First, thanks to this website and all who answered my questions... I just returned last night from my first cruise and first trip to Alaska. Alaska was awesome as was our entire experience. My DH and I took my 80 year old parents..one of whom we took in a wheelchair and all of us agreed it was just the best trip.

1.) The Sun Princess was a nice ship and the food was great. I had read mixed reviews here but did not have any meal I did not like. We like good food and last year when we were in Paris ate a Le Taivellent...arguably the best restaurant in the world. So while it may not have been 4 star french food it was good food. We had been waitlisted for Traditional late seating and found upon arrival we were on it. Loved it and would always choose it again. Liked out table mates and exchanged emails with two of the couples. Our waiters could not have been better...Mario and Adonis...they even brought me a bowl of brussel sprouts when I saw them on someone elses plate and on King crab leg night the plates just kept coming. We ate at the Horizon Buffet for breakfast every AM and it was just fine. Had free reservations at the Sterling one night and enjoyed our dinner there.

2.) Due to a recommendation I read here, we checked our bags in early that morning as we had a friend in town who dropped off our luggage, took us sightseeing and then brought us back around 3 pm. We never stood in a line. (The main reason for this was we had too much luggage...esp with the wheelchair!) Read more