debbrn

On 2/25/2019 at 9:07 AM, Anita Latte said:

 

Have a fabulous trip! Seeing the new Millennium will be a treat! Alaska is amazing...I've been trying to figure out how and when we can go back!

 

 

We did enjoy the Millennium. I enjoy the M-class ships. I haven't sailed on the S-class though so I have no comparison. Millennium is very easy to navigate...very easy to figure out...so it's very easy to get into vacation mode. My family has several places on board that we like to hang out...the new changes to Millennium look to have improved the one place that could be annoying, the Oceanview Cafe. The new traffic pattern created from the revolution looks wonderful.

 

The one major negative IMO sight unseen is the change that I've seen to the Sunset Bar. I'm extremely disappointed the see the lack of shade and coverage back there post revolution. Maybe the reality is better than the photos, but the trip report I've been following dubbed it the Bar of the Sun now. Also...the lack of public forward open deck space is disappointing, since they changed Deck 12 to the Retreat. IDK if, for the Alaska sailings, they will open up the retreat to all passengers for Hubbard Glacier or if that will be a special place, just for suite guests.

 

The positives of sailing Celebrity and Millennium far out weigh any concerns I would have. I've seen some of the live music acts currently on board. The guitarist is really good. The string duo is also wonderful. The vibe on board is relaxed with a touch of class and that suits my vacation style very well. Personally, for a future sailing, if DS was not with us, I would skip the evening theater entertainment, I would prioritize the naturalist talks, I would relax with the low key live music more, I would spend more time watching the scenery go by, I would eat in Sushi on 5 on Sea Days, and I might eat dinner in the Oceanview...by a window watching the scenery go by or bundled up and outside in the Oceanview rather than in the depths of the MDR.

 

I would repeat the Alaska sailing on Millennium with no reservations. The overall experience was wonderful.

 

 

Anita,

We are now just around 80 days out from our Alaska Adventure and about ready to take the leap!! I can't thank you enough for helping us plan our trip along with Trip Advisor !!

Since we last spoke we have changed plans multiple times, but we think we finally have it together with mostly everything booked!  We bought Tom a backup battery for his C-Pap so some of the nights we don't need electric. Staying right in Denali at Riley campground for 2 nights. We are Staying at Stoney Creek RV and we have a shuttle picking us up for the Kenai Fjords boat trip. We are also staying at Great Alaskian Holidays the night before our train back into Seward the day of our cruise.

Here is our final revision!😃

Tuesday - June 4 – Arrive in Anchorage from Seattle at 2:50 pm. Shuttle from airport and pick up RV. Stay at Creekwood  Inn 2150 Gambell St, Anchorage  907-258-6006. If we have time shopping.

Wednesday – June 5 Stop At Walmart for supplies for the first part of our trip.  Things we may want to see are: Alyeska Tram (see mile post for lunch special) Creek mine National Historic site. Wildlife Conservation Center and Portage lake Glacier tours and Visitor Center. Spend the night at Sea View RV Park 907-782-3300. $25.00 per night. We are confirmed at Seaview for the 5^th and 6^th.

Thursday  -June 6 – Drive 11/2 hr. to arrive at Whittier Tunnel for the 10:30 a.m. opening (it’s open for 15 min. on the half hour going in, and opens 5:30am until 10:30pm.--15 min. on the hour coming back out). Whittier is 11/2 Hours drive from Hope. Go through tunnel in am and if early could eat at the Wild Catch Café for breakfast if haven’t eaten already. Then to dock cruise starts at 12:30pm and ends at 5:30 pm-- 26 Glacier cruise 5 hours and $159 pp * Dress warmly for cruise!  Spend the night at Seaview RV Park.    907-276-8023.  We have decided on the Glacier Quest  3.75 hour cruise from 1:00 pm – 4:45 pm. Website is www.phillipscruises.com   * We are confirmed at Seaview for the 5^th and 6^{th. Check out the bore Tide on the way back to campsite and at campsite.}    

Friday 7th - Seward Highway to Seward. Check our Beluga Point to see Beluga Whales on route  Stoney Creek RV Park 877-437-6366 (Stoney Creek has shuttle to town). Sea life Center. Fishing Exit Glacier.

Saturday June 8 - – Kenai Fjords national park cruise 6 or 7.5 cruise. Overnight in campground.

