Embarkation:
Embarkation went smoothly once we got to pier as we were among the last to arrive due to a slightly late arrival from Phoenix. There was a delay at the airport to get a shuttle bus to the pier. When we boarded the life boat
drill was already under way.
Ship:
Entered at the Atrium deck 5 which is quite attractive with panoramic elevators in the center. Were directed to our stateroom on deck 10. Ship is immaculately clean.
Stateroom:
Was the smallest we have ever had. Two people couldn't pass by
the bed at the same time. It was only 3 steps from the left side of the bed
to the bathroom. Storage space was limited but we knew ahead and took things
on hangers. As we were three in the stateroom, when rollaway bed was pulled
out, we had to fold it back to get to the balcony.
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Dining Areas:
We preferred having meals in the Four Seasons dining room.
Freestyle sailing meant more efficient service at night. Easier on the
kitchen as they don't have to prepare for a full dining room all at once. We
ate once in Horizons dining room but found it a bit difficult to get to.
Didn't care for the selections the times we ate at the Garden Cafe. Somewhat
missed having the same tablemates each evening, but made friends anyway.
Only once were we seated with gripey people.
Meal in Le Bistro was excellent with good service. Food great -- especially the escargot and steak.
Meals overall were fine but not spectacular. On Friday night -- lobster
night -- don't go at 7 p.m. because that's when they do the Baked Alaska
show and people are lined up to be seated.
Resort casual is the attire for the whole cruise. There is one formal night
but tuxedos and formalwear is not required.
Shows:
Don't miss "Hey Mr. Producer" or the Jane L. Powell show. Powell has
an incredible vocal range and puts bits of humor in as well.
Bars:
Especially enjoyed the Observation Lounge. Though bar service was
somewhat slow, enjoyed the atmosphere. Chairs in the Atrium Lounge were too
deep for a short person to be comfortable. Windjammer Lounge was nice with
a good pianist - singer. Too bad he had to compete with the music in the
adjoining and larger Cabaret Lounge.
Glacier Bay
Glacier Bay was awesome. Margerie Glacier calved three small ones and one
large which the captain sail might rock the boat a bit. Saw a bear in the
greenery around the glaciers.
Haines:
Excursion here was disappointing. Did the Bald Eagle Preserve bus
tour. Bus went through Fort Seward. Then stopped briefly at what was
supposed to be a museum -- but was more of a gift shop and auditorium with
stuffed wildlife. Then drove 19 miles to the preserve. There were four buses
already at the preserve, so it was crowded. We went down the nature trail
but saw no eagles or wildlife. On the way back to ship went past "downtown"
area. Not much to Haines and the excursion took all of our time.
Skagway:
Four ships in port -- way too many people for this small town. Son
enjoyed the downhill bike tour here --even saw a bear cub said to be
orphaned. Husband and I went downtown. T-shirt shop was packed making it
hard to shop. As we are both journalists, we stopped by the Skagway News
office to visit with the editor and summer intern. Paper is published
bi-monthly. We paid a visit to the Red Onion Saloon. They had live music
playing and "bordello-dressed" waitresses. A fun place. This year Skagway
had a transit system running from the pier to downtown for $1. Quite handy,
especially on a chilly, windy day.
Juneau:
Husband and son did an independent fly-in flyfishing trip. They had
a great time and caught (and released) 7 Dolly Varden. It was offered as a
shore excursion on HAL's Statendam for $50 more than we paid.
Vancouver:
Just did the Gastown area on our own.
Disembarkation:
Very smooth. Out of cabin by 8:30 and off ship about 10.
Trip Home:
Proved why one should plan on going to port city a day early
because if the travel problems we had had come on day of embarkation we
would have missed the ship. Flight to Phoenix was delayed an hour, so we
missed connecting flight to Austin, Texas, next flight out was full -- but
our luggage got on -- So American West put us up at the Airport Phoenix
Sheraton.
Overall, a very enjoyable cruise -- our sixth. Met interesting people. One
drawback was the number of children who tended to play in the elevators.
