We originally chose this trip because Seth Wayne was promoting HAL and we thought it would be relaxing and fun after a very stressful year from COVID. We did not have COVID but we had to comply with all the regulations and the fear of contacting it. From the beginning it was stressful. First the cruise agent (Cruisewise) did not get us early dining but anytime dining. When we called her and also HAL we were told we could be on a waitlist. When we got there we did get early dining. Through out the entire cruise, the dining room was never more than 50% full and was usually about 25 - 30% full. Then 2 weeks before the cruise we were informed that we had to have a negative PCR test. This was a hassle because you had to make an appointment and there was no guarantee that we would have the results prior to sailing. Once we got onboard, the room steward tells us he only wants to clean the room once a day because of COVID! Not happening! Our cabin was very small even though it had a balcony. The Navigator app is a way of getting you to pay for internet minutes and doesn't work well. I refused it because I have a personal hotspot and don't need it. But all of the time we were being told to find things on the Navigator app. But the worst thing was the front desk. There was only one person, Rosa, who would actually help you. On the last day I wanted to get my boarding passes printed and Joyce refused to do it. If she had accommodated me I would have known there were serious mistakes but I didn't learn this until it was too late to fix anything. As I sit here now 2 days later and probably 25 phone calls my husband's luggage is somewhere, but not here. I am not an inexperienced cruiser (50+ cruises) and this cruise ranks as one of the worst. It will be a long time before I ever consider a HAL cruise again.
Our cabin had a balcony in the back of the ship. It was very private and quiet. It was also very very small. There was hardly enough room to put anything away. It was clean but only the bathroom appeared to have been upgraded.
We really enjoyed the whale watching and saw Orcas - a first for us!
We went to see Mendenhal Glacier and really enjoyed the day. The sun was out and it was nice to walk around and see the salmon. The Glacier has receded a lot, but still is nice.
We took a trolley ride and then walked around the town. It was very nice and the people were friendly.
I personally love Sitka. I love the history and the town. We went to see the old Russian church and the Jackson museum. We enjoyed the native heritage and the movie.