Northern Aurora

Lately the Aqua Spa Cafe hasn't been open on embarkation day but check just in case. The Mast Grill has been open in the past.

@stacied68: You may receive more responses and ideas if you let folks know your interests. Just a thought.

If the White Pass & Yukon Rail Way "breaks down" I can guarantee that the ship will wait as there will be a number of passengers booked through the ship shore excursions on that same train run. Exact same train run,

@Djptcp: You didn't indicate that you were a smoker or not. And I never suggested that if you are a smoker that you cheated. And yes, maybe choosing Celebrity was a mistake.

Just a quick comment -- Celebrity smoking policies are wonderful for those of us who don't smoke and for those trying to quit the habit. While Celebrity passengers tend to be very affable, fellow cruisers are not charitable to those trying to cheat. Those who smoke on their balconies will likely be contacted by Security.

We have stayed at the Marriott Waterfront at least five times either pre- or post cruises. The convenience to Pier 66 (Bell Street) is wonderful, but for those on cruises departing from Pier 92 (Smith Cove) the Marriott concierge books folks on an inexpensive shuttle from the hotel to Smith Cove. And we have not had any issues with noise from the trains which run behind the hotel nor any issues with construction noise. The hotel itself is undergoing renovation and no noise from the renovation when we stayed there last June either.

Even though we live in Alaska we have done a number of Alaska cruises. I personally prefer the one-ways, but we have done RTs too. I much prefer the RTs out of Vancouver, but we have done them out of Seattle too. Both my husband and I have a high tolerance for rough weather, but since your daughter does not she needs to be prepared. She may want to contact her primary care physician for recommendations regarding seasickness medications.

I will also be following. My husband and I have done 6 full transits, and it is one of our favorite itineraries. Nice balance of port and sea days.

The type of White Nights on Celebrity are definitely not the type of White Nights seen on British cruise lines where everyone is wearing white (even men in white shoes). I've never been interested in packing white clothing on a cruise. I enjoy red wines. A glass of red wine on rough seas just isn't a great pairing.

I sometimes sense that folks who have not visited Denali National Park make the assumption that wildlife viewing opportunities are equally spaced along the road. The first part of the road is not above the tree line and has a dense spruce forest in some areas. Moose step off of the roadway and, despite their size, instantly become invisible. With the closure of the single road into the park folks miss the Polychrome Overlook (nice overlook to spot wildlife), the Toklat River rest stop (frequent bear spotting here), the Stony Hill Overlook (again, great open views to spot wildlife), and the Eielson Visitor's Center (very different educational displays than the visitor center at the park entrance, beautiful views across to Denali, wide open views to spot wildlife and ranger lead hikes).

This seems to be a reference to the SE Alaska Discovery Center. They accept several annual passes so check their website for the the list. They also offer a junior ranger program. While we generally don't stay more than an hour this is an option for those who find themselves in Ketchikan on a cold, rainy, windy day.

@cruise101: While you are asking Gold1953 I suspect they are referring to the Elite and Above Captain's Club breakfast, While you don't state (or at least I missed it) which ship you will be on this Captain's Club breakfast is in the Tuscan Grill on S- and M-class ships. For those who are not bacon and egg breakfast folks it is a nice alternative.

We were on the Solstice in June 2022 and also September 2022. My recollection is that the shows were at 7 and 9 PM.

