Firstly about us..I am 65 and my wife is 56 and we have taken previous cruises on RCI (3).This is our 1st on HAL and 1st to Alaska.We are not 3 and 4 times a year cruisers like some but as we cruise less often we indulge in suites when we do as we like the "extra perks" involved with suite life.

We decided to drive to Seattle as airfare for 2 was close to $1000 and we can drive it in 10-12 hours with one overnight stop and no hassle with airline baggage restrictions and airport transfers etc.We found an excellent parking deal thru Smith Cove Travel for $140.00 inc tax for the week including shuttle service to/from port at a secure lot.

Having cruised on 3 different classes with RCI (Vision/Radiance/Voyager)we were anxious to compare the Oosterdam to our previous ships.We both commented that Oosterdam seemed much more confined and closed in than any of the 3 ships on RCI.Hallways seemed narrower and ceilings lower and without the large atrium/promenades we were used to on RCI there were times it felt a little claustrophobic. Read more