Live from Millenium

[NevadaJo]

Yay! We have finally arrived in Alaska. A year ago I never thought I would see this day! Last time we were here , two years ago on the Solstice, sunshine and 80 degree temps greeted us. Today it is partly cloudy, and a balmy 61.  
 

A bit about embarkment  day….. all I have is WOW. It appears a great deal of the confusion was due to the change to Pier 66.  We had to confirm the location 3x with our driver who insisted we wanted to go to Pier 91.

 

Once we arrived, about 15 minutes earlier than our 1:30 boarding time, we went towards the sign that said Retreat Welcome. Since we were staying in a Celebrity Suite we thought we could go there. NOPE! Apparently that welcome was for the 6 couples whose photos were on the greeter’s sheet. Over to the lines for us. Thankfully, as we stood there looking like deer caught in headlights, someone from the roller bag Lane waived us over. And the wait began. 
 

Immediately after us, they put up a gate and started directing the folks behind us into a new line. We would both merge a bit further down the walkway and the original peeps were once again a part of the process. 
 

Someone has already detailed the rest of the process so I will skip that. It took us over an hour to get to our suite.

 

Once onboard we passed our muster station. This is great. We could get this done on the way to our room. NOPE. Seapass Card was needed. So do not make that mistake. They will ask if you have watched the PFD video and listened to the emergency Horn audio file. You will then get a sticker. Our person placed it on our pass.

 

Due to our later assigned time, and no Retreat specific check in area, we missed lunch in Luminae and went to the Ocean Cafe ( buffet).  It was really pretty. Light and bright. Lots of food choices including a great vegetarian selection. One incredible dish was the Panang Chicken from the Indian food selection. For those of you wondering, the food was all served. No passengers touched any of the serving utensils. 

 

We embarked close to schedule (within a few minutes) and we began our sale away from Seattle.  Sorry I have no news about the Sail Away event as we have a lovely veranda and watched from there. 
 

we did hit some chop and the casino was late opening because the ship was not far enough out to open it.
 

The ship, with the exception of the Luminae dining room, does not feel crowded. Most time the elevators are empty when they arrive at our floor. We have often been the only two passengers in them. 
 

Already had a massage and received a great haircut in the salon. 
 

Now we are out to explore Ketchikan. We have been told masks are required in town. 
 

Will write more when we return. 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 1, 2021 by NevadaJo
Typos

[mafig]

Thank you.

Enjoy your cruise!

[NevadaJo]

I will be focusing on Retreat experience for meals, etc. Evening Chic meal in Luminae. Baked Halibut and Rib Eye. Both were delish! Also included Day 1 dinner menu. Sorry forgot Day 2 menus. DH had crab cake sandwich with bay seasoned potato chips; I had a dish similar to pad Thai. It was all veggies but you could opt to have chicken in it. Both were 👍👍

Edited August 1, 2021 by NevadaJo

[NevadaJo]

Asked our attendant for footstools. This is what we found when we came back. They may come in handy by Day 5 when we are trying to climb into the combo whirlpool/ tub.  Lol. 

[davekathy]

8 minutes ago, NevadaJo said:

Asked our attendant for footstools. This is what we found when we came back. They may come in handy by Day 5 when we are trying to climb into the combo whirlpool/ tub.  Lol. 

Ya gotta love it. 😁 Or sit while showering. 🤣

[NevadaJo]

If given a choice always choose silver. I cannot even describe the taste for the white labeled bottle. Maybe pickle juice?

[NevadaJo]

10 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Ya gotta love it. 😁 Or sit while showering. 🤣

Right? At least he tried! A+ for effort and ingenuity!

[davekathy]

Just now, NevadaJo said:

Right? At least he tried! A+ for effort and ingenuity!

Agree. Put a smile on my face. 🙂 We've had similar experience's. 

[bEwAbG]

I thought your DH had splattered food on his shirt until I looked a little closer.  😁

[TMLAalum]

Thanks for posting. Even though we are not suite guests, I am living vicariously, thanks.

[NevadaJo]

Sailing away from Ketchikan.  Earlier we walked around town and made a reservation for the Cape Fox Lodge for lunch (pic from our veranda). Oops. No one told us the funicular/tram was not working. We were told we could get there via the Married Man Trail. I asked if it was a difficult trail and the response was, Well it is 122 steps.  We saw a taxi dropping off passengers and asked if he could take us there. He seemed pretty stressed and said he could not as he was all backed up. So cancelled that lunch plan.  Next we walked over to the Scanlon Gallery. It is so pretty inside.  Bought a few prints and had them shipped home. Of course we went in and out of all the trinket shops but didn’t buy anything. While we were ‘stay at home’ during the pandemic we Marie Komdo’d everything so no room for trinkets. Headed back to the ship to have a late lunch at the buffet and went to our cabin to enjoy the veranda and people watch. 

