This was our first time on a cruise of any kind and it was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. We did a 5 week holiday around Canada and decided to book the cruise to Alaska too. To get on board there were queues getting to the booking stations but they were dealt with quickly and efficiently. We were through and boarded in half an hour.
Once on board it was like carnival time while we waited to go to our rooms. There was live music, barbeque and a brilliant atmosphere. We stayed in room 6020 which was on deck 6A. There was no lift to this deck but you went to the floor above and walked down about 8 steps. It was lovely and quiet in our room and there was a nice bottle of wine on arrival which we wern't expectiong. The room was small but we didn't spend much time in it to be honest and the bed was comfy and clean. Plenty of room to put our clothes and room under the beds for the suitcases. The shower was great and water always hot, there was also a little pull out clothes line in the shower for drying bits and bobs.
Food was excellent and plentiful. I didn't like the evening dining rooms which were waiter service and much prefered the informal dining room on deck 11. Deck 11 is where we had breakfast, lunch and evening meal by the end. Much more relaxed atmosphere and it was only later on, after about 5 days, that we found out that there was a pizza station on deck 11 too. We were very well fed on board and the staff were all so friendly and pleasant.
Nice and quiet but no lift access. Have to floor above the down a few stairs. Not a problem for us.