Living the Alaskan Suite Life On Board Celebrity Solstice, September 2018

[Kevin's girl]

I really need to get this review finished. It is on my list of projects that need completing and not something I can just drop. Besides, I have booked another Alaska cruise for 2020 and look forward to reading all of the upcoming cruise reviews. How can I do that guilt free if I never finished this?

 

Let’s get this done.

 

We drove on through Paradise again on our way up to Sunrise and had to stop for comparison views. Kevin kept asking me if I saw the views out that window and how about that?? I was a photo taking maniac. I just could not soak it all in. Such a beautiful day.

 

[Kevin's girl]

Cruising on to Sunrise via the Mather Memorial Parkway. The drive along the way was beautiful and we made many stops on the way up.

 

 

This was Reflection Lake. Met the nicest ladies here. Teachers I believe.

 

 

 

 

[Kevin's girl]

And into Sunrise in beautiful Mount Rainier National Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this is Sunrise in a nutshell 

[Kevin's girl]

We had such a relaxing week here in Ashford. So much time to ourselves to think about our awesome time in Alaska and get ready for what was lying ahead once we got home. Mount Rainier National Park was a great place to lose yourself in all things bigger than you. It was Mother Nature at her best.

 

We had many meals cooked at our home away from home, but also took comfort in a couple meals at the Copper Creek Inn. Their beef stew and blackberry pie was the true definition of comfort food. They also sold the whole pies even fresh from the oven. I confess we did buy a couple of those during our week stay.

 

A repeat pic, I know but want everyone to be sure what to look for if you are in the area.

 

 

 

 

Here is a link to the menu:

http://www.coppercreekinn.com/menu.html

 

Edited June 13, 2019 by Kevin's girl

[Kevin's girl]

Our last night in town we decided to try a restaurant down the road a ways. We had read the reviews on TripAdvisor and were intrigued. The name of the restaurant is The Wildberry and claims they feature a taste of two worlds, Traditional Sherpa Himalayan dishes and an American Mountain Menu. They did not disappoint.

 

You can check out their website here:

http://www.rainierwildberry.com/html/wildberry.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kevin's girl]

Next morning we were packed up and on the road.

 

 

Our last views of beautiful Mt Rainier. We had an easy drive back into Seattle and to Enterprise at Seatac airport. Such an easy return.

 

I want to thank everyone for joining me on this review. You have all played an important part in my recovery, both with your patience, support and comments. I can't wait to read along with all of you cruising this year to get new ideas for next year.

Happy cruising!!

[cravingthis]

On 2/5/2019 at 9:49 PM, Kevin's girl said:

Cabins were ready promptly at 1:00. We had sailed on the Solstice way back during her inaugural season staying in the same cabin I booked for this cruise. Kevin and I both agree that the Solstice has become our favorite ship. She is great shape and our cabin hasn’t changed a bit. This is cabin 2122.

 

Hi there, just starting my Alaska cruise research.  The sky suite looks lovely.  When I searched online for Suite 2122, it shows the bed near the balcony, but your picture has the reverse?  Is there maybe more than 1 suite named 2122?

 

Suite 2122

[Kevin's girl]

Hello, the sky suite is really wonderful along with all of the great suite perks. This was our second  Solstice cruise in this particular cabin. It was fun staying in the same cabin as our first time. This is the only 2122 there is and we loved it.  I did a google search for this cabin after I first read your post. The images I saw were not even close. Some of the images even had a pole in the middle of the cabin. The sky suites on this ship alternate the pattern. If you look on the pinned ship review for Solstice ships on the Celebrity page you will see there was an older discussion on that subject. 2122 does have the bed closest to the hall door and couch to the balcony. No doubt about it. Enjoy!

[SpnDzzy]

I just want to say thank you for this report.  You are very generous with your time and thoughtful with your responses.

[mbw1024]

On 2/10/2019 at 12:25 PM, Kevin's girl said:

Our excursion; Whale Watching and Mendenhall Glacier Photo Safari, which I did book through Celebrity was run by Gastineau Guiding. When I tried to book this on my own through the Gastineau Guiding website it took me to the Celebrity excursion, so I booked it. This was an amazing tour just as everyone on here on CC has said, so no matter how you book it, just do it. When I decided to book an Alaskan cruise, I said I wanted to see whales and play with bears (figurative speaking)and this tour gave me everything and more. Our guide was Jim and he was very unknowable and fun. 
To book your excursion through Gastineau Guiding and your cruise line use this link:
https://www.stepintoalaska.com/shore-excursions
 
 
This is from their website and the tour I booked.
WHALE WATCHING & MENDENHALL GLACIER PHOTO SAFARI
Experience the beauty of Southeast Alaska in this customized, hands-on experience led by a professional photography guide. This awe-inspiring area awaits the nature enthusiast who wants to capture that perfect moment. Our goal is to provide a fun atmosphere, an opportunity to learn and engage and a chance to explore a new locale; all the while inspiring your passion for photography. No better place than here in Juneau, where you can practice on the photogenic Mendenhall Glacier and feeding humpback whales! Whale sightings are guaranteed!
We were a nice small group and had a great day.

 

Our tour got started as did the photo lessons.

 

Hi. Question about this tour. What did you wear on your feet? 🤣

 

I am just beginning to think about packing for this trip and I have no idea where to start! Do I need boots?

[Kevin's girl]

On 6/23/2019 at 9:18 AM, mbw1024 said:

Hi. Question about this tour. What did you wear on your feet? 🤣

 

I am just beginning to think about packing for this trip and I have no idea where to start! Do I need boots?

