Picked this cruise for the destinations rather than the ship.. but... the ship was marvelous! The ports, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway are terrific. Cruising Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjords was majestic. Scenery was amazing. Getting as close as we did to Margerie Glacier and Harvard Glacier was amazing. Whale watching trip through Allen Marine in Juneau was great in spite of rain. Saw several hump back whales and lots and lots of Steller Sea Lions. Would do this trip again. Combo trip of whale watching and Mendenhall Glacier should have allowed more than 1 hour at Mendenhall. That was a minor disappointment. Train in Skagway was great. We didn't do arranged excursions in Ketchikan but did buy lots of salmon.

Service on the ship was great. Food.... we had anytime dining - could have been served hotter. Salmon on first night - was very dry. Horizon Court buffet was great each time we ate there (breakfast nad lunch when in port). All in all a very pleasant experience that we would do again on the same ship and cabin on Aloha deck. Would recommend Alaska as a destination to all! It was fabulous. Took over 1000 photos (combining cameras of myself and my spouse). Many many great memories.

Fwiw - pre cruise. trip to Butchart Gardens in Victoria - we would not do this again. ! hour to the ferry, 1 1/2 hour ferry ride, 40 minute bus ride to Butchart. 2 hours at the garden, 20 minutes to Victoria on the bus, 1 hour in Victoria (enough for a beer), 90+ minute bus ride to the ferry (and waiting for the ferry), 1 1/2 hour on the ferry, 30-40 minute bus ride to the hotel.... lots of transit time, little time touring. The gardens are lovely, but the transit is too long. Would rather have toured Vancouver. Read more