"Live" From Celebrity Millennium Alaska B2B 10&18 May 2018

[traveling1969]

Today's port of call: Icy Strait Point and the village of Hoonah.

 

We had an excursion planned that we booked with Hoonah Travel Adventures. We would drive through a wilderness area for a bear and wildlife search. Soon after we got away from the town we came across this Sika blacktailed deer.

 

DSCF5755 by Harry Straight, on Flickr

 

We were to see several more throughout the tour. We were hailed by a helpful local who told us that there were bears to be seen just ahead. We approached the area stealthily; well, as stealthily as possible in a 14 passenger van and lo and behold we came upon a brown bear sow and her two cubs. They were about 200 yards away across the water and that was just as well as we didn't have to worry about spooking them or having mama take objection to our interest in her cubs. My camera doesn't have much in the way of telephoto capability but we were able to see them up close and personal with our binoculars. Spectacular!

 

We spent about 20 minutes watching them then continued on hoping to see some a bit closer. Alas it was not to be but we did see more deer right next to the dirt road; no farther away than 10 yards. We also spotted a weasel and several bald eagles. Later in the year the bears come down to the streams to feed on the salmon runs but we were just a bit early.

 

After the tour was over we stopped in Hoonah to see one of the massive canoes that the locals fashioned out of a single log, HUGE with seating for 20. We asked to be dropped off at "The Office", a local tavern but it wasn't what it was cracked up to be. It was a bit of a disappointment after "The Asylum" in Ketchikan so we drank our beer and started the mile and a half trek back to the ship. On the way, we saw several whale watching boats just off the coast and we stopped to observe. All at once a group of humpback whales surfaced in one of their circular feeding maneuvers. It was truly a sight to behold and less than a hundred yards away!

The boats followed them up the coast and so did we. We saw them repeat this several times and they were breaching and sounding repeatedly. What a show! If we had stayed with the tour, we probably would have missed this.

 

We got back to the ship and as we headed down the longest boarding ramp we had ever seen,

 

DSCF5786 by Harry Straight, on Flickr

 

we saw even more whales breaching in front of the ship. We hurried aboard, went to our cabin, went out on the balcony and were treated to an hour-long show of humpbacks breaching, blowing and diving. It seemed as if they were everywhere. Breathtaking! Here is a sign/map showing the relationship between the cruise ship berth and the town.

 

DSCF5784 by Harry Straight, on Flickr

 

The Captain announced that we would leave early for our next port of Juneau since all were aboard. We slipped the lines and headed out just ahead of the Grand Princess. They will be dogging our tracks all night.

 

We indulged in a few cocktails (NO CHOICE! WE HAVE THE PACKAGE!) and made our way to the dining room. From tonight's excellent menu we chose the crab cake (delicious with a spicy aioli), cream of broccoli soup and for Joyce the chicken saltimbocca while I had the sirloin. Everything was fabulous as was the Cabernet that accompanied.

 

We are calling it a night as we had such a full day and we look forward to Juneau and the Mendenhall Glacier.

 

Harry

Edited May 15, 2018 by traveling1969

[traveling1969]

Woke up to another sunny day in Juneau. It's supposed to be in the high 50's today so we decided to head out to the Mendenhall Glacier after breakfast. We both had the Eggs Benedict and double-double espressos to sustain us for the long walk ahead and to jump-start our exhausted bods.

 

We collapsed into bed last night after a very busy day in Icy Strait Point and we got up at 0 dark 30 to try and catch a glimpse of some more whales but the whales must have been smarter than us, they stayed in bed and we didn't see any.

 

As we disembarked, there were numerous tour operators offering excursions and shuttles to the glacier. The shuttles were $20 round trip but we decided to take public transit both as a bargain and to get some much-needed exercise. We went to the transit center just around the corner from the ship. It looked closed but we had it on good authority (their web site) that the number 3 bus would be along presently to whisk us out to Mendenhall. Sure enough, the bus arrived and the driver said he would be leaving in a few. It costs $2 each way and takes about an hour but the bus drops you off about 1 1/2 miles from the park. It was a nice walk and all on a paved, level path next to the road. The shuttle takes you right to the visitors center.The driver told us that the bus left from the same spot at the top of the hour and from the other side of the road at the bottom of the hour. So off we went and after about a 35 minute walk we arrived at the park.

 

DSCF5791 by Harry Straight, on Flickr

 

Conditions were perfect for viewing and we ended up taking off our jackets after that brisk walk. Here's what we saw next.

