WOW, what a week! We had a great time on the star, the weather was wonderful, the sea was as calm as could be. This was a wonderful cruise.

We have cruised 5 times prior, but this was our first time to Alaska this was so great. We flew into Seattle the day before and spent the day at Pike's market, saw the new ferris wheel on Saturday evening. We had made reservations at the Moore 6 months ago, and from a review I read on TA where the person showed up and had no reservations, I called ahead to make sure about the reservations and one couple in our party's reservation had been "cancelled" in March....who knows?? Anyway, they were sold out and all other hotels downtown were over our price budget, so we stayed out by the airport at the rodeway inn.....meh. It is kind of a dump, but it is quiet, and it was okay, barely. We rented a car from Alamo because they offer a free shuttle to the pier from the downtown office. HOWEVER, the agent was very rude and pushy about getting additional insurance. We have never been treated this way before, asked what our deductable was, and other questions, in a rude manner. Alamo should not allow their employees to treat customers so rudely. I took several pictures of the car before we even opened the door just to have proof that we didn't ding the car. I have traveled extensively and have never been treated like this. I will not use Alamo again after this trip.

Boarding: No sign of staggered boarding that I saw. We were on the first boarding, so? It all went well. We checked in, easy as a breeze and were on board at 12:10. They do not start boarding at all until 12, so it was quick and easy. We were in Amalfi dining room by 12:45, eating a fantastic lunch. Read more