Northern Aurora

We were in Skagway twice in June. The first time was a few days before the slide and the next week was after the slide. We were B2B on the Celebrity Solstice. While the Solstice is significantly smaller than the Ovation of the Seas it isn't a 800 passenger ship either. The Skagway small boat harbor is generally very "sleepy." It was definitely not over taxed. The tenders had multiple slots to tie up to the pier. But to @johnintx : Someone has posted a detailed description of their Ovation tender process in Skagway. Since I don't read the RC board it must have been on one of the threads about the Skagway rock slide on this Alaska forum.

Last fall we did B2B late season Alaska cruises. We used our balcony every day. But we also have never seriously considered an ocean view or inside stateroom. My husband always wondered about ocean view staterooms and when he was in covid-19 quarantine in an ocean view stateroom last April he now really knows he couldn't tolerate one.

We were B2B on the Solstice in June. We were on Alaska Standard Time. You will be on local time in the Alaska ports.

We are Zenith level Captain's Club members. For years our laundry has been returned on hangers. We book Aqua class, Sky Suites and Celebrity Suites. Since the resumption of cruises after the global suspension we have only been in Sky Suites, and on the three ships we have lately cruised (Millennium, Solstice and Eclipse) all laundry has been again turned on hangers.

A Juneau attraction not frequently mentioned is the Sealaska Heritage Institute. There is a free to tour the collection but no admission fee for the gift shop. The gift shop is one of the nicest in Juneau.

I also hope our OP returns. And another Ketchikan restaurant suggestion -- Annabelles Famous Keg & Chowder House. We found it a number of years ago and eat there every opportunity (twice last June on our Solstice B2B). Three different types of chowder which can be served by the cup, bowl or bread bowl (which has dill weed baked in the bread). Excellent fish and chips. And Ketchikan has a dungeness fishery so when in season fresh dungy. And some non-seafood options too.

@JeanieC,Aston : I agree with you. While I haven't followed this thread closely I have periodically skimmed it. We will likely book it in the future as a B2B but we have been to Iceland. My husband and I have done two land trips to Iceland (we've stayed at three different hotels in Reykjavik alone and have stayed at one of those, the Icelandair Natura, twice) and have done one cruise to Iceland. Our cruise to Iceland included an overnight at Reykjavik so we were able to again rent a vehicle since there, at least at that time, were two different car rental agencies which had kiosks in the cruise terminal. We had been booked B2B on the August 2021 Celebrity Greenland & Iceland cruises, and those cruises also included an overnight in Reykjavik with the turnaround day in Southhampton. While the this itinerary is great for those going to Iceland or returning to North America, I find it to be a limited itinerary for those who have never been to Iceland. To miss the attractions on the Golden Circle is a great negative. Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the few rift valleys accessible on land; the other one is located in Africa. The Geysir Geothermal area is fascinating. And Gullfoss is more impressive than any of the waterfall photos posted on this thread as Gullfoss has more than one stage. I hope that those B2B passengers who have never been to Iceland will find this country so intriguing that they will return to see much more.

Twice we have had an overnight in the embarkation port before the ship departed on day 2. One was actually also in Buenos Aires. The ship will act like an overnight hotel and you will be free to leave for more sight seeing. I don't remember how muster drill was handled in 2015 while on the Infinity in Buenos Aires but I clearly remember that the second time the embarkation port was an overnight folks were offered three options for muster drill times. That was pre-covid, but now with the electronic muster drill I would hope the situation would be even more flexible.

I haven't looked at the 2023 season but the last home game in 2022 is the Padres versus the Giants on October 5th.

There are a number of San Diego hotels which are convenient for cruises. Regarding attractions -- we usually spend most of the day on the Midway. The SD Maritime Museum is also very interesting. And for baseball fans Petco Field is easy to reach.

The non-alcohol minted lemonade is great -- tart sweet flavor with bruised fresh mint. Very festive.

And to answer your second question -- taxis will be readily available.

Alaska, like other areas of the US, is experiencing a severe labor shortage which has impacted the hospitality industry. So book those accommodations early. We also have had a shortage of car rentals, so book those vehicles early too.

We have been on Infinity a number of times, and the Sunset Bar is popular on a warm weather itinerary for a casual Meet & Greet.

The three hour drive time is from Anchorage to Seward. Unless they are making some stops (such as at the Alaska Conservation Center) the time will likely be more like two and a half hours. I have no idea if RC is closely enforcing check-in times but since you are on one of their land tours I would expect you can just check in. The Seward cruise terminal is essentially a large warehouse with lots of space. Pre-covid when a ship was docked a coffee cart was open. If you can't immediately check-in there is a generous seating area. The terminal is on one side of the small boat harbor and from the terminal you can see the Harbor 360 hotel. It is an easy walk from the terminal to the Harbor 360. There are shops and restaurants in that area. Or take a walk on the floats in the small boat harbor and look for harbor seals.