 

DSCF5793 (2) by Harry Straight, on Flickr

 

The glacier is really spectacular but then again, it's our first. You could take a trail around to get closer but we didn't take it. After a stop at the visitors center we moseyed back to the bus stop. We got there about 5 minutes before the bus arrived and chatted up some fellow cruisers who were also waiting. We got on the bus and after a few stops, the driver told us we could catch the express at the next stop. We just had to get off and get right back on the bus in front of us. Saved us about 30 minutes.

 

We strolled around to see the sights, did some shopping and decided to get a bite to eat. We had heard about a place near the dock that sold great fish tacos so we decided to give it a try. It's called "Deckhand Dave's" and the tacos were fantastic. Really hit the spot and we washed them down with a pint of that Alaskan Amber ale we enjoyed in Ketchikan.

 

Here's a couple shots of Deckhand Daves:

 

DSCF5797 by Harry Straight, on Flickr

 

You pay here first and they bring your tacos out to you. They have all outdoor seating; some in the sun and others under a tent.

 

DSCF5798 by Harry Straight, on Flickr

 

Here's our tacos; super spicy for Joyce (she's a spicy kind of gal) and regular for me. I don't think I would object if folks said of me "he's a regular kind of guy".

 

DSCF5796 by Harry Straight, on Flickr

 

Thus replenished, we strolled some more then headed back to the ship. Tomorrow: Skagway. No excursions planned so we'll poke our noses here and there and see what develops. So long for now.

[miched]

We did a B2B to and from doing the same stops on both. It was also in May that is supposed to be the rain season. We had beautiful weather, and rain only on the last stop in Katchican.

 

The good thing about doing a B2B is it you missed something you have the chance to do it on the way back.

 

We didn’t schedule any tours ahead of time. We were able to get great deals on a float plane at the port to see the misty fords and a helicopter in Juneau going to the glaciers. Both were very personal and smaller than the tours offered thru the cruise line (not X). We booked them when walking from the ship past the kiosks of hawkers.

 

One of our most fun tours was in Skagway. We booked a river raft for $15 each. It was great. The guide drove the bus took us thru the town, and various places of interest and then river rafting. He also worked as a BT at Skagway brewery and said if we mentioned his name we would get 20% off. Wanted to take the steam engine but it wasn’t running on our days there.

 

Even without the 20% off when in Skagway be sure to stop at Skagway Brewery in town on the “main” street. Good beer and food. Be sure to get a shirt or cap. It is the farthest northern brewery. I also got one from Kelly’s in Key west that the farthest south.

 

In Sitka there is a local bar that is a real local bar on the main drag that serves good beer and a nice place to pass some time, plus talking to the locals. It is also worth going into the Russian Catheral. It is very interesting about their services, at least for us as were are Roman Catholic. Can’t imagine standing for 3 hours during their services.

 

We also went into the local VFW in Ketchikan on the way back. We aren’t members but they appreciated our business. Very friendly and a lot of info from the locals and cheap drinks. I think it was near the line of brothels that are on the canal.

 

Word of advice. DO NOT BUY A ULU KNIFE. 😱

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[riclop]

Thanks for sharing.

[TimeToGetNauti]

Love your review. Have a great rest of your trip and thanks for sharing with us.

[byng735]

Hi...great posts! We are booked on June 8th from Vancouver on the Millennium.

 

We have sailed on the Constellation a couple of times, and like the ship size and service.

 

We are not doing the drink package this time...we are wine drinkers. Do you know how much a decent table wine is for a bottle on the Millennium?

 

cheers

 

Marcus

[traveling1969]

Hi...great posts! We are booked on June 8th from Vancouver on the Millennium.

 

We have sailed on the Constellation a couple of times, and like the ship size and service.

 

We are not doing the drink package this time...we are wine drinkers. Do you know how much a decent table wine is for a bottle on the Millennium?

 

cheers

 

Marcus

 

No idea about bottle prices for wine. We have the drink package and have been absolutely in love with the Bordeaux that is offered in the premium package.

 

Harry

[traveling1969]

Well, our first leg is coming to an end and I must say we have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of our first Alaska cruise and our first cruise with Celebrity. Best of all, we have 7 more days ahead and a chance to re-visit all but one of the ports of call.