Just to slightly expand on @Gardyloo's comments -- at times through the years some posters have thought that the fact that Princess and Holland own their own lodges at Denali was a positive. But it also means that they are tied to those lodges. From what I have read neither company has modified their cruise tour offerings. They are still pushing cruise tours which include Denali. But now the single road in to Denali National Park was closed in August 2021 at the Pretty Rocks section. So interesting areas such as the Polychrome Overlook, Toklat River rest stop, Stony Hill Overlook and Eielson Visitor's Center are not accessible. The National Park Service announced in January 2023 that they have finalized a contract and hope to have at the road fully open in 2025. My perspective, as someone who lives about a two hour and fifteen minute drive north of the park entrance, is that it really isn't worth to visit until the road can be accessed as far as Eielson Visitor's Center. I would suggest investigating the Wrangell -- St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

We were actually on the Solstice for what would have been a B2B2B2B in March, 2020 when the global suspension of cruising started. What an interesting time at the Sydney in the international air terminal. We did a B2B on the Solstice in June, 2022 and another B2B in September, 2022. The second B2B legs were booked separately so we ended up in three staterooms. In June we were in the same Sky Suite for both legs, and in September were in both a Sky Suite and Celebrity Suite. Our three staterooms were in good condition, but the dated decor was interesting. We clearly had some new soft goods such as mattresses and curtains. Our overall dining experience was very positive.

I've found that Icy Strait Point to be incredible for whale watching and have less success in Juneau. In ISP we once had ninety (yes -- 90) minutes of bubble feeding with total breeches. It was somewhat exhausting just to watch!

This Ward Dock is a serious problem on this itinerary given its distance from Ketchikan and the short time in port. But another possibility for our OP is the Ketchikan Totem Heritage Center. It is easily walkable from downtown. And we are also fans of Annabelle's and try to dine there every time we are in Ketchikan.

There are 12 distinct first people cultures in Alaska. In the SE Alaska cruise ship territory you will find Tlingit and Haida cultures. Sitka has a large Tlingit population. There is a wonderful clan house downtown (which I have visited) but I am not clear if it is open to the general public. There is a visitor's center with information/education displays at the Sitka National Historical Park (referred to as "totem pole park" by the locals). Juneau has displays in the State Museum. Also the Sealaska Heritage Institute has a beautifully curated exhibit (I don't remember the admission price). Their gift shop (no admission) is wonderful and I purchase a pair of earrings every time we visit. I haven't been to Haines recently. Ketchikan has Saxman and Totem Bight. Additionally they have the Totem Heritage Center which displays a collection of old totems inside (which is a great option on a rainy day). The Tongass Museum also had information on the first cultures.

Twice (if my memory is correct) we booked guarantee Suites. Although we don't need accessible staterooms both times we to those who don't require one. Unless there are significant itinerary considerations I also would book the Summit.

Skagway would have been easy as they have the Red Onion Saloon, Skagway Brewing Company and the Klondike Brewing Company all in one little town and blocks away from each other. Sitka has the Harbor Mountain Brewing Company and the Bayview Pub. Icy Strait has the Icy Strait Point Brewing Company located in Hoonah itself. Juneau has the Red Dog Saloon. It has been so long since I have been in Haines someone else will have to respond. In Ketchikan the local dive bar is The Asylum. Annabelle's has seating along their long black bar and a food menu heavy on seafood. We try to dine at Annabelle's each time we are in Ketchikan.

@behappy11: You may have more responses if you list the ports on your itinerary.

We have had a number of overnight port calls through the years and at each one the gangway remained open all night. It will be interesting if someone reports a different experience.

I also remember the Ester Gold Camp. Two Fairbanks-ans talking to each other. The last time we were at the Ester Gold Camp was in late August/early September 2008. That was just after the Winther had announced plans to close it. I really don't understand the business plan of the new owners. The camp was closed for so many years it will take some time of them to re-invent the concept. But I wish the new owners well.

And I, who have been there at least six times, was also unaware that car rentals were available in ISP.

I also enjoy dungeness and don't quite understand the tourist fascination with king crab. And I think that Tracey's Crab Shack in Juneau is over-rated. In Ketchikan we have enjoyed fresh dungeness at the St. George Inlet Lodge. We also have had fresh dungeness at Annabelle's (also in Ketchikan). I remember my husband and I sharing a large stainless steele bucket of dungy at Annabelle's which was their special of the day. Actually we try to go to Annabelle's every time we are in Ketchikan.