Northern Aurora

Checking docking locations at Alaska ports is easy -- just google Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska. The cruise schedule on this site lists all Alaska ports. If you look at Ketchikan it appears that Edge is docked at pier 3 (I didn't check every summer day), which is right downtown. Double check your particular date that you will be visiting Ketchikan to confirm your dock location and learn which other ships will also be in town that date.

Ward Cove is about 8 miles outside of Ketchikan. It was developed by NCL so is used by NCL and NCL's affiliated lines. Celebrity has not in the past used Ward Cove but instead has used downtown docks (there are several downtown docks).

The gift shops in Ketchikan will not be open at 6 AM.

The McKinley View Princess does not have what I would describe as a "hike" but does have some simple walking paths. Their shuttle is to the community of Talkeetna which is 45minutes to an hour away (assuming no road construction delays).

In the past there were indeed kiosks on the dock in Juneau selling walk-up tours. This summer we are expecting record numbers of cruise ship passengers, so it may be more difficult to book a walk-up tour which would be of interest.

Luminae is the MDR for Suite passengers. Large groups can not reserve the venue.

Not in my experience. We have always received the B2B discount when booking legs at different times. We rarely book a single leg and often add an additional leg at a later time. Have always received the discount.

The limited Concierge Class lunch is nice since folks do not have to battle the buffet crowd. But I doubt you can order off the limited menu.

Did you book this excursion through NCL? We have never been on NCL but my experience is that ship sponsored shore excursions leave from the ship. Have you contacted Fortress of the Bears directly? The Sitka port shuttle delivers folks to the Harrigan Centennial Center in downtown Sitka. Private tours to F of the B leave from that location.

I am mystified when other posters recommend Tracey’s Crab Shack in Juneau for king crab. It is not fresh but freshly frozen. We have been to Unalaska/aDutch Harbor, which is where the TV series Deadliest Catch is filmed, and even there the king crab is frozen. I also like Dungeness crab. There is a fishery for dungeness in Ketchikan. So truly fresh dungeness is available in Ketchikan. We have dined at the George Inlet Lodge but also check Annabelles which is located right downtown. At Annabelles it seems to be a frequent special.

Two nights ago we stayed at the Royal Park Hotel which is literally attached to Haneda Airport Terminal 3. It is located off the departure level. They have a nice restaurant in house but there are a number of dining options located before passing through security. We stayed one night before flying back to the US. We’re very impressed with the Haneda airport. Very well organized.

We have done Vancouver to Yokohama leaving in mid-September. We hit the remnants of a typhoon near the Aleutian Islands. The ship went into Yokohama a day early (we missed one Japan port) due to Typhoon Trami. We were B2B and all B2B passengers were evacuated off the ship to Yokohama hotels. On the second leg our itinerary was impacted by Typhoon Kong-Rei. But incredible fall colors. I am actually posting from a hotel at the Haneda airport as we have just completed another Japan B2B set. This time we enjoyed the cherry blossoms. On all of our Japan legs we have experienced some pretty rough seas. But the country is so wonderful all is well worth it.

Used room service utensils and plates left in hallways is also a pet peeve of mine. And when my husband was in quarantine with Covid on the Eclipse he and the others with Covid were moved into ocean view staterooms on deck 3. They were all provided with little tables outside their doors where they left their trays.

So much of Japan is so easy to DIY as long as you are willing to use the highly efficient public transportation system. For example we visited the deer of Nara from Osaka on our own. But in Shimizu google the Shimizu Volunteer Guides. These volunteer guides will be close to the port entrance handing out maps which take you to the Port Museum (Verkehr Museum), Suehiro Museum, Myokeiji Museum, Jirocho Birth House and Minowa Imari Shrine. Several of these attractions are totally free with several others charging minimal admission. Additional blue jacketed volunteer guides greet visitors at each stop.

I have no experience with a Princess land tour but am posting from Japan as we have just ended B2B Celebrity cruises, and have also spent three weeks in Japan previously. At the ancient shrines and temples expect many uneven steps and limited stair railings. We were talking to a woman onboard who uses a cane, and she said at times she struggled. In the US we are so accustomed to ADA standards and I really wondered if she had assumed the rest of the world is the same.