Phone 888-225-2752 or ***Tour book # 907-274-7300

Sunday June 9^th– Drive 5  hours to Talkeenta and stay at Talkeenta Camper Park . 22763 S Talkeenta Spur 907-733-2693 $40-$50. Could stop at Hatcher Pass/Independence mine or to Palmer to see the Must Ox farm, or Matanuska Glacier on Glenn Hwy drive right up to the gate owner and pay fee ($30). Possibly- https://glacierviewatvtours.com. May want to do Flightseeing K2 Aviation. Weather Permitting. 6:30 pm  Mahay Jet boat adventure  page 79 907-733-2223 the Trip is called the Wilderness excursion

Monday June 10^th – Drive 2.5 hours from Talkeenta to Riley Campground.

See Denali Visitor Center displays and film, maybe Ranger sled dog demonstration (at 9, 4). Cabin night Dinner Theater Denali 7:30 pm Page 38 in tour saver book $75 per couple

Generators can be used from 8am-10am and 4pm-8pm

Tuesday June 11^th - Shuttle to Eielson (8 hours) or Wonder lake (11 hours) Visitor center is at the 8 hour point. Free Ranger sled dog demo.     Bring food and Beverages since none available for sale inside park. Bring Binoculars!!!!! Spend night at Riley Campground

Wednesday June 12^th – morning ATV in Denali. Denali Wilderness Adventure ATV for 21/2 hours. 1 driver and   passenger $175 per couple or 1 driver 3 passengers $315 for 4. Times are 8am, 1pm 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm Spend the night at Denali RV park and Motel Mile 245.1 Denali National Park

907-683-1500

Thursday June 13^th – Laundry if needed. Drive from Denali back to Anchorage. Spend the night at Great Alaskian Holidays.

 Friday June 14 – Taxi to Costal Classic Morning train Alaska Railroad at 6:45 am arriving in Seward at 11:05 Am   Train confirmation   Taxi Alaska Yellow Cab Pre book. (See Google map page for route) 907-222-2222.   Board the ship for Lunch.

We just returned from a cruise on the Edge. You are right the large sofa is a thing of the past, but we were still able to have our coffee each morning sitting on the couch and bringing in the table from the balcony area. It was light with a top that could also act as a tray. 

My husband napped on the bed.

The storage in the room was more than ample and I am not a real light packer. I believe you should have options! We are traveling on the Millie this June for an alaskian voyage and are looking forward.  oh and for those people speaking about stains ---yes you are right ! There was a stain on our couch area and the ship is only 3 months old!

Debbie

Anita,

Thanks for rechecking our plans! It means a lot as I value your opinion. :*

If this site is still here I will be sure to come back and post our trip - that is- if you don't mind.

I do have the Milepost. I bought it a while back on Amazon. It is very helpful and it will get packed to go to Alaska.

The fishing thing is still under exploration as I mentioned in past notes my husband nor I enjoy fishing, but our friends do and so I have asked them to explore that part of the trip. It may be added in latter, or they may do that and we do something else!

I am still talking to the Alaska forum on trip advisor. So tweaking some of the plans may occur. I am told it will not be necessary to book the Camp sites until October or November, and I want to check on some of the discount books that will be coming out the first part of November.

Again thank you so much for your interest and time spent reading and responding about our trip plans:D

Oh---yes I did read every page of the account of your vacation. It reads like a good book. I enjoyed it!!

Debbie

Anita,

Well, have spent many hours of researching the boards, Trip Advisor and your notes and have changed the Itinerary again!

Something you said about a splurge at Harbor 360 made me take a look at the rates for our dates. If you notice on my previous Itinerary I listed the amount for $180.00 per night which was what it was last June when I looked it up. I couldn't get the 2019 rates as they were not available so I checked the 2018 rates! What a difference!!:o I called and was given a rate of $348 per night and that was with a discount. Then I started looking around at the other hotels and noticed that the establishments I would stay at were booked:eek: We are how many months out !!

Ok time to reevaluate! We are now hotel free! We added to our RV rental and GAH is letting us spend the night of the 13th on site. We will take the Coastal Classic the 14th and board the ship once we arrive.

I also found that when I had changed the Itinerary because my friend didn't want to do some of the activities i think i transposed some of the things:confused:

Here is a new and revised plan. I've been looking at this thing for a week, so.... maybe you wouldn't mind checking it out and giving my your opinions.

