At a glance…
- Deputy Editor and host of the Love Stories podcast, Tiffany Dunk, sets sail on a seven-day cruise aboard the new Star Princess
- From high tea and live shows to wellness experiences and speciality dining, the ship offers a huge range of activities, while Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway provide memorable shore excursions.
- Wildlife encounters, Alaskan seafood, glaciers and the historic White Pass Yukon Railroad give the writer a taste of the region, and leave her keen to return.
Stepping onto my balcony as the day is dawning, I see a glacier appear on the horizon. The brilliant ice-blue feat of nature comes into focus, set against the snowcapped surrounds of Endicott Arm as I clasp my robe around me, sipping on a morning coffee and marvelling at the beauty of the world I’ve found myself transported into.
Before I boarded the Star Princess for a seven-day Alaskan adventure, I’d dreamt of what this moment might feel like. But nothing prepares you for the spectacular sight Mother Nature has laid out, which is viewed in an eerie silence (bar the occasional gasp from neighbouring balconies as they too took in both the bracing chill along with the visual feast). And this is just one of many moments which stop me in my tracks across the course of the trip.
Come aboard, we’re expecting you…
With gleaming glass panelling and an architectural top deck, the Star Princess impresses from the Seattle pier. But it’s even more impressive as it launches, the ship’s horn playing the iconic ‘Love Boat’ theme tune, getting everyone in the mood for the week ahead.
As the song goes, the Star is also “exciting and new”, having launched last year. You can feel the modernity in everything from the décor to the entertainment to the services. That extends to the spacious stateroom where I scurried to unpack as soon as the last horn sounded, eager to begin exploring.
If I had one piece of advice, it would be “study the program like it’s a form guide”. With so much happening on board, deciding what’s worth going to and what is okay to skip is overwhelming. Luckily, it’s a real choose-your-own-adventure menu.
Highlights that I’m glad I planned for included:
- A high-tea experience at Apres Sea, where I enjoyed my sandwiches and scones accompanied by videoed tales from former royal chef Darren McGrady and his memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
- Cocktails and magic at Spellbound by Magic Castle (yes, the famed L.A. institution), where the illusionist dazzled with sleight-of-hand mastery.
- A morning at the wellness room: The Enclave. Heated lounges await as you make your rounds from the salt room to the steam room, the sauna to the spa and back. Luxury at its finest.
Not so organised? No problem. The open piazza at the centre of the ship has live music, trivia and game shows (including a Deal or No Deal game I kicked myself for not being in time for), live demonstrations, classes and more. Coming out from one evening meal and not quite ready for bed, I stumbled across a silent disco which was the perfect way to end what had already been a fun day.
Entertainment is clearly a big investment. Cruise director Dan Looney is the throughline for each performance, his energy infectious as he either opens or closes each show (as well as hosting quite a few of his own). And there are three bespoke musical theatre performances – one pop-based, one a Titanic-esque rom-com (without the ship sinking) and one steeped in acrobatics – that were a whole lot of fun.
Then, of course, there’s the sea itself as adventure. I learnt to keep my eyes peeled for breaching whales on sea days. Our resident naturalist Michelle Nussey is also on hand to offer live commentary as she spots nature emerging, giving you time to go port, starboard or aft to see for yourself.
Food, glorious food
If I had a second piece of advice, it would be, “Just because you have paid for a package, it doesn’t mean you have to eat and drink all the things.”
The options onboard the Star are extensive. And if you’re on a premier package (which also includes complimentary wi-fi and shore excursion credit along with free speciality dining and unlimited drinks for $129 per person, per day), it’s hard to turn down just one more glass of bubbles. Apologies to my waistband, but I wasn’t very good at taking my own advice.
But one nugget of wisdom I took from others ahead of boarding was that booking ahead is essential if you want to eat at one of the speciality restaurants. And trust me, you do. I had some incredible meals during the trip. My favourites were:
- The Butcher’s Block by Dario. Not one for vegetarians! I sampled seven beef cuts cooked in different but equally delicious ways.
- Umai Teppanyaki. Who doesn’t love dinner and a show? Entertaining as well as a flavour sensation.
- Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria. A seafood-forward taste of the Mediterranean.
Land adventures
Until now, my sole reference for Alaska was watching ’90s TV series Northern Exposure. But there’s another show I should have tuned into before arriving.
Our first port is Ketchikan, entrance to Alaska’s Inside Passage. Here I board a new ship – one featured on US reality series Deadliest Catch. Captain Andy and first mate Big D are the hosts. They invite guests to pull up crabs whilst telling hair-raising tales of the dangers they’ve faced at sea.
“This was the only place I felt like I fit in,” says Andy of the path that led him to join his first boat at 15 and stay on despite the perils.
Feasting on an Alaskan crab leg, dipped in oozing butter, I’m up for another treat. Bald eagles have followed the vessel in the hope of picking up a catch of their own. Everyone pauses mid-bite to take in the majestic flight as they scoop their own lunch from the icy waters.
Second port is the capital of Juneau. It’s a wildlife mecca (although sadly no bears spotted on my trip) and home to the Mendenhall Glacier.
After rugging up, I once again marvel at the ice as I walk around the lake to pose in front of the impressive waterfall. It’s a great way to build an appetite for an Alaskan salmon bake, complete with all the trimmings. Plus, a side of hot apple cider.
Our final Alaskan port is Skagway, a tiny town with just 800 residents and gateway to the goldfields more than 100 years ago. My group is driven up the mountain by local bakery owner Doug Williamson to take the scenic White Pass Yukon Railroad from the Canadian border back into town. Mist obscures much of the view, opening up occasionally to reveal a spectacular but foreboding landscape.
“The weather is like a box of chocolates,” Doug says with a chuckle, “You never know what you are going to get.” Despite this, the train trip down is a hit, history-rich stories combining with landscape for an unforgettable experience.
I may not have managed to sight any bears or moose on this visit, but I can confidently say this trip has given me a taste for what Alaska could bring. And I truly hope I’ll one day be back to see it again.
Prices start at $1629 per person for an interior stateroom. Our writer travelled as a guest of Star Princess. See more at princess.com
This feature originally appeared in the September 2026 issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly. Subscribe so you never miss an issue.
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