Purchasing the cruise- did it all online just follow the clicks and pay what you can when you can as long as paid in full by designated date. Didn't need to leave home or call anyone! Too bad they won't give you the travel agent percentage as a discount when you book yourself, but I understand the reasons.
ID - for Alaska, Enhanced Drivers License is simple and cheap if you live in a state that has them, and you don't want to pay the cost of a passport. (If you get stuck in Canada, you will not be able to fly back on EDL! But rail, car, or sea is fine.)
Luggage / Boarding - Took six large suitcases and four carry ons ... Just fine - Were met by shuttle in parking lot at Seattle - they load the luggage and take you to the terminal, there a porter will take all checked luggage and you walk through some check points and then the gang way! (There is a little health form that takes a minute or two to fill out - (get it ahead of time if you can.) There is a little bit of line but it moves quickly!
I expected small storage, but we had six large suitcases and did not even use all the space available. Balcony was really nice but for two people only. Super quiet, hardly ever heard any noise from anywhere, and we were very close to stairs and elevators. Loved in room safe, Flat screen tv with HDMI input for looking at pictures from camera, DVD player, all of it was really great.