We won't be seeing Sitka again but as I stated previously, that gives us an excuse to book these same cruises again. The Millennium typically does 7 nighters but the first cruise of the season this year did 8 to get back on the Saturday to Saturday schedule.

Yesterday was Skagway and today we visited Hubbard Glacier. Skagway reminded us of a Disney type attraction. Yes, the old buildings have been preserved but it's all a little too staged and commercialized for our taste. We have an excursion planned for our next stop there; a trip up into the mountains to follow the trail of the gold prospectors into the Yukon territory. Hubbard Glacier was spectacular and there was a lot of "calving" going on. It's a breathtaking sight and the sound is similar to heavy thunder. Would have loved to linger there all day but soon we had to depart to keep our scheduled arrival in Seward.

Here's a few pics. First up is s street view of Skagway with the snow-capped mountains in the background.

DSCF5805 by Harry Straight, on Flickr

I especially like this storefront made entirely from driftwood pieces.

DSCF5802 by Harry Straight, on Flickr

My pics don't do just to the glacier. It is so huge and so imposing and the calving lends and auditory component that must be experienced to be appreciated.

DSCF5830 by Harry Straight, on Flickr

The internet connection has been spotty at best on the ship. It's fairly slow and I get kicked out way too often. I'm afraid there won't be many pics on the second leg as I have been spending much too much time uploading them and couple that with all the disconnects and each post with just a few pics takes over an hour.

It's off to dreamland for us. I'll try to do a wrap-up of this led some time tomorrow. Til then, so long.

Harry

[sandav]

travelling1969

Thank you so much for taking the time to give all this information and photos. I know you said you will not be posting about the return cruise to Vancouver but If possible could you give some information about the turn around procedure at Seward eg when you received your sea pass for the next part of the cruise, when you were able to get off in Seward and when you had to be back on board. We hope to do this B2B next year and this would help us with our planning for Seward.

Thank you once again.

Sandra

[hubofhockey]

Hard to believe that we will be on the Millennium three weeks from today. Great to hear that you got great viewing of Hubbard Glacier. Hopefully, we'll get the same. How is the entertainment on the ship? Hoping we can catch some of the NBA Finals (if the Celtics make it), but know that Celebrity doesn't get ABC.

[traveling1969]

travelling1969

Thank you so much for taking the time to give all this information and photos. I know you said you will not be posting about the return cruise to Vancouver but If possible could you give some information about the turn around procedure at Seward eg when you received your sea pass for the next part of the cruise, when you were able to get off in Seward and when you had to be back on board. We hope to do this B2B next year and this would help us with our planning for Seward.

Thank you once again.

Sandra

 

 

I will be posting about the return cruise just not many photos. Takes too darn long to upload them. May be a few but just one less than my frustration threshold. ;)

 

Back to back procedure was as follows:

 

Option 1: Go ashore between 7 and 9:30 am with old card. Must wait till after 11am to re-board and get new card. Take Transit Pass with you.

 

Option 2: Rendezvous lounge at 9:30. Get checked out with old card and turn in same (we get it back mid-cruise for souvenir); get new card and new pic and get checked in. One couple held us up as they strolled in around 10am (par for the course!). Do not have to leave the ship. After this process is completed, you may get off ship but once again, no re-boarding till general embarkation begins (approx. 11am). We did option 2 then waited till rooms were ready (@ 1pm), checked to see all our stuff was moved (IT WAS. YAY!), then we went off the ship. Take Transit Pass for easier re-boarding. Hope that answers your questions.

 

Harry

[traveling1969]

Hard to believe that we will be on the Millennium three weeks from today. Great to hear that you got great viewing of Hubbard Glacier. Hopefully, we'll get the same. How is the entertainment on the ship? Hoping we can catch some of the NBA Finals (if the Celtics make it), but know that Celebrity doesn't get ABC.

 

Glacier procedures is as follows: Concierge Class and above may view from heliport on bow. Hot chocolate, OJ, Champagne and mimosas served. It was bitterly cold on the way in so we went back to our cabin and viewed from our balcony. Deck 11 or deck 4 on both sides of the ship might be the best choices. Ship comes straight in, turns so port side faces glacier, 15 minutes or so, then turns so starboard faces; 15 minutes again then turns to leave. Total time in front of glacier was around 40 minutes. We saw a fair amount of calving. Wow, the noise was impressive.

 

Can't comment on the shows as we seldom go. Perfect record so far on this ship. Centrum DJ is good and plays good stuff. House band is very good. Don't know about NBA possibility. Enjoy your cruise.

