Banana15

Has anyone done this excursion somewhat recently that can provide some feedback? I see another option for St. Maarten ATV and I don't know if one is better than the other. 

3 hours ago, Mark_K said:

If you’re managing a land tour and a seven day cruise with only one suitcase per person, I doubt they will care that you didn’t separate it into two suitcases.

On a million dollar bet, I couldn’t fit 12 days into one suitcase for the Caribbean, never mind those bulky clothes for Alaska 🤣🤣 I meant two EXTRA suitcases. One for me and one for my husband. I’m assuming we’ll already be at two each….and that’s gonna be tough for me (I’m sure I’ll be in most of his second one 😬). If I need to, I will gladly grab my own suitcases each night, but it would be a pain for me to have to try to work out of just one, especially since I have to put all the liquids separate from clothes to avoid a nightmare when they get tossed around on the plane.  Hopefully we’ll get some feedback on how much they push the one suitcase thing. 

21 hours ago, garyl62 said:

Here's a luggage question.  I read a review (don't recall if it was about a Celebrity trip or a different cruise line) where the poster stated they packed two bags, one for the cruise and a smaller one for the land portion.  At the first point luggage was checked they were asked if there was any luggage they didn't need until the cruise so those bags were tagged for the ship and not seen again until they were delivered to the stateroom.  Thus it was easier moving into a hotel room with just one smaller suitcase.  Has anyone on a Celebrity Land Cruise experienced something similar?

I saw something similar and I don't recall where either. I don't necessarily mind this, but that requires us to take two separate suitcases on the plane, which may be a pain. I assume they will allow you to take anything you need....maybe just trying to avoid having to take EVERYTHING out of the motorcoach each night. 

On 2/9/2023 at 5:36 PM, D. B. said:

Another point about the X land tour. The Wilderness Express train is a Vista Dome area upstairs and a dining car downstairs.

 The Dining arrangements are a little cramped, but we found the food very good and worth doing.

 

I did see that it was an option on the train, so I am glad to know the food was good. -- Were you able to just head downstairs or were you required to make some sort of reservation?

33 minutes ago, CCJack said:

Following our trip, I left a mixed review on my customer survey.  I said land tour was great in all aspects except lack of information ahead of time.   Looks like my review didn't cause any improvements !!!

 

We were with the same people each day on the same main transportation bus which took us city to city (not excursion vans/bus).    Our bus was about 75% full and everyone was from the same ship.  At the time, RCCL buses were much nicer than Princess and others that I saw.  I would suspect that Princess has upgraded their buses by now though.   Princess had the edge in lodging, they have their own properties near Denali, where as RCCL (and I suspect Celebrity) lodge in independent properties.

 

Many people recommend DIY instead of the cruise tours, but I actually really enjoy meeting some others on the group tours.  I also really dislike driving while on vacation, so for us it worked out really well.   

 

Not sure about the hotel question.. we did not go to Fairbanks.   RCCL lodged us at the Marriott in Anchorage, but I do think that RCCL told us that ahead of time, so if we wanted to stay longer we could have booked there.  

Nope, they definitely have not changed that. Still not giving much info. Lol! 

After seeing what the cost was, I initially thought about booking individually and doing our own thing, but then I realized how far apart each location was and realized *I* would have to figure out that transportation along with what to do each day, so I figured the cost outweighed the hassle. 

I do also like the idea of having the same group for the few land days. It'll be nice to have familiar faces each day...meet new people. 

Thanks for all the info. It is helpful. 

15 hours ago, CCJack said:

My info is a couple years old, but we went on RCCL cruise tour... Good news is that it was really well run, with a good guide on board and we had a great time.   Bad news is we got very little info. ahead of time.   If I remember right the guide on the bus with you described the excursions and then asked about your interest.  I got the impression there wasn't a concern about excursions selling out like on the ship.  Things are in much smaller numbers than on the ship, and the guide spent time on the phone on the calling ahead to arrange enough guides / vans for people who were interested.   We went on very few excursions, I didn't think it was necessary.  We did a lot of hiking on our own, etc. 

