My husband and I have been on 14 cruises before this one but it was our first Alaskan cruise. We knew everything to expect within the walls of the ship but everything else was wide open for exploring. The ship is smaller and older than the mega ships and we have been on both types. The larger ships have more bells and whistles so to speak and much more to do. On the other hand smaller ships have a different feel and are easier to navigate and a smaller population on board. To each his own- I love both as each serves a different purposes.

Dining

While food is subjective I can always find something to eat somewhere. My husband always says if you go home hungry from a cruise it is your own fault. I tend to agree with this statement. We ate in every type venue on the ship. The buffet was well presented and I did not taste anything that was not cold or hot as it should be. Dishes were average to some that were very good. O'Shehans's had the best meal of the entire week on Friday night. The special was prime rib with baked potato and corn on the cob. I would rate this meal excellent as well as my husband's dessert their the chocolate brownie cheesecake. We also ate in the main dining rooms Azura and Tsar's Palace. Service was friendly and food was average to very good. Nothing amazing although I did enjoy the burger slider appetizer and the pistachio creme brûlée. My husband loves the chocolate volcano cake but somehow only the first evening it was outstanding. Every evening after that it just kept getting worse.We also ate in LeBistro. We had eaten here before on other ships and loved it's! Can't say so this time. Just above average so was just a little disappointed. Read more