December 31, 2024 – Episode 32
View From The Top Of The Ship On The Sapphire Princess
On one of the seas days during our seven-night Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess in May 2024, we were walking around recording video for a ship tour when I decided to head up to the highest point on the ship. With such cold temperatures and constant wind at an impressive speed, I only stayed up there for a few minutes before it was time to return to normal.
December 24, 2024 – Episode 31
Inside The Conservatory On Deck 14 Of The Sapphire Princess
A unique area on the Sapphire Princess, the Conservatory is essentially the indoor swimming pool located mid-ship on Deck 14. Admittedly, we didn’t spend much time here during our May 2024 Alaska cruise, only stopping for a few minutes at a time to record video. However, the passengers who seemed to have spent a worthy amount of time there during our cruise certainly looked like they enjoyed it.
December 17, 2024 – Episode 30
The Sapphire Princess Almost Canceled Our Alaska Cruise
Our very first cruising experience with Princess Cruises, a seven-night Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess, embarking from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to Whittier, Alaska, was almost canceled due to a mechanical issue the ship suffered the day before when repositioning from Los Angeles to Vancouver. In a very strange experience on a cruise ship, we spent the entire day of embarkation docked at Canada Place, wondering if we’d actually go anywhere. Just after Midnight, the ship began to depart Vancouver. We did end up missing a few stops on the itinerary, but Princess Cruises made it up to us with a nice refund and future cruise credit.
December 10, 2024 – Episode 29
Explorer’s Lounge Bar On The Sapphire Princess
The Explorer’s Lounge and Bar, located mid-ship on the Sapphire Princess, are popular spots among passengers. Positioned prominently on Deck 7, it’s hard to miss this area during your cruise. In this vlog from our May 2024 Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess, we’ve compiled several clips to highlight this part of the ship.
December 3, 2024 – Episode 28
The Oasis On Deck 16 Of The Sapphire Princess
The Oasis on deck 16 of the Sapphire Princess provides the ultimate wake view during a cruise and quickly became one of our favorite destinations during our May 2024 seven-night Alaska cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to Whittier, Alaska. In this vlog from that cruise, we’ve assembled a few video clips to highlight this impressive area of the ship.
November 26, 2024 – Episode 27
Savoy Dining Room On The Sapphire Princess
In this vlog episode from our May 2024 seven-night Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises, we’re taking a look at the Savoy Dining Room. We ate dinner there one night, and the food was very good.
November 19, 2024 – Episode 26
Holland America Koningsdam Leaving Vancouver British Columbia
Our May 2024 Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess got off to a slow start in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The ship’s arrival that morning had been delayed because of a propulsion issue, which caused the entire embarkation process to be thrown into chaos. At the normal departure time in the afternoon, we were still sitting there tied up at the dock when the Holland America Koningsdam began to depart the cruise port in Vancouver.
November 12, 2024 – Episode 25
The Horizon Court Buffet On The Sapphire Princess
One of the most popular aspects of a cruise on a mass-market cruise line such as Princess Cruises is the buffet. On the Sapphire Princess, it takes the name of the Horizon Court. In this video, we’ll explore the Horizon Court with videos on the seating, options for different meals, and even the Churrascaria Brazilian Grill.
November 5, 2024 – Episode 24
The Good Spirits Bar On The Sapphire Princess
As our May 2024 Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess progressed, we found ourselves visiting the Good Spirits bar on Deck 5 over other possible bars on the ship. With its proximity to the live band and the International Cafe, the Good Spirits is a great place to sit down and have a drink during your cruise.
October 29, 2024 – Episode 23
Neptune’s Reef & Pool On The Sapphire Princess
At the start of our May 2024 Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises, our tour around the ship included some time up on decks 14 and 15, where we found Neptune’s Reef & Pool. This massive two-story pool deck wasn’t completely utilized during our cruise because the temperatures were understandably cold, but it was still enjoyable at various times during the cruise.
October 22, 2024 – Episode 22
Alfredo’s Pizzeria On The Sapphire Princess
Located on Deck 5 of the Sapphire Princess, next to the Piazza, Alfredo’s Pizzeria offers a nice selection of specialty and custom pizzas to go with your favorite beer or cocktail. During our May 2024 seven-night Alaska cruise, we tried Alfredo’s one afternoon for lunch and highly recommend it.
