Northern Aurora

We have done two land trips and one cruise to Iceland, and still have more to see. In addition the ideas already mentioned consider the Settlement Exhibition. Due to the sagas historians think they know which of the original families built this house. And we also like the area around Vik and have stayed at the Icelandair hotel at Vik for several nights.

We have been on over 70 Celebrity cruises, so it was very interesting to read your perspective as a first timer on X. And I also suspect that your magnet was not stolen by a passenger but was removed by a housekeeping staff person. While some folks feel the need to decorate their doors I have never seen a magnet in a hallway. If you had dropped by Guest Relations (lost and found) they probably had it.

I also remember the bags of popcorn in Celebrity theaters, but have not seen that in many years. Also wonder if the practice was stopped due to the mess left on floors,

In September be prepared for rain. Dress in layers with a waterproof (not water resistant) outer layer. Layers are also the key in Alaska. Folks on Alaska itineraries tend to dress more casually than on a number of other itineraries.

Goggle maps seem to be highly inaccurate in Alaska. Your taxi ride from the Anchorage airport to the Captain Cook will be around twenty minutes. uber is now legal in Alaska. There was an issue with our wage and hours laws which had to be modified so Uber could legally operate. Taxis will also be available outside of baggage claim.

We are also Zenith Captains Club members and use the free laundry perk continually. We are presently on a ship and sent out laundry yesterday. Items included a pair of my jeans, a pair of my 6 ft. husbands pants, two long sleeved shirts, several sets of underwear and socks. Easily could have fit more items in the bag.

You will want to be onboard two hours before embarkation when first boarding. Remember that you will need to watch the safety video and report to your muster station. All passengers need to do this before the ship will depart Seward. The Seward cruise terminal is a warehouse type of structure. It will be rather empty of passengers until the ship chartered Alaska Railroad train from Anchorage arrives about 5pm. That transfer is very popular. If you arrive before the rail transfer there will be no lines. And the checkin procedure Celebrity developed after Covid is incredibly smooth — virtually no lines no matter where you embark. If you arrive before the train you will essentially walk on board, deliver your carry on bags to your stateroom and start to explore the ship.

Anytime dining certainly is available on Celebrity and Silverseas. While there may be some cruise line which still only offers traditional fixed seating I do not know which one that would be.

Every one, and I really mean literally everyone, sitting in the Retreat Lounge, heard the complaint. She is very upset. Just hope she can accept the situation. These concierges have such difficult jobs. And they cannot move her as the suites are full. And from what we have heard the ship is sailing at capacity. But I am not sure that an inside cabin would make her happy either. The height of a bathroom sink is what it is.

@DaKahuna: On this B2B the dedicated butlers have not returned. But the “head butler” is doing a nicer job than the “head butler” we had for 40 nights on the Edge last fall. Much nicer job. We find Japan itineraries so different than itineraries in places where local folks are indifferent to cruise ship visits. Folks in Japan (including shops and restaurants) clearly appreciate the business. And the friendliness and hospitality of the Japanese people is truly amazing. We were in Japan in 2018 and my husband has been to Japan several times on business. Fellow passengers who have not been to this wonderful country are amazed. This B2B we have been treated to fireworks, local performances from high school bands and as we left Osaka tonight a local Taiko band (not the group which has performed in the theater) performed on pier. Even local folks waving flags when we either depart or arrive. Again on this leg we have at least one Japanese tour company on board. Two tables for their hosts/coordinators on deck 3. There is no dedicated section on the Oceanview for Japanese cuisine, but there is some on board. Just have to search. A number of Japanese beers are stocked. Even though we have some needy folks in the Retreat Lounge on this leg, the ship has a pleasant feel to it.

If you have much experience with Luminae (we hit Zenith level in 2016) than you know that technically neither Luminae nor Blu (Aqua class) take reservations. But we tell the maitre ‘d our preferred dining time, and they try to accommodate it.

@Carried_Away: What you described in your post sounds perfect. We do take very lightweight gloves and hats. A hooded sweatshirt substitutes for a hat. And since we already own them we pack fleece vests.

