Background: Only previous cruise experience was short "party" cruises and a 2 week trans Pacific when I was 10 (1970). Me - 50, DH - 64 - seasoned travelers and fairly active, I booked everything separately online.
Sailing - Celebrity Millenium, May 14-21, Alaska Northboud (Vancouver to Seward)
Departure: We flew from Sacramento, arriving at around 5:30pm on May 13. Took Canada line train ($8.75 each one way) to Marriott Renaissance, on the waterfront. It was about 4 blocks to the hotel (starting to realize I packed too much!). It was a beautiful day and we had a light dinner near the water watching the seaplanes land and take off. The hotel was very nice and I would definitely stay there again. I used reward points so the price was also right!
Great location midship, near stairs and glass elevators. Buffet just up one floor. Spa area down ship and up. Hallway quiet, some chair scraping upstairs early morning. Very roomy, is wheelchair accessible. Very good balcony, wide but not too deep.