Iphone Photo Review Solstice Alaska 8/19-8/26

[twins_to_alaska]

We met out butler, Jose, after dinner. His card said Head Butler. He had us sit down on the couch while he explained some things to us as this was our first cruise and first time with butler.

 

He told us about the towels (although Hector/Ramesh seemed to be working from a different script). He told us to keep the balcony door closed while the ship was moving as folk could (illegally) throw lit cigarettes overboard and they could get sucked in. Also that open doors wreaked havoc with the heating and cooling.

 

He said that on evening chic nights there would be suite reserved seats for the shows and if interested we should let him know and he would escort us there. We actually didn't attend any of the evening shows. We were often too tired and none of them seemed our style - I prewatched youtube video clips. We heard positive reviews from other passengers.

 

He told us about the 3:30-4:30 afternoon tea cart with snacks. We told him we'd be passing on that as neither of us drinks hot tea and we were sure we'd not need the extra food.

 

He offered to bring us morning coffee, but neither of us drinks coffee.

 

I have to do a warm eye compress every morning and had a gel eye mask with rubbermaid container to heat it in. I asked Jose if he could bring me a carafe of as hot as possible water at 7 each morning so I could heat up my mask. I ended up varying the time I needed this and would call Jose the prior evening with the desired time. Our last sea day, when we were sleeping in, I called in the morning to ask for an hour delay.

 

Jose brought hot water every day and the two mornings we had room service breakfasts - we had early excursions before Luminae opened - he brought the breakfast tray the same time as the hot water. Breakfast was bare bones, quick, on the coffee table. No tablecloth. We left things on the tray when we headed out.

 

He brought my sister two glasses with ice and limes once for her brewed cold tea. Other days sis brought her tea to Michael's Club and got glass/ice/limes there.

 

For serveral days, instead of tea service, he left (we weren't in the suite) 2 bottles of Evian water on the entertainment center, unasked. By the 4th day we left him a sticky note near the water requesting no more until we had finished our current supply. Our last night we requested another bottle of water.

 

Jose was courteous and gracious. I did appreciate having the hot water and the two breakfasts delivered directly to the cabin.

 

We found, when the carafe wasn't removed one day, that Jose removed food/drink containers not Hector/Ramesh. I called what I thought was housekeeping but got Jose and he said he didn't realize they'd cleaned our room already and he came and removed the carafe.

 

We decided that the included gratuity was sufficient for the minimal requests we made of Jose as we were also paying for butler service.

Edited August 29, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

BecciBoo, I hope you have a terrific vacation! I have some aft pictures from Tuscan Grille leaving Skagway that I'll post. I saw why folk loved aft cabin location!

[Champagne Cruiser]

Thank you for posting your review with pictures. We will be in the Solstice next Aoril so although a different itinerary it's nice to see the pictures of the ship.

[BecciBoo]

Ha, we'll be having dinner in Tuscan that very evening at 6:30.

[LauraAnneC]

Really enjoying your review!

[lizinindy]

Thank you, twins, for the great review. I wonder if you could confirm that the Solstice entered Tracy Arm this morning. A marine navigation website placed the ship in the Arm but just wondering if that was correct. I'll be on board next week and we've booked the catamaran excursion into Tracy Arm....but maybe we won't need to do that!

[twins_to_alaska]

I was on board last week but looking at the previous history track on http://www.*********** Solstice went to Endicott Arm again this morning and not Tracy Arm.

 

I didn't regret doing the catamaran excursion off the boat even in Endicott Arm. We got much closer to Dawes Glacier and hung out there for an hour, getting to see it calve. I did wonder if some folks had cancelled after knowing we'd probably be going to Endicott Arm instead.

 

--- EDIT ---

 

I see I can't put in websites. Some of the websites use the expected itinerary and not the actual position. cruisin dot me uses the actual position. The naturalist on the catamaran said he'd only been to Tracy Arm 6 times this season. The catamaran does the same Arm as the cruise ship does. So it doesn't go to Tracy Arm if Solstice is in Endicott.

 

Edited August 29, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[Disnyfan2]

Really enjoying your review. Your suite looks lovely. One can only dream. Looking forward to the rest.:)

[easyboy]

Nice walk-through report on your suite. Following.

[tweetylori]

What a great review...loving the pics...looking forward to more!

[twins_to_alaska]

Thanks for the comments!

 

I planned to have a different drink per day in Michael's Club. That first night when we arrived it was vacant except for Nichola and Marius, the bartenders. Nichola, from Dublin, had just commenced her first Celebrity contract. Marius was Romanian and very funny. He was helping out as Nichola was new. He worked most mornings and afternoons at Cafe al Bacio. We sat at the bar and chatted while I had a Midori Sour.