So many questions. I will try my best but my I-pad keyboard has suddenly decided to act up. I have not observed the Blu menu in Luminae. They are routinely bringing the MDR to folks. Hotel Director Andea Muegge has worked for Celebrity for over a decade. She is originally from a town near Hamburg, Germany. Possibly the most hands on of the HDs. I am not aware of any other HDs with the same first name. At least one of the Retreat Concierges will be onboard until October. They have been preparing very nice summaries of attractions for each port for the Retreat guests. We rarely do anything shorter than a B2B, and I always find it interesting as to how the “tone” of each leg can be so different. Several of the current Retreat Guests need a great amount of handholding, and one person is very angry regarding her suite; suites are full so they cannot move her. And they also cannot change the height of the bathroom sink in her suite. One of the Captains Club hosts told me last cruise that we had 600 or so North Americans on board with a similar number of folks from the UK. A significant number from Australia and New Zealand too. And I am guessing that we have around 600 or so Japanese citizens too. A number of Japanese families with young children in strollers. The ship has been tastefully decorated with Sake casks in the Ocean View and Cellarmasters. Some vases of cherry blossoms (silk). A scattering of “hello kitty” figurines. Japanese beer is readily available, and the miso soup in the buffet is delicious. We overnighted again in Osaka last night, and the same Taiko drummers performed last night at 7 and 9 pm. They performed last cruise in Osaka too. Really well received.

Celebrity docks essentially downtown in the Alaska ports. For example Celebrity does not use Ward Cove in Ketchikan. Would not be hard to walk to a local church in many Alaska ports.

While we love the Pan Pacific we also like the Auberge. They have hotel rooms and also suites. Easy walk to Canada Place.

Our experience has been smooth. On the March 28 cruise we had miserable weather in Shimizu but made all of the ports. The prior sailing missed one port due to winds. Turnaround day the weather was miserable in Yokohama but beautiful yesterday (Shimizu) and today. (Kobe). We had a captain change on April 9 as Capt. Theocharis boarded. Andrea Muegge is the hotel director, and she is highly visible as always. Retreat concierges are great. Luminae maitre ‘d is Fernando; we have had him before and he runs a smooth Luminae. We take full advantage of our Zenith laundry benefit and it has been returning very quickly. It will be interesting to read as to whether you will be able to leave the ship after boarding. The suite manager and one of the Retreat concierges say you can. While I was talking to the concierge he called the documentation officer who also says you can get off.

I also don’t think that Mendenhall merits much excitement, but it definitely illustrates the amount of retreat so many of our glaciers are experiencing.

While I also would not select a cruise to Alaska based on evening shows I can understand that an elderly woman may place more importance on them than I do. Celebrity would be a consideration. On a seven night Celebrity cruise expect three production shows using their in-house production cast with the remaining four nights shows featuring guest entertainers.

Through the years we have stayed at Cedarbrook Lodge a number of times and love the property. With a child another consideration is the Marriott Waterfront. It is located across from Pier 66 but in the past has offered a shuttle to Pier 91 (for a fee). A number of child friendly attractions in close proximity.

Yes — the menu changes nightly. There are fourteen different menus, in addition to several “always available” items such as french onion soup, escargot, shrimp cocktail and so forth.

We are presently in Yokohama on our turnaround day. The weather is miserable so we remained on board. I have now asked your question to the Suite Manager and one of the Retreat concierges. Both have told me you should be able to get off the ship after checking in. The Retreat Concierge also confirmed with the Documentation Officer.

We spent 40 nights on the Edge last fall. We were in a suite the entire time. While the ship is large it did not feel crowded to us. And we were told that it was full. We had a considerable amount of OBC so did dine a number of times in the specialty restaurants. Le Grand Bistro was US$30 per person. Raw on Five is priced a la carte. I do not remember prices of the other venues. Others will chime in. We have crossed between NZ and Australia several times. We have experienced high seas on every one.

I am posting from the Millennium on the first leg of a B2B. We also did a B2B in Japan in 2018. We have/had significant non refundable on board credit on these trips so have booked several shore excursions through Celebrity. But Japan is such a safe country that if you are comfortable navigating their transit system it is easy to visit a number of attractions on your own. Our loyalty level provides both a premium beverage package and premium wi-fi so have not paid attention to pricing for years. If you do not opt for pre-paid gratuities the gratuities will be charged to your account daily. You can check your account daily on the stateroom TV. Certain classes in the gym have a charge. But use of the equipment such as rowing machines and so forth is free.

We had one route mapped out, but talked to the visitor info folks inside the Tempozan Wharf terminal. What we had mapped out would have worked, but they recommended a slightly different route. This question must be asked frequently as they had a printed handout with directions. We boarded the Osaka Metro at station C11 (green Chou line). We got off at the Ikomo Station (C27 ). There we boarded the Kintetsu rapid express to Nara. With the Kintetsu line you walk out of the station at ground level. There is a fountain on your right. Stay on the right and within five minutes you will be in the deer park. The cost was 960 yen per person each way, so less than 4000 yen total for two of us. The same ticket was used for both the metro and train.

You will not be locked on board. Deliver your luggage to the porters, pick up your sea pass cards, put your valuables in the safe and leave for the day.