 

They picked us up and took care of all hotel reservations and check-ins, etc.       I recall most dining was not included however.   

 

the tour guide who will be with you with your group is important.  They seem to make all the arrangements. 

Well, I'm glad it's not just me that feels completely in the dark. I was hoping we'd get more information as the time went on, but apparently that is not the case. Haha. -- We are thinking to arrive a day or two early, so hopefully the hotel will be able to let me know if that is in fact where we're booked, so that I can just add the couple of days there. -- Was the group you toured with the same individuals each day? I imagine it's JUST the people on the sailing or is that incorrect?

16 hours ago, Swordfish1949 said:

Banana15 - give this site a try - I found it helpful:

https://www.celebritycruisetours.com 

This is great! Thank you!!!

17 hours ago, D. B. said:

If you can, arrive in Fairbanks a day or 2 Before your Tour starts.

 We booked 2 nights in the Hotel Celebrity was using and the Hotel made it so we would not have to Move to a different room the First night of the Celebrity Tour.

  The Hotel for our Tour had a Free shuttle from the Airport that required us to Call but it was prompt and Free. 

 Why get there Early?

 There is a lot to see and Do around Fairbanks that it worthwhile.

 The area around the River Walk is fun to explore with a nice Museum and Cultural Center. If you are in Fairbanks on a weekend there maybe activities at Pioneer Park. We used UBER to get around.

 The First Full day for  the Celebrity Tour spends very little time in Fairbanks.

    Depending on the Hotel there are choices other than the hotels dinning room for your dinning pleasure. Our Hotel room at (Sophies Suites) had a well equipped Kitchen so we bought some high quality Steaks and  fixings and relaxed.

  

Thank you for this. We were actually discussing arriving a day or two early and I was wondering if we'd have to switch rooms or if we'd have to get a transportation on our own. -- We are "supposed" to arrive on Sunday, but were were definitely thinking to arrive Saturday, if not Friday, so hopefully we do get some of the weekend activities. --- For the hotel, I guess that is one of my questions: When do you get an actual confirmation of the name of the hotel you'll be at each night? The brochure @Jim_Iain shared shows Sophie's Suites as the hotel, so I assume they just consistently use the same places. 

19 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

I posted this link to the Alaska Cruise Tour Brochure

 

For some details you might look at this PDF

https://www.celebritycruisetours.com/content/uploads/2016/06/Celebrity-Alaska_Cruisetour_Brochure.pdf

 

A couple answers to your questions

1.  When you arrive at airport there will be an agent holding a sign like at Florida Ports.

the agent will point out the porter -  just give him your luggage and you will get a tour number sticker like any tour.   This represents your bus if multiple passenger or they will have other transportation arranged for you to the hotel.

 

2.  Hotel is included for the first night and all other stops on the tour.

 

3.   Upon arrival at the hotel they will have an agent that will either brief you or let you know which group briefing you will attend.

 

4.  You will be given two colored baggage tags -  one color for things to be kept on the bus and the other to be delivered to your room at each overnight.

 

5. Your excursions will have some sightseeing but on the first night you will be given a list of all the excursions you can add to your tour.  These are all extra and could include anything from Airplane tours, ATV excursions, Fishing etc etc.

 

6.   Food is not included -  There will be rest stops along the way where you will have time on your own to shop, eat and clean up.

 

Another thing they really don't tell you is that you will accumulate CC points at the same rate as your room.

Thank you! This is definitely super helpul. I will look at that brochure since I don't believe I've seen it before. --- That's also great to know about the CC points. I'll take them where I can get them Haha!

8 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

@Banana15:  What was your understanding of what you booked at the time of booking?

 

While there may have been some land tours in the past which did not include lodging I haven't heard of one.  Every review I've ever read of an Alaska land tour mentioned that the hotels were included.  Unless you have booked something very unusual Celebrity will select and book the hotels.  I suspect I know which two they will use in Fairbanks (based on what they used in the past) and suspect they will use the Denali Park Village in Denali.