Hopefully people seeing my many changes and adjustments will benefit.

I will definitely do a trip review and let everyone know what worked and didn't!

Hereis itinerary:

Wednesday- June 4 – Arrive in Anchoragefrom Seattle at 4:07pm. Shuttle from airport and pick up RV. Stop at Walmartfor supplies for trip. Check in to Creek wood Inn 2150 Seward Hwy. 907-258-6006 or 800-478-6008.Full hook ups, Cable TV and Wi fi

Thursday– June 5 – Anchorage to Seward 2-3 hours Enjoy the day driving down the Seward Highway to Seward. Spendthe night at Miller’s Landing with electric hookups 907-331-3113 or Seward waterfront Campground City Park. 907-24-4055 Or Stoney Creek RV Park 877-437-6366 (Stoney Creek has shuttle to town). Sea lifeCenter. Fishing Exit Glacier.

Friday – June 6 – Kenai Fjordsnational park cruise 6 or 7.5 cruise. Overnight in campground.

Saturday & Sunday June 7th and 8th – Drive 2 hours to Portage/Girdwood. Alyeska Tram. And or Creek Mine NationalHistoric Site and or Wildlife Conservation center open 8;30am to 7pm and or Portage Lake Glacier tours & visitorsCenter. Spend the night at Portage Glacier Campgrounds & RV park (seesheet)

Spencer Glacier Ice Berg Float (See sheet) Reservation number 1-800-266-8625info@alasatrain.com

Monday June 9th – Drive to Hatcher Pass RV - 23560 W Independence Way, Willow 907-495-455We could go to HatcherPass/Independence mine or to Palmer to see the Must Ox farm, or MatanuskaGlacier on Glenn Hwy drive right up to the gate owner and pay fee ($30).

Tuesday June 10th – Drive from Willow to Denali Riverside RV Park Mile240 Parks Hwy. (3 Hours).

See Denali VisitorCenter displays and film, maybe Ranger sled dog demonstration (at 10,2,4).

Early flightseeing(sunset won’t be until almost midnight and in fact it never gets dark at thattime of year) –Denali flightseeing K2 Aviation. Flyk2.com. Ifweather permits

Wednesday June 11th - Shuttle to Eielson (8 hours) or Wonder lake(11 hours) Visitor center is at the 8 hour point. Free Ranger sled dogdemo. Bring food and Beverages sincenone available for sale inside park. Bring Binoculars!!!!! Spend night DenaliRiverside RV Park

Thursday June 12th – morning ATV in Denali. Denali WildernessAdventure ATV for 21/2 hours. 1 driver and passenger $175 per couple or 1 driver 3 passengers $315 for 4. Times are 8am, 1pm 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm Spend the night atDenali Riverside RV park.

FridayJune 13th – Laundry if needed. Drivefrom Denali back to Anchorage. Spend the night at Great Alaskian Holidays.

June14 –Taxie toCostal Classic Morning train AlaskaRailroad at 6:45 am arriving in Seward at 11:05 Am Board the ship for Lunch.

It will be interesting to hear what you think! You have a good mind for vacation planning!;)

I'm happy to share! I'm glad it's helpful! I think picking out whatever is most interesting to you is the way to go...that's in essence what we did.

Wow!! I had to jump in and tell you how much I have enjoyed your pre and thus far the post in Ketchikan which will be our last port when we are on the Millie for the June 14th 2019 cruise of a lifetime! Your first port. We have a full notebook of information, flights, and reservations started. You are giving me the energy to carry on!

My husband Tom, Myself (Debbie) and close friends of ours whom we cruise with nearly once a year (Rob & Gail) are starting our adventure in Anchorage on June 4th. We are doing it a little different. Our little group mentioned above were together 15 years ago doing the inside passage of Alaska. Back then we did "picture memoires" of the trip.;p This year I have started trip memo's on word. Sorry this is so long, but hoping you will read this and notice anything that may need adjusting in our plans. Let me get on with it!

We booked this Alaskian trip back in March when we were cruising the Panama Cannel from San Antonio, South America to Fort Lauderdale. That's another story, and I do have a blog I wrote about that experience here on Cruise Critic. (We all come from South Florida Tom and I from the South closer to the beginning of the Fl. Keys and R & G about 2 hours north of us ) We find that we save monies booking that way not so much in the price of the cruise but with the OBC they always give us which we then usually use on excursions. We booked a cruise out of Vancouver with a land package.

