We happened to luck out with weather during the whole trip. No rain and warmer than average temps for the time of year. I'm sure that impacted our overall experience, but what an experience it was! Everything on the Solstice was done well. The service was unbelievable everywhere you went on the ship. Entertainment was outstanding. And the Tracy Arm fjord was the most spectacular place I've seen to date. Sitting in robes on our balcony drinking coffee, eating pastries and watching the amazing landscape roll by at 6:30 was definitely the highlight and worth the early wake up. We eventually moved to the upper deck as we got closer to the Sawyer glacier and the narration and commentary by Brent Nixon of what we were seeing was very moving. Would it have been as great in mist and rain? Maybe not quite.

Staying in Aqua Class and having the premium drink package were worth it. The food and service in Blu restaurant were excellent. No crowds or lines. Serene atmosphere and great views too. We really enjoyed lots of premium coffee drinks (day and night) in the coffee bar, which was a nice plus to the premium drink package. The various bars on the ship were a lot of fun, though a little overrun at times. Passengers of all ages seemed to enjoy themselves and mingle well.

Shore excursions were okay. Whale watching in Juneau was the best. Skip the Mendenhal glacier. After you see Tracy Arm and have gotten close to the Sawyer glacier, the Mendenhal experience was so-so. We did the adventure karts in Ketchikan, which would have been better had the dry weather not made the whole thing like being in a dust storm. Skagway bike ride down White Summit Pass was not for those afraid of heights, riding on a winding highway or coasting for a couple hours at fast speeds. Views were spectacular though. All-in-all, everything was fun and again, the weather cooperated for everything. Read more