auntsue Posted July 26, 2004 #1 Share Posted July 26, 2004 Our cruise to Alaska was phenomenal! This was our first Celebrity cruise, but it will not be our last. We had great weather, not a drop of rain. We had X book our air & hotel, stayed at the Fairmont Waterfront overnight. Very nice hotel. Our main gripe of the trip happened with the "transfer" from the airport to the hotel. You go outside and wait in a long line with all your luggage, (4 suitcases and 2 carryons in our case) for a bus. You can't sit or you'll lose your place in line. There is a schedule, but our bus was 25 minutes late. It was 90 minutes from the time we got on line until the time we arrived at the hotel. VERY POOR! I guess if the bus was on time, it wouldn't have been bad, but next time I would take a cab for $26. We enjoyed the area, porters picked up your luggage in the morning and transported it to the ship for yoy. And, you certainly can't beat walking across the street to get on the ship. Embarkation was very smooth. We booked a Sky Suite so we had our own line after the security check. We loved how they escorted you right to your room. Another thing that I thought was very nice was the way they carried the lady's tray at the buffet lunch and found a seat for you. Quite a difference from our last cruise where it was a free-for-all. Along with the suite came priority luggage delivery - that didn't happen. We got our luggage in dribs and drabs and we didn't get the final piece until after dinner. We got a great table for dinner by the window. We sat at a table for 8, which I thought was rather poor, since we were a group of 6. I felt we should have either gotten a table for 6 or a table for 10 or 12, so that some poor couple didn't get stuck at a table where everyone else knew each other, which of course is what happened. It worked out, but I'm sure they weren't thrilled. Our room was 9111, two doors down from the glass elevator in the center of the ship, a great location, although we did not like the fact that we were right under the huge overhang of deck 10. It was noisy all day long, with the sounds of people running or banging, but it did not disturb our sleep. Also, if we were in a sunnier destination, it would have blocked any sun from getting to the veranda. We had a fabulous butler named Alfred who brought us our breakfast every morning, took care of getting shirts pressed, etc. Since this was our 2nd trip to Alaska('93) and we just bought a new house, we didn't do any of the expensive tours. We did the Lumberjack show in Ketchikan, very cute, we did the Mendenhall Glacier, Salmon hatchery & salmon bake in Juneau, and the semi-submersible in Sitka. We hated the salmon bake, compared to the one at Taku Lodge but the rest were nice. My sister-in-law did the whale watch and loved it. They saw lots of whales including a humpback who lifted its tail. They also did the hike and bike in Sitka and she said it was great and very doable. The service in the Trellis restaurant was excellent. The service in the S.S. United States was incredible! Also, the 3 production shows were awesome, a high level of energy and great costumes. For departure, we used the luggage valet program. It cost $15 and you set your checked luggage out by midnight, and you don't see it again until you get off the airplane. What a great service! They give you your boarding passes and baggage claim checks right on the ship. That had to save hours of time. It was worth every penny. It was just a wonderful cruise! We were struck by the friendliness of the crew. Each one looked genuinely happy to be there and to help you if necessary. They always had a smile on their faces. It was a pleasure being on that ship. The entire cruise was excellent. No cruise we've been on has ever come close to our experience on the Sagafjord. This ranks right up there with it. A fabulous cruise! We will definitely be sailing on Celebrity again. Thanks for all your help as I was gathering info, now if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flagger Posted July 26, 2004 #2 Share Posted July 26, 2004 How close did you get to Hubbard? Was it really that cold? We are so excited about this, I keep waiting everyday for those docs to show up. Should be soon I am sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trvldog Posted July 26, 2004 #3 Share Posted July 26, 2004 WOW- we were in room 9000 last week just down the hall from you!! I took my mother and we had a great time we are booking again next year. In Juneau we did the whale watch with Dolphin tours ( through the ship tours) was awesome! we did the city tour & rapture center in Sitka was very nice!. I have to agree food was great, as was the service!!! Only thing that got me was during the muster drill a couple nearly knocked over my mother down the stairs ( guess they thought it was a race) but on every cruise you get a few people you want to just smack! but hey we just laughed it off and enjoyed our trip! We drove up from Seattle and parked at cruisepark -great service and place to park! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjgreg113 Posted July 27, 2004 #4 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Hi AuntSue. I am so excited to read about your cruise. I am taking my honeymoon cruise on the infinity in Sept. THis will be my first and my future hubby's first to Alaska. We booked our own airfare to Seattle as it was much much cheaper the flying into Vancouver. But my question is about the luggage valet. How does that work and how do you sign up for it. Is this something that you can only take advantage of if you booked air thru X. On the day of departure we are planning on spending the day in vancouver and taking the train to Seattle at 6pm that night and flying out around 12:30am.......... But our biggest point of concern was lugging around all our luggage in Vancouver for the day. How do you sign up for this? That is the best thing I have heard yet. Thank you in advance for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flagger Posted July 27, 2004 #5 Share Posted July 27, 2004 I was curious if you happened to know how full the ship was. Were there any upgrades available for purchase? If so, how much were they say from a CC to an FV or SS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseyguy Posted July 27, 2004 #6 Share Posted July 27, 2004 I, too, would appreaciate more details about the luggage valet program. Is this something new & what is its availability? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannyny2002 Posted July 27, 2004 #7 Share Posted July 27, 2004 One quick ? - were there lectures given by naturalists? I too am so looking forward to good weather and a relaxing time. Great review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Char Posted July 27, 2004 #8 Share Posted July 27, 2004 We are also interested in the luggage valet. This is the first time I have heard of this. Do you know if it's just for the Alaska cruises, or will it become fleet wide? Thanks! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mahdnc Posted July 27, 2004 #9 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Luggage valet concept is interesting indeed! But you would like to believe that this would be a perk included with the suites! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mingo Posted July 27, 2004 #10 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Yes please provide infomation on the luggage valet. We will be sailing from Hawaii in November. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auntsue Posted July 28, 2004 Author #11 Share Posted July 28, 2004 The luggage valet program was for anyone, but it only included 6 different airlines, and I threw out my paper telling which 6. We were on Continental, but I believe they were also calling Northwest, United & American in the theater. My brother made his own air arrangements and took advantage of this program. They also booked the bus to the airport. I believe that was $16 pp. That was a separate charge. One evening early in the trip when we got to our stateroom there was the info about the luggage valet program on our bed. It was $15 pp. I was not sure if this was what was included in our package, so I went to guest relations & they informed me that only the bus transfer was included and if I wanted to take advantage of this program I needed to pay the $15. The form already contained all our info, like name, flight, etc., since X had made our arrangements. We had to fill in passport number, our shipboard credit # in order to be charged, and not much else. You were only allowed 2 pieces of luggage pp. or you had to pay an additional $5 per bag for the handling and you had to give your credit card number so the airline could bill you for the additional bags. It was a great service. Another thing that was especially nice was that you had until midnight to put your bags out, so by then you could pretty much pack all but a.m. essentials. In my opinion, it was well worth the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannyny2002 Posted July 29, 2004 #12 Share Posted July 29, 2004 Thanks so much Auntsue for all this valuable info. I read in the CC Alaska thread that Air Canada and maybe two others are also participating in this program. We booked our own air so this news brings much relief. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecleave Posted July 29, 2004 #13 Share Posted July 29, 2004 Thanks so much for your review & great information. My in-laws leave on 8/1 for their first cruise together! I'm very excited for them, and now have some excellent information to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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