Northern Aurora

Driving times in Alaska can be somewhat deceptive. I am curious as to what hotel NCL uses in Fairbanks but for reference the driving time from our home on Chena Ridge to the Chena Hot Springs Resort is two hours -- each way and even during the summer. Since you have specific attractions you want to visit I wonder if a packaged tour is the best choice for you.

Actually, I should have included the observation that we are experiencing a banner tourism year in Interior Alaska. Fairbanks is full of tourists. Book those tickets in advance.

Just to be clear, the transit bus isn't a "HoHo" bus as we generally understand the name. Purchase the tickets in advance.

I would also recommend making a reservation.

Those who wanted to leave for the day needed to debark prior to the gangway being closed and could not re-board until the gangway was opened for embarking passengers. Those who elected to stay on board had to meet the Documentation Officer at a specific time and location to ring "out" with our old sea pass cards, receive our new cards and ring back on. We have been to Barcelona several times to spend time both pre- and post cruise. We love the city, but sometimes on a port intensive set of cruises it can be nice to just relax on the ship. Depending on the number of B2B passengers Celebrity may offer an excursion for B2B passengers. Once they offered full day tour to Montserrat. We had planned to go to Montserrat after the cruise, but took the day tour instead.

While Seward has a small airstrip there is no commercial air service between Seward and Anchorage. Options are the Alaska Railroad (four hours) or motor coach transfers (about 2.5 hours). Generally cruise lines offer special chartered ARR runs which leave early in the morning on disembarkation day and go directly to the Anchorage airport; this option can only be booked through the cruise line. A later (about 6 PM) regularly scheduled ARR train will run directly to the ARR downtown station with no stop at the Anchorage airport. Cruise lines offer motor coach transfers too. There are also private options for motor coach transfers. Goggle is your friend to find them. Some are direct transfers while others include a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

A long sleeved shirt under your waterproof outer layer may not be enough. Definitely take a sweatshirt. And if you have a warm vest throw that in the suitcase too.

@misha1: You are correct -- the walk is at least 20 minutes from the AJ dock to downtown. My recollection (from last summer) also is that the shuttle fare is $5 roundtrip and is good for unlimited in number of round trips. And yes, there are cabs but rarely is there a cab at the AJ dock waiting for a fare. Most folks use the shuttle.

Luminae doesn't have early or late seatings. Folks arrive when they are ready to dine. There are no "formal" shared tables, but if you ask to be seated with new friends or family you will be seated together. And yes, you can have the same wait staff each night.

The first time I was in Victoria in the mid-1980s (on business) the phrase I heard was that Victoria was knowns for their flower beds, newlyweds and the nearly dead.

We have done the reverse B2B -- Seward to Vancouver returning to Seward.

I am glad that you found my response. I should have asked about the mobility challenge your person is experiencing. My father had Parkinson's, and in the early stages of the disease he would have had no issues with moving from the large ship to the Allen Marine vessel. He certainly could have handled it with a cane or walker. A wheelchair -- no. But the platform between the AM vessel and the larger ship is wide and has railings. So if someone has a vision issue there are railings and no having to quickly step from the ship to a tender during with swells. Every Allen Marin vessel we have been on through the years, even if they are more than one level, has restrooms on the lower level. Hope you enjoy your trip to our state. We think we live in a very special place.

I just respond to your same question on the "Endicott Arm..." thread. Hope you find it.

My words "essentially it was a tender operation" was intended to compare departing the ship as a tender operation in that at the Solstice was not docked, and we stepped from the Solstice, while at sea and running very slowly, onto the Allen Marine vessel. The Solstice was not docked but moving. It was much easier than stepping on to a ship tender as the Allen Marine had a wide platform (with railings) between the Allen Marine vessel, which was basically right beside, and the Solstice. And the Allen Marine vessel was much larger than a ship tender so there wasn't as much motion from the swells. We used our sea pass cards to ring out. As mentioned in my post we rejoined the Solstice just after it docked in Juneau. The Solstice had just finished their docking procedure when the Allen Marine vessel pulled aside. Again the wide platform joined the Allen Marie vessel and the Solstice. We walked across the bow of the Allen Marine vessel and directly onto the Solstice, and again used our sea pass cards to ring onto the ship. Your companion with a minimal mobility challenge would not have had any issues with the process we experienced. And it would not have been possible to exit at the end of the pier. If you have any other questions I will be happy to respond.

