We have been to Alaska five times. This was our least favorite trip.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
The transfer from the airport was difficult for anyone with mobility issues. It was a long walk and somewhat confusing to get to the bus. At the port, we melded with another group boarding a ship, making it confusing as to where to drop off the luggage. It was a long wait.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Although the food was good, getting into the restaurant of choice with anytime dining was difficult. When I checked availability for a given day, I would often only find a reservation after 8:30. Too often when we finally got into the restaurant, it was a three hour meal! We missed the first production show because of slow service. The buffet experience is to be avoided. It is chaotic trying to find a seat. Again, the food was good, service slow.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Celia Garland was a wonderful lecturer. However, there were not enough intellectual activities if one did not want to whiten one’s teeth or change one’s diet. More activities needed of an intellectual level.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
The comedian on the first night was one of the worst I have ever heard! We missed the first production show because we got tied up in a three hour dining experience. The singer who did songs from Ray Charles was very good. The second production show was very good. We enjoyed the acrobats.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
The dining room staff was slow, probably from under staffing. We had difficulty in getting juice with breakfast. My daughter was served the wrong soup, but it was not corrected. Our room steward was inattentive. As Elite Plus on Celebrity we are used to better. We did not receive a list of events for elite members and needed to contact Guest Services. We ran out of conditioner. We did not have an umbrella in our cabin. We were finally given a laundry bag on the third day. Our steward never adjusted to our schedule.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
The ship was very clean and well-maintained. It was a beautiful modern ship, but we did not care for the ship design. We missed a promenade deck and small intimate places for cocktails. The Martini Bar was huge and open. The walkway to Eden was eerie! We liked our cabin with a wonderful bathroom. Our Infinity balcony was good for Alaska but we could not imagine enjoying it in a warm climate cruise. Outlets for electronics were plentiful.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
We loved the bathroom and amenities, but we decided that an infinity balcony was not for us. We could not imagine using it in any other climate but Alaska!
Ship tip
In Seattle if you are prompted to use Port Valet, be warned. Six of us traveled together with eight bags. Two bags are still lost!
I think 8.5 hours in Juneau is a lot of time. Our tour is 5p-8:00p and with sunset after 10p, all the time in port is during “daylight” hours. I can’t wait!
I cruised on Celebrity Beyond which is the Edge's sister and I didn't have any issues with buffet layoutat all and there was plenty of seating. Dinner on the dining rooms was odd because there is 4 different dining rooms with different menus, but as far as getting a reservation, that was easy and I had same table same time every day, with dinner taking about an hour. I really liked the infinity balcony which works well in any weather in my opinion, but I was on a Caribbean cruise. For most of your other issues, they seem petty to me, and a simple asking of cabin steward woukd take care of issues quickly, and if you don't see your cabin steward regularly, then just leave a nite, it's that simple.
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