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We sailed on the Rhapsody 7 day which left Vancouver, BC & ended up in Seattle with the standard port stops. This was our 14th Alaska cruise, 5th on RCCL but first not on the Radiance Class...our favorite RCCL class. BUT the price was definitely right to squeek in an extra cruise this year, so. We have never sailed in an inside before. Have been booked in 1 3 times but was upgraded out on the others but decided to keep this to see what it was like.
The inside was midship and large enough. We LOVED having a tea kettle in the room as we always bring our own teabags (Brits) and haven't seen this except on the Independence of The Seas. No fridge though...a little disconcerting to get in & find all the desk space taken up with all the things that are usually in the missing fridge. Stowed them behind the mirror sides which opened. Thought maybe no fridge because we were inside, but dinner companions in balconies didn't have fridges either.
Ship is a nice midsize. Very navigable. Like the Dawn Princess or HAL Volendam, Zaandam etc. Maybe a slight tendency to roll in seas while coming back outside of Vancouver Island on the way home which bothered some folks, but we were fine.
The Cruise Director Dan and his wife Becky who was the Activities Director were some of the best we have had. Very natural, down to earth and good at their jobs. Their calling & running of the horse races at sea were outstanding and the theme nights in the centrum were very well done in a smaller space and were well attended and participated in.
One thing I have to say is this was the worst embarkation in our 40+ cruises. It was one of the first cruises of the year for Vancouver so don't know if that is their excuse, but we have never had this bad of a time here in Vancouver before. The Celebrity Millenium was boarding as well but that is usually the case...that another ship is leaving the same day.
We stood in the security screening line for an hour before getting to the 2 baggage screeners. But then were in the Immigration lines for an hour. The line was separated into 2 sides where you were directed to zigzags. There were only 2 passport checkers on one side & 3 on the other. The folks we stood next to at the boat drill said they had spent 2 hours in the baggage screen line and 2 1/2 hours in the passport line, so I guess we got blessed. Anyway, it was not good...although as I said we have never seen it like that before.
On a positive note, Canadina Captain Rick was one of the most personable and communicative captains we have had. Very friendly, gregarious and a good singer as well! He had a great pr ability. Some captains are better on the bridge than in the public settings. Kudos!
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