight from a film set. We took the iconic train journey from Skagway into the mountains, tracing the historic route with sweeping views over gorges, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. It was one of those pinch-me experiences you never forget.

Victoria, Canada provided a graceful finale, with manicured gardens, elegant architecture and a very different but equally lovely atmosphere.

Day after day, the scenery took my breath away. Mist hanging low over pine-covered slopes in the early morning, lingering twilight that seemed to stretch on forever, and those quiet moments wrapped in a blanket on deck just watching the world glide past. “Unreal” is exactly the right word: it felt otherworldly, in the very best way.

Why This Alaska Cruise Works So Well

For me, this 7-night Star Princess sailing from Seattle was the perfect blend of:

Comfort and style: A beautiful ship with thoughtful design and genuinely warm hospitality.

Culinary indulgence: Standout food in every venue, elevated even further with the Princess Premier package and unlimited speciality dining, plus the lively atmosphere and trad sessions in O’Malley’s Irish bar.

Smart technology: Medallion tech that made everything simple, intuitive and stress-free.

Bucket-list scenery and tours: Glaciers, fjords, historic ports and memorable excursions like Mendenhall Glacier and the Skagway rail journey.

If you are dreaming of Alaska, or if this has whetted your appetite for your own cruise adventure, I would be delighted to help you plan something just as special and perfectly tailored to you. Contact me today to start creating your own unforgettable journey at sea.