 

To bed early. The mattresses and pillows were quite comfortable. Smooth sheets. Unfortunately, my sis and I both start snoring almost immediately and sis fell asleep first. It took me a while to follow suit.

 

Sat Aug 20

 

The weather had changed. It was wet and foggy. Had rained and the balcony furniture was damp.

 

8:30a breakfast. We got the same table. More waves. Captain later said up to 3m waves and 35 mph winds. We felt the boat rocking a little.

 

 

Different decorative butter. A server brought around a tray of pastries and we split a chocolate croissant which was mostly devoid of chocolate and a pistachio pastry that was so so, I didn't finish my half. We didn't take pastries again. They had to be special to expend the calories.

 

 

I was hungry and forgot to take pictures until after we'd started breakfast.

So half eaten food pictures... sorry. I do have pristine breakfast images later in the review.

 

Sis had the 2 egg omelet with roasted tomatoes.

 

 

I had dry rye toast (preference) with sliced banana, yogurt, a side of mixed berries, and very pulpy grapefruit juice. They had taken away the coffee cups but not the sweetener and cream.

 

 

When we were finished we didn't even have to ask, our leftover birthday cake slices appeared.

 

We stopped by Guest Relations, also on Deck 3, to pick up some complimentary Meclizine for sis. Luckily, she didn't need it.

 

Sis, a pediatric oncology nurse practitioner, was interested in the medical facility so we headed down to Deck 2. They weren't offering a tour, though. They're equipped to handle many emergencies. Have a lab, X ray machine, and intensive care unit.

 

Edited August 30, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

The Sky Lounge was open so we popped in for a look. Not much of a view with the fog. The space was also used for the art auction, private events, and the Elite Cocktail hours the day we were in Victoria.

 

We had received the Elite coupon page with dry cleaning, pressing, and laundry offers. We were also invited to events like the cocktail hour, breakfast gathering, and wine tasting. Sis said she wouldn't have packed so much if she'd known she could have some laundry done free... I had told her some past non-Elite suite guests in Celebrity Suite had gotten offers but it wasn't a guarantee.

 

The one coupon we did use was for the free single scoop of gelato.

 

 

 

 

 

I was part of our Cruise Critics Roll Call and we had garnered enough participants for a gathering so at 10:15a we went to Cellar Masters. Our group had been small and only a dozen folk showed up to meet some senior officers. The officers remembered us when we met them later during the cruise... not sure if because I had a twin.

 

We went to the Galley Tour which met in Grand Epernay. Our first time seeing that soaring venue. The event was popular with 24 groups. We got there late and were in group 22 which had the benefit of hearing more question and answers before we were called for our tour.

 

 

The tour itself through the galleys was short and hard to hear the chef. Sis enjoyed seeing the Luminae dessert prep area with the dessert she selected for lunch. The question/answer was the best part.

Edited August 30, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

Brent Nixon was speaking at 11:45a on Humpback Whales in the Solstice Theater so we hurried there next. I would have liked to inspect the Specialty Restaurant sample offerings - an event, Taste of Solstice I think it was called, that was right after the Galley Tours - as we had both Murano and Tuscan Grille dinner reservations. Murano was our grandfathered complimentary suite one as we had booked before 2016 before that perk was discontinued.

 

I had earlier bought one of Brent's DVDs and watched the Alaska and Sea Otters (none on this itinerary, go to Sitka my sis says) presentations. His humpback talk was entertaining and educational. He had us take a picture of this slide. It used to be a handout but apparently passengers went and complained if whales didn't appear as advertised - they took the handout as a guarantee of sightings.

 

 

The talk was well attended. Somehow when it ended it was time for lunch again!

 

A rare menu picture. This menu returned disembarkation day.

 

 

Sis had the creamy tomato soup. She preferred the roasted one. To make up for half devoured breakfast entrees I've got the two soup stages below.

 

 

 

I went straight to the short rib, one of my favorites. It was fork tender and tasty. Get the short rib whenever possible!

 

 

Sis went light as she wanted the ricotta cheesecake.

 

Edited August 30, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

Lunch was over by 1:45p. Headed to the cabin for some relaxation time. The sun attempted an appearance. 3:30 I headed up to Deck 15 for a hot glass show. Sis wasn't interested as had seen a show elsewhere. It had started at 3 and all the benches were full but folk came and went and I soon had a spot on a bench in the second and then first rows.

 

There are bins of pillows to soften the wood benches and blankets. I didn't get any of those this time. Arrive early!