Then I started the research. Like you I am the researcher of the group. We do a lot of our own tours mixed with the occasional ship tour. While I was doing the research I came to the conclusion that 1. I wanted to do more than a few days in Denali. 2. The cruise line only paid for transportation and lodging and there was a whole lot of "your on your own time" 3. We could see and do more on our own longer for the same price. So.....now as I noted above we are flying into Anchorage from Miami. We saved between Tom and I about $2000. changing to the seven day cruise only. R&G were right with us.

The trip has evolved since then. At first I was frustrated because it was really to early to do anything! Flights could not be booked until the end of June, and really not much else as well. Just in the past few weeks have we booked a lot of the things we will be doing. Then there is the problem of R&G being far enough away that we can't meet frequently. We did meet last week and changed some things and set some things in stone! Let me give you the outline of the trip since I failed to do so--

We will be leaving Miami on the 3rd of June (Flights were a whole other story) and arriving June 4th via a stop in Seattle to Anchorage. That gives us 10 days before we have to board the Millie for our cruise. Yes we switched the order of the cruise! We thought that we would do the land portion first so that once we boarded the ship we could enjoy what it had to offer rather than thinking about the end of the trip. We are an older group so we needed the energy expended in the beginning! I have to tell anyone that might read this while planning their trip that our plans have changed several times, and will probably change many more as they say "you have to just go with the flow".

The plans thus far are for each of us to rent a class C RV and tour Alaska. I researched several companies and we ended up booking a 24 foot Thor Four Winds Motorhome with a queen & Dinette slide out with "Great Alaskian Holidays. greatalaskanholidays.com R & G called the same day and booked the same thing . The Cost for a week was $1387.45. It included insurance, a housekeeping package, linen package, unlimited miles, unlimited generator use, chairs, grill, toaster and a HDTV & DVD player. Why did I mention all that, well 1. They rent by the week and 2. Not all companies include the above mentioned things. This company had a A+ BBB rating and had many good reviews. Please do due diligence in researching and putting a deposit on your RV if you decide to go that route because there are companies out there that will be glad to take your money and not give you the product in good shape or not at all and some with when you arrive add on lots of expenses! I also have to add that the price noted above was given after we added some of the things listed.

To go back a few weeks I want to mention that we were going to book Hotel rooms for the 10 nights. When we saw the prices of both food and lodging we :eek:. Everything is very expensive in Alaska because everything has to get there, and that process in itself is expensive. Also ...there is a season in Alaska to make the monies to sustain you for the whole year. That season is End of May to End of September. Then most close their doors as it is to expensive to run them with fewer guests. Thus the decision for the camper. Did i mention we are young at heart but Old! In our younger days we camped, but now by necessity we need beds!

Flights Check, Housing Check. We plan to shop and do a lot of our meals in the RV and find the most recommended places to try Alaskian foods. We also plan to do some fishing. Oh you do need a fishing license as I believed you mentioned in your blog.

We have several versions of the following trip plan, and I am sure it will change several more times as we continue are research, but this is what I have right now:

Things to do:

Get annual nationalparks pass which will cancel parking fee at Denali.

Check into Alaska toursavers book (saves half on train etc.)

Hereis Itinerary:

Wednesday- June 4 – Arrive in Anchoragefrom Seattle. Pick up RV. Stop at Walmart for supplies for trip. Drive to Hatcher Pass RV Park & Cabins (23560 W Independence Way, Willow, Alaska,99688) Rate is $22.00 a night. This is 1 hour 30 minutes fromAnchorage. Phone: 907-495-4955 (see map). Things that are close are: 1. Independence MineState Historical site 2.Anchorage Museum 3. Eagle River Nature Center, 4. MuskOx Farm 5. Alaska Native Heritage Center.

Thursday – June 5 - Drivefrom Hatcher Pass RV to Midnight Sun RV &campground with full hookups. $38.00 per night. (Travel time 3 to 3.5 hours). 248.5 George ParksHighway. Healy, Alaska. Phone: 970-683-2379 (see map) See Denali Visitor Center displays and film,maybe free Ranger sled dog demo (at 10, 2, 4).

