Boarding was a long and lengthy process. From the time the Uber dropped us off at the port terminal until we reached the boat was a total of about 2 hours. All standing in one line after another. Our baggage was pre-tagged so it was a simple drop off. Afterwards we were in a king to check passports. Then we were in another line to check vaccination cards. Next we were in another line to ask us “symptom” questions, sign the iPads, and be issued room keys. Masks were optional and about 30% of people were wearing them in these crowded rooms. The check in process is very old school. Room cards are issued at the check-in counters before boarding the ship.

Various notes: No dress code followed for dinners on 1st and last day of cruise. All luggage must be outside your stateroom but 11 pm if you want valet service. Because our excursion was at 8:00 pm (when the ship docked), it was a tight squeeze on timing. Also - be ready to stand in long & very crowded lines for disembarkation. There is only 1 exit and it’s on the 4th floor. Everyone stand around the atrium area and elevators are very crowded. It takes awhile. For disembarkation in Seattle, they were running a bit behind schedule. They started letting the first people off around 8:15 am.

Only machine coffee - regular & decaf- is available with drink package. “Tall” Starbucks drip coffee also at a machine is $2.45 per cup. All others coffees are served a la Carte. There is a Starbucks onboard. One work around is by ordering your coffee at the observation lounge as an “Irish coffee” or whatever liquor combination you’d like in it. That’ll wave the “coffee fee”. Or you can order a coffee at the actual Starbucks coffee shop starting at about $6. (20% gratuity included) Read more