 

At the Fairbanks airport there will be staff with signs (such as "Celebrity" with the X logo)  near the baggage claim area greeting flights.  There will also be kiosks for each cruise line with information there for folks who missed flights or had very delayed flights.  There will be information at the kiosks with where to go and phone numbers to have the hotel van pick you up.  

The website does tell you some of the information. Basically it shows that there is a transfer once you arrive, and then you check into the hotel, and what their itinerary is for the day. But then it also says you can have the remainder of the day to yourself to eat or do other excursions. It didn’t really give you a list of what the excursion options are, or if there would be transportation to get to dining or anything like that. I assume they will need to know my flight information if the airport transfer is included, but it doesn’t specify.  Just things like that. I guess I just been such a detail planner that not knowing everything makes me a little nervous.

38 minutes ago, garyl62 said:

@Banana15 We are taking a land tour this summer which leaves from Anchorage so while not the same one you will be on, I've had many of the same questions.  There are a few threads here and on the Alaska page that I started, but this one seems to give the best overview of what you're currently asking about.  

 

 

Thank you!! I will read through this board!

2 minutes ago, blackshirt said:

Your land portion includes hotel, not meals. There may be excursions included (like Denali National Park) and there may be additional excursions available at each land stop. Transportation from the airport may or may not be included but if not, should be available as an extra. I did an Alaska land tour on Royal, I presume Celebrity is the same. 

Thank you!

Do you recall if they sent a more detailed itinerary as you got closer to sailing? Since we're still a year and a half away, I imagine they don't have details, but I am hoping as time passes, they may send us some information so that we can plan for everything not included. 

4 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Suggest you visit the Alaska forum where your questions are answered.   There are several options for pre cruise tours in Alaska.  Your itinerary should be details such as transfers and the other questions you are asking.

 

I asked this question over there and was suggested to come to the Celebrity board and ask since it would be specific to Celebrity and every cruise line is different. -- Unfortunately, my itinerary doesn't tell me much. It shows where we are each day, but I don't know if it's just too far out to be able to get into specifics. 

I just booked a land and sea package in Alaska for 2024. We are doing the land tour BEFORE the cruise. It says we arrive in Fairbanks, but there isn't really much guidance on how everything works. Will we be picked up from the airport? Do we need to make any reservations for hotels? Do we need to book excursions? Is any dining included? The itinerary doesn't really tell me much, aside from where we'll be each day. I know I still have a year plus to go, but I just want to know if we'll get any instruction as we get closer. 

1 minute ago, CruiserBruce said:

Did you ask this on the Celebrity board?

No. I just figured it may work similar to all the cruise lines. I did ask in a Celebrity group on another platform and haven't received a response, so I tried here hoping for some info. 

I just booked a land and sea package through Celebrity for 2024. We will do the land tour BEFORE the cruise. It says we arrive in Fairbanks, but there isn't really much guidance on how everything works. Will we be picked up from the airport? Do we need to make any reservations for hotels? Do we need to book excursions? Is any dining included? The itinerary doesn't really tell me much, aside from where we'll be each day. I know I still have a year plus to go, but I just want to know if we'll get any instruction as we get closer. 

On 11/22/2021 at 6:42 PM, conodor said:

Has anyone got the unlimited digital photo package lately?

 

I was on the celebrity Edge October 23rd sail date.  I got the package. first off it was disappointing. there was 1 location on the entire ship to get your photos taken.  sometimes they had a green screen,  a person taking shots by the rail. and a 3rd person taking them by the steps.  People were nice. but there were there just on and off.  Not 1 person taking photos around the ship. no photos being taken when you got off on the ports.  Hopefully when ships get back to 100% capacity and covid is behind us, there is more photos options.

