This was my very first cruise so I don't have anything compare it to. I can only tell what what surprised me, what I liked and didn't like. I traveled with my daughter and granddaughter. Since our cruise was stopping in Canada we had to have either a birth certificate or passport with us at embarkation. This was a surprise since we had decided not to disembark at Victoria we were told when we called the cruise line we didn't need passports. They didn't tell us we needed birth certificates or passport to board the ship! Luckily it was worked out.

On our first day aboard. our room steward didn't explain much of the information needed, such as laundry, ice, etc., the kind of info you usually find in a hotel guest services book. So I was constantly calling him with questions. I didn't know until three days into the cruise that to have the room made up you had to switch the sign on the outside of the cabin door.

I was surprised at how much the cruise line tries to sell you things--pushing their products and services. Every day there were several "seminars" on the activity list designed to sell something--spa services, teeth whitening, good feet, etc. I had hoped there would be more onboard activities.Even the "port shopping" specialist dealt mainly with jewelry stores that the cruise line obviously had some of kick back going on. There is no self-service laundry and to have it done on the ship is very expensive, so pack accordingly. Read more