Princess Cruises markets itself as a leader in the Alaska cruise market, so I booked a sailing to see for myself whether or not it was worth the hype.

Despite cruising to Alaska every summer, I had never cruised with Princess Cruises before, but I had heard amazing things about the cruise line’s Alaska itineraries.

Princess Cruises puts a bigger focus on the Alaska cruise experience compared to other mainstream cruise lines, offering Alaska-specific programming, guest lecturers, and cuisine.

Cruises are unlike any land-based vacation you will ever take. These floating cities have everything you need and more all in one place, which is why they make such great family vacations; they offer a little something for everyone!

Plus, if the ship is not enough of a destination in and of itself, you will be transported to different destinations across the world, anywhere from the snow-capped glaciers in Alaska, to the sunny beaches of the Bahamas and Caribbean, and even the culturally rich cities situated along the Mediterranean. 

Since its inception in 1998, families around the world have experienced magical vacations onboard Disney Cruise Line. 

With five ships in service (and two more on the way), you will have a few options to choose from when deciding which ship to sail on. One of the considerations is the size of the ship, as they varies quite a bit. 

Disney Cruise Line’s latest ship, Disney Wish, is their largest, while the first two ships (sister ships Disney Magic and Disney Wonder) are much smaller. 

One of the major highlights of any Alaska cruise is visiting Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, the 6th biggest national park in the United States.

There are over 1,000 glaciers in the 3.3 million acre park, the longest of which is 40 miles long, and a whopping 27% of the park’s surface is covered in ice. Beyond glaciers, visitors can marvel at mountain peaks reaching 15,000 feet and spot over 600 species of wildlife, from brown bears to bald eagles and harbor seals.

Sailing in an inside cabin might not be the most glamorous option on a cruise ship, but these tiny staterooms are both practical and affordable. Although I love splurging on a balcony stateroom when possible, I typically reserve an interior stateroom when I cruise because of the budget-friendly price tag.

I joined Holland America’s Eurodam for a weeklong cruise through southeast Alaska, visiting some of the charming port towns and cities along this popular route.

I have enjoyed Alaska on both big cruise ships and smaller expedition vessels that ranged from 60 to 200 passengers, so I know there are different ways to see this magical destination.

Once you have booked the perfect cruise and the countdown has officially begun, you're going to need a cruise essentials packing list.

Packing for a cruise varies on the duration and destination, among other things. What you will want to bring on a Caribbean cruise, for instance, will differ from an Alaskan cruise. 

We share lots of cruise updates and advice here, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week.

If you are busy but want to keep up with all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest look at the recent articles and updates we've shared.

When you check in for your cruise, you will either be assigned a check-in time or be able to select one yourself. This means that your cruise is approaching quickly! 

Do you have to stick to this time, though? What happens if you have to check out of your pre-cruise hotel hours before your scheduled time? 

Arrival times are meant to stagger the number of passengers boarding the ship at once.  It would not be fun if thousands of people all had the same idea of wanting to board the ship as early as possible.