First Time Celebrity Cruisers Back From Alaska on the Millennium

[sillymonkey23]

So, anyone can go up to the helipad to view the glaciers? Could you give precise directions please. Thank you.

 

I believe the availability of viewing the glacier from the helipad is somewhat dependent upon the weather. If it is windy or rainy, they may not open it to guests.

 

On our sailing, an announcement was made in the morning that the conditions were very good for cruising close to the glacier, and that the helipad would be open to all guests at around 1:30 PM. Several announcements were made throughout the day, directing guests to open decks and places to view the glacier. Additionally, there was a wonderful naturalist, Milos, narrating and giving information about the glacier an surrounding area starting at about noon.

 

We put on all of our cold weather gear and made our way to the helipad shortly after lunch. We took the elevator to Deck Five (where the upper level of the Celebrity Theater is). As soon as we got off the elevator we saw signs directing people to the helipad. We entered the theater, and followed a line of crew members directing us to watch our step and proceed to the helipad. We reached an open door that said "Crew Only" and followed more crew members instructions to be careful. We climbed up a few stairs and out a door that led to the exterior deck. Once outside, we did have to climb another set up stairs to get up to the viewing area.

 

It was pretty easy to find once we got to the Celebrity Theater on Deck Five. Just know that it gets pretty cold on the helipad because it is so exposed to the wind. You will probably want a hat and mittens and a solid coat or jacket. You can't beat the views, though!

 

 

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[cpl100]

Excellent! Thank you for that information.

[sillymonkey23]

"Enjoyed your photos & review. We did a similar trip last September. Your review should be very helpful to fellow travelers. We are in our late 60's & tried some different adventures as well. Thought I would add a few photos."

 

Onespots-What wonderful photos! Thank you so much for sharing!

Edited July 12, 2016 by sillymonkey23

[sillymonkey23]

In Ketchikan, my husband and I went off on our own. We had booked a tour with Island Wings to see the Misty Fjords by floatplane. My parents, brother and sister-in-law went to see the Great Lumberjack Show and they loved it. I can post photos of that in a bit.

 

The Misty Fjords tour ended up being an absolute highlight of our trip. This is a great company, run by a phenomenal pilot who owns her own plane and knows the Ketchikan rainforest like the back of her hand. She has two adorable dogs that were sitting on the dock, waiting for her to bring the plane in. What I really enjoyed about this excursion was that the pilot (Michelle) was pointing out things and telling us the history of the area. It was not a pre-recorded lecture. This allowed Michelle to point out goats on the mountainside or giant schools of fish way down in the water. She showed us what lakes she has hiked down to or where she has kayaked and which places she would still like to visit.

 

She landed her plane down in Lake Manzoni and allowed us about 30 minutes to walk around the most secluded, beautiful and pristine lake you could ever imagine. It's right out of a story book. There was a waterfall cascading down the granite mountainside and fresh, wild blueberries to snack on. I loved every second! Despite Michelle's repeated warnings to be careful not to slip on the wet moss near the waterfall, I enthusiastically climbed up the waterfall, lost my footing, and slid down a portion of the waterfall. Michelle was very gracious and allowed me to sit on her rain jacket in the plane so I didn't get her beautiful plane muddy and wet.

 

TIP: bring bug spray, wear good shoes and watch your step!

 

 

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[sillymonkey23]

Our last day of the cruise was a full sea day. We cruised the Inside Passage and enjoyed the scenery from the comfort of the Millie. My husband and I woke up at our leisure, and, as he did on most mornings, my husband went to Cafe al Bacio (Deck Five, Mid-Ship) to get us some delicious coffees and then to the buffet to get us some breakfast. My favorite treat for breakfast was the salmon benedict. There was actually a benedict station where they made salmon or ham benedict to order. So it was always fresh and delicious. I also enjoyed the omelet station and the tasty pastries. Cafe al Bacio was a favorite of ours for their delicious treats such as lemon tarts and cookies.

 

For lunch this day, there was a chocolate fountain stationed in the Oceanview Cafe, with lots of different items to cover in chocolate. While we were eating our lunch, a long line of chefs carried around platters of chocolate-covered strawberries. We thought this was a nice touch.