October 15, 2024 – Episode 21
The Deck 15 Splash Pool On The Sapphire Princess
Located at the back of the Sapphire Princess, the Splash Pool on Deck 15 offers a commanding wake view. As we would discover when exploring the ship during our May 2024 Alaska cruise, the Splash Pool is also heated!
October 8, 2024 – Episode 20
Vancouver Embarkation For The Sapphire Princess
Embarkation day for our May 2024 Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess was a strange occurrence. A propulsion problem delayed the ship’s arrival in Vancouver on the morning of our cruise so that we couldn’t board the ship until the middle of the afternoon. Once on board, we didn’t actually leave Vancouver until after midnight while the crew continued working to fix the problem.
October 1, 2024 – Episode 19
Entertainment On The Piazza Of The Sapphire Princess
As with many cruise ships we’ve been on over the years, the Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises has a “main” area in the center of the ship that spans several decks. It’s called The Piazza on Deck 5, but it reaches up to Deck 7. During our seven-night Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess in May 2024, we saw many forms of entertainment in this Piazza area, everything from live music to passenger vs crew events.
September 24, 2024 – Episode 18
The International Café On The Sapphire Princess
Located on Deck 5 of the Sapphire Princess, the International Café quickly became one of our favorite locations on the ship for our seven-night Alaska cruise in May 2024. One side of the cafe can satisfy all of our coffee needs, while the other side features a rotating selection of amazing food, such as sandwiches, desserts, and cakes!
September 17, 2024 – Episode 17
Balcony Stateroom A718 On The Sapphire Princess – THE STATEROOM TOUR!!
One of the most helpful videos on YouTube when planning a cruise on the Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises is the classic stateroom tour. In this vlog episode from our May 2024 Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess, we take an in-depth look at Balcony Stateroom A718 on the port side of the ship, not far from the door leading out to the Horizon Terrace.
September 10, 2024 – Episode 16
Report To The Muster Station On The Sapphire Princess
One of the first things you’re supposed to do when boarding your cruise is check in at the muster station to complete your muster drill. In episode 16 of the vlog from our May 2024 Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises, muster station F on Deck 7 was our destination, but finding it on a ship we’d never been on before took a little bit of time.
September 3, 2024 – Episode 15
Introduction To The Buffet On The Sapphire Princess
On the embarkation day of a new cruise, most passengers head straight for the ship’s buffet once they board, and for the Sapphire Princess in May 2024, we were no exception. In episode 15 of the vlog from that cruise, we see the Horizon Court on Deck 14 for the very first time. This is one of the areas of the ship that we spend a lot of time in during the cruise.
August 27, 2024 – Episode 14
We Finally Get To Board The Sapphire Princess
After a delay of several hours, it was finally time for us to venture down to the lower levels of the Canada Place cruise terminal in Vancouver, Canada, in May 2024 to get in line to go through security, check-in, and then set foot onboard the Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises. This was the first Alaska cruise of the season for the Sapphire Princess and the start of our seven-night Northbound passage cruise.
August 20, 2024 – Episode 13
Sapphire Princess In Port In Vancouver British Columbia
As the Sapphire Princess passengers were checking in for the first Alaska cruise of the 2024 season, the dock workers were busy loading the luggage in a manner we’d never seen before. Apparently, in Vancouver, the dock sits so high against the ships that the luggage has to be lowered by a crane before the crew members on the ship can bring it aboard.
August 13, 2024 – Episode 12
The Sapphire Princess Is Almost Ready For Us
Due to a technical issue with the ship, our May 2024 embarkation on the Sapphire Princess at Canada Place in Vancouver was pushed back to the afternoon, when the ships are usually about to drop the lines and sail away. In episode 12 of the vlog from that cruise, we’re literally watching the clock, waiting for the time when we can begin the process of boarding the ship.
August 6, 2024 – Episode 11
Holland America Koningsdam Docked At Canada Place
In May 2024, our ship, the Sapphire Princess, experienced an embarkation delay caused by a technical issue. Because of this, we had plenty of time to explore the Canada Place cruise terminal. Docked next to the Sapphire Princess was the Koningsdam from Holland America.
