We really enjoyed the staff and meals, and the extra help the crew supplied due to my sister-in-laws limited mobility. Everyone was friendly and efficient, and the excitement of the expedition team (especially when they were discussing their areas of expertise) was wonderful to watch. The cabins were comfy and well designed, and the ship was new and nice. We appreciated the emphasis on ‘green’ cruising by minimizing waste and the hybrid drives. In addition, the guides for the extra-curricular shore activities were knowledgeable and welcoming.

Our only comments for improvement were about the long waits for the excursions and the short timeframe out on the Zodiacs and on shore. In addition, we did spend a large amount of the trip cruising (albeit through gorgeous scenery) and little time doing. Great for relaxing but difficult for active travelers. We also encountered quite some confusion among their shore support staff after disembarking and arrival at the hotel in Anchorage. No rooms were ready, and they had limited space for waiting. There was a long queue to get our rooms and, as we were all tired, there was a lot of complaining.

But, all in all, a very enjoyable cruise experience and opportunity to meet many interesting people.