This was a great cruise. It is a way for you to see cities that you cannot drive to in Alaska. I wish that we could have went to Ketchikan, but not going. Just gives me a reason to book another Alaskan cruise. I'd enjoyed the cruise from the day I got on the ship till the day I got off of the ship.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
I had read several reviews regarding the port. Most of them were bad reviews. My experience was extremely easy. I was traveling with a friend and it did not take long at all. The Porter took our luggage, he told us to walk through door number two, and they checked us in right then and there. At all. Other than southampton's port this is the easiest check in I have had with Royal Caribbean.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Most of the food was good. We did a private event for the group I was with. The food that was provided for the group was really good. Probably some of the best food that I've had on a Royal Caribbean ship. Other than that, the food in the main dining room I thought was average. It wasn't bad, just average. There was a dessert, that tasted like fruit on paper. And yes I did let the chef know when he came around and asked how the food was. At first the drinks were really weak. But then we talked to the bartender and he made us new drinks much stronger. And from that point on the drinks tasted like they should.
Onboard Activities
1 out of 5
I didn't do any onboard activities other than shows.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
The entertainment was great. We listened to a band and that was a lot of fun. We did participate with the band, I sang Play That Funky Music on the second night of the ship with the bad and that was a lot of fun. The crazy quest game is back of course which is always fun. The City of Angels show was good as well as the '70s disco party. Overall, there's a lot on this ship for everyone to do.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Everybody on the ship was excellent. I really enjoy it. Speaking with the waiters, my room steward and other personnel on the ship. They're all very nice and very helpful
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
I think the ship is showing its age and needs to go into the dry dock. It was clean. It was maintained but there are a lot of upgrades that need to be done. For example, I did see some fray carpet. The ship overall was clean.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
I had an accessible cabin. Which was large enough to put my scooter in. It was nice. It was clean and well maintained. The bathroom could be updated. The phone needs to be updated. And I say this because I was in a group and some of the group members would call me and it wouldn't ring. The call automatically goes to the speaker. And they would start talking and I had no idea that somebody was trying to call me. But overall the room was clean and I really did like the room. Our balcony was big.
The morning started out foggy as we approached the Hubbard glacier. The fog eventually did lift and the glacier is absolutely breathtaking. You don't have to worry about which side of the ship you're on to see it as the captain turns the ship around so everybody can see the glacier.
This by far was my favorite port. I did not take an excursion so I could talk to the people of Hoonah. When I was growing up in Alaska it was not named Icey Straight points. It was referred to as Hoonah. We went into the town and walked around, talk to people. Lot of people who live there. I met this very nice gentleman who explained to me the totem pole. He had just started creating. The weather was absolutely beautiful. The scenery was beautiful. I don't know how anybody could dislike this port.
Sitka to me was just another small city. I wasn't really impressed with it. I did enjoy going there but I thought it was okay. I was able to see some bald eagles. That was probably the highlight of Sitka for me.
I am from Alaska, born and raised in Anchorage. I have been to Juneau before and it has grown a lot. I do recommend this port. If you do go, I would not necessarily take an excursion just simply so you can walk around the city and enjoy the people as well as the scenery. We ate at Alaska fish and chips. And I had some of the best I have had in a long time.
Skagway was nice. I didn't do an excursion as again I just wanted to talk to the people. The main street is Broadway and we walked up and down Broadway going in and out of the shops. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it. We didn't get a chance to eat at the Red Onion like a lot of people. But we did have some reindeer sausage which is absolutely wonderful.
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