 

A word on eating at the Oceanview Cafe (which serves as the buffet): we were a group of ten, and we never had an issue eating any meal together at the buffet. Whether we arranged to meet at a specific area or not, we were always able to find members of our group and grab two or three neighboring tables. Yes, there were certain busy times at the buffet, but overall, our group felt the quality of the food and the dining space to be more than adequate for our needs. I observed some rudeness at the buffet a few times, and felt the crew handled it extremely well. I had absolutely no complaints about the buffet. There is also an ice cream station in the buffet area, with real ice cream, not the kind from a machine. If you are eating a snack at the buffet at on odd time of day (say, 11:30 PM), I encourage you to take your food all the way to the aft of the ship and enjoy it in the open air. It's really lovely back there.

 

[liptastic]

That's a lovely way to spend your last day at sea. I have very much enjoyed your posts and photos, thanks so much for taking the time. We sail next month, so reading posts makes it all the more exciting. Safe travels home, Jean.

[rnrcruzin]

We flew with Michelle and Island Wings and we agree - a true highlight of the trip. We've really enjoyed your review.

[nicecruiser]

Thank you very much for wonderful review. We are thinking about booking cruise reservation and would like to know where smoking areas are on the ship to avoid. Thanks for help. Irina

[tevea100]

Really nice review. I really appreciate the time you took to post. We're booked for next July. My wife and I turn 50 so it's our gift to ourselves :). It'll be our first time on Celebrity. We figured we like RCL so the more sophisticated sister should be fine right?

[LauraAnneC]

I've loved reading your review. Haven't been to Alaska yet but hope to someday!

[RiverFlamom]

Thank you so much for sharing all the great information. I'm so excited we just booked our first cruise on Celebrity Millennium for Aug 2017 leaving Vancouver and debark Seward. We really would like to take the train from Seward to Anchorage but not sure if the only one leaves at 6:00 pm. We'll have to see if that will be too late to catch the plane.

[Bo1953]

Really nice review. I really appreciate the time you took to post. We're booked for next July. My wife and I turn 50 so it's our gift to ourselves :). It'll be our first time on Celebrity. We figured we like RCL so the more sophisticated sister should be fine right?

 

t1 - You will enjoy it a great deal, I Am sure. Pending on your expectations for entertainment and top side activities. Entertainment is usually good and there are no top side activities like many of the RCL fleet..

 

It is possible to meet a great number of interesting passengers from around the U.S. and world though, as we have done on other X ships.

 

Which sailing will you be on?

 

bon voyage

[Travelling Paddies]

Hi Sillymonkey23,

I just wanted to thank you for your very comprehensive, informative and useful review. It must have taken you absolutely ages. My husband and I will be travelling on the Millennium next September with friends and the information you have supplied will be invaluable. It is much appreciated.

Many thanks again,

Kath

[kpd21880]

 

 

Kenai Fjords National Park is beautiful, and the trail to the glacier was well maintained and just rigorous enough to make you really feel that you were hiking rather than strolling. Rangers were present in several places and we felt safe that if a bear made an appearance we would be able to shriek for help and a Ranger would appear to save us.

 

 

 

The first part of the trail is very easy and flat with beautiful views of the glacier and the river. If you continue onwards, it gets more steep and rocky, but the payoff is that you come out to an overlook up nearer the top of the glacier. It gets pretty windy up there! There are markers along the trail to indicate where the glacier was at a certain time. This was a sobering reminder of how fast most glaciers are receding.

 

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Hi, Thank you for a great review! We are heading to AK on the same itinerary next June and I found all your info VERY helpful. We'll be spending 2 days in Seward before we board. On our list of plans is the Kenai Fjord National Park glacier hike. We'll have our 6 year old son with us - how steep and rocky would you say the end of the hike is? He's an adventuresome little dude and loves to hike, but is it safe for little 6 year old feet? Thanks for any input you have! ~Katie

 

 

 

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[FlamingJune1967]

I'm gonna be honest. I've never wanted to take an Alaskan Cruise until just now! You are quite the photographer - excellent at capturing the breathtaking essence of the scenery!