 

Harry

Edited May 19, 2018 by traveling1969

[Anita Latte]

I've been following along...we're cruising the Jun 22 cruise! So excited! Wanted to say thank you for the description of Hubbard Glacier time. And a general thank you for sharing your cruise with us! It's been lovely to read along as we eagerly await our own vacation.

[traveling1969]

General impressions from the first leg: ship is in great shape, crew is top-notch in all respects, food in the main dining room has been excellent; one or two average dishes but those are the exception. Portions of main dishes are a bit on the small side but that's given us tacit permission to have multiple appetizers.:D Also, we recommend getting a pasta to split with others as sort of a separate course as those portions are a bit on the small side as well. Always available escargot is some of the best we've ever had on a cruise ship. Always available Eggs Benedict has also be great and done just right. The pizza is fantastic. Hand thrown with quality ingredients; it is our go-to snack any time of day. They have a design-your-own stir fry station that is fabulous. Haven't tried anything else at the buffet.

 

Weather has been unbelievable. When we checked prior to the cruise it was doom and gloom but it has really been nice; lowest daytime temp(other than at the glacier) was low 50's but with no wind, that is fine. High 50's low 60's the rule. Alaska has been everything we imagined and more. Glad we have 7 more days to go.

 

Harry

[hubofhockey]

Glacier procedures is as follows: Concierge Class and above may view from heliport on bow. Hot chocolate, OJ, Champagne and mimosas served. It was bitterly cold on the way in so we went back to our cabin and viewed from our balcony. Deck 11 or deck 4 on both sides of the ship might be the best choices. Ship comes straight in, turns so port side faces glacier, 15 minutes or so, then turns so starboard faces; 15 minutes again then turns to leave. Total time in front of glacier was around 40 minutes. We saw a fair amount of calving. Wow, the noise was impressive.

 

Can't comment on the shows as we seldom go. Perfect record so far on this ship. Centrum DJ is good and plays good stuff. House band is very good. Don't know about NBA possibility. Enjoy your cruise.

 

Harry

 

Thanks. Enjoy your second leg.

[Chinookgirl2]

General impressions from the first leg: ship is in great shape, crew is top-notch in all respects, food in the main dining room has been excellent; one or two average dishes but those are the exception. Portions of main dishes are a bit on the small side but that's given us tacit permission to have multiple appetizers.:D Also, we recommend getting a pasta to split with others as sort of a separate course as those portions are a bit on the small side as well. Always available escargot is some of the best we've ever had on a cruise ship. Always available Eggs Benedict has also be great and done just right. The pizza is fantastic. Hand thrown with quality ingredients; it is our go-to snack any time of day. They have a design-your-own stir fry station that is fabulous. Haven't tried anything else at the buffet.

 

Weather has been unbelievable. When we checked prior to the cruise it was doom and gloom but it has really been nice; lowest daytime temp(other than at the glacier) was low 50's but with no wind, that is fine. High 50's low 60's the rule. Alaska has been everything we imagined and more. Glad we have 7 more days to go.

 

Harry

Hi Harry, I just wanted to say thank you for all the information you have shared. This is our first Alaskan Cruise and our first Celebrity Cruise. We are so excited to be going and we will be celebrating our 25th Wedding anniversary on July 3. We will be on the southbound cruise June 29th . The pictures have all been wonderful! Grant and I hope to meet you and your lovely wife onboard. We just booked May 16 or we would have been chatting with everyone who is going on the same cruise

Karin and Grant Jollimore

[2BAMermaid]

General impressions from the first leg: ship is in great shape, crew is top-notch in all respects, food in the main dining room has been excellent; one or two average dishes but those are the exception. Portions of main dishes are a bit on the small side but that's given us tacit permission to have multiple appetizers.:D Also, we recommend getting a pasta to split with others as sort of a separate course as those portions are a bit on the small side as well. Always available escargot is some of the best we've ever had on a cruise ship. Always available Eggs Benedict has also be great and done just right. The pizza is fantastic. Hand thrown with quality ingredients; it is our go-to snack any time of day. They have a design-your-own stir fry station that is fabulous. Haven't tried anything else at the buffet.

 

Weather has been unbelievable. When we checked prior to the cruise it was doom and gloom but it has really been nice; lowest daytime temp(other than at the glacier) was low 50's but with no wind, that is fine. High 50's low 60's the rule. Alaska has been everything we imagined and more. Glad we have 7 more days to go.

