Northern Aurora

As already noted the rose was from the Captain's Club host. Periodically there will be a note attached, but since it is so common the assumption is that folks know this. So paper is not wasted to attach a note.

Just have the porter tag the luggage with the current stateroom number at the pier. Easy peasy.

There will be a hair dryer. I have found them in various places -- sometimes in a bathroom drawer and other times in a desk drawer.

We always have the premium beverage package. We have not been charged a VAT when in Spanish, Italian or French ports.

ISP, Endicott Arm and Dawes are not the same as Glacier Bay. And my perspective, as someone who lives in Alaska, is that Glacier Bay is not an "absolute must see." The glaciers in Glacier Bay are retreating.

On the non-alcohol drink menu Celebrity has a minted lemonade. Very festive with bruised mint. It is very good, and I have been tempted to have a bartender add a shot of vodka to it.

Like my friend @cruisestitch we also never bother to check in for the second leg of a B2B. B2B passengers will receive a succinct instruction letter regarding the turnaround day process. That instruction letter will include a "transit pass" which will guarantee that you will by-pass the lines of embarking passengers boarding for the second leg of your B2B. Incredibly easy process for B2B passengers.

We disembarked in late April. We collected our luggage and walked out handing our declaration forms to agents. They just picked them up -- didn't look at them. There were two lines and we barely paused walking out of the OPT.

We will be boarding the Edge in Civitavecchia in late October. We will use a private car service from our hotel to the port. When we last did this (in September 2019) we were dropped off at the port entrance. There were more than one ship in port, and each ship had a dedicated shuttle (name of the ship in the window). Once about half full we were taken directly to the ship. So our experience mirrored that of @Wineaux007.

I do know that there was an incident years ago (2008) on the long departed Celebrity Mercury when a male passenger was removed from the ship in Acapulco (mid-cruise). Lots of rumors about what happened, but the incident which provoked his removal involved alcohol.

Our favorite Celebrity hotel director one time told us that there are times when he has had to meet with passengers and tell them that their beverage packages have been removed. Sea pass cards can be "flagged" to become inoperable so can't be used to order alcohol beverages. I have no idea how frequently that happens.

ISP is rather compact. By "pier" you mean the pier in the ISP complex -- not the small boat harbor in Hoonah? If you arrive at the Crab House at 10 you should be fine. Also, if you are back in the complex by 2:45 PM you also should be fine.

First -- all of these communities have visitor centers. In these small Alaska communities they are often associated with the Chamber of Commerce. Just use google to find them. Homer is one of my favorite Southcentral communities. It is connected to the road system and is a popular destination for Alaska residents. It has a very "arty" feel to it. The spit has interesting funky shops and small restaurants/cafes. The Pratt Museum is interesting but needs a little work as, in my opinion, they need to pay more attention to how it is curated. Seldovia is across the bay and a private ferry makes several runs daily -- if it is working. I am not sure I would try to take that ferry unless it was a ship excursion as you don't want to be over there and not be able to return. But do consider an air tour to Katmai National Park. On a clear day it is worth the flight even if the salmon are not yet running. I have been to Kodiak both on business and as a tourist in my own state. The Russian presence is strong. Lovely Russian orthodox cathedral (which may or not be open to the public) and an active congregation. And I think that the grey whales arrive in April. Museums inclue the Alutiiq Museum and Baranov Museum. There is also a Kodiak Wildlife Refuge Visitor's Center. All of these are centrally located in the commercial district. I have been in Kodiak when a cruise ship docked was on the south east side of the harbor. While a shuttle was run folks also just walked to downtown. If your ship is small you may dock at the Alaska Marine Highway ferry dock which is just below downtown. Outside of downtown Kodiak is the Ft. Abercrombie State Park which is lovely on a nice day. And a drive toward Chiniak is also interesting. Lots of WWII gun embankments. Also look for the famous bears. If there is a recent bear sighting at Ft. Abercrombie there will be signs. While the car rental agencies have cars at the airport at least in 2016 one of the national agencies had cars at a downtown gift shop; we rented from that location but I don't remember the name of either the gift shop or car rental agency. Dutch Harbor/Unalaska is absolutely spectacular on a clear day. Just be aware that when they have a rainy day with high winds that there will be mud blowing horizontally. Absolute mess. Depending on the size of your cruise ship you may dock where the state ferry Tustamena docks; if it is a large ship you may be at one of the berths used by the commercial fishing vessels. This is the port where the ships from the "reality" show Deadliest Catch operate. I have been in Unalaska when a cruise ship visited and the community ran a school bus shuttle around town. When a cruise ship visits, whether large or small, the Aleutian WW II National Historic Visitor's Center will be open. It is located at the airport and was the WW II air control tower. It is nicely curated and worth a visit. The other museum is the Museum of the Aleutian. Through the years they have had a difficult time keeping a director due to a multitude of issues, so it may or may not be open. A drive to the top of Ft. Schwatka (on the top of Mount Ballyhoo) is spectacular on a clear day with the old WW II remnants of the fort and the view of the volcanos. Dutch Harbor was bombed by the Japanese during WW II and there are a number of packards around the community about the two days of bombing. The drive from Unalaska along the coast is spectacular on a clear day with lots of WW II remnants. Unalaska also has an interesting Russian Orthodox cathedral which may be open to visitors from the cruise ship. Rental cars are at the modern airport terminal.

