Sitting in rain threatening to be snow, wrapped in warm blankets, sipping hot chocolate and wearing toques to prevent brain matter from freezing is not what Princess had in mind when naming this part of a cruise ship “The Sanctuary.” What could it be a sanctuary from…the North Pole?
And based solely on that, what would ever possess Princess to put The Sanctuary on all but two of its 16 ships, now that the Sapphire Princess (right) has joined the fold?
The truth of the matter is, this was perhaps The Sanctuary’s finest moment on the Coral Princess.
It was in Alaska, near Glacier Bay, still a considerable distance from the North Pole. The bravest in our group (ahem) ventured onto the stern of the ship to get a taste of The Sanctuary while watching glaciers calve, or do whatever it is glaciers do on cold, blowy, rainy, almost snowy days in Alaska.
Admittedly, as outdoor experiences go, this one was miserable. On the other hand, with the first-class treatment in The Sanctuary and the glaciers calving away, it was enjoyable in spite of the weather.
See, everything is relative. The Sanctuary gets an A.
DAILY DEAL:
Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam
7 nights
December 11, 2011
Fort Lauderdale (return): Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Roatan, Cozumel
Inside $599
www.hollandamerica.com