July 30, 2024 – Episode 10
Vancouver’s Canada Place Cruise Terminal
When embarkation day for our May 2024 Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess finally arrived, we headed to the Canada Place cruise terminal on the waterfront in Downtown Vancouver. The departure was delayed by a few hours, so we had a chance to catch a busker entertaining the crowd outside the terminal.
July 23, 2024 – Episode 9
Canada Place Outdoor Patio – Vancouver British Columbia
With our May 2024 cruise on the Sapphire Princess delayed because of a propulsion problem with the ship, we spent a few hours in and around the cruise terminal at Canada Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. In episode 9 of the vlog from that cruise, the outdoor patio of Canada Place is a good spot to grab a quick bite to eat while admiring the view of the Holland America Konigsdam docked in front of us.
July 16, 2024 – Episode 8
Sapphire Princess – Delayed Embarkation From Vancouver BC
With an early morning email from Princess Cruise on the day of embarkation for the Sapphire Princess in May 2024, we found out our cruise vacation would be off to a delayed start. In episode 8 of the vlog from this cruise, we had checked out of our Vancouver hotel and spent a few hours at Canada Place, waiting for the new embarkation time.
July 9, 2024 – Episode 7
Vancouver BC Welcomes The Sapphire Princess Into Port
After a late arrival from Los Angeles, California, the Sapphire Princess arrived at Canada Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for the maiden Alaska cruise of the 2024 season. In episode 7 of the vlog from our May 2024 on the Sapphire Princess, we’re wandering around Canada Place, trying to kill some time before our delayed embarkation.
July 2, 2024 – Episode 6
Hunting For The Closest Tim Horton’s In Vancouver
When you’re visiting Vancouver for the first time, and you’ve never had Tim Horton’s, the natural thing to do is find the closest one to try it out. In episode 6 of the vlog from our May 2024 Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess, we’re in Vancouver on embarkation day, and the morning coffee must come from a Tim Horton’s. Thankfully, there were a few within walking distance from our hotel, according to Google Maps.
June 25, 2024 – Episode 5
The Vancouver Airport
After a long day of traveling from Orlando, Florida, we arrived in Vancouver, Canada, in May 2024. The next day, our seven-night cruise on the Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises would eventually embark, but not before an extensive delay due to propulsion problems. Even with the circumstances of our cruise embarkation, our time in Vancouver was extremely pleasant, and we would definitely like to return someday.
June 18, 2024 – Episode 4
Flying Delta From Salt Lake City To Vancouver
After two airports and many hours of traveling, we still needed one last Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Vancouver before we could check in to our hotel the night before our May 2024 Sapphire Princess Alaska cruise would embark the next day.
June 11, 2024 – Episode 3
Discover The Best Things To Do At The Salt Lake City Airport
To join our cruise ship, the Sapphire Princess, in Vancouver, Canada, for our May 2024 Alaska cruise, we had to fly from Orlando to Vancouver with a layover in Salt Lake City. As you’ll see in vlog episode 3 from that May 2024 cruise, the airport in Salt Lake City is very nice and has many features and amenities I wish we had in our airport in Orlando, Florida.
June 4, 2024 – Episode 2
Breezing Through The Salt Lake City Airport: A Guide To Stress-free Travel
To board our May 2024 Alaska cruise on the Sapphire Princess, we had to fly from Orlando, Florida, to Vancouver, British Columbia, with a plane change in Salt Lake City, Utah. This layover was our first time in the Salt Lake City airport, and the differences between SLT and our home airport of MCO in Orlando, Florida, were staggering. It is sad to say that the Salt Lake City airport is everything the Orlando Airport is not. In this vlog episode from the Sapphire Princess cruise, we’ll take a look at SLT and what makes for stress-free travel.
May 28, 2024 – Episode 1
Ultimate Guide: Flying With Delta From Orlando To Salt Lake City
For the start of our seven-night Alaska cruise on Princess Cruises in May 2024, we boarded a Delta flight from MCO to SLT (Salt Lake City). Weather delays in other parts of the country delayed every Delta flight that morning, so this section of Terminal B at Orlando International Airport was standing room only with passengers waiting to board their planes.