Northern Aurora

On our Antarctica cruise and on several cruises to Alaska packets of hot chocolate mix were available in the Ocean View Cafe, as were packets of hot cider mix. Just be aware that since the resumption of sailing following the pandemic Celebrity ships have been experiencing supply chain issues.

Jim: Your news flash has been fairly widely discussed for the last 48 hours. Our table discussed the rumor, which was broadly hinted by one of the stripes, at the Zenith gathering this am. I also think she should stay in a Sky Suite to evaluate the “team” butler concept. This ship has felt “off” since we boarded on October 30. Some situations the crew can not control, such as having to do a full face to face immigration in Mumbai. Celebrity offered to pay for Indian immigration folks to board at a prior port and then have days to conduct the immigration while sailing to Mumbai, but that offer was declined. That day in Mumbai was a mess, and was compounded by the Edge crew not returning many of the collected Indian evisas. Not only did we have additional printed copies we also had them on our phones, but a surprising number of folks did not. It was a mess for some. We leave the ship in Sydney. If this series of three cruises had been our first on Celebrity they likely would have been our only. Gerry

I am posting from the Edge. We are in the final leg of a B2B2B. The first leg the Luminae menus were the same as I remembered from a series of cruises on the Eclipse last spring. During the second leg some new items, both appetizers and entrees, began to appear some (not every) nights. Also some nights there were specials, such as Indian food or steaks. On this last leg we are seeing a few more new items.

Folks who are Zenith level of the Captains Club and B2B passengers are also invited to the Concierge lunch.

We departed a cruise in Yokohama and then stayed several days in Tokyo before flying home. I contacted our Tokyo hotel and the concierge set up a car for the two of us. And the price was very reasonable.

We have been to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor. Unalaska is the name of the town. The smaller expedition ships dock at the berth used by the Alaska Marine Highway ferries. Larger ones use the berths also used by the commercial fishing fleet which is farther out. We have been there when a cruise ship was docked and there were shuttles (using school buses) to allow folks to easily visit attractions such as the WWII museum. For those not familiar with Alaskan history this community as interesting WWII history. We have also been in Kodiak when a cruise ship was in port. Also shuttle service was provided using a school bus.

Interesting post. We drive to Denali frequently during the summer and have probably stayed at the Denali Princess Lodge around thirty times. We have also stayed at the McKinley View Princess multiple times (over ten times) as it is a convenient place to stop when driving home from Seward. We have also stayed at the Copper River Princess. None of these stays were while on a cruise tour. We just call the facility and book. Never had an issue.

Just want to expand slightly on post #3. Not only is there one road between Whittier and Anchorage, there is also a long tunnel which is shared by vehicles and the train. There are references to “timing the tunnel” as the road is closed when the train is using the tunnel.

Capt. Matt has been the official captain since boarded in Rome. Capt Matt is listed as the captain in the “In the Spotlight” info sheet for the October 30 cruise. Capt. Kostis left in Piraeus which is where he lives.

A few ideas: Juneau: Hanger on the Wharf Sitka: Bay View Pub Ketchikan: Annabelles Victoria: Bard and Banker Pub

There has not been a change captains since we boarded on October 30. Capt. Matt has been the captain the entire time we have been on board. According to Capt. Matt Singapore officials told the executive team that they could process 500 persons per hour. At a public Q & A session he stated that he doubted that they could do 400 per hour. And another “happy birthday” to Jim. Was that a special birthday hat which you were wearing in Luminae at lunch? Gerry

It was clear at the Zenith lunch we attended that the executive team expected delays, hence the decision to depart two hours later than originally planned. They have been burned several times (such as the debacle of embarkation in Dubai in which some of the embarking passengers took 4 hours to board and those with transit cards had to stand in the same lines; the immigration inspection in Mumbai which, according to the hotel director, required seven hours to get all passengers processed; the debacle in Cochin where we left five hours and fifty minutes late; the almost three hour delay in arrival into Colombo). Several of these countries have complex governmental bureaucracy. We stayed on board in Singapore as we have spent some time there on a land trip and the attraction we would have liked to revisit requires a full day. We waited in the Retreat Lounge which was stacked up with departing passengers. Announcements through the ship started — first they were reporting delays of an hour to get to Singapore immigration, then the line was reported to be 1.5 hours to get to immigration. The final departing passengers left the Retreat a few minutes before noon. These issues will not happen in Sydney. We have both embarked and disembarked there a number of times through the years. Most recently we were on a B2B2B2B with all TADs in Sydney and all were as smooth as could be. Jim: During the first leg the evening Luminae menus were the standard ones. But some of the lunch dishes were new. During the second leg the Luminae chef began offering some dinner specials which were not on the printed menu. The waiters told you. Also during that second leg some of the printed menu offerings were different than the traditional ones. We have used the same head waiter since we boarded, and he says the Luminae menus are being updated. Gerry

