Northern Aurora

This Alaskan also has ATT & T. We ave never tried it at sea, but have good coverage in ports.

We are traveling toward our an embarkation port, so despite reading in airline lounges, was following as close as I could. So glad you made that ship.

We have had several overnight stops at a tender port, and tenders have always operated at a reduced schedule.

I love Homer. Great scenery and non-touristy. Sitka is also a plus.

Even though we live in Alaska we periodically do Alaska itineraries. Dress on Alaska cruises is definitely more casual on evening chic nights.

Wow -- this is becoming quite the saga indeed! @Georgia_Peaches keep us posted and let us know when you board your flight.

I'm not a librarian, but if I was the Director of the Skagway library I would limit access to those who had a Skagway library card. There would be a special summer library card rate which would be set high enough in price to discourage casual purchase.

Since you are a hiker research the Mountain Vista trail. Should be information on the Denali National Park website.

Both Holland and Princess own large lodge complexes at the entrance to Denali National Park. They also own hotels in Fairbanks with Holland also owning one in Anchorage. Princess also has the McKinley View Lodge about 45 minutes by road to Talkeetna, the Copper River Lodge and Cooper Landing Lodge. If my memory is correct last summer Princess at first opened the Copper River and Cooper Landing lodges but closed them in early June due to severe labor shortage issues. While periodically posters will praise the amount of money these companies have invested in their infrastructure but it also means that they are tied to those lodges. Note that the single road into Denali is closed 42 or so miles in they are still selling the cruise tours. Quite frankly I don't think that Denali is worth visiting until folks can reach Eielson Visitor's Center (mile 66). If all goes really well that road will not be open past Pretty Rocks until 2025. As already noted the cruise tour you are considering consists of a great amount of sitting on the transportation.

Are you asking about Fairbanks? The major car rental companies have desks (and cars) at the Fairbanks airport. I have been on late night arrival flights and those car rental desks were manned. And of course, we have cabs. When there a flight is arriving, no matter what the time, there will be cabs available. A consideration for your free day is to drive to Chena Hot Springs Resort. The first 25 or so miles of the Chena Hot Sprigs road is through some rather odd subdivisions. But at mile 25 the road enters the Chena River State Recreation area. Lots of hiking trails and a very "moose" area (ie, prime moose habitat).

At least in the past the Skagway public library offered free wifi. It was a problem for them as it is a small facility and it would be over-run with cruise ship passengers and crew. So check their website to determine if they still offer free wifi.

It is my understanding that most cruise lines provide shuttle buses to downtown Valdez. The community itself is compact and easy to navigate on foot.

I have visited Prince Rupert as a port stop. I find it so refreshing to visit a port where a Diamonds International shop isn't just across from the dock. I don't remember a mall in close proximity, but would not be looking for one either. I do remember the beautifully curated Museum of Northern British Columbia and a lovely artists co-op with great high end crafts.

We have stayed at the Pan Pacific several times prior to boarding a cruise ship with the most recent time being April 2022. There is no "package" which includes the bell staff picking up your luggage and delivering the luggage to the cruise terminal porters. Just ask when checking in and details will be given. But essentially you just call the bell desk and they pick up the luggage from your hotel room. The bell staff remind you to not have such items as your cruise documents, passports or prescription meds packed in the luggage. The first time we stayed at the Pan Pacific prior to a cruise was in 2009 (my husband has stayed there on several business trips) and we never have been told that a tip was required (although we always do tip) nor have we ever been handed a card with a suggested tip amount. And I have never seen a photo of a card which had a "suggested tip."

The OP has asked about the exchange rate on a Celebrity ship. While Guest Relations will be happy to exchange currency you really don't want to do so. The exchange rate will be more than "lousy." You will pay almost obscene rates for the currency. Buy in their defense, Celebrity is not in the currency exchange business. They are in the cruise industry.

Just a quick comment -- Celebrity never had self service laundry on any of their ships. I don't expect they ever will. Complementary laundry has always been a loyalty perk.

Thanks for the update. When we cruised out of Vancouver in April 2022 we stayed at the Pan Pacific, but when we checked hotel prices for a cruise embarking in Vancouver in September 2022 we were able to book at the Auberge a one-bedroom suite with a large living room, kitchenette (which we didn't use) and dining room table for significantly less than the Pan Pacific. And the walk from the Auberge to the cruise terminal is very easy. Slightly downhill.

I also hope our OP updates us. We also fly in to the embarkation port at least a day early, and generally two or three days early. Weather patterns are just becoming so strange with odd weather events becoming more common.

Lately the Aqua Spa Cafe hasn't been open on embarkation day but check just in case. The Mast Grill has been open in the past.

@stacied68: You may receive more responses and ideas if you let folks know your interests. Just a thought.

If the White Pass & Yukon Rail Way "breaks down" I can guarantee that the ship will wait as there will be a number of passengers booked through the ship shore excursions on that same train run. Exact same train run,

@Djptcp: You didn't indicate that you were a smoker or not. And I never suggested that if you are a smoker that you cheated. And yes, maybe choosing Celebrity was a mistake.

Just a quick comment -- Celebrity smoking policies are wonderful for those of us who don't smoke and for those trying to quit the habit. While Celebrity passengers tend to be very affable, fellow cruisers are not charitable to those trying to cheat. Those who smoke on their balconies will likely be contacted by Security.

We have stayed at the Marriott Waterfront at least five times either pre- or post cruises. The convenience to Pier 66 (Bell Street) is wonderful, but for those on cruises departing from Pier 92 (Smith Cove) the Marriott concierge books folks on an inexpensive shuttle from the hotel to Smith Cove. And we have not had any issues with noise from the trains which run behind the hotel nor any issues with construction noise. The hotel itself is undergoing renovation and no noise from the renovation when we stayed there last June either.

Even though we live in Alaska we have done a number of Alaska cruises. I personally prefer the one-ways, but we have done RTs too. I much prefer the RTs out of Vancouver, but we have done them out of Seattle too. Both my husband and I have a high tolerance for rough weather, but since your daughter does not she needs to be prepared. She may want to contact her primary care physician for recommendations regarding seasickness medications.