What happens when a hesitant traveler splurges on a penthouse suite?

Linda joins Dr. Krystal to recount her 7-day Alaska cruise that turned her from cruise skeptic to cruise convert. Traveling with her kids and extended family, she discovered how the right room, attentive service, and thoughtful design make family travel seamless—even on a dated ship.

Key Highlights

• The Ship: The Grand Princess may show its age décor-wise, but shines in cleanliness, organization, and ease of embarkation.
• The Suite: A 600-sq-ft penthouse suite featuring a wrapfull-length balcony, separate living area, two-room split bathroom, and daily fruit and laundry perks—perfect for families or groups.
• The Service: Linda’s “room fairy” kept everything spotless, pressing clothes and timing turndowns like clockwork.
• Multi-Gen Magic: With her mom in an interior room and others in mini-suites, everyone enjoyed Alaska at their own comfort level—while gathering in Linda’s balcony for whale sightings.
• Dining & Drinks: From gourmet Italian dinners to morning lattes delivered to the door, Princess delivered premium touches that made mornings effortless.
• Excursions: Highlights included Ketchikan’s Lumberjack Show (with a few DIY lessons learned) and glacier adventures booked through Princess.
• Luxury Defined: For Linda, true luxury means not having to adult—a theme echoed throughout her seamless, family-friendly journey.
• Tech Perks: The Medallion App allowed her to track family members onboard—peace of mind for parents of teens and tweens.

Mentioned Episode

Episode 32: Check out our recent Luxury Cruising episode on a Celebrity Millennium in Aqua Class (Japan and South Korea Cruise), featuring firsthand insights into sailing the Land of the Rising Sun in luxury style.

About the Guest

Linda is a physician, mom, and travel enthusiast who rediscovered the joy of cruising aboard the Grand Princess. What began as a hesitant step into cruising became a deep appreciation for service, simplicity, and spectacular scenery.

About the Host

Dr. Krystal Sodaitis is a pediatrician, executive, and life coach for neurodiverse physicians—and the passionate host behind Luxury Cruising. She brings expert insight and honest excitement to every interview, helping curious travelers elevate their adventures at sea.

📍 Website: luxurycruising.net
📧 Email: [email protected]
🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/krystalsodaitis

📝 Looking for the perfect luxury cruise: Take our quiz

👥 Want to be a guest? Fill out this form to connect. 

Looking for the perfect spa experience: Spa table

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.