Northern Aurora

I don’t know, but in the fall of 2021, after the passage of the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act, we were B2B on cruises. Our beloved dog developed, of all things, vertigo (vestibular). We were calling our vet in Fairbanks from every port, and the connection was perfect.

I have actually done this run, and I really don’t think it matters much. In the inside passage the ship is transiting between the mainland and the barrier islands.

Just a quick comment from someone who’s lives in Alaska — since this a RT out of Vancouver I don’t think it matters much.

And our OP is on an Alaskan July sailing. While past the summer solstice it will still light outside. The “show” folks will want to see is the scenery outside.

There is sufficient seating in Celebrity theaters. So no booking needed.

No. Shows do not need to be pre-booked.

I suspect a number of us are curious — how much time did you have to spare? What time did you set foot on that ship and when did you depart? We flew from Fairbanks to Anchorage, and then onto Honolulu yesterday to stop for 48 hours before proceeding to Sydney. While our first flight left 20 minutes early the second flight was about an hour late. While waiting to board that flight folks at the gate next to us were experiencing a three hour delay as they were waiting for a crew member. Airline scheduling is becoming so tight it almost most makes you wonder if even flying in the day before embarkation is sufficient. In any event — have a great vacation.

This Alaskan also has ATT & T. We ave never tried it at sea, but have good coverage in ports.

We are traveling toward our an embarkation port, so despite reading in airline lounges, was following as close as I could. So glad you made that ship.

We have had several overnight stops at a tender port, and tenders have always operated at a reduced schedule.

I love Homer. Great scenery and non-touristy. Sitka is also a plus.

Even though we live in Alaska we periodically do Alaska itineraries. Dress on Alaska cruises is definitely more casual on evening chic nights.

Wow -- this is becoming quite the saga indeed! @Georgia_Peaches keep us posted and let us know when you board your flight.

I'm not a librarian, but if I was the Director of the Skagway library I would limit access to those who had a Skagway library card. There would be a special summer library card rate which would be set high enough in price to discourage casual purchase.

Since you are a hiker research the Mountain Vista trail. Should be information on the Denali National Park website.

Both Holland and Princess own large lodge complexes at the entrance to Denali National Park. They also own hotels in Fairbanks with Holland also owning one in Anchorage. Princess also has the McKinley View Lodge about 45 minutes by road to Talkeetna, the Copper River Lodge and Cooper Landing Lodge. If my memory is correct last summer Princess at first opened the Copper River and Cooper Landing lodges but closed them in early June due to severe labor shortage issues. While periodically posters will praise the amount of money these companies have invested in their infrastructure but it also means that they are tied to those lodges. Note that the single road into Denali is closed 42 or so miles in they are still selling the cruise tours. Quite frankly I don't think that Denali is worth visiting until folks can reach Eielson Visitor's Center (mile 66). If all goes really well that road will not be open past Pretty Rocks until 2025. As already noted the cruise tour you are considering consists of a great amount of sitting on the transportation.

Are you asking about Fairbanks? The major car rental companies have desks (and cars) at the Fairbanks airport. I have been on late night arrival flights and those car rental desks were manned. And of course, we have cabs. When there a flight is arriving, no matter what the time, there will be cabs available. A consideration for your free day is to drive to Chena Hot Springs Resort. The first 25 or so miles of the Chena Hot Sprigs road is through some rather odd subdivisions. But at mile 25 the road enters the Chena River State Recreation area. Lots of hiking trails and a very "moose" area (ie, prime moose habitat).

At least in the past the Skagway public library offered free wifi. It was a problem for them as it is a small facility and it would be over-run with cruise ship passengers and crew. So check their website to determine if they still offer free wifi.

It is my understanding that most cruise lines provide shuttle buses to downtown Valdez. The community itself is compact and easy to navigate on foot.

I have visited Prince Rupert as a port stop. I find it so refreshing to visit a port where a Diamonds International shop isn't just across from the dock. I don't remember a mall in close proximity, but would not be looking for one either. I do remember the beautifully curated Museum of Northern British Columbia and a lovely artists co-op with great high end crafts.

We have stayed at the Pan Pacific several times prior to boarding a cruise ship with the most recent time being April 2022. There is no "package" which includes the bell staff picking up your luggage and delivering the luggage to the cruise terminal porters. Just ask when checking in and details will be given. But essentially you just call the bell desk and they pick up the luggage from your hotel room. The bell staff remind you to not have such items as your cruise documents, passports or prescription meds packed in the luggage. The first time we stayed at the Pan Pacific prior to a cruise was in 2009 (my husband has stayed there on several business trips) and we never have been told that a tip was required (although we always do tip) nor have we ever been handed a card with a suggested tip amount. And I have never seen a photo of a card which had a "suggested tip."

The OP has asked about the exchange rate on a Celebrity ship. While Guest Relations will be happy to exchange currency you really don't want to do so. The exchange rate will be more than "lousy." You will pay almost obscene rates for the currency. Buy in their defense, Celebrity is not in the currency exchange business. They are in the cruise industry.

Just a quick comment -- Celebrity never had self service laundry on any of their ships. I don't expect they ever will. Complementary laundry has always been a loyalty perk.

Thanks for the update. When we cruised out of Vancouver in April 2022 we stayed at the Pan Pacific, but when we checked hotel prices for a cruise embarking in Vancouver in September 2022 we were able to book at the Auberge a one-bedroom suite with a large living room, kitchenette (which we didn't use) and dining room table for significantly less than the Pan Pacific. And the walk from the Auberge to the cruise terminal is very easy. Slightly downhill.

I also hope our OP updates us. We also fly in to the embarkation port at least a day early, and generally two or three days early. Weather patterns are just becoming so strange with odd weather events becoming more common.