LMZinSC

Umbrellas in the wind or on crowded streets are not really great. I would avoid the umbrella and just go for a jacket with a hood.

We used the Alaska App last year and it was wonderful. We never would have seen as much as we did without it. Someone does have to read it, but it tells you everything along the way. http://www.thealaskaapp.com/

My husband is a "shorts guy" and has worn shorts in May the last 5 times we were there. But that is because he loves wearing shorts. If that is you, then by all means toss in a pair or two. No need for sandals though.

We docked in Sitka last year. The cruiseline provided a free shuttle to town. We then hopped on the bus to Fortress of the Bear and then the Raptor Center. We walked back from the Raptor Center to town. It was a very nice walk. I would definitely do it again.

Saw 3 bears in ISP mid-May last year on the way up to the zipline. We can around a corner on the dirt road and there they were. Bonus!

We are sailing May 17th and American changed our flights to an 8 minute connection in Dallas. And guess what? They didn't even notify us. I just happened to be checking last weekend and realized it. So now we have to travel the day before to Dallas and stay over on our own dime. Luckily adding the extra day wasn't a problem timing wise, but certainly not what we had planned. All the airlines do it. Especially if you book far ahead.

Fantastic! Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences.

Do you think we would be able to bring fresh flowers onboard the ship? I know Granville sells some beautiful flowers and I was thinking of getting some to enjoy in the cabin.

We had a great day renting a car in Anchorage and doing this drive last year. We also managed to see a bore tide which was very cool! Details here on the best times to see it - http://www.alaska.org/advice/alaska-bore-tide

I was going to recommend looking for the bore tide as well. We watched it from Beluga Point last time we were there and found it really interesting.

Agreed. No capris or tropical wear in Alaska typically. Definitely long pants and long sleeves. Especially in May.

Beware! Celebrity Cruises is advertising many of it's Alaska sailings as doing the Inside Passage when in fact it doesn't do any sort of Inside Passage at all. We sailed on the 9/12/14 Solstice sailing and the day we were "sailing the Inside Passage" we saw nothing but water. We were in the Pacific Ocean, nowhere near any sort of land. When I called Celebrity to inquire they gave all sorts of excuses - "the ship couldn't fit, we didn't have time, we did an alternate inside passage not the typical inside passage". I have asked to speak with a supervisor repeatedly and the people who call back are just regular customer service reps. Today's excuse really took the cake - "it was dark when you went through". This was our 5th time to Alaska, so it wasn't really a huge deal for us, but I am really upset that they are using such false advertising. Please pay attention to the map and the timing of the "inside passage" if you are booking an Alaska cruise with Celebrity.

Beware! Celebrity Cruises is advertising many of it's Alaska sailings as doing the Inside Passage when in fact it doesn't do any sort of Inside Passage at all. We sailed on the 9/12/14 Solstice sailing and the day we were "sailing the Inside Passage" we saw nothing but water. We were in the Pacific Ocean, nowhere near any sort of land. When I called Celebrity to inquire they gave all sorts of excuses - "the ship couldn't fit, we didn't have time, we did an alternate inside passage not the typical inside passage". I have asked to speak with a supervisor repeatedly and the people who call back are just regular customer service reps. Today's excuse really took the cake - "it was dark when you went through". This was our 5th time to Alaska, so it wasn't really a huge deal for us, but I am really upset that they are using such false advertising. Please pay attention to the map and the timing of the "inside passage" if you are booking an Alaska cruise with Celebrity.

Hey SR:

I'm taking 2 pairs of shoes and the idea of wearing the Merrells on the plane is a good one, however, I'm wearing my Crocs for easy on off action. Folks on the Alaska thread say all you need is a good pair of sneaks with water repellent.

Need to hear about your excursions ace! Ours all booked/paid also. Harv n Marv and Michelle's float plane, just eating crab in Icy!:D Someone just came back and said you can see all the whales you want right in port there up close and personal. Ours is the round trip cruise. No Skagway

If your lucky you can definitely see whales in ISP. This was last week's view.

