Our (Freddie & I) first cruise was Alaska on Princess. Last cruise of the season in early September. Ship was tired--going for a six-month rehab somewhere in Asia after we disembarked. Crew was very unhappy--end of their run and they had been informed most (English & Italian) would have to "re-up" at a lower salary since Princess was heavily recruiting in the Philippines. We had a BLAST. We had great weather on every day in port with the exception of some light rain in Juneau. But the best part was we had most ports either to ourselves or we shared with only one other ship. So an end-of-season cruise to Alaska has some merits. We'd prefer end-of-season to the crowded prime-season alternatives.

Pat