Northern Aurora

We didn’t make it to Nara when we were in Japan in 2018. The community is so lovely and I fell in love with the deer. Those deer OWN Nara and they know it! And we also belong to the club of folks who had trips to Japan cancelled due to Covid.

We also were on a ship excursion when a number of phones sounded the alert. We happened to be on a high elevation (in the parking lot of the Peace Memorial Museum). Our guide had us initially stay on the motor coach then let us get off but had us stay in the bus vicinity. She was excellent in conveying information to us. A fellow passenger was texting with a relative who had elected to remain on board today, also we knew that the Millennium had left the port before receiving the express notification. We have been told that while the prediction was for a tsunami around four meters, but apparently it more like 0.3 meters. No damage to the port. We had left at 8:30 am for a five hour tour. We received the full tour so returned to the ship after 3 pm. Today the Millennium docked on the port side of the ship. Gangway was normal width. Passports were checked both here in Okinawa (both departing and returning to the ship) and in Kochi (just leaving the ship). Should also mention that in Osaka we docked within a five minute walk to the subway station. On the first day we simply used the metro to go to the train station to board the rapid express to Nara. The deer were incredible. And yes — they do bow for their deer crackers.

Consider the aquarium in Stanley Park.

We are having an issue with tidal conditions. So the ship is using a single gangway off of deck 2 which is more parallel to the ship then generally used. In 2018 we used a much wider gangway. We are in a Suite. The Retreat Concierges are not the ones mentioned on a prior post on this thread. The Luminae maitre’d is one of my favorites. This morning the naturalist Brent Nixon had a Beyond the Podium presentation on coral reefs. His wife Mary Amanda did a presentation on Fukuoka, Japan and Jeju, South, Korea. This is a 12 night cruise, but have three evening chic nights.

I are presently posting from the Millennium on the first leg of a B2B. We were B2B on the Millennium in 2018, and were in an aft stateroom for that pair. Since boarding on March 28th we have docked on the starboard side of the ship. But in 2018 we docked several times on the port side. Folks do not consistently see land on these itineraries. And in 2018 we had some lovely views from our aft stateroom, including a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji while leaving Yokohama. I would have no issues booking an an aft stateroom.

We live in Fairbanks. It is difficult for folks who have not visited Alaska to understand how large Alaska is. That four night pre-cruise package is essentially a lot of time in a motor coach. Instead consider focusing on the Kenai Peninsula.

In Sitka consider the Bayview Pub.

We have done two land trips to Iceland and one prior cruise. We have actually driven the Golden Circle twice. My husband is a geologist so the rift valley is fascinating. For those not familiar google it. We have found driving in Iceland to be very easy since there are not that many roads.

While we have hiking boots we have never taken them on an Alaskan itinerary. We do pack nice waterproof sturdy walking shoes. We have used them in Northern Europe, South America, the Falklands, Iceland and so forth.

I am posting from the Millennium. We boarded several days ago for a B2B with slightly different itineraries. We were last in Japan in 2018 for a B2B, and enjoyed the fall colors on that trip. Covid canceled an attempt to return. We have the long standing Celebrity naturalist Brent Nixon on board; he is doing presentations. He did a presentation on the snow monkeys of Japan yesterday. His wife Mary Amanda is doing presentations on the history of various cities. Last night (we are overnighting in Osaka) we had an excellent local Taiko drum group perform in the theater with shows at 7 and 9. It was wonderful. We also have a sizable group of Japanese citizens with us. It is a tour group with their own welcome desks at Guest Relations. They are enjoying this cruise around their own country, and the folks I talked to also thought the Taiko drum group was excellent.

We are also on the same cruise and that leg is the second leg of a B2B. We have overnighted in Reykjavik on a prior series of cruises, and yes indeed, it was handled exactly the same as Celebrity has handled every overnight port call — the ship gangway will be open all night. People are free to leave at their leisure. We have also rented a car for an overnight at Reykjavik. Great amount of safe overnight parking at the cruise terminal. We did not need to pick up the rental from the airport. It was delivered to the cruise terminal. Two different car rental agencies had kiosks at the cruise terminal for those who had booked cars.

Why do you think that you will be paying a $10.00 up charge in Luminae? For what?

I do not know which month of the year you will be visiting, but the most likely bad weather would be some rain,which is very typical for Juneau no matter the month.

I assume that both cruises use Canada Place. At best you would walk the width of a large building.

We boarded several hours ago. I asked your question, and was told that you can disembark the ship after checking in, but I am not 100% sure that the person throughly understood the question.

We boarded the Millennium several hours ago. We are in an Aqua Sky Suite. We have met the head butler, and asked about dedicated butlers. The answer is not yet.

I had the same reaction when I read the question.

I am not aware of any downtown hotel which offers a complementary shuttle from the Anchorage airport to downtown. The Captain Cook is an Anchorage institution. Also consider the downtown Marriott. The downtown Westmark is becoming “long in the tooth” but would be fine for one night.

Our first Celebrity cruise was in 2008 and we became Zenith in 2016. During our first cruise smoking was allowed in the casinos and Michael’s Club eas the cigar lounge. Admission was not based on any loyalty level. After smoking was eleminated indoors MC becomes a piano bar venue. Remember Perry Grant on the Constrllation? Held court in the MC. MC becomes a venue with access to suites and Zeniths later, and in fact, in 2010 there was not a Zenith level. In 2010 every one had access to MC. Interesting how the venues change through the years.

Actually, the ARR early evening train will offer two levels of service —Adventure and Goldstar. If Goldstar is extremely important to you than you may want to take that 6 PM train. There is much to do in Seward for the day.

When we stop in Victoria on those brief port call designed to satisfy PVSA requirement we walk down to the Bard and Banker Scottish Pub. Beautiful building, great food.

There have been so many complaints about this I, as a Zenith who also has complained about the policy, doubt that the complaints of a single person made the difference. It took complaints from multiple of folks.

There is parking garage under Canada Place. This is where we have seen motor coaches deliver passengers. The luggage drop is in the parking garage. The Pan Pacific hotel is positioned essentially above. You will not enter the hotel itself.

We are presently in Yokohama for a few days before boarding the Millennium for a B2B. For the March 28 cruise we will be embarking using the Daikoku Pier but will disembark at the Osanbashi Pier on April 9. For the April 9 cruise we will be using Osanbsahi to also disembark. Celebrity sent out an express notification for clarification. We were also B2B on the Millennium in 2018 and only used the Osanbashi Pier. Pay attention to your e-docs.p

I also think there is some confusion as initially Sky Suites and Celebrity Suites were not allowed access to Michael’s Club but did have some specialty dining. Michael’s Club was at first limited to Zeniths and higher level suites. When Sky and Celebrity Suites were allowed access to MC they lost the specialty dining. That was the trade-off. And my experience is that Luminae has only been open for lunch on sea days. The rare exception has been when the ship arrived at a port around 1:30 or 2 PM.