We have been to all three. What specific questions do you have? Any specific interests?

We did a B2B in San Pedro in September 2022. Our process was very different. We did not leave the ship, but all the B2B passengers met in the Sky Lounge on the Solstice. Security had a podium at the entrance of the Sky Lounge where we "ringed off the ship" and surrendered our Seapass cards for the first leg. Sea pass cards for the second leg were then distributed. We left the Sky Lounge, had new security photos taken and "ringed" back onto the ship. No one left the ship nor set foot on an outer deck to complete the process. While we are Zenith members of the CC (and were also in a Suite) the process was the same for all who wished to remain on the ship for the day.

Since the Pan Pacific sits essentially on top of the cruise terminal it is so handy. Their bell staff will even pick up your luggage from your hotel room and deliver to the longshoremen. We also like the Auberge. It is a very easy walk to Canada Place.

We have stayed at the Cedarbrook a number of times -- absolutely love this hotel. As I understand the history of the facility it was built as a conference center (has large break-out rooms and even an auditorium) so that is why it is located so near SEATAC. But it definitely doesn't feel like an "airport hotel" at all. We have had their concierge arrange for a town car transfer from the Cedarbrook to pier. And I agree that their restaurant is lovely.

Just a few comments -- we much prefer Murano over Tuscan; we find Murano to be consistent in quality while Tuscan is much more variable. We also like Sushi on 5. If you are not in a suite (which has access to Michael's Club/Retreat Lounge) we like the Passport Bar.

I also appreciate the first had reports. We board the Edge in late October for a B2B2B series (the first three cruises of the marketed "World Cruise") with all legs in the same sky suite. I am holding judgement until we experience the butler team concept.

@markeb is correct. Retreat guests definitely check-in at their convenience. Clearly the check in for Retreat guests starts after the ship has officially "zeroed out." Other than that -- show up at their preferred time.

While I certainly don't know if this excursion is sold out on your particular cruise I do know that they almost always sell out prior to sailing.

So what is your experience? While I certainly have not been on every cruise line which goes to Endicott Arm, the ones we have been on, when the itinerary includes Endicott Arm, offer an Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier small ship excursion. Folks tender off the ship and the smaller vessel goes very close to Dawes Glacier. These excursions deviate from the cruise ship route into Ford's Terror (goggle for more info). Folks on the excursion re-join the cruise ship in Juneau.

I also sensed the confusion regarding MICA. As @disneyochem has clarified that this company is a guiding firm. In addition to glacier treks on the Matanuska Glacier they offer other adventurous excursions. Check their website. And I am surprised that @diesel1973 wasn't impressed with Denali. And I wonder if he went north of Fairbanks into the White Mountains National Recreation Area or the Steese National Conservation Area; both offer incredible recreation options for those into more vigorous outdoor activities. But I am always so impressed with the Imuruk Basin on the road from Nome to Teller but recognize that some folks can't deal with wilderness areas. Now for some random thoughts -- A number of the cruise line sponsored land tours either start or end in Fairbanks. They simply look so herded to me. And anything they offer can be booked on your own. At this point the single road into Denali National Park is closed approximately midway. Time estimates as to when the bridge over the problematic area will be completed seems to be pushed farther into the future. Until the road is open to Eielson Visitor's Center (mile 66) I don't see the point in visiting Denali. But the cruise lines are still pushing those trips. While I love Homer (but not Soldotna) there is another alternative to consider. Denali is not the only incredible national park in our state (we have a number) but another reachable by road is the Wrangell -- St. Elias National Park and Preserve. I suggest researching it and also the Kennecott mine ruins. Absolutely gorgeous area.

Regarding lines to board the tram -- there may be a line but our experience has been that the line moves quickly.

There are several options. One which has worked well for me is: ExecutiveOffice@celebrity.com