Northern Aurora

In 2022 we stayed in Vancouver twice before departing on cruises. In April 2022 we stayed again at the Pan Pacific (we have stayed there several times on prior trips) which can't be beat for convenience as the hotel bellmen can collect your luggage from your hotel room and deliver to the longshoremen. In September 2022 we stayed at the Auberge. We had last stayed there in 2018. The 2018 room was lovely, but the hotel has been renovated since then. We stayed in a suite in 2022 for less $ than a basic room at the Pan Pacific. Very easy walk, essentially downhill, from the Auberge to Canada Place.

Murray: I also want to thank you for your help and input on this forum. Your guide gave so many visitors courage to tour on their own. Wish you the best.

Some great comments from @psuboater. We have done most of them. And we have done the Argosy Ballard Locks trip twice, and enjoyed it both times.

Nice photos of the RS. And this is a little off topic but when we left the Solstice following our B2B the Retreat Concierges, through the Port Agent, organized a private car service. It was considered a "Private Journey's excursion." The cost was over $200 for the two of us, but we had so much non-refundable OBC we didn't care.

Comparing your time in ports may help you make your decision.

Thank you again for your review.

The response surprised me too. And that particular CC hostess has been with the company a long time.

The Captain's Club hostess currently onboard was in training when we were B2B in September. On the first leg in September there were (if my memory is correct -- I haven't pulled out our group Zenith photo) 19 (or was it 17?) Zeniths on board. On that leg there was a cocktail gathering for Zeniths in Cellar Masters. On the second leg there were 12 Zeniths onboard and absolutely nothing was done. No lunch nor cocktail gathering. On disembarkation day the head CC hostess saw us sitting in Michael's Club and came in to chat. I asked why nothing was done as one couple had just become Zenith and were looking forward to some event of some sort. The CC hostess said something to the effect that she was interested in hosting something, had contacted Miami and Miami didn't approve anything. I am wondering if there is now a policy that requires a minimum number of Zeniths before a gathering is held. Just speculation. Gerry

Yes -- definitely!

Jim: I've forgotten to ask, but am still curious. Was a Zenith event scheduled on the first leg of your B2B? There are so many more Zenith's than we "crossed" in 2016 and a surprising number of double Zeniths also now. I keep waiting for a mention that there were 40 Zeniths on a sailing, and suspect it may happen in the next twelve months. Gerry

We did a B2B on Solstice in June followed by another B2B in September. While I think the color scheme is dated you certainly did not read any comment from me that the beds are old and not as comfortable as on renovated ships. Your specific source for the "lots of comments" is what? We were in the same SS1 for both legs of the June cruises, and in a CS followed by a SS1 for the second pair of cruises. 'While there was more wear on the curtains on the SS1 on the September 2022 B2B cruise it wasn't an issue, at least for me. Possibly for you?

Tapi: When commenting on the connecting door you mentioned that each one of your party had to carry 3 sea pass cards. Were you traveling with small children who used the Fun Factory? If so, what did you and they think of the experience?

We have done several (I am thinking 6) eastbound TAs, and didn't find them brutal at all. As already noted the time zone changes let you ease into European time.

Solstice didn't have the Seafood Shack Lunch on our B2Bs in June, nor did they have one on the B2Bs in September. We had a significant amount of non-refundable OBC and, although we like Sushi on 5, I was looking for lunch options. They may still be "ramping up" their hotel operations.

I always find it interesting to "see" Celebrity through the eyes of someone who just experienced their first Celebrity cruise. We have been on the Solstice a number of times. We were actually on her in March 2020 on what would have been a B2B2B2B set of cruises in New Zealand and Australia, and left the ship the day the global suspension of cruises began. When we boarded in June 2022 for a B2B I felt like I was in some sort of the warp -- the ship looked just the same as the day we left. While the Solstice decor is certainly dated we found it to be in good repair. And, if my memory is correct, Celebrity changed from two stateroom attendants to a single attendant about a decade ago. It was the same time the stateroom attendant carts were re-designed.

Remember -- we live in Alaska and Seward is a place that Alaskans go for recreation. Even though we live in Fairbanks we have been there more times than I can count. When in Seward we always do a day excursion in Kenai Fjords National Park; our preferred vendor is Major Marine. The SeaLife center is interesting. And of course we drive out to Exit Glacier. While we have never done this the Seavey family (think Iditarod dog mushers) have an excursion that many folks seem to find very interesting.

The "powers that be" should just admit that they are short staffed. Mr. Singh was supposed to leave before you boarded. And the Captain's Club host was to start her leave on September 24th but had to stay on the second leg of our September B2B.

In 2016 we used a private car service and would have had no problems making that flight. The company we used was Smiths for Airports, and I believe I've read (if my memory is correct) that they are no longer in business.

I've just been skimming this review, but I also thought that was interesting. On the Eclipse last April, which is also non-revolutionized, we had two Michael's Club/Retreat Concierges and one Suite Manager. On the Solstice both in June and September we again had two Michael's Club/Retreat Concierges and one Suite Manager.

Regarding luggage drop off at the Seward cruise terminal (think warehouse) we have dropped off luggage at 11 AM with no issues. And we also sailed at 8 PM but on a different cruise line.

Just a few comments from someone who lives in Alaska -- In my opinion May is a better month than September. While our weather patterns are becoming rather unpredictable May historically is a drier month. While SE Alaska experiences significant rain September generally is the start of their rainy season. June and July are popular due to the greater amount of daylight. I am not one of the folks who feels that Glacier Bay is a "must." Just ensure that your itinerary includes a glacier. There are also excursions at some of the ports which visit glaciers, such as Mendenhall Glacier out of Juneau.

Temsco Alaska offers a sled dog and glacier tour by helicopter in Skagway.

Temsco Alaska offers a glacier and sled dog tour in Skagway. Use google to find their website.

Do I understand the OP correctly -- they purchased a non inclusive rate and then added a classic non-alcohol beverage package? If they purchased a classic non-alcohol package there will be no glass or mug. Celebrity does not supply such containers, but instead you will receive a fresh (clean) glass or mug with every swipe of your seapass card. Given the number of bars on the ship it will be easy to walk around with a fresh glass or mug. Whenever you order a beverage, whether it be water or iced tea, the server will swipe you sea pass card, which is loaded with your beverage package info, and then return the card. Very easy to pick up containers of water whenever you wish to do so. Although there is almost always a water station at the exit gangway for port calls it is easy just to pick up a bottle or two before leaving the ship. And unless you are in a suite the beverages from the mini-bar, even the water, are generally not included in the beverage package.

There will be body lotion in the stateroom. And there also will be a refrigerator. The treats at Cafe al Bacio can confuse folks. While they are served by one of the baristas they are complementary. And folks don't need to order a latte or Tea Forte to ask for some. What type of stateroom category have you booked?