Semi-live from Millennium July 30th Alaska

[iamaqt2]

 I know there wasn't much feedback from the first Millie Alaska cruise, so thought I'd post for the hungry cruisers.. 😉😉

 

Local resident here.  Live about 25 minutes from port, so drove and parked.  Never used the Bell Street terminal before, so was unprepared for no shuttle, even though prepaid parking indicated one.

But it was a quick walk across skybridge.

There was quite a line of passengers when we dropped our bags.  There were two lines, one of passengers checking in and a line of holding/waiting passengers.  When we inquired of a port agent which line we were supposed to be in, we were asked to show our boarding time, and then waved into the check in line. I'm going to assume that the other line was for passengers who arrived before their boarding time or who weren't sure which line to be in..

There was a lady handing out masks to anyone who didn't have one, and reminding us to social distance. She got some flack from a gentleman behind us in line who complained that this was supposed to be a mask free cruise, as she explained that it was only for check in, so he put it on while complaining that it better be, as that was the only reason he booked this cruise.

There were 3 distinct areas to pass through.  The first was to scan boarding passes and check for passports and vaccination cards.  And to ask if health questionnaire was complete and if anything had changed in past 72 hours.

Then the next area was security.. carry-on through scanner and walk through metal detector (my bad for that underwire bra).

The third area was actual check in.  Boarding passes scanned, passports scanned, and picture taken of DH because I didn't selfie him in the app.

Start to finish was probably 30 minutes or so.

Next stop was e-muster.. I swear all cruise lines need to implement this.  This was so quick and easy. Once complete they give you a little sticker to put on your Sea Pass. They say front or back, doesn't matter.

Once that was complete, a trip to the buffet was in order.  Everything looked so good, and both sides of buffet were open.   All food items are served by staff, but beverage stations are self serve.  They have sinks installed for hand washing at the entrance. And hand sanitizer everywhere. 

We're in a Cat 2A balcony with the Drinks and More package.  Wine and Pringles waiting on the counter. What a flavor combo 🤭😉

Currently taking advantage of this fantastic weather, and enjoying a pool all to ourselves. It's quite chilly though. Lido deck has a bit of activity, and the live band is really good.

I don't have the wi-fi package, but have cell service in the ports.  I'll try to update and answer any questions as I can.

Dropping in some pics for fun.

 

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for posting.    You sure know how to make a "hungry" passenger salivate.  LOL

 

I'm pulling up a seat to enjoy your posts.  

[Locobill49]

Thanks, I’ve been waiting to hear some feedback from the Alaska cruise. This is the first I’ve seen. 

[patty1955]

The procedure for embarking was the same for us (7/23). I hope you have a great time, we did. 

I'm not sure if you heard, but we had 3 cases of covid on board. The Captain kept us updated.

[KAE27]

Thank you thank you!  We're on the 8/27 sailing and I've been itching for some info.  Since we're local, we're also parking at the pier, so the information regarding no shuttle is helpful to us. Looking forward to your posts.  (And laughing at the "underwire bra" comment.)

[TXranchgal]

We're also on the Aug 27th sailing.  So happy to hear about your experiences.  Please tell us all about the good - the bad - and the surprises....   It's been so long that we are anxiously sailing vicariously thru your cruise.

[ScubaDo]

I am looking forward to vicariously living through your cruise. I realize you will not need the luggage valet, but would appreciate if you could post any information if they are still offering it and what is the earliest flight they service. Thanks and have a fabulous time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[iamaqt2]

45 minutes ago, TXranchgal said:

We're also on the Aug 27th sailing.  So happy to hear about your experiences.  Please tell us all about the good - the bad - and the surprises....   It's been so long that we are anxiously sailing vicariously thru your cruise.

The bad.. Celebrity canceled the Connections parties.. the Good... we met up anyway!

 

[iamaqt2]

19 minutes ago, ScubaDo said:

I am looking forward to vicariously living through your cruise. I realize you will not need the luggage valet, but would appreciate if you could post any information if they are still offering it and what is the earliest flight they service. Thanks and have a fabulous time. 

 

I'm sorry, I don't have any info to offer.  Maybe someone else will chime in.

[portofrome]

Thank you for your report and beautiful photos.

[Fly and Sail]

I had the last check-in slot at 2:30pm (it was assigned to be as a Casino guest with MLife status - not sure if that plays a role, just staying in a Veranda) and the line was manageable. I'd say about 40 min from getting in line to being in my cabin. Certainly beats the Vancouver mess.

 

Thankfully I didn't need to park as SEA downtown is horrible. Am I allowed to occasionally post pictures in this thread or would you like to keep it for yourself?

[Locobill49]

Am I allowed to occasionally post pictures in this thread or would youlike to keep it for yourself?
 

Post away!

[TeeRick]

Thanks we are going on Sept 24 out of Seattle 

[TMLAalum]

@Locobill49 and @iamaqt2

Thanks for the pix and reports, Cutie! And Bill please post here too!

We sail the 10th of September and I am so happy to see all photos and read all about your cruise!

41 days away for us......

[HappyCamp]

Any idea how full the ship is? Just curious what Celebrity meant by "reduced capacity".

[HappyCamp]

18 hours ago, patty1955 said:

I'm not sure if you heard, but we had 3 cases of covid on board. The Captain kept us updated.

 

I wonder if that influenced them to start requiring all passengers to get a covid test within 72 hours of boarding. We are on the 6-Aug-2021 cruise and yesterday we got an email that says all passengers regardless of vaccination status will be required to have a negative covid test before they can board.

