Paid over 14k for a 4 person cruise, GF and twin boys. First trip to Alaska so I did not want plain jane instead I opted for a mini-suite and paid for everything months before departure. This also included 2 nights in Seattle Washington. We were to stay at the Seattle Westin which I found to be a mistake after the fact.
The cabin says suite but rather it was like a normal room with very little walking room. The decor inside this room was greatly outdated, it appeared like something from the a 70's version of the prince of Arabia. Gold tones mixed with tans and white. There was 2 TV's which was a plus but the room which is said to be for four person had room for 2. Entering the door to the suite was a short hallway with a closet and entry to bathroom. Bathroom was sufficient but nothing to call home and praise. After the small entry you were in the bedroom area which took up a majority of the area. the entry way which was wide enough for one person to walk was the same at the foot of the bed. at the end of this short walk a outdated cabinet jutted out of the wall where inside was a fridge, very small fridge but the cabinet with shelves took up more space (unknown why). slide left past the cabinet was a shoulder wide walk to the nightstand and a worn/discolored couch that converted to a small bed. Above that bed was a pop out bunk that was even smaller with a very uncomfortable mattress. the head of the bunk and the end of the couch face a sliding door which opened up onto a balcony. this balcony had two chairs and a table which took up all the space. Definitely not like the photographs seen. Piled up the furniture so all 4 of us could get onto the patio together.
Weather was not on our side as 4 out of 7 days were cold with some rain. Did not see any ocean life except once we made glacier bay; seagulls. Most excursions were short with only one excursion being of any quality. Only exception was the zipline in Skagway which took up half out time ashore but was well worth it. Meals ashore were the same as those on ship, overcrowded. There was a plus while being ashore that there were more types of eatery's but wait times were long to be seated and because of the large crowds meals took way more time to get to you. The ships dinning while it had multiple choices of food you would find it difficult to get a seat at any of the buffet locations. Chilidog and hamburger restaurants and pizza were outside next the bar on the open deck but because of the weather were not the first option for dinning as there was seating outside in the cold air even bundled up it was not the greatest. I ate at the two specialty restaurants on the ship and while both advertise 5 star dinning it was far from this. Choices were very limited to the chef prepared menu which to me made it 2 less stars for choice. Meals were cooked right but the staff was dealing with multiple patrons at once which resulted in empty glasses.
The cabin says suite but rather it was like a normal room with very little walking room. The decor inside this room was greatly outdated, it appeared like something from the a 70's version of the prince of Arabia. Gold tones mixed with tans and white. There was 2 TV's which was a plus but the room which is said to be for four person had room for 2. Entering the door to the suite was a short hallway with a closet and entry to bathroom. Bathroom was sufficient but nothing to call home and praise. After the small entry you were in the bedroom area which took up a majority of the area. the entry way which was wide enough for one person to walk was the same at the foot of the bed. at the end of this short walk a outdated cabinet jutted out of the wall where inside was a fridge, very small fridge but the cabinet with shelves took up more space (unknown why). slide left past the cabinet was a shoulder wide walk to the nightstand and a worn/discolored couch that converted to a small bed. Above that bed was a pop out bunk that was even smaller with a very uncomfortable mattress. the head of the bunk and the end of the couch face a sliding door which opened up onto a balcony. this balcony had two chairs and a table which took up all the space. Definitely not like the photographs seen. Piled up the furniture so all 4 of us could get onto the patio together.
Boat did circles so both sides of the ship could see the bay from their balconies.
by far the best time spent in Seattle was at pikes market, fresh foods and items to take home.
not many shops open, little to do here, not many places to eat