I also want to thank @aring75 for this interesting and to the point thread. Even though we live in Alaska we periodically do Alaska itineraries and actually spent two weeks on the Solstice in June on a B2B Alaska trip. We also enjoy Sushi on 5. The caramelized gingerbread was on the menu (it is a Sushi on 5 standard) and is our favorite. Also love the lobster ramen, the eel nigiri, the spicy tuna and shrimp and more off that menu.

@LinnieRed : Do go ahead and make at least one or two specialty dinner reservations at the times you can secure. Once onboard ask for assistance from the Retreat Concierges (there will be two) for a possible change in dinning times. Regarding specialty restaurants we prefer Murano. Tuscan has a great view if you can secure one of the tables at the aft of the dining room. And don't overlook Sushi on 5. As already noted Luminae will be your assigned MDR. On the Solstice class ships the waiters can also provide you will the MDR menu so there will be many options. Celebrity has 14 day menu rotations.

We've stayed at the Riverside Hotel several times and thoroughly enjoy it. But our OP should post on the Florida departures board.

As someone who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, which is either the starting or ending point for some of the cruise line land tours, I suggest you plan a DIY land trip. Those cruise line sponsored trips look so herded. And they tend to be "one size fits all," which essentially means they don't it very well. There will be folks posting that they loved the convenience of the cruise line sponsored land tour, but any one with specific interests will not enjoy all of the "shopping opportunities" built in to the cruise line tours (which receive a commission from the gift stores). And there are no attractions on a cruise line organized tour which can't be done on a DIY tour. Since our OP has specifically mentioned an interest in viewing wild life I suggest they do a DIY tour. @SightCRR has made an excellent recommendation regarding Katmai National Park and Preserve. Denali National Park is another consideration but be aware of the issues with the Pretty Rocks area into the only park road which has currently limited access to about mile 42. The OP has mentioned a trip in 2024 so hopefully the road will be fully opened at that point but the bridging project over the problem area will take some time. And who knows what the road conditions past mile 42 will be since there has been no maintenance since the closure in August 2021.

Since the bed size issue is so important I wonder if our OP should consider keeping the Sky Suite and also booking an inside cabin. Since folks in Luminae can host non-suite guests for a fee the person booked in the Suite could host the spouse.

So what size bed do you use at home? And as @chemmo has noted the sofas in Sky Suites are fold out beds.

We've stayed in CSs on both M and S class ships. While the design is different we have enjoyed both. On the M class ships we particularly likes the dining table (instead of the large coffee table on the S class ships) and the wall of windows. However, the wall of windows can also allow for a significant amount of radiant heat and so the stateroom attendants will at times lower the blinds after servicing the stateroom. And even though I am 5' high I have no issues with the high tub. I am very flexible and so just sit on the side of the tub, tuck my knees toward my chin and rotate over the edge.

Last April we were in SS1 #6305 on the Eclipse. The balcony is definitely smaller than an SS1 on a higher deck. Balcony size isn't that important to us -- we just need to have a balcony. One advantage to deck 6 is the ability to avoid elevators in this age of covid.

Folks reading trip reports from Alaska cruises disembarking in Seattle will read about the luggage valet program, but that is because the port of Seattle is offering the service. Not Celebrity.

Coral: My husband and I have both read the Shannon and Wilson report regarding the problematic rock face adjacent to the Rail Road dock. He is a geologist and I am not. While the south slide at the Rail Road dock was more recent the Shannon and Wilson report is expressing great concerns about the stability of earlier north face slide. We have read reports on the Anchorage Daily News (we subscribe electronically) and have listened to news reports on the Alaska Public Radio. The Skagway mayor is desperate for funding. He is asking (begging and praying) for emergency funding to develop a remediation plan. This definitely will be an issue which exists longer than the remaining 2022 season and I will be surprised if it doesn't impact the 2023 Skagway cruise ship schedule as well. It is clear that this may not be a simple fix. That is an understatement for those who have read the Shannon and Wilson report. And I differ in opinion with @tetleytea. I remember what Skagway was like in the early to mid 1980s. I now find it too touristy for my taste although they have wonderful quilt shop and two great craft breweries. Unless you have folks in your party who are historic train fanatics I would take the Sitka over Skagway. Sitka offers the Sitka National Historical Park (historic collection of totems), the Fortress of the Bears, the Alaska Raptor Center and more.