 

I agree with this but extra work to get it done. They state if unable to do the test then get 100% refund or future cruise credit.

 

Did they say if the people who got covid were vaccinated or not? I think on your cruise only 16 and older were required to be vaccinated. On our cruise it is everyone 12 and over.

[Fly and Sail]

7 minutes ago, HappyCamp said:

Any idea how full the ship is? Just curious what Celebrity meant by "reduced capacity".

 

The ship has 1000 pax on board (2,138 passengers is the original capacity).

 

Millennium sailed with no passengers on a 22-day voyage from St. Maarten via Panama Canal to Seattle. Lots of downtime for the crew that's usually working in guest-related areas although there were some duties for them along the way.

[phoenix_dream]

Thanks for your report.  We are on the Sept 3 sailing - can't wait.  Just need to figure out this new rule about testing for everyone, especially since we are flying in a couple days early and staying downtown without a car.  I know this is not a question for the OP necessarily, but I am wondering (as I'm sure we all are) what type of capacity they will sail with come September.  Its not that far away so I'm guessing (and hoping) not 100% yet.  I see some categories already unavailable on our sailing, but not sure how many are actual bookings versus blocked out by Celebrity.  

 

If you do find out anything about increasing capacity many of us would be so grateful to hear it!

[patty1955]

2 minutes ago, HappyCamp said:

 

 

Did they say if the people who got covid were vaccinated or not? I think on your cruise only 16 and older were required to be vaccinated. On our cruise it is everyone 12 and over.

They didn't say if they were vaccinated or not but we had a lot of kids on the ship. I read an article in USA Today that said we had 10 kids but it was more like 30 (minimum.)

The first passenger with covid had to be flown home on a private jet from Skagway. That must have cost a fortune. 

[schittenden]

7 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Thanks for your report.  We are on the Sept 3 sailing - can't wait.  Just need to figure out this new rule about testing for everyone, especially since we are flying in a couple days early and staying downtown without a car.  I know this is not a question for the OP necessarily, but I am wondering (as I'm sure we all are) what type of capacity they will sail with come September.  Its not that far away so I'm guessing (and hoping) not 100% yet.  I see some categories already unavailable on our sailing, but not sure how many are actual bookings versus blocked out by Celebrity.  

 

If you do find out anything about increasing capacity many of us would be so grateful to hear it!

We are flying in on Wednesday night. My thinking is to go for an antigen test on Wednesday morning. Seems less stressful than trying to get PCR results before departure. 

[phoenix_dream]

6 minutes ago, schittenden said:

We are flying in on Wednesday night. My thinking is to go for an antigen test on Wednesday morning. Seems less stressful than trying to get PCR results before departure. 

I agree.  I just need to do the math, considering time zones as well, to make sure I can get the test and results at home in time to meet the 72 hour requirement.  We have a morning flight, so I need to get out my calculator and my arithmetic brain in gear.   Wish they would just say 3 days - that would make it simpler.

[schittenden]

Just now, phoenix_dream said:

I agree.  I just need to do the math, considering time zones as well, to make sure I can get the test and results at home in time to meet the 72 hour requirement.  We have a morning flight, so I need to get out my calculator and my arithmetic brain in gear.   Wish they would just say 3 days - that would make it simpler.

Then the question would be does the day of embarkation count as one of the three days. They really just need an example. Ship sails at X on Y. Any test administered on or after Z is accepted. 

[Jim_Iain]

2 minutes ago, schittenden said:

Then the question would be does the day of embarkation count as one of the three days. They really just need an example. Ship sails at X on Y. Any test administered on or after Z is accepted. 

For me I looked up  embarkation - the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft. boarding.     I'm scheduled to board at 11:30 so out of an abundance of caution scheduled my test for 4PM (PDT) 3 days prior to cruise.   The ship sail at 6PM (3PM PDT)  so built in a little cushion but could probably do it 8:30 AM.

 

BTW on another thread someone said their results from CVS only show the date the test was done and not the time of day that it was taken.    My healthcare provider, Kaiser shows the exact time the sample was taken. 

[cruisemom42]

21 hours ago, iamaqt2 said:

Local resident here.  Live about 25 minutes from port, so drove and parked.  Never used the Bell Street terminal before, so was unprepared for no shuttle, even though prepaid parking indicated one.

But it was a quick walk across skybridge.

 

Thanks so much for starting this thread, lovely to get some info first-hand. 🏆

 

Which port is the Bell Street terminal?  Is that Pier 66?  Do you know where taxis drop off?

 

Looks like you have an amazingly gorgeous day for your sailaway!

 

[Blackduck59]

13 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

I had the last check-in slot at 2:30pm (it was assigned to be as a Casino guest with MLife status - not sure if that plays a role, just staying in a Veranda) and the line was manageable. I'd say about 40 min from getting in line to being in my cabin. Certainly beats the Vancouver mess.

 

Thankfully I didn't need to park as SEA downtown is horrible. Am I allowed to occasionally post pictures in this thread or would you like to keep it for yourself?

 

I'm not sure this is fair. Vancouver was boarding as many as 4 ships at the same time all with near capacity passengers and no "Boarding Windows". Comparing the pre Covid "mess" in Vancouver to a during pandemic protocols Seattle with set boarding windows and a reduced capacity, is a cheap shot. Keep in mind the biggest bottle neck we encountered was at US Customs and Border control.

I suspect that when Seattle is doing multiple ships at full capacity, as well as international passengers it will be a "Mess" too.