This was our first cruise and probably our last. We went during shoulder season knowing full well that the weather could be iffy. And we don't blame the cruise line for only being able to make it into one port (Skagway, the one we had little or no interest in visiting). We do blame the cruise line for not offering anything to DO during all that dead time at sea. Well, anything that anyone under 80 would enjoy.

Fully captive in our--albeit very comfortable balcony suite--our options were absolutely horrid and tasteless lectures on shopping in port, onboard shopping opportunities to purchase stuff I wouldn't buy at my local flea market, poorly delivered spa services -- or eating bad food. I guess if you gamble you could waste more money that way. We were looking for some yoga classes (only one offered daily at like 7AM).

If weather means you'll be at sea for 6 out of 7 days, it would have been nice to add a few complimentary activities of interest such as additional yoga classes, academic lectures on Alaska and such. We did book one wine and food pairing (so kitschy and not particularly informative), several spa treatments (listlessly delivered to the extent I felt guilty for keeping the mani/pedi person awake and ended up way overtipping). Read more