Northern Aurora

We have tendered in Kona, and I will be very surprised if the tenders don't operate all night (on a reduced schedule late at night). The one time an overnight tender did not operate all night was in 2016 in Yorkys Knob in Australia. That port is someone what of an aberration due to sea conditions and the length of the tender ride.

Just to expand slightly on @Glaciers's response -- a surprising number of the southeast communities do indeed have a local sales tax. I think I correctly remember the number of communities, but since I am not absolutely certain I shouldn't post it. But the number really surprised me as it was more than this Alaska resident had anticipated. No statewide sales tax.

Anchorage has a large range of hotels -- both chain properties and some non-chain. If there is something specific you want to do in Anchorage than you may want to consider a property near that attraction. But I have another idea -- have you considered spending a day in Seward? A number of interesting attractions in Seward with a variety of hotels too.

While I haven't been to ISP this summer in the past there has been an elongated golf cart shuttle.

Just a quick "thank you" for such a lovely review. In 2019 we were on a B2B2B on the Constellation. We also did the Tuscan Farmhouse Experience (post 52). From the outside of the stone farmhouse and your other photos it appears to be the same family we visited. We a great amount of N-OBC and really enjoyed this excursion. It was a hoot.

While Anchorage has a serious homeless issue it is not a problem to walk from a downtown hotel to restaurant. There are cabs. Alaska's Wage and Hour regulations were modified several years ago (under the administration of former governor Gary Walker) and so now Uber is legal.

Absolutely not. Even prior to the pandemic folks needed to be prepared for a significant wait if they did not have a reservation. Post pandemic Alaska is experiencing a serious labor shortage and the hospitality industry has been very hard hit. If there is a restaurant of particular interest than make a reservation. And there are very few restaurants in Anchorage which do not take reservations. At a restaurant such as the Marx Brothers a reservation is a must even during winter.

We also have taken the train. Lovely scenery. Folks keep their carry-on luggage with them and large bags are checked. Once the train reaches Vancouver the cars disembark by each car, with the luggage lined up and very easy to locate. It is also very easy to fly. Alaska Airlines/Horizon have multiple daily flights from Seattle to Vancouver.

I also don't read any indication that our OP is in an Aqua stateroom. I agree with "mom."

@hrt4girls: Bird watching magazines have reviews of binoculars which may be handy. Check your local library. But while reading reviews is helpful it is so important to actually hold binoculars in your hand before buying. My husband is a birder so we have multiple pairs around the house. His favorite is a Zeiss Victory HT 10 x 42. He absolutely loves them by they don't fit well in my hands and I find them incredibly heavy. My own favorite pair is a Nikkon. Binoculars are not a "one size fits all" sort of product. So head over to a local sporting goods store, talk to the personnel and start trying on binoculars.

The single road into Denali is closed about mile 43. Work on the bridge project just started last month. The National Park Service is hoping to have the road fully accessible in 2025 but who knows? What folks are missing from the Denali experience includes the Polychrome Overlook (mile 46), the Toklat River rest stop (mile 53), the Stony Hill Overlook (mile 62) and the Eielson Visitor's Center (mile 66). My perspective, as someone who lives about a 2.25 hour drive north of the entrance to Denali National Park, is that someone who doesn't go into the park at least as far as Eielson Visitor's Center has shortchanged themselves on the Denali experience. While Denali is heavily sold by the cruise lines it certainly is not the only road accessible interesting park in Alaska. As an alternative consider Wrangell -- St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Also consider researching the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark and the town of McCarthy. May be of interest. Gorgeous area.

Since our OP will have Elite Captain's Club status they can attend the Captain's Club happy hour event which is held in various bars across the ship. They can pick up water bottles there. And I hope they have contacted the Celebrity Captain's Club so that their Diamond Royal status will indeed be recognized.

I am glad that someone has confirmed the shuttles. Not only are we still experiencing a severe labor shortage in general in this state, we are having extreme issues with a lack of folks who have commercial driver's licenses. For example, Sophie Station Hotel in Fairbanks for years (think decades) had a trolley type of shuttle on a fixed route around town for their guests; it has not resumed since the pandemic. And the school bus vendors around the state are really struggling to staff school bus routes.

There are large signs at SEATAC with verbiage to the effect that once you leave the terminal area do not expect to re-enter the terminal. I seriously doubt that you will be able to leave the secure area, pick up your bags, and then somehow have them scanned again to re-enter the secured area. Your airline will not somehow re-check your bags. We have stayed a number of times at the Mayflower Park. While there is no rooftop restaurant their on-site restaurant is excellent. And their bar, Oliver's, serves large (think small plates) food offerings. Go directly to the hotel.

@Coral: Marx Brothers is one of the nicest restaurants in Anchorage. I don't remember when they opened but I remember dining there in the early 1980s. That particular experience was very memorable as a co-worker went into diabetic shock. She learned her lesson from that experience -- what can I say. It was a memorable experience for all -- her friends and the employees. In any event, the building was originally a small home from the early 1920s (check their website for accurate info) so reservations are a must. Excellent food. Lovely decor. Great food.

I wonder if @dfilpus has stayed at the McKinley Chalets this season. I hope so. Alaska is experiencing a severe labor shortage in general and a particularly severe shortage of folks who have Commercial Driver's Licenses. Until @dfilpus confirms that they were at the Chalets this current season our OP needs to e-mail the Chalets and confirm that those shuttles from the Chalets to the DBD are indeed running this summer.

We have done Vancouver RT. While I don't know what ship you are considering our experience was that we saw quite a bit of scenic land and islands on our sea days.

If you want something more upscale consider the Marx Brothers Cafe. Reservations are a must.

Anyone who loves art galleries should check the Vancouver Art Gallery website. While I find their Emily Carr gallery an acquired taste they have some very interesting special exhibits.

We are Zenith members of the Captain's Club who travel in Sky and Celebrity Suites. We have yet to have a butler show up at our stateroom with a tablet .....

This situation happens to so many folks. On the first leg take your documentation of your loyalty points to the Captain's Club folks on board. Your should be able to enjoy the perks of your new CC level for the second part of your B2B.

Thank you so much for the update. The younger brother of a close friend went from seemingly healthy to having a major stroke the day after Christmas. I have another friend who deals with Parkinson's, and tells folks that when you have good health "you have it all." I wish you well.

Terry-- let me again state that you will not have an issue. While we are Zenith we also travel in Suites. You will not have an issue at Bay of Islands.

When we are in San Diego on a turnaround day on B2B cruise or there for a port day we always head to the Midway. Since we first visited the Midway in 2008 more and more of the aircraft carrier has been opened.

We have tendered at the Bay of Islands, and they handled Suite/Retreat guests the same as Suite/Retreat guests are handled at other tender ports. We reported to the Retreat Lounge, and were escorted to the very front of the tender lines by one of the concierges.