Edited August 2, 2021 by NevadaJo

[CynthiaP]

2 hours ago, NevadaJo said:

Of course we went in and out of all the trinket shops but didn’t buy anything. While we were ‘stay at home’ during the pandemic we Marie Komdo’d everything so no room for trinkets.

Take only pictures, leave only footprints! Have a great cruise!

[NevadaJo]

1 hour ago, CynthiaP said:

Take only pictures, leave only footprints! Have a great cruise!

I love to support local artists hence the purchases at Scanlon’s. 

[portofrome]

Thank you for your report and great photos.

[silkismom]

WOW, blue sky.

[NevadaJo]

Another great meal in Luminae. Kale, feta, watermelon with lemon dressing, Cod with clams over a light tomato base, chicken breast with butternut squash purée and butternut caponata, and desert was a yummy hazelnut cake. The maitre d Ivan has been wonderful and the waitstaff, especially Gilbert, have been amazing. Casino tip. Max bet, when over 2.50,  isn’t paying as much as much as a mid range one. My big win was a bottle of vodka. We travelled using carry ones so I guess it is staying at the casino. 😜🤪

[NevadaJo]

Up early to enjoy the spectacular views in Endicott Bay. A wee bit chilly for this desert gal…it is the 50s. Retreat guests were invited to a special event on the Helipad at 7:00 as the ship sailed through the Bay. Helipad is open to the rest of the cruise at 10:30. We declined and watched from our large windows and then from the veranda. We really missed Captain Tassos and his ability to make the ship do “donuts” Last time we were here on the Solstice we turned 3 times. This time the Captain turned the ship and we headed out. Here are some pics of this gorgeous “arm”. On to Juneau. 

Edited August 2, 2021 by NevadaJo

[NevadaJo]

5 hours ago, silkismom said:

WOW, blue sky.

Right? Rare in Ketchikan. 

[NevadaJo]

Update on Dawes Glacier. Ivan in Luminae reminded me that on Solstice we went down Tracey Arm which is wider. As soon as I said Capt Tassos he knew the “donut” remark was following. 

 

Just  arrived in Juneau. HA’s Nieu Amsterdam is here.  Pics from the dog 🛷 excursion to follow later. 

[NevadaJo]

Walking around town we noticed a lot of crew off the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam. As an FYI, Celebrity crew are not allowed to leave the ship.  

[NevadaJo]

Took the tram to the top of Mount Robert’s. Cost $25. They are running at 59% capacity. Masks must be worn at all times and the tram is open to 20 passengers at a time. 

[NevadaJo]

Had a great time on the Celebrity dog sled excursion. The final part, holding the precious pups, was cuteness overload. Here are some pics. Highly recommend. 

[NevadaJo]

Went shopping in Juneau before the dog sledding experience. As I said earlier, I don’t like shopping in the mass gift shops/jewelry stores surrounding the pier. I love finding shops that feature local artists.  Bought a pretty piece of jewelry made by a local artist at the Caribou Crossings shop. Located on the main drag, Franklin Street. The shop is colorful and has many locally made items at all price points. 

[TraderSam]

Thank you for the wonderful report and especially, the photos. 🥰You are bringing back great memories of our cruise with Captain Tasos in 2018. We are hoping to repeat the experience once travel from Scotland is permitted. 

Looking forward to hearing and seeing more when you have time.

[slanik]

18 hours ago, NevadaJo said:

Another great meal in Luminae. Kale, feta, watermelon with lemon dressing, Cod with clams over a light tomato base, chicken breast with butternut squash purée and butternut caponata, and desert was a yummy hazelnut cake. The maitre d Ivan has been wonderful and the waitstaff, especially Gilbert, have been amazing. Casino tip. Max bet, when over 2.50,  isn’t paying as much as much as a mid range one. My big win was a bottle of vodka. We travelled using carry ones so I guess it is staying at the casino. 😜🤪

We cruised out of St Maarten in June with the same crew.  We loved Ivan, Gilbert and Ayo.  When we left I felt like I knew them.  Such a good crew.  Give my best to them all.