This was trip 26 to Alaska with over 20 of them, cruises.  Overall, cruise #61, so the ship is barely more than lodging transportation and meals for my priorities.  :)  Most of what I cruise for is outside the ship.  This was the "best" cruise I have been on in terms of Alaska weather.  No rain and 6 sunny, warm days!!!!  Last sea day was cooler, foggy and overcast. I arrived in Seattle the Monday prior, and spent 3 days on Vancouver Island, in Victoria. The priority was the southern resident orca pods. Fortunately, I have a good relationship with a vendor I use and the pods were not in range.  Good point being, I was told this and didn't take any costly boat tours.  They all went out as scheduled with no orca sightings. I spent the time with some sightseeing drives, and garden visits.   Also did the usual Boeing Factory visit, in Washington, with 2 Dreamliners in view and dumping a good sum in the gift shop. :)Had a cheap independent car rental from the airport. Took the city bus to port.  On board with little wait, about 1:30pm. I choose this sailing for the cheap rates, hopeful Tracy Arm access and freestyle.  I am a platinum member, which offered some perks,  free backstage tour- $110 value for 2, which was excellent,  Le Bistro - $30/free wine bottle for 2,  and free laundry $50 value, which was used twice.  The outside deck viewing from this particular ship is excellent and way superior to the Pearl.  Windscreens are lower and plenty of open deck space.  Very important for me, since I get the cheap inside cabins. There was a meet and greet, which I choose not to participate in,  but I did step in to hear the cpt. greeting and was delighted to find out, that the ship would be sailing inside Vancouver Island, which is essentially unheard of on round trip Seattle sailings.  Could not get a definative answer on a Tracy Arm transit, then or the next evening at a private cocktail party with the cpt..  Ended up the cpt, did not transit Tracy Arm and instead did Endicott Arm, which for me, was a slight disappointment,  as I prefer Tracy Arm.  My biggest gripe was, according to the Allen Marine boat cpt,  he didn't get the final route until just before we left, and way too late to cancel the add on boat tour, which was costly.  It was good,  but having a lot of sailing experience here,  I would not have purchased this had I known the route ahead of time.  Dining was OK,  nothing is 5 star anymore, on any line.  Ate in LeBistro, Cagney's, Endless Summer,  Blue Lagoon,  Aqua, and the buffet.  Could perhaps, improve their salad dressings in the buffet- a little on the weak side.   Sevice was very good,  room always clean,  hard working staff.  I am intolerant of demanding passengers.  It's a mass market cruiseline, not a private boat. :)Wildlife  sightings were excellent with numerous humpback views in predictable areas.  Saw transient orcas twice, along with dalls porpoises,  harbor seals, sea lions, bears, eagles. In Ketchikan, again flew Misty Fiords, with Southeast Aviation,  with a bright sunny beautiful day, along with a Walmart stop.   In Juneau flew with Coastal Helicopters to Herbert Glacier.  Fight time seemed shorter than previous trips (6),  direct to Herbert and back.  But extended time on the glacier.    In Skagway, rented a car from Avis and drove to Emerald Lake in the Yukon.  Took plenty of time for the extremely scenic drive.  Have also done this several times,  but had 3 first timer's with me.  They enjoyed  a stop at Caribou Crossing and the the sled dogs.  Saw 2 brown bears along the road.   Met Dyea Dave and Larry from Chilkoot Charters. :)    Snow at the summit, on the mountain tops in BC, deep green at Emerald Lake!!!   My priority was staying ahead of the tour buses, which were plenty along the way.  Prince Rupert, went to museums, and a pub.  I was first off the ship about 7:20am and to the airport by 7:45am, via cab.  Didn't make an early stand by flight, but did get out on stand by at 11:15am and home that night.  This was a great trip, especially enhanced by the superb weather.