Celebrity Alaska Destination Pocket Guide-Worth it?

[cruisinfly]

Hi,

 

The cruise planner for my upcoming Solstice Alaska cruise has an "Alaska Destination Pocket Guide" available for purchase for $32. Has anybody purchased this? What "coupons" do you receive and is it worth it? Is there any information I can't get from website destination guides? 

 

The marketing states:

Overview

Make the most of your visit to Alaska with this pocket-size guide to the wonders of the Last Frontier. It’s portable, easy to use and packed with informative content on history, culture, dining, shopping and attractions – plus valuable money-saving coupons and insider tips for exploring on board and ashore. Created by cruisers just like you, the Alaska Destination Pocket Guide is your must-read insider’s guide to the best of the Last Frontier.

 

Highlights

• Expert tips for exploring nature, culture, recreation, dining and shopping.
• Must-see stops on board and ashore.
• Exploration maps for each port of call.
• Walking tours of port highlights with insider information on the must-see spots.
• Over $500 in money-saving offers from onboard venues like Spa, Art, Casino, Retail, Shore Excursions and more, as well as free gifts and special offers from retail and dining locations in the ports of call.
•  

Thank you!

[SbbquilterUT]

There is so much information on the ports on UTube, travel groups and the internet I would not pay that kind of money for a guide.  You can gets lots of information in the Alaska section of Ports here on CC.

[garyl62]

55 minutes ago, cruisinfly said:

Hi,

 

The cruise planner for my upcoming Solstice Alaska cruise has an "Alaska Destination Pocket Guide" available for purchase for $32. Has anybody purchased this? What "coupons" do you receive and is it worth it? Is there any information I can't get from website destination guides? 

 

The marketing states:

Overview

Make the most of your visit to Alaska with this pocket-size guide to the wonders of the Last Frontier. It’s portable, easy to use and packed with informative content on history, culture, dining, shopping and attractions – plus valuable money-saving coupons and insider tips for exploring on board and ashore. Created by cruisers just like you, the Alaska Destination Pocket Guide is your must-read insider’s guide to the best of the Last Frontier.

 

Highlights

• Expert tips for exploring nature, culture, recreation, dining and shopping.
• Must-see stops on board and ashore.
• Exploration maps for each port of call.
• Walking tours of port highlights with insider information on the must-see spots.
• Over $500 in money-saving offers from onboard venues like Spa, Art, Casino, Retail, Shore Excursions and more, as well as free gifts and special offers from retail and dining locations in the ports of call.
•  

Thank you!

I was looking at this in my planner over the weekend and I'm also interested in your question about the coupons and offers from the locations in the ports of call.  Hopefully someone with some knowledge about the "coupons" as you asked will be able to provide us some information.  I'm wondering if those coupons are ones people actually find worthwhile, or if they're just something like buy an entree and get a free soda.

[triley215]

Just noticed this on my planner, and I'm also curious about the coupons.  Says it also offers savings in the casino and onboard retail?

 

Wonder if anyone has tried to contact Celebrity to find out what kind of offers it has.

[kaviaq]

I have same questions. I find it curious that nowhere in the description are any specifics listed...seems odd.

 

[kaviaq]

I purchased one and will let you know after our Alaska cruise in early July...

 

[Swordfish1949]

On 5/5/2023 at 7:22 PM, kaviaq said:

I purchased one and will let you know after our Alaska cruise in early July...

 

Keep us posted please - we're leaving Aug-4

 

[jbcallender]

On 5/20/2023 at 9:15 PM, Swordfish1949 said:

Keep us posted please - we're leaving Aug-4

 

We are on Millie northbound on 8/4.  Is that you, too?

Edited May 22, 2023 by jbcallender

[Swordfish1949]

1 hour ago, jbcallender said:

We are on Millie northbound on 8/4.  Is that you, too?

I spoke in error - we do the land portion 8/4....don't board Millie until 8/11. Hope you have a great cruise!

[Northern Aurora]

As someone who lives in Alaska I also am interested in this "Alaska Destination Pocket Guide."  Somehow I really wonder if it is worth the $32 price.  Hope someone who purchased one posts.

[cruisinfly]

I'm heading up there next week and am tempted to try it if I had some inkling that it has value. I really don't want to waste the money on a worthless booklet I'm going to throw away.

 

Does anybody know if a product purchased pre-cruise on the app (including this one) can be returned if you are unsatisfied with the purchase? 

 

They have other products I considered buying for my wife but the descriptions aren't sufficient to really know if she'll be happy with the product.

[DebInAntigua]

So did anyone purchase this last season who can share whether the coupons were worthwhile or not?

 

I too wonder if I preorder it on the Cruise Planner and feel it's not worth it when we see it in person, can we return it to guest services and get a refund? 

[hcat]

I have not seen anything like this offered before.

 

Most ports have maps etc for free..

 

 Prices for  pocket guides seem to  be less $ online  (Amazon & Barnes Noble)..or in a bookstore. but  there's no way to compare content or value.

 

  Depends if the coupon savings are worth it.. maybe someone who.owns it can provide more info? 

Edited January 21 by hcat

[chadwickx16]

On 1/21/2024 at 5:58 AM, DebInAntigua said:

So did anyone purchase this last season who can share whether the coupons were worthwhile or not?

 

I too wonder if I preorder it on the Cruise Planner and feel it's not worth it when we see it in person, can we return it to guest services and get a refund? 

I bought it last year. Did not find it worthwhile. Maybe if you had planned on a lot of shopping in port it would be worth it.

 

I don't think I used one coupon, in the end I left it with the concierge of our hotel after our stay to hand to a celebrity guest.