 

I highly recommend the hot glass show. I enjoyed it so much I went to another show last sea day, early enough for pillow and blanket. They don't announce what object they're making so it's a surprise when, say, a beautiful bowl suddenly flattens in 5 seconds into a huge platter. Running commentary and open questions/answers.

 

Bob. He was done with his current contract after this week. Been working with glass since 1977.

 

 

Jared. Full of information. If I remember 10 years glass experience.

 

 

They raffled off 3 previously made pieces at the end. New ones had to anneal in the oven for about 12 hours. You're responsible for transport home. A selection of pieces was auctioned off Thursday afternoon before we arrived Victoria. For those they offered bubble wrapping... not sure about the raffle items.

Edited August 30, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

We had 6p dinner reservations in Murano. I failed you here. No entree pictures and no pictures of the restaurant. I did worse with food photos in Tuscan Grille but do have pictures out the back windows.

 

They seated us in the back room corner. I remember 5 tables there and we were the first seated. We had a 4 person table to ourselves which was fine as we sat on two adjacent sides looking into the room. Pleasant surroundings. Very good service. Water glasses continually filled. Waiter was entertaining.

 

The pyramid of butter was interesting in shape the baguette dry. I left most of it.

 

 

Sis had the creamy lobster bisque. She preferred Luminae's.

 

 

I had the warm goat cheese souffle. I approved.

 

 

For entrees I had the lobster prepared table side which was quite a production. A cart was wheeled out with burner. All the additional non-lobster ingredients were in little cups ready for incorporation. Our server explained each step. Fun to watch. At the end he joked, and now the chef will bring out your real dish. It was a very rich dish (cream was added) but not a huge portion and I ate all of it.

 

Sis selected the Dover Sole as she's never had sole. It also is 'prepared' tableside but in this case the fish is fully cooked and the preparation consists of removing the scales in one piece. Well, mostly one piece. Sis had a single bone. Fish cooked fine.

 

For dessert I had the Valrhona Cocoa Cake and substituted pistachio gelato. It wasn't as rich as our birthday cake.

 

 

Sis went for the cheese course and was able to select her cheeses from a wheeled over cart. The grapes weren't originally offered but sis asked and he added some to her plate.

 

 

Our dinner took an hour and a half. Overall we weren't displeased we'd tried Murano for free but thought Luminae superior. We later found we missed the dessert cart in Luminae that is only brought out evening chic nights.

 

Clocks set back one hour tonight. Yeah! Extra hour of sleep. And fell asleep before sis so slept better.

Edited August 30, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[BecciBoo]

As I recall, that white sauce from your lobster was so yummy I snatched as much as I could from my hubby's plate to add to my venison, made it even better!!!

 

You didn't fail badly...making my tongue water! We are doing Tuscany this time though. Hope we like it as well as Murano's.

[twins_to_alaska]

hi BecciBoo, I hope so!

[twins_to_alaska]

Sun Aug 21 Ketchikan, 70 and sunny

 

5:30a Approaching Ketchikan. My first views of Alaska! Day started cloudy but cleared with sun. Sis suggested manually setting phone time to Anchorage AK so that time would be correct even when out of cell coverage. Verizon coverage fine in all ports.

 

 

We docked with port side facing away from town.

 

 

Carnival Legend approaching dock.

 

 

6:23 clearing. That's Celebrity Millenium between us.

 

 

Balcony was great spot to watch the float planes landing.

 

 

Starboard side.

 

 

We had time for breakfast in Luminae as didn't need to meet our excursion until 9:40a. Double yogurt and mixed berries for me.

Edited August 30, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

After breakfast the early crowds had cleared and we walked right off with no line.

 

8:45a

 

 

My sister knew the son of the owner of the shop right near Solstice so we stopped in for her to say hello. Bought a few post cards and an Alaska magnet (99 cents!) for my fridge.

 

Welcome to Ketchikan sign.

 

 

En route to check in at Visitor's Center. That's Millennium, two n's, I had misspelled earlier.

 

 

The rain gauge. None today!

 

 

 

There weren't any representatives at the Misty Fjords Air desk so we called to check in. We had 45-50 minutes before shuttle arrived so headed to Creek Street.

 

Totem pole along way.

 

Edited August 31, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

It was a well marked walk over to Creek Street, which is a colorful touristy shop area in a scenic location.

 

 

Saw salmon in the stream.

 

 

 

We only spent 15 minutes on Creek Street, just browsed 2 shops quickly.

 

I came away with a miniscule nugget of geniune Alaskan gold, as the sticker on the container proclaims. That's a peppermint Altoids for size comparison. $25. My big purchase of the trip.