I hope Jim doesn’t mind but I will respond. We boarded the Edge on October 30th and there have been several debacles. Not only were there issues for embarking passengers yesterday but the turnaround process for B2B passengers was a mess too. We are in a Suite and also are Zenith. Took an hour and twenty minutes for us to be processed. Absolute mess. In any event at our Zenith lunch on November 21 (there were so many Zeniths on board that three lunches were held) Captain Matt announced that we would depart Singapore at 7 PM instead of the originally scheduled 5 PM. We left at 8 PM as they were still loading freight.

Regarding refrigerated cases I remember a number of years ago the old Cova Cafes (now called the Cafe al Bacio) had tapas in the evenings. They were served in small white plates displayed in the cases (the same cases which displayed the breakfast pastries in the am). Those plates, when handed to you, were definitely cold.

The aforementioned tunnel accommodates both rail and vehicle traffic, but not both at the same time. I doubt that google maps takes the tunnel delays into consideration.

I also am posting from the Edge. I also have not observed any pre-made mini sandwiches but have seen the coconut macaroons. And at least some of those pastry cases are indeed refrigerated.

We are presently on the Edge, and the world final for cricket was broadcast several days ago. That game is a mystery for Americans but we watched the last part of the game with Australians who had to “translate” for us. So there may be hope for your husband.

If you want to do an Arctic Circle trip from Fairbanks consider the highly rated company Northern Alaska Tour Company.

Have you contacted the Kodiak visitor’s bureau/chamber of commerce?

Would a visit to the Casino be of interest? Incredible art deco about twelve stories high.

I am currently on the Edge on a B2B2B series as the ship moves from Europe to Australia and New Zealand before moving to Alaska for their summer season. Repositioning itineraries often have rather unique port stops. And on the Suez Canal segment Aqaba, Jordan was dropped due to safety concerns. Oman was a last minute substitute.

Jim: Since we have been to Dubai previously we stayed on board and we are SO glad we did. The Retreat B2B passengers had it somewhat better than the B2B passengers who went a shore but it was still an appalling mess. Absolute mess. Never have experienced anything like it. Zenith friends went outside and — even with a transit pass — they reported a two hour line to reboard. One person fainted while in-line. People are very upset, and I mean very upset. I have seen some photos and they are appaling. We had the CC welcome toast this am. Again sloppiness as some Zeniths did not receive an invitation. We learned of it as Charles ran into the CC hostess. She told me that she had prepared the invitations before the turnaround day (and I believe her). Very poorly attended by all levels of the CC. But Captain Matt announced that we have 51 Zeniths onboard for this leg. Gerry

My apologies again to our OP for jumping into her thread. We are also in this cruise and also boarded on October 30. We are Zenith CC members and are also in a suite. Despite a number of emails some folks have boarded without visas for Sri Lanka. Even in the Retreat Lounge there is, at best, minimal assistance offered. Make sure you get that visa before your board. Do not expect help once onboard. Some of the Suite passengers thought that the Retreat Concierges would be of assistance and have now learned otherwise. When we boarded on October 30 for the Suez Canal cruise we were asked if we had an Indian visa. We did. Other folks were asked to produce them.

Whoooo baby —- Sitka is definitely evaluating the future impact of cruise ships. An acquaintance in Fairbanks grew up in Sitka and returns for holidays. They do not want to become another Skagway.

Skagway also offers helicopter trips to a glacier and dogsledding. Is Skagway on your itinerary? In any event use google to locate the website for Temsco which, at least in the past, as offered such excursions in both Juneau and Skagway.