Seattle is a small port, it is not as built up as the Florida cruise ports. You have to cart your luggage into the metal building and up to the scanner. The lines for check in were longer than other cruises these are the negatives, for the positive the staff at the port are much nicer. I've cruised out of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, and Port Canaveral Florida; Seattle Port Authority and Carnival staff understand customer service, how to be helpful not bossy. They know how to be polite to others, better than the Florida folks (and I live in FL). The ship was smaller and the shopping and casino were found on lower decks than other ships and the area more compact, smoke seemed to build up in the casino it was due to the low ceilings. As for dining the buffet was still up on the pool level the food options were old style no commercial restaurants. Only one main dining room, we were happy with the wait staff and the pace of dining. Our last Bahama cruise the dining room staff singing and dancing slowed down food service and caused us to miss the stage show; happy we did not have this problem. We went to the stage show most nights though left about 15 minutes early to get a good seat at the comedy show. The comedy show was a floor below the main stage, it was great no rushing across the ship.

As for the food, I have not been happy on the food quality for the last 3 Carnival cruises. They did serve lobster one night at no additional charge, I ordered 2 tails, the first was mushy thank goodness I had the second which was good. Had steak which was good though cooked medium not medium rare, chicken was dry, other beef meals short ribs, beef roast were excellent. Mexican food was poorly prepared, pizza was bland. Breakfast did not have the fresh fruit as on our last FL cruise though that may be seasonal for Seattle.

As for the cruise and Ports of call I loved it. The biologist giving lectures on wildlife, and glaciers was nice; having her announce over the speakers when whales were sighted or giving info on icebergs was appreciated. We went on multiple shore excursions, in Skagway the train to the summit was OK learned some history of the Gold Rush, the mountain view was great, and a train ride not something you do every day. We later that day went on a Jeep excursion- disappointed, we did see a bear on the side of the road that was the only thing to talk about; we went into Canada even got out to do a little shopping in Carcross most of the driving on the highway. The off road driving was limited and the stop we made for a snack was actually on the gravel road. The people from the other Jeeps were loud so if there had been wildlife it was scared off. In Juneau we took a Helicopter ride over 4 glaciers and stopped at a Dog sled area this was FANTASTIC- thank goodness this trip was just my daughter and me as it was expensive. Then in Ketchican we did a Bear watch - we took a small water plane to a fish hatchery I enjoyed this trip much more than my daughter she was bored. We saw 2 bears off in the distance and multiple eagles. The cruise line had the excursion process well planned, designated meeting areas on the ship and the entire group gets off and is escorted to the bus. Our last stop in Victoria Canada we got there around 7pm, late seating in the main dining was moved up, so we had time in port. We did not plan an excursion, we got off the ship and there were buses to downtown $10 round trip. The government buildings were light with white "christmas" lights. Tourist shops and restaurants were open, other retail clothing shops were closed. Read more