This was our 4th cruise to Alaska. We love it! Each cruise has been wonderful and each very different from the others. Our first cruise was on the Dawn Princess. The next two were on Norwegians and this last one was on the Golden Princess. Check in was incredibly smooth and easy. Our luggage was at our door before we got there! All the ports were awesome and the schedule for sailing and stops was perfect. Disembarking was as easy as check in. We "self helped" and walked our luggage off. We were off the ship and on the way to the airport by 8:00am....WOW. Now for the negative --- there was no enthusiasm or "spirit" displayed by any of the staff at any time during the 7 days. Since this was so late in the season and there was only one cruise left to Alaska before relocating to Hawaii, maybe the staff was "just plain tired".....that's the way that it seemed to us. One night we were in the Hot Tub at 10:30. Suddenly the water began to drain out....no warning. After getting the attention of a ship employee he said "must be time to clean it". No apology - nothing. On the last day, the Internet Cafe was full of people trying to do Online Boarding for their airline flights the next day. None of the computers were working, the printer wouldn't print and there was NO ATTENDANT!!!!!! Lots of mad people! Never saw the Cruise Director except when he introduced one of the theater productions or on the silly "early morning TV show". That is a new trend on all the ships and is incredibly narcissistic and stupid. We loved our cruise - had a wonderful time - but, probably will choose another cruise line the next time we plan a cruise (January, 2012)