We decided on the Explorer of the Seas for Alaska because we wanted a RT Seattle (to visit with friends) and we knew that our 5 year old would be happy in AO. I also knew that there would be lots of families with kids on this cruiseline-- wasn't so sure about Holland and Princess for similar itinerary. We have only taken kids on Disney and RCL and I didn't want to test an unknown for our family for this trip. I knew that this would not be the same experience we had when we sailed Princess to Alaska a few years ago- that trip was adults only, this trip we had our 6 kids ages 5-21 with us.

We spent two days touring the Seattle area pre-cruise. We stayed at the Residence Inn in South Lake Union. Hotel was fine and the area was very cute. There is a wooden boat museum that is on the water and is very interesting. It's also great to just hang out and watch the float planes land and take off and to look at the fancy boats/yachts. There are a handful of restaurants within 5 min walk of hotel-- even more about 15 mins away. We didn't eat at any of those as we were downtown or we ordered pizza. We used the trolley a fair amount and it worked well for the family. It is $2.50 a ride, but you can get a day pass. Just fyi, if you are running up as trolley is approaching and you don't have time to buy tickets on the platform, they are on the honor system and you can buy them when you get off. I actually ran up after one had pulled away (I got stuck at crosswalk) and he must have seen me and he stopped! I jumped on and then paid when I reached my hotel (which was at the other end of the line.)

We arrived around noon and there were significant lines to check in. Thankfully, our Emerald "status" put us into a shorter line and we completed the process in just under an hour. Definitely not the best, but I have seen worse. It went smoothly, just lots of people in not a lot of space- unlike the Florida terminals. Read more