Early eveningflightseeing (sunset won't be until almost midnight, and in fact it never getsdark at that time of year). Either with The Denali flightseeing K2 Aviation.Flyk2.com $220 per couple withAlaska toursavor. Usually the coupon flights are 7pm flights.

FridayJune 6th- Shuttle to Eielson(8 hours) or Wonder lake (11 hours) Visitor center is at the 8 hour point. FreeRanger sled dog demo. Bring food andBeverages since none available for sale inside park. Bring Binoculars!!!!!Shuttle service is free. Spend the night at Midnight Sun campground.

Saturday -June 7 – morning ATV in Denali. Denali Wilderness Adventure ATV for 21/2hours. 1 driver and passenger $175 per couple or 1 driver 3 passengers $315 for 4. Times are 8am, 1pm 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm. Drive to Matanuska River Park 925 E Arctic Ave. Phone:907-746-8612 $27.00 a night. We could go to HatcherPass/Independence Mine or stop at Wasilla to see Iditarod HQ and in Palmer tosee the Musk Ox Farm. Or do the abovethe next day. The trip will take 4 hours without stops

Sunday-June 8 – Maybe Matanuska Glacier on Glenn Hwy drive right up to the gate ownerand pay $30 pp fee. Native Heritage Center, museum, 1 hr. trolley tour of city and overnight again at Matanuska River Park.

Monday– June 9 - Drive to AlyeskaTram ( 2 hours ) Seniors $22 pp if weather is clear, or try again tomorrow.Could also do Portage Glacier Cruise, or visit Begich Boggs Visitor Center(National Park so free with Parks pass) which is 2 hours away, also can go toWildlife conservation center open 8:30am-7pm, or Creek Mine National HistoricSite . Spend the night at MatanuskaRiver Park.

Tuesday– June 10 - Spencer Glacier day train trip (Floattour/Spencer Glacier Iceberg float rafting) $250. 7 hours. Reservation number 1-800-266-8625 info@alaskatrain.com Overnight Matanuska River Park.

Wednesday June 11- Return RV and check in to Hotel to be decided.

June12 – costal Classicmorning train Alaska Railroad at 6:45 am arriving in Seward at 11:05 am. $99 pp for Adventure Class, or $191pp for Goldstar Dome. Sea Life Center, Exit Glacier Overnight Seward. Harbor 360 Hotel $185 with breakfast

June13 – 7.5 hr. Kenai Fjords cruise (Kenai Fjordsnational Park Cruise 6 hours $109.00 pp or $177.00 pp with Lunch call to book 1-800-544-0552 or NorthwesternGlacier cruise. Over night.

June 14 – Sea Life Center or Exit Glacier today if didn’t do on the 12th. Board the ship for Lunch.

This Itinerary has change several times. At one point we went up to Fairbanks and do the Riverboat Discovery tour as well, but R&G did not want to include Fairbanks so we revised the schedule! We also had a drive to Whittier Tunnel and the Blackstone Glacier Cruise through majormarinetours.com . We may find ourselves there anyway and I will try and come back and give you a summation of our trip. My personality is do until you drop and R&G always give the things we do a little more time. We even each other out! My husband Tom is happy with most of everything I plan.

I am sure you noticed that some of our travels do include Hotel stays and we wanted to do at least one train ride. The ride from Anchorage to Seward (where we actually pick up the ship) is suppose to be beautiful and since the Alaska tour savor book has that ticket BYOB we decided to do it. The other reason for the hotel lodging is that we only had a week with the RV, and they would have charged a substantial amount more to drop the RV off at another site as well as a lot more in rental fees since it would not be a week.

Would love some feed back from anyone! I promise I won't be offended if you see a flow in anything I have written rather it may help me continue on my road to planning!

A few hints before I finish this note which is way to long!

Check out getting The Alaska tour saver books as I mentioned above. We can't purchase it until November of 2018. Get the annual national parks pass. Saves you a little bit as well. If you are traveling in either a car or RV be sure to get the Milepost. (bought mine through Amazon) I did not check, but I bet you could get a earlier copy (which would work) at the library.

I agree.

The best cabin is whatever the person needs to have a good trip. I always look for a cabin about midway in the ship---up or down as I have a tendency to become sea sick, and I do not like taking medication.