We got lucky and found Un-Cruise Adventures online. We wanted, and got, a wonderful small-ship adventure, totally unlike the corporate behemoths of the seas that hold no appeal for us. The descriptions in the company brochure, in print and online, are reliable.
We're very experienced, non-wealthy travelers, but our only previous cruise was another small ship, 30 years ago on the Nile. (That was great too.) We splurged for this one, but the up-front cost was cushioned a bit by the all-inclusive policy (including adult beverages).
The daily, up-close encounters with glaciers and all the magnificent southeast Alaska scenery, and with a great variety of wildlife, were just what we hoped for. The sea was calm, the weather better than expected, the crew absolutely terrific. Guides accompanied small groups for each excursion, offering troves of information, helpful encouragement for inexperienced kayakers and hikers, and assurances of safety.
The cabin was cozy, with a king bed and a large view window with no balcony or walkway outside (so complete privacy). We stowed all our luggage under the bed; had ample drawer and closet space to unpack. Bathroom was compact, with a small shower stall. Closed circuit TV gave us daily updates on activities and menus, a variety of Alaska nature videos, and a navigation chart showing our position. To stretch our legs, we went to the spacious lounge or outside deck.