I’d do the cruise again in a heart beat. Land tour is very expensive for what you get. The food and service in Luminae is best I’ve had. I can’t beat it in Central Ohio. Very comfy beds. Suite life is very good on board!!!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
We did a 3-day Land Tour Prior to Sailing. We didn’t board until 4:30 pm on Friday July 14, 2023. They basically took us by the hand and lead us through the boarding process, quickly to our Muster Station and then to our Suite.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Food in the Luminae is awesome and extremely Delicious. Service is above any I have had anywhere on land or sea. Portion are on the smaller side but I’m happy not to gain too much weight on board plus I could alway opt for a second helping or two of something.
La Petite is similar. The food was outstanding and smaller portion. This might be a problem for those who pay extra for this restaurant. As a guest of the Retreat, we did not incur expense there.
Drinks were a bit different from bar to bar. Our wine steward in Luminae was fabulous!! She alway had a selection for me to try.
Luminae at the Retreat
5 out of 5
Excellent food!!! Everyday!!! I can’t get better in greater Central Ohio! Service was superb!!
Le Petit Chef
5 out of 5
Excellent food. I can’t get better in greater central Ohio. Smaller portions so if you are paying extra, you may be disappointed but perhaps you can ask for seconds. I like that it helped my waistline not get bigger.
Tuscan Grille
4 out of 5
Steaks were very good. Gnocchi was rather tasteless. Service was a bit questionable. I received my wine after my steak was eaten. The main waitress was good and friendly but beverage steward was not on task that evening.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
We did a lot of excursion but found plenty to do on board when we were there. Wine tastings, bingo, kids at sea, hot tubbing, shopping, origami, etc. If you want to be in a fitness class, you must sign-up early. We were bumped out of HIIT and Cycling classes day one but were able to exercise in equipment.
Fitness Center
4 out of 5
Classes get signed-up fast, so get your name on the list ASAP. Very busy cruising days. I bit crowded for the size of ship. I think they should/could have had more than just one HIIT and cycling Classes on sea days.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The bar entertainment was very good. We loved the String Duo and Aram band. We did quite a bit of dancing in the Sky bar with a DJ after 10:45 to Abba and 70’s disco.
Theater production were good. The comedian was clean the 1st night at the early show. We appreciated that option in comedy. The magician was OK. He did a lot with Cards. The Arocrobate couple was good. We did not go to the Theater ever night.
Celebrity Theater
5 out of 5
Good views from everywhere. Good sound
Children's Programs
4 out of 5
We traveled with our 11-yr. old son. He really liked the GaGa ball games. He also liked there was an C-box on board. He made some sailing friends he liked. Generally the children were very good kids. However we, as parents, we’re never able to tour the Kids area because our land tour had us in too late as kid area tours stopped at 5 pm.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Staff were all so very friendly and helpful, especially those in Luminae. I felt like close friends towards the end of the week.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
It is a beautiful ship. We loved our room. Nothing seem worn out. I think they could use a few chairs or benches on outdoors deck 4. It can be rather drizzly in Alaska. This way you could sit, see the view and stay dry.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The Royal suite was super clean and restful and peaceful. In Alaska in July, one might not use that baloney as much ( due to cold drizzle)as it is mainly open to the sky. However as we got more southern, it was warm enough to take a nap on the recliners. And the hot tub was nice as you didn’t need to share it with a bunch of other people and you could regulate the temperature to your liking.
The main bed was very comfortable and hosts, Nacasio and Melodina were extremely good to us with our wants and needs. They gave us a surprise anniversary cake, balloons and kissing towel bears! Very sweet of them!!
Our son slept well on the pull out couch with no complaints, however I laid down on it a few times and did not find it comfortable at all. Perhaps it needs a new mattress as is was quite bumpy.
Ship tip
Sign -up for HIIT and cycling classes early as possible or you get closed out. Tuscan Grill was a bit funky on their service with drinks. I got my wine after I ate my steak. But the main waitress was very nice. I would think twice about doing the land portion. I’d save your money for cruise excursion. They Fairbanks Hotel was far from anything special and food was only one choiceI unless you Uber in or drive $40 away. Dredge 8 tour was good but I think you could do this experience on another excursion in the cruise part. The Wilderness Express Railway from Fairbanks to Denali was spectacular. It was very difficult to see Denali from the Denali History Tour. Anchorage was a quick stop for lunch.
Beautiful port to view from the deck of the ship. Snow speckled mountains and your favorite beverage knowing you don’t have to think about anything but having a good cruise is a good way to start your afternoon.
The excursion here was spectacular! Blue skies and a lot a of calving and it’s thunderous sounds. Glacier blue waters mixed with glacier slit water, with the 5 stories of glacier ice!!
Drive through the port for the excursion: Mendenhall Lake Kayak and Salmon Bake. Courtney was our guide across the lake for beautiful views of Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget falls from the Lake in your Kayak. Never got wet as they supply you with everything from rain boots to rain pant, rain coat and life jackets. I’d skip the Salmon bake though, it’s over cooked and after eating on board it doesn’t come close to the food available on the Millenium.
We did not tour the city.
Our Helicopter Sled dog ride on a glacier tour was canceled due to low clouds. We did make it to the White pass Railway and this could be an experience for those who don’t ride on the Wilderness Express in the mainland Alaska. We too the White Pass the the 1/2 way point. I think this might be a long enough trip as the scenery it similar along the way. Best sciences on Left as you go up the mountain and Right side as you go down
We did a Whale and Marine Mammal tour for 2 1/2 hrs. This was a subservient time frame and we saw Orcas with babies, humpbacks, harbor seal, sea otters and quite a few whale tails.
This tour allow us to fully see Hoonah/Icy Straits. Nice shops and history.
Did a little shopping. Pretty little fishing town. Took the Alaskan Bear Encounter by Boat and Hike. We highly recommend this. Saw three bear. One was about 50 ft. Away from this viewing platforms. It’s a 20 min drive through Ketchikan by bus, then an hour boat ride on a brand new boat to a salmon hatchery and a 15 minute hike through a rainforest to the bear platforms where you stay for an hour.
Very relaxing day at sea before you go back to reality. Both sides of the ship have great views. It’s a good day to take a nap in your balcony as it is a bit warmer in southern Alaska.
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