Embarkation was interesting, and not what we expected. We had 11am check in time. We had done our ArriveCan app and printed the barcode. We did rapid NAAT covid tests at Walgreens the day before flying and printed those results out as well. We got the Pier 91 around 10:20am. Dropping the luggage was easy and there were people there to help with this. We walked straight into the main building on the bottom floor. It was about half full and they had not opened up the check in on the 2nd floor. The only priority access I saw was handicapped persons. No one at any point ever asked for our ArriveCan info or inquired about our arrival time. In about 20 minutes they opened up the check in and people started going up the escalators. At the top you go through a security check and x-ray of your carry on items. After that they direct you to a line to check in. That all went very quickly, less than 15 min, and we were directed to an area where people were waiting to go onto the ship. Around 11:30-11:45 they finally opened up boarding for Star and Suite guests, but EVERYONE just went out to the boarding area, and they never checked or asked anyone. It was really very unorganized. The last time we embarked from Pier 91 with Carnival they sat you in a number sitting area. They called your number and everyone in that area boarded at one time. Anyway we were having lunch in the Windjammer by 12, and it was practically empty. Again no one every asked or checked the ArriveCan or our check In time.

We were in a standard balcony cabin, room 10136. Our cabin had plenty of room for three adults and four large pieces of luggage. The balcony is a must when cruising in Alaska.

The first thing I tried to do was book our specialty dining meals. We had the three dining package, and they had already booked the first day at 5:30. I was unable to book Wonderland at all in the app for any day. After struggling with that I went Izumi and the gentlemen there helped me book all our meals for the week. We ate at Wonderland, Izumi, Chops, and Jamie’s Italian. All were very good, and had outstanding service. Highlights were Jamie’s lasagna and brownie, Izumi molten lava cake and beef teriyaki bowl, Chops ribeye and thick bacon, Wonderland fried branzino and The World. The MDR had really good food and variety, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also bring around little extras light strawberry smoothie for breakfast and strawberry ice cream with dark chocolate at lunch. Read more