For our day in Juneau I ended up wearing my Sketcher Go Walks. I had planned to wear my hiking boots for this day but having had them kill my feet the day before, I went with my Sketchers. If you do hiking shoes/boots, make sure they are ones you have warn to death before going. I thought I had mine broken in but apparently, not well enough. I sprayed all of my shoes and back pack with waterproof spray before going. It worked great and I never suffered from wet feet no matter which shoes I wore. Whether you need boots all depends on what you are doing, but with much of what we did the Sketchers were good. I did wear the Keen hikers in Washington the week after the cruise.

 

These are the shoes and waterproof spray I used. The Tech Wash  was going to be used for my older rain coat but I got a new one for my birthday and didn't need to take the old one. The reviews for that product was also very good and will use it for the coat at some point.

Edited June 24, 2019 by Kevin's girl

[mbw1024]

Thanks so much!

[Kevin's girl]

1 hour ago, mbw1024 said:

Thanks so much!

You're welcome. Have fun planning and packing.

 

[cravingthis]

On 6/20/2019 at 10:15 PM, Kevin's girl said:

Hello, the sky suite is really wonderful along with all of the great suite perks. This was our second  Solstice cruise in this particular cabin. It was fun staying in the same cabin as our first time. This is the only 2122 there is and we loved it.  I did a google search for this cabin after I first read your post. The images I saw were not even close. Some of the images even had a pole in the middle of the cabin. The sky suites on this ship alternate the pattern. If you look on the pinned ship review for Solstice ships on the Celebrity page you will see there was an older discussion on that subject. 2122 does have the bed closest to the hall door and couch to the balcony. No doubt about it. Enjoy!

 

Thanks for clarifying. Yes, I thought the Google search portrayed the wrong pictures.  

[Kevin's girl]

On 7/8/2019 at 1:24 PM, red-dragon said:

 

Thanks for clarifying. Yes, I thought the Google search portrayed the wrong pictures.  

The cabin was really nice and the perks that went along with were great. Well worth the price.

[hsk1977]

On 2/11/2019 at 1:46 PM, Kevin's girl said:

The area we were in for our whale watching was Auke Bay. From Auke Bay you can see Mendenhall glacier and Mount McGinnis. The views are beautiful.

 

We were there during the end of the season but were lucky enough to see a few. This trip gave new meaning to the old saying "there she Blows" and lyrics "purple mountain majesties". As you go along at high speed to get out into the water there are calls over the radio reporting possible sightings. The captain hollers "there she blows, 2:00" and we head off slower speed with all eyes watching at 2:00. Then you see the blow. Then the roll, then Fluke! It was amazing.

 

There she blows!

 

 

Roll

 

 

Fluke

 

A few more backs, rolls and flukes

 

this was the roll and I just missed the fluke. 

We are booked for this excursion next month.  It's our first cruise in 10 years and our first ever trip to Alaska.  Thanks for sharing the review and photos. I can't wait! 

[Kevin's girl]

3 hours ago, hsk1977 said:

We are booked for this excursion next month.  It's our first cruise in 10 years and our first ever trip to Alaska.  Thanks for sharing the review and photos. I can't wait! 

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. If you are like us, this will be the first of many Alaskan cruises. I can't wait to get back there. One more year and we will be clicking a few more Alaskan things off our list. I would love to hear what you think of your excursion, ours was wonderful.

[Walt fan]

I love your reviews and have been thinking about you; how are you?  How is your rehabilitation?  Your next cruise is 2020? I have been reading about the UnCruise for Alaska.  It's pretty bare bones but it really gets you in the thick of things.  I really want to go back to Alaska.  And Mt. Ranier is on my bucket list.  

 

Hope this finds you well.  Take care.

[JFontaine]

Thank you for your time in doing this. I loved every minute of your report. I hope you are doing well.  Glad to read you have another cruise booked. 

[Kevin's girl]

On 10/16/2019 at 7:02 PM, JFontaine said:

Thank you for your time in doing this. I loved every minute of your report. I hope you are doing well.  Glad to read you have another cruise booked. 

I am so glad you enjoyed the review. Looking back through it brings back such good memories. 1 year MRI was good and really looking forward to going back to Alaska to work on my bucket list. Most of my reservations are made and looking forward to the trip while enjoying full retirement.

[cruise kitty]

completely enjoyed your review, & hoping that you are doing well :)

[Kevin's girl]

On 1/16/2020 at 8:14 PM, cruise kitty said:

completely enjoyed your review, & hoping that you are doing well 🙂

I am so glad you enjoyed the review. I am doing well and really looking forward to returning to Alaska. We will be returning to Royal Caribbean for our next cruise and an old favorite, Serenade of the Seas. Our trip will include a Beach BBQ on Annette Island, Dog sledding on Norris Glacier and an Off Road trip in Skagway to celebrate my 60th birthday. 

[cruise kitty]

3 hours ago, Kevin's girl said:

I am so glad you enjoyed the review. I am doing well and really looking forward to returning to Alaska. We will be returning to Royal Caribbean for our next cruise and an old favorite, Serenade of the Seas. Our trip will include a Beach BBQ on Annette Island, Dog sledding on Norris Glacier and an Off Road trip in Skagway to celebrate my 60th birthday. 

 

sounds wonderful, looking forward to hearing all about it!   We're headed to our first Alaska cruise this May on the Solstice :)

[Kevin's girl]

1 minute ago, cruise kitty said:

 

sounds wonderful, looking forward to hearing all about it!   We're headed to our first Alaska cruise this May on the Solstice 🙂

She is a beautiful ship, I'm sure you will love the cruise. I hope you will come back and tell us all about it.