delgado
September 6th, 2006, 07:51 PM
We just returned from the Alaska cruise out of Seattle Aug. 25-Sept 1 and it was absolutely wonderful. Embarkation went so smoothly, we were on the ship by 11:30 a.m. it took all of 10 minutes. It's important to complete your immigration forms on-line at the HAL web site, print your priority boarding passes, fill out your credit card info and you are literally on the ship in no time. The Neptune lounge has wonderful Alma who greeted us with a smile and name every time we visited for the great coffees and snacks. Anything you would need the front desk to do, Alma can do it for you...no lines and a smile every time. We were in Suite 7007 and able to reach every area easily. Do sign up for the week in the Thermal Spa...heated tile chairs, hot tub, steam rooms and wonderful showers that mist a spray of aroma therapy anytime you press the button. $160 per couple for the whole week. We watched the ship glide by the glaciers in our swimming suits in a heated spa overlooking the bow of the ship will most of our fellow pax bundled up against the cold of the glaciers. Incredible experience...took our photos in our swim suits with the glaciers as a back drop out on the small private balcony leading off the Thermal spa room. Went to the Pinnacle grill 3 nights and the service is superb as is the menu. Had a table for 2 in the main dining room and the service there was wonderful, the food served was definitely superior to other cruises lines we have sailed and the smiling faces made for a delightful evening. Being in an S suite, we were able to have a full breakfast each morning in the King's room where we were treated like royalty. I was surprised more suite pax weren't using it..same menu as the main dining room. They are also open for lunch and we took advantage of that on Sea days...again instant, gracious service with a smile each time. Took the excursion for the float plane over the glaciers and ice fields in Junea...definitely recommend that awesome experience. Also took the boat cruise...Wildlife quest in Sitka..booked both through HAL on-line prior to the cruise..saw eagles, sea harbor seals, sea otters and lots of whales..saw a huge one "breaching" which we understand is rare to see in Alaska. We had taken the Zuirdam previously and I must say the R class is far superior in service, ambiance and total experience...must be the 1800+ passengers instead of 2000+ of the Vista class. Since we booked directly with HAL and then transferred the booking to PTS, we received $300 shipboard credit and two bottles of champagne upon embarkation (we traded the champagne for wine). Received invitations to a lunch suite due to being in an S category, another gathering due to being Mariners and 2 tiles due to being Mariners. The suite was beautiful, luxurious bed (we asked for 2 feather pillows as well), the balcony held 2 lounge chairs, and a table with seats for 4 and we watched the beautiful scenery from it daily. Our steward Suka was wonderful, fresh ice every day and he knew just when we were out of the suite in order to clean and freshen everytime. The day we arrived back in Seattle, we were able to keep luggage in the room and put it out at 6:30 a.m. instead of earlier, went to a wonderful breakfast in the King's room, and then back to our suite until they called our color. We had a ship transfer to the Fairmont Olympic which went so quickly after we left the ship and this hotel is a grand one...HAL had a promo going and we had booked it months before so the ship-hotel transfer, the hotel room and the hotel to the airport were all included. Since we had an early flight out of Seattle, they gave us a taxi voucher. Cannot give enough praise to HAL for this wonderful cruise...