My husband and I have been to Alaska 5 times on different cruise lines. It is hard to give a bad review when the Alaska experience is so great, grand, and scenic. This boat had problems from the get go. Embarkation was delayed and we were told 3:30 so that was fine. We took late checkout at the hotel. When we got to Canada Place it was busy and unorganized. . The hospitality room at the Fairmont was full so we were told not to leave and wait up in this massive hall with about 500 people. No masks, (they had changed the COVID rules that day) no food, a cooler for water. When they finally started boarding the transition for security and immigration were long lines. I felt like I was at Disney with the que lines turning another corner to find more lines. Worst embarkation we have ever experienced. I was looking forward to cruising under the Lions Gate bridge but the boat remained stationery. Imagine my surprise the next morning when I looked out and saw we were still in Vancouver. Mechanical issues. Ok plans change. Not much communication. I think we finally started the scenic cruising about 4p.

I usually book shore excursions independently but because of COVID rules changing daily I booked 5 excursions with Viking. Three out of the 5 were cancelled. Guest services looked like all new hires. They were all pleasant but clueless. Each one had a different reason for the shore excursion screw ups. One of the excursions , fishing was late and horrible. The other a bear search was walking through the rainforest on a boardwalk where the only wildlife we saw was a squirrel. (Which they had been feeding). The cruise rerouted and missed Sitka, a shame as it is a wonderful little town. My housekeeper was so sweet but then she was pulled. I found out the day before departure she was quarantined with a temperature. And yep upon arrival home I tested positive for COVID. Do not advertise a ship as a safe ship. That is an oxymoron.

The penthouse Jr. suite we stayed in comfortable even though we missed the perk of boarding early. Loved the free laundry. The crew were trying very hard to work as a team but they just didn’t get it. I had two very good spa services. Manfredis is not good, that steak they talk up is tough. We tried it twice and forgot about the 3rd reservation. The other dining venues were all very good, including room service. We do love eating breakfast on our balcony. We also liked very much the barista on deck one. Read more