I had done great research on cruises to Alaska, including reading many cruise critic reviews from the previous year and was excited to read positive reviews. Once we boarded the ship I quickly figured out that this was not the same ship that had been reviewed before, as it was average.

Guest Service Desk - This is one of the areas I have the biggest problem with, as they did not seem to know much outside of their very limited area. I am not asking much but maybe basic information about ports, suggestions for the specialty dinning and to have a good sense of humor. They did not smile, but just stood there and were ready to take your money or print your bill. This seemed to be the only things they knew how to do. Asked on the first day about Wii and was told to check the bulletin - shouldn't they know the schedule for the day and week - it is always the same!

Shore Desk - Most uninformed people on the ship. Did not have maps of the ports, could not answer basic questions about the ports, could not answer questions that were not on their script about the trips. Again not hard questions - is there a public bus to Mendenhall Glacier (no answer), when I get to Mendenhall Glacier I understand there are hiking trails do you know anything about them (no answer). I then asked them about buses back to SEC TEA and was told unless you flight is after 1pm you are on your own. That was just wrong as there were buses there as we got in are cab. (If you have 2 or more people the cab is the better deal) Read more