Prior to the B2B turnaround day you will receive a succinct instruction letter regarding the turnaround day process on your itinerary. You will definitely not need to pack your luggage. We tip our stateroom attendant at the end of each leg of a B2B as you do not know if you will have the same attendant for the next leg. Even if the stateroom attendant believes they will be assigned to your sector they may be moved at last minute to a different sector. And remember that B2B guests and embarking Zenith Captain's Club members are invited to the concierge embarkation lunch. Also remember that internet minutes and non-refundable OBC does not carry over to the next leg.

We have done two turnaround days on Celebrity in Barcelona. We were able to remain on board each time.

We were on the Eclipse in April 2022 for eleven nights in April. We also were on the Eclipse boarding in March, 2023 for a total of 40 nights in March. We apparently left the ship the day @Ken the cruiser embarked. In April 2022 we were the in a Sky Suite and in March 2023 were first in a Celebrity Suite followed by a Sky Suite (couldn't get the same Suite for all four sailings in March). While we found the color scheme dated we didn't have any issues with any of the three staterooms we were in on the Eclipse. I a glad that someone address the "lack" of embarkation bubbly. I addressed that error on a Alaska Eclipse sailing several weeks ago where the posted stated that she was so disappointed that there was no embarkation "Champaign." She assumed that since there were no waiters just inside the ship with trays of bubbly that it was a "cut back." On the Eclipse folks will find a tray on the counter of Cafe al Bacio. There are generally four or so glasses of bubbly. While the baristas try to keep it filled, if it is empty then just politely ask if embarkation bubbly is available. Folks have posted this is happening on other ships as well.

We have both flown in to Vancouver and also crossed the border in a rental vehicle several times. Through the years I have never been questioned. The two prescription meds I take are for high blood pressure and a cholesterol med. No one has ever asked me about what is in my carryon bag.

There is a lovely small restaurant just across the street from the Auberge. The front desk employees at the Auberge recommended it when we were checking in last September. While I can remember the interior unfortunately unfortunately I don't remember the actual name. Argh ......

My sense is that the Taj X dinners are begging to reappear more frequently after the resumption of sailing. The first few cruises we were on after the global suspension I asked about the Taj X dinners and was told they were not on the schedule. These dinners almost always sell out so if folks are interested then ask your dining room maitre'd.

I would also suggest cancelling the Princess arranged tour and take the transit bus. We live two hours north of the entrance to Denali, and, prior to the road closure at Pretty Rocks, visited DNP at least once a summer. We never had a transit bus driver who did not offer a nice narration. My memory is that every time we have been on one of the transit buses the bus driver had interesting things to talk about. I would be extremely surprised to learn of any transit bus driver who just silently drove that bus and didn't offer any commentary.

My memory is similar. We dined in all four of the M-class Murano equivalent restaurants, and if the menu wasn't identical to what is served in Murano now it was darn close.

I suppose the real issue is how miserable our OP would be in soaking wet footwear. Just a thought .....

I am rather late in the discussion, but as someone who actually lives in Alaska, and has been in Southeast Alaska on both business and on cruises, definitely try to avoid October. The chances of better weather in September (the earlier the better) is much more in your favor than October. And while I prefer the Alaska itineraries departing from Vancouver over Seattle Canada Place (the Vancouver cruise terminal) embarkations can be difficult. Is your husband in a wheelchair (I assume he is)? Canada Place has a reputation for long lines, and there is some going up and down on escalators, so you would need to find the elevators (there are employees to help). We have embarked and disembarked at both of Seattle cruise terminals, and my experience is that while there are escalators/elevators the process is smoother at the Seattle terminals. A frequent Cruise Critic poster works at Seattle's Pier 91 and she may insight as to what cruise line has the most efficient embarkation process. I hope you are working with a good travel agent. Since accessible staterooms are generally held until close the final payment dates they should be able to locate one. That may determine the cruise line you use.

Yes -- that was Mr. Al. We were with him a number of times. He always reminded me of my father. The most nights we were on a Celebrity ship during a single calendar year was 102 nights. It caused more paperwork for us when we applied the our Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (google what I am talking about) for that year. Had to submit additional paperwork to prove that we are residents of Alaska. We now have successfully limited out daily number of nights to 90 or less per calendar year. And the 102 nights was an aberration. We most likely will never do it again. Actually -- we will never do it again.