Northern Aurora

I thought that the boarding staff at Sydney did an excellent job in verbally telling folks as you walked toward the Australian Border Force officers (on level two of the OPT) that once we boarded we could not leave. When we boarded we were verbally instructed, and again on each subsequent leg. They were very clear. Jim: I don't think we have been on the same ship since the Millennium in 2018. And what a trip that was. We expect to be back in Japan for a B2B in 2024 and plan to stay at the Yokohama hotel where we spent the night when evacuated from the ship. We spent five nights in Tokyo after leaving the Millennium and so this time will work out of Yokohama for a few days. G.

We have been to Australia and Sydney a number of times including land and cruises. And we have done turnaround days in Sydney previously. I never save the turnaround day instruction letter, but I believe that info was in the letter. Sydney is interesting in that every passenger has to be off that ship (not just standing on an outer deck on the ship) to zero out. And since you went through immigration (remember those folks in the Australian Border Force uniforms right before your carryons were passed through the security check?) once onboard you are onboard.

Great comparison. The yacht club/marina is rather isolated in terms of commercial activity. Or I should state that it was in 2016. Folks who didn't have any specific plans for YK were left standing looking rather befuddled. And I remember that tender ride being long too. An Australian woman had to be evacuated from the ship at YK. Her predicament was the talk of the ship as she had to be moved from the Solstice to the ship tender in a stretcher. She couldn't step, even with assistance, from the ship onto the tender.

We left the Eclipse in April after a B2B2B2B with all the turnaround days in Sydney. B2B passengers had to actually leave the ship and could re-board with the embarking passengers. There are so many interesting things to do within close proximity to the OPT it wasn't an issue. We join the Edge on October 30th and will leave after three segments on December 9. Yorkey's Knob is the "access" point for Cairns. In 2016, when we tendered into Yorkey's Knob, the tender location was at a yacht club.

Where are you staying? Quite frankly, we haven't had any issues.

I am reserving judgement until we have first person accounts from those onboard. But we have eleven future reservations, all in either Sky Suites or Celebrity Suites. One B2B2B and the remaining B2B pairs. We'll wait to make a decision.

We were on the Solstice in 2016 and were overnight at Cairns. My information precedes @mahdnc but my memory is that the tenders did not run overnight. And I remember that LONG tender ride to shore which was on the rough side.

Cruise Critic has a forum devoted to all things Alaska. It is located under "Ports of Call."

We have stayed at the Mayflower several times. Their "classic" rooms, while lovely, are rather small. We book their corner suites.

A few more random thoughts -- There will be two shows in the theater every evening. The first one at 7 PM and a repeat performance at 9 PM. There is sufficient seating in the theater that there are no reservations for seating. In addition to those shows there will be music in various venues during the evening. It will vary from acoustic guitars, classical performers, a house band and a party band. In addition to trivia games expect to find "Deal or nor Deal."

In particular I am good at mis-typing numerals. But you are the only one who caught that. Give yourself a gold star for paying attention to details!

Thanks for catching my typo.

As I understand your question you are asking about the area labeled "Constellation Lounge." Yes, it is available to all. Years ago it was used as the Elite and higher Captain's Club cocktail gathering from 5 to 7 PM, but now those complimentary beverages are offered in a number of bars throughout the ship. The Captain's Club celebration is held there and occasionally there will be a special event there but it is generally open to all. On the Infinity Michael's Club is the Retreat Lounge and is limited to those booked in Suites. Michael's Club is on deck 5.

It is a huge change. Once you board you go directly to your stateroom, pick up the sea pass cards in the mail slot and drop off your carry on items. If the room isn't totally ready there will be a sign with verbiage along the lines of "perfection in progress." But you still leave your carryon items and put valuables in the safe. Without folks lugging their carry on items elevators are less full, Cafe al Bacio seems less crowded with no luggage on the floor around seating and no piles of carryon items in the buffet.

I don't know how OP get into this predicament, but I would suggest purchasing the cruise line transfer from Whittier to the Anchorage airport. The Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks is about 55 minutes in length. There are a number of flights, but our OP will need reservations. The drive from Fairbanks to the entrance of Denali National Park is about two hours and fifteen minutes in duration assuming no delays for road construction. I hope our OP realizes that access into the park is limited due to the road closure at Pretty Rocks. I have always felt that folks who don't go into the park as far as Eielson Visitor's Center cheat themselves and so we have not visited the park since the road closure (prior to the closure at Pretty Rocks we went down at least once a summer). It is unclear to me if our OP is visiting this summer or next. But we are having a very busy tourist summer season in the Interior, so if our OP doesn't have reservations for accommodations they may have a problem. @AKJonesy mentioned a trip north of Fairbanks. If that is of interest consider booking one of the tours offered by Northern Alaska Tour Company. A very reputable company with different options.

I live in Fairbanks, Alaska which is located in the interior of the state. Our weather in the interior is different than in southeast Alaska with the interior being warmer and drier. June 21st is the summer solstice, so the maximum hours of daylight occur on that date. May tends to be the driest month with rains in southeast Alaska beginning in mid to late August. I should note that our weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable. The cruise lines are expanding the Alaska cruise season and now are scheduling cruises in September and even into late October. While these sailings will be relatively inexpensive there is a reason why -- folks booking these late season cruises should be prepared for heavy rain and winds. Packing recommendations for Alaska are for layers with the outer layer being waterproof (not water resistant). Mountains in the major mountains ranges are snow capped all summer. So the mountains in the Alaska range will be snow capped all summer.

@Fietsen1: Another poster recently asked the same question. I will post essentially the same information I posted on that thread. I've been in SE Alaska on business in mid-October. Anyone cruising at that time frame should be prepared for heavy, pelting rain, wind and cold temperatures. Seas can be on the rough side. Those who have reported good weather during that time period should consider themselves lucky indeed.

If there is a "statement" section on the X app I have never used it. We check our account on the TV every few days. The account on the TV is updated incredibly quickly -- essentially in real time.

I also don't think that you need any additional jackets. Your description sounds sufficient.

The tote bags are a silverey grey color, and I am not aware of any difference between suite categories.

Yes.

I also hope for the best for our OP and spouse -- hope the procedure is successful, and they are able to either move the cruise date or obtain some restitution.

You were very lucky indeed. Have you considered plowing your retirement funds into purchasing lottery tickets? Just teasing. But seriously, I remember attending a Museums Alaska/Alaska Historical Society joint meeting one time in Juneau where we didn't leave the hotel where the conference was being held; the rain was torrential. And don't get me started about one of those same conferences in Sitka. The state holiday Alaska Day is October 18th and the joint conferences (so many folks attend both so they are back to back over a five day period) usually include that date.

What airport and which cruise port? For example, in Seattle there are two cruise terminals.

Might be helpful if you listed your ports and interests. But every community on your itinerary has a visitor's bureau. Just use google to locate them. May find it helpful.