 

[twins_to_alaska]

Back at the Visitor's Center the Misty Fjord's shuttle arrived promptly and we stuffed aboard for the short drive south to their dock. There were 3 planes worth heading out together. Porta potty available for use in parking lot (there were also restrooms in the Visitor's Center) before walking down the ramp to the planes.

 

We were assigned to one of the DHC-2 Dehavilland Beavers. Our group consisted of the pilot, family of 3, sis and I, and a single woman who hadn't arrived via cruise ship.

 

 

Sis and I started in the middle passenger seat.

 

 

Up north past the cruise ship dock.

 

 

Solstice. A little blurry as she was at quite an angle as we turned and I used software to straighten so flat on the water. Could see our cabin and another float plane landing.

 

 

We had noise cancelling headphones so we could hear the pilot's commentary and a microphone to ask questions. We were advised not to use binoculars as they could make us ill. There was a bit of a wind and the plane was small. Dad, mom, and I were feeling queasy early. Air sickness bags conveniently located in front of each passenger. I was thankful I'd had a light breakfast.

 

The reflections from the window marred a lot of my photos but here are a few that aren't too bad. The scenry over the Misty Fjords National Monument was spectacular.

 

 

Edited August 31, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

Not being able to edit posts after 20 minutes to correct misspellings is frustrating. Oh, well, please bear with me.

 

More scenery. The lakes were at elevations about 1800'.

Waterfall that was amazing so posting despite reflections.

 

 

Another float plane a speck in the distance.

 

 

We landed at a U shaped dock on a lake with the other Beaver.

 

 

Sis taking pictures, the other plane.

 

 

End of our side of the U.

 

 

It was peaceful, quiet, lush, green, remote. Fantastic. Would have loved to had time for a picnic but only a 20 minute break.

 

Edited August 31, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

Before departing the pilot queried if anyone wanted to switch seats. The dad, who had been sitting next to the pilot, offered up his spot, and I jumped at the chance. I did ask sis if she wanted it instead. The large flat window where I had been sitting was probably a larger view but the front had an air vent, which greatly benefited me the remainder of the flight. We'll just say a picnic now sounded like a horrible idea and I was soon anxious to be back on the ground.

 

Sis moved into my spot and the dad into hers. I hope he'll forgive me taking away his air vent... thank you unknown gentleman!

 

Back out of the fjords. More waterfalls and lakes. We flew low over a small island with seals basking on the beach.

 

Heading back to Ketchikan.

 

 

There be cruise ships.

 

 

The float plane dock.

 

 

Once we had landed (which along with takeoffs was noisy but very smooth), the pilot kindly reached over and opened my door to let in more fresh air.

 

My sister knew a local family and when she informed them we'd be there that Sunday they had kindly offered to pick us up and show us around after the flight. Half of them met us at the dock. The single woman asked and joined us for the drive into town so she didn't have to wait for the return shuttle.

 

Solstice.

 

 

The other half of the family met us at the restaurant where they generously bought us lunch. Sis and I split the halibut/chips and salmon/chips. They also had cod/chips.

 

Edited August 31, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

After lunch we drove north to a beach they patronize for swimming and relaxation. They'd seen humpback whales from shore the previous week.

 

Kids were swimming in the cove.

 

 

There were tide pools and the oldest son caught one of the little fish for a closer look. It was returned back to the water safely. I don't remember the name.

 

 

Dad picked up a small crab.

 

 

I picked up but didn't photograph a tiny hermit crab.

 

We hung out for about 45 minutes. Youngest son walked in the tide pools and played on a tree swing; sis and Mom talked; Dad, oldest son and I had some baseball practice with soft balls. I caught (well, picked up and threw back); not many, he was a great hitter.

 

Looking the other way down the beach. Serene.

 

 

Back at the parking lot looking toward the beach.

 

 

Enjoyed seeing a local spot away from the cruise ship crowds.

Edited August 31, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

Solstice was the last boat leaving Ketchikan at 4 - all aboard 3:30 - so we luckily had time for a 25 minute visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. We were the only 6 people walking the trail. Below is a sampling of some of the totem poles.

 

In front of the clan house.

 

 

 

 

 

Kaat's Bear Wife (bear and tracks).

 

 

Halibut Pole.

 

 

We were dropped off at the dock near Solstice. Carnival Legend was gone and Millennium was pulling away. We entered the return line. John, the Michael Club's concierge, was walking the line searching for suite guests. He recognized us and escorted us along the right side to the front of the line. As he passed he reminded folk to keep the right clear for wheelchairs. Sis heard someone grumble that we weren't in a wheelchair. It was a nice perk for the extra money spent on suite class, and unexpected.

 

Upon return you have to go through security as at an airport with a metal detector and X ray machine. It was fairly quick. The staff keep things moving.