My friend found them in the last month at Costco, so hopefully you will have luck also. I believe they had them in black, khaki & blue. She bought her husband all 3 colors for our European cruise next year.

 

 

 

I am no fashionista, I'm barely a MAXXANISTA! (think shopping the TJ Maxx clearance racks :D) Unfortunately, I am cold natured... the first trip to Alaska I had to buy a fleece coat, gloves and ear wrap. This time I vow to be prepared!

I am glad to hear you say you have been to Alaska before, because most of those "technical" clothes are not very warm. I was shivering just reading your list. I give you all the credit in the world for doing it. I know it will be fabulous to not haul luggage. I will be interested in how it works out in reality.

JD,

I'm with you - I really only slept about 3 hours a night our first Alaska cruise. The 1Dx wwill be great for landscapes. As long as you've got an APS-C sensor camera for the crop factor for extra reach for wilddlife, you'll pretty muh have all your bases covered!

L.J.

We just came back from our 4th cruise to Alaska and I still couldn't sleep. I kept jumping up and looking out so I wouldn't miss anything good. At least it was dark a few hours a night when we were there. Otherwise I don't know what would have happened. LOL! That is really one of the best things about an Alaska cruise. You are often near land with beautiful things to see. In the Caribbean it is just water and more water. We are in serious Alaska withdrawl right now. I'm not sure if this thread is helping me to relive it or making me depressed I am not there again right now! :D:(:D:(

You can still create a NC for your family & friends where they will still get the benefits as if they booked on board as long as they are C&A Members. The only difference now is that they DO NOT have to book the same cruise as you do, if they do not want to.

 

When creating a NC/DL booking on board, you get an OBC which dependent on length of cruise and then either a balcony discount or the ability to use a C&A Savings Certificate if one becomes available for your cruise.

And you are going to have to put a deposit down on your credit card for your friends or family.

We haven't had the dried candied fruits in any of our baskets for a long time. All we've seen is the chocolate biscotti, round cheese container (no knife anymore), crackers, nuts and trail mix which has some raisins in it.

What's up with no knife? We noticed we didn't get a knife 2 weeks ago on Oasis. I guess you are supposed to "dip" your crackers? Loved the idea (from CC members) of using the basket for odds and ends in the cabin. Next time I am going to have to bring it home. They really are very sturdy.

Did anyone notice they are not putting pens or paper in the cabins any more either? I thought maybe it was an oversight in our cabin. But we were told by the Concierge that it was a cost cutting measure.

Just off Oasis. Allan and Francis were in the CL. Charmaine is on vacation. It sounded like the 3 of them will be rotating there. The Diamond Concierge is Carolina Cullbera(sp?). Wonderful person. She said she would be on until Feb. or March.

L.J. - Thank you so much for taking to time to post this review. Your pictures are amazing! We have cruised to Alaska 3 times, but never had time for a land trip. We were considering going next year and this really makes me want to do it. DH thinks we will miss cruising, but I say no way. Not if we are seeing incredible things like this.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Juneau

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yORYIAjg3RI40TLBp7PLq3PLZARG8M5Z56usaQyMvjw?feat=directlink

Tracy Arm, Sawyer Glacier

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Qh4KI6NO_Q2gshM60bSXk3PLZARG8M5Z56usaQyMvjw?feat=directlink

We also stopped in San Francisco

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vnEAHI0_wxhICEsWJw_ZUfiUa-IzHVeN9XtW1oopZ0A?feat=directlink

Not my video, but I was onboard the day this was shot.

http://www.youtube.com/user/radiofreebc#p/u/22/8beCXY6waAE

Wow! That is really amazing!

On Allure, Rahim is also with Marina.

 

 

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Hmmm? Fernando Ugalde was there with Marina last month.

I can see them all now. Couldn't see page 15 before. Now both 15 & 16 are there. Thanks for all your work getting this fixed.

The suspense is killing me. I want more! Can't wait to read the next installment.