 

Harry

 

 

Harry and Joyce - Thank you again for posting such wonderful and informative updates from your cruise. My sister-in-law and I will be on the June 8th cruise and can hardly wait for the adventure to begin. Enjoy the second leg of your journey!

[TeaBag]

This has been a great review, Harry. I appreciate all the time you have spent getting us the pictures. I wish you had the same cabin for the next leg so you could spend some time in our fair city.

[traveling1969]

This has been a great review, Harry. I appreciate all the time you have spent getting us the pictures. I wish you had the same cabin for the next leg so you could spend some time in our fair city.

 

Actually, our flight doesn't leave until late on the 25th. A recommendation for a great dim sum spot would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Harry

[sandav]

I will be posting about the return cruise just not many photos. Takes too darn long to upload them. May be a few but just one less than my frustration threshold. ;)

 

Back to back procedure was as follows:

 

Option 1: Go ashore between 7 and 9:30 am with old card. Must wait till after 11am to re-board and get new card. Take Transit Pass with you.

 

Option 2: Rendezvous lounge at 9:30. Get checked out with old card and turn in same (we get it back mid-cruise for souvenir); get new card and new pic and get checked in. One couple held us up as they strolled in around 10am (par for the course!). Do not have to leave the ship. After this process is completed, you may get off ship but once again, no re-boarding till general embarkation begins (approx. 11am). We did option 2 then waited till rooms were ready (@ 1pm), checked to see all our stuff was moved (IT WAS. YAY!), then we went off the ship. Take Transit Pass for easier re-boarding. Hope that answers your questions.

 

Harry

Thanks again. Was reboarding time up to about 7.30pm? We are thinking about a private tour when off the ship at Seward.

Sandra

[JBSteelerfan]

Hard to believe that we will be on the Millennium three weeks from today. Great to hear that you got great viewing of Hubbard Glacier. Hopefully, we'll get the same. How is the entertainment on the ship? Hoping we can catch some of the NBA Finals (if the Celtics make it), but know that Celebrity doesn't get ABC.

 

I think most of the bigger sporting events will be carried by ESPN International, so you should get the games on board. GO CELTS!!!

[fedexretiree]

Great review Harry we will be boarding the day that you disembark. How do you get to the Bow and the heliport

[BRDLY99]

Glacier procedures is as follows: Concierge Class and above may view from heliport on bow. Hot chocolate, OJ, Champagne and mimosas served. It was bitterly cold on the way in so we went back to our cabin and viewed from our balcony. Deck 11 or deck 4 on both sides of the ship might be the best choices. Ship comes straight in, turns so port side faces glacier, 15 minutes or so, then turns so starboard faces; 15 minutes again then turns to leave. Total time in front of glacier was around 40 minutes. We saw a fair amount of calving. Wow, the noise was impressive.

 

Can't comment on the shows as we seldom go. Perfect record so far on this ship. Centrum DJ is good and plays good stuff. House band is very good. Don't know about NBA possibility. Enjoy your cruise.

 

Harry

 

Harry

 

Thank you for posting this about the glacier - it will be extremely helpful when we are there in a few weeks.

[TeaBag]

Actually, our flight doesn't leave until late on the 25th. A recommendation for a great dim sum spot would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Harry

Your best bet for Dim Sum would be in Richmond which is very Asian. There are a number of Chinese restaurants serving dim sum. I have spent a while on google and I have come up with this one:

 

Continental Seafood Restaurant

Spacious Chinese eatery in a strip mall specializing in traditional dim sum served from push carts.

11700 Cambie Rd

(604) 278-6331

Casual · Good for kids · Groups

 

it doesn't seem to have a web site. However, they serve the dim sum by push cart and that would appeal to us since we could see what the food is like. They are one of very few dim sum places left in Vancouver that serve this way.

Dim Sum is not our favorite Chinese so I'm sorry I can't point to a place were we have been numerous times. Empire restaurant is another one that gets 3.9/5. Like, I said Richmond abounds with them and it is also near the airport.

There is a shopping center called Aberdeen Mall that is totally Asian. You would swear you were in China....no English that we could see but fun to poke around! HTH.

[fedexretiree]

My friend and I will be on the cruise the day that you disembark in Vancouver. Trying to plan to eat in Qsine and I was needing to know what nights were the formal nights on your cruise please.

Edited May 20, 2018 by fedexretiree
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