[HaliMakai]

Wow your pictures make me homesick, I grew up in Anchorage but have not lived there since the mid 80's. The road to Seward used to be this skinny 2 lane road that snaked along the mountains, with scary drop offs and super tight turns. Funny we have never taken a cruise to there, kindof the been there done that mentality. But your photos make me think about taking the grandkids up there so they can see where Grandma and Auntie Crissy grew up!

[mynx7]

Thank you so much for your detailed review!

 

My mother wants to take an Alaskan cruise after she retires, so we're working on putting together a group of family and friends in 2018 - and your information is priceless :)

[scapel]

My mom will also require oxygen as well as a scooter which I am arranging now. I've moved her to a wheelchair accessible room (9164) form 9149. Such a relief to hear they are so accommodating. We do have scheduled dining at 6 pm in the MDR.

 

Any suggestions for something I am missing with accommodations or planning?

 

My wife had a cousin that wanted to take a cruise. We went and she brought her scooter and about 12 bottles of oxygen that went on the scooter. She had small bottles when she was at dinner and the scooter was parked by the waiter and brought back after dinner.

She had an Oxygen generator that she used at night and when she was in the cabin. I had told her husband to bring a wheelchair since I didn't know if we could get the scooter off the ship. When we got to Grand Cayman I went down to check and the ship was using the boats from shore and she was able ride right on the upper deck of the shore boat. Didn't need the wheelchair.

Cozumel we just put the scooter in the trunk of a regular cab. They wanted us to use a disabled transportation which would cost more, but we insisted that we could use the cab and we did. You should notify the ship people ahead of time that you will be bringing Oxygen aboard.

The porters got the oxygen bottles delivered to the cabin.

 

The cousin brought these 12 bombs aboard --Oxygen bottles_ without any problem but they took his 1/2 " pocket knife away" He had to remember to get it back when we got back to Galveston.

I think it is important to make advanced arrangements if one needs oxygen. Not sure the ship furnishes it.

Edited November 23, 2016 by scapel

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[KathyPatterson]

Hello and thank you for your review of the cruise. My family and I are going on this cruise in July 2017. My 24-year-old daughter will be flying in a few days after us (we are going on the Denali portion but she is not). I arranged for her to stay at the Hilton Anchorage and am wondering how she will get to the train station. Was there a hotel shuttle to the train? How far is the station? Is there only one train per day? Thanks in advance.

[scapel]

Hello and thank you for your review of the cruise. My family and I are going on this cruise in July 2017. My 24-year-old daughter will be flying in a few days after us (we are going on the Denali portion but she is not). I arranged for her to stay at the Hilton Anchorage and am wondering how she will get to the train station. Was there a hotel shuttle to the train? How far is the station? Is there only one train per day? Thanks in advance.

 

I have not taken the train from Anchorage to Seward, but Seward is not a very big town so it shouldn't be hard to get from the station to the port.

It is not far in Anchorage from the Hotel to the train station so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

If you take the long day tour in Denali, pick up some Subway sandwiches to take with you as the included meal is not much.

[CoatRackOfDoom]

SillyMonkey23, thanks for the review and all the brilliant pics! I'm booked on the Millennium in June for the Northbound itinerary. I have such a better understanding of the available shore excursions now!

 

Cheers,

Ed

[atlgants]

Thank you for sharing and for all of the great photos! So excited for our May 26th Northbound!

[birdyhunter]

Did you book the train through Celebrity or directly with Alaska Railroad?

 

 

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[sillymonkey23]

Hi, Thank you for a great review! We are heading to AK on the same itinerary next June and I found all your info VERY helpful. We'll be spending 2 days in Seward before we board. On our list of plans is the Kenai Fjord National Park glacier hike. We'll have our 6 year old son with us - how steep and rocky would you say the end of the hike is? He's an adventuresome little dude and loves to hike, but is it safe for little 6 year old feet? Thanks for any input you have! ~Katie

 

Hi there! How fun! Personally, I think an active 6-year old would love the hike, but you know your son best. We saw many families and young children on the trail, although there is one place that gets rather steep. It is shaded, and if you aren't rushing and take this slow, I think it is totally doable.