 

Anyway,  the major problem...  I still haven't received my link to my photos.  Tomorrow makes a month. I've called a couple times.  getting very little help from celebrity.  I was assured that i was getting a follow up in the next couple days... this time i called.

 

If you got the package, have you got your link yet?

 

Thanks!

Were you ever able to obtain the link to your photos? I have not received mine and typically get it the same day we debark, so I am not sure if I need to call and check the status with someone before the photos expire.

On 11/17/2022 at 7:23 PM, tallyho8 said:

Two of my friends who were docked at Grand Turk Tuesday on HAL just called me and said they saw no one, anywhere, checking vac cards. Everyone just got off and on the ship the normal way. 

From what I am gathering, the health questions you answer before boarding ask if you have been vaccinated. If you haven’t, it would trigger a warning as you’re getting off the ship using your sea pass. So they’re not actually asking for the proof of vaccine, but if you answered that question honestly, you’d be stopped getting off the ship. That’s how I’m interpreting it, anyway. 

On 3/18/2020 at 3:49 PM, Wine-O said:

I answered your question on Monday:

 

"We were on Equinox in 2115, right next door.  No issues from noise upstairs or smoke smell.  The support beam will be negligible.   It's a great location on the ship."  🍷

 

Maybe somebody can give you a different answer.  🍷

Someone may have a different answer and possibly a bad experience, so didn’t think it’d hurt to ask. 

I am considering 2111 for my next sailing. Can anyone who has stayed in that cabin or the few hump cabins nearby, advise how much noise there is from upstairs? 

Also, does the support beam that is right outside the cabin disrupt the view at all?

3 minutes ago, Wine-O said:

We were on Equinox in 2115, right next door.  No issues from noise upstairs or smoke smell.  The support beam will be negligible.   It's a great location on the ship.  🍷

Thank you!! 

On 7/24/2016 at 8:50 PM, awhfy said:

 

2112 has a very good sized balcony (view is to aft), nice quiet cabin, you'll be much happier there. 

On 7/24/2016 at 9:50 PM, Wine-O said:

I agree, go with 2112 without a doubt. Additionally, much larger balcony.

On 7/25/2016 at 9:55 AM, bigbenboys said:

 

Yes to 2112. In the past we have booked 2105, 2107 and 2109 all great cabins. did not have any noise from above. Great location right out to the pool and up the stairs to food.

I am currently looking at 2111 and it seems that it is in the same location as 2112, on the port side . I am seeing some photos that look like there is a support beam right outside the balcony. Does this disrupt the view? Also, is there likely to be any noise from upstairs or smoke smell? 

How has the ship been handling the buffet? Are they allowing people to serve themselves or are crew members dishing the food? 

For anyone that has stayed at Cambria (in Dania Beach) and used the airport shuttle, can you please give me some feedback on it? We currently have a car service scheduled to pick us up, but they informed me that if I call them once our plane lands, they can send someone to get us to take us to the hotel. My concern is that I don't want to sit at the airport waiting for an hour or more. I know the airport shuttles can sometimes be full or only run during certain times. Any feedback would be appreciated. 

On 12/1/2018 at 1:26 PM, Turtles06 said:

We are recently off the Silhouette and very much enjoyed the Concierge Class embarkation day lunch in the MDR. As others have said, it sure beats the chaos of the buffet that day. 

 

I just want to add that the staff do not “hold” your carryons for you during lunch. You are free to leave them at the front of the MDR if you want, but there’s no claim check or security, and anyone could walk off with someone else’s bag. Since for me, the only reason I’ve carried stuff on is because the contents are too valuable to loose (cameras and other electronics, prescription meds), I’m not about to just leave them. YMMV of course. 

TY! I am so glad you said this. I was hesitant about going to the MDR for lunch on embarkation day because I really didn't like the idea of having to leave my carry-on bag at the front. Like you said, that is the reason I HAVE a carry-on, for valuables. So I am happy to know I don't have to leave it there. It's not a huge bag by any means, but I'd like to keep it next to me until I can get to my room.