Background: We have just returned yesterday from a week long trip to Alaska. We had traveled with the Windstar (then part of Holland America) on our last trip and had loved it, this was nothing like it (which is a great advert for Windstar I suppose!). We were traveling with my 77 year old father and wanted a ship that wasn't too big, but had a good reputation and offered good accommodation, access to tours etc. We worked with our local travel company and they suggested this one.
Hotel: We self booked and stayed the Westin in Seattle, well recommended, it is a $30 cab ride to the pier though, as it is on the other side of town, but was worth being in the middle of things the night before we left on the cruise.
Ship Info: We pre registered, I highly recommend it, we sped thru the on boarding process. People started turning up at 12, the earliest they were letting you on board (we were there at 1). There were lots of people to help, beware of the offer to load your cases and carry them thru for you, it is only a 40 feet max trip before they get dropped off for x-ray and you don't see them again till you are in your state room. Look your best, the photo opportunities (and trust me there are many!) started before you even get on the ship.