GTJ

On her maiden voyage, in 1952, the S.S. United States made the crossing in 3 days 12 hours, an average of 34.5 knots. The timetable from 1958, pictured below, shows regular westbound crossings from Le Havre to New York in 4 days (I am not certain why the eastbound crossing was scheduled for 5 days). It was a while ago (maybe even a "longtime ago," though being within our lifetimes I would limit the number of times to repeat "long" so as not to make us as being ancient!). Today's QM2 schedule is 7 calendar days, but given the evening departure and morning arrival, that's really 6-1/2 days. In any event, too long. Technology should allow us to cross the ocean faster, not slower, than 70 years ago.

True about the service comparison . . . but the point I was making was to counter the assertion, "why do all that packing and effort for a four day crossing," by providing an example of how people will pack for a 4-day crossing of the United States via Amtrak. The schedule for transatlantic crossings has slowed significantly over the decades, and is now 6-1/2 days, and the question is whether people want the longer crossing (perhaps to have a longer experience on board?), and would they put up with having to do all the packing for a crossing that is only four days in duration? My view is that if someone wants a longer trip across the Atlantic, then take a cruise instead . . . the QM2 should cross the pond as quickly as practicable.

I would compare the transatlantic crossing with traveling by railroad between New York and California. Four days and three nights by Amtrak . . . I don't think many people would like to extend that train ride to seven days. The goal is to get to the other coast and undertake whatever business it is that brought oneself there. For those of us who do not, or cannot, travel by air, having reasonable surface transportation--that is not unduly slow--is necessary.

True, if the vote for confederation in 1948 had failed, then St. John's might have remained in a separate dominion distinct from Canada. Or should we instead just blame the Newfies? 🙂

As to the distinctions between ocean liners and cruise vessels, one of the problems is that Cunard does utilize the QM2 for some cruises. During the season, it does operate from Brooklyn a few round-trip Caribbean cruises and one-way cruises to and Québec, from Southampton a few round-trip Norwegian cruises, and in January an annual 3-month world tour. That is, cruises using an ocean liner. But between New York and England--and on some crossings extended to the Continent itself--not a cruise. So perhaps it is not surprising that some passengers get confused. Now if only Cunard could improve its crossing times . . . 6-1/2 days for what required only 4 days by United States Lines in the 1950s.

While Red Hook has industry, it is a burgeoning neighborhood that is incredibly interesting. It would be a fantastic area in which to stay but for the paucity of hotels. There's two hotels, both of which are on the border between Red Hook and Carroll Gardens. Neither of the two are directly on Van Brunt Street in the commercial part of Red Hook (it would be great for there to be lodging on the south end of Van Brunt Street). Both hotels are less than one mile from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, and it is about 15 minutes walking. One hotel is the Brooklyn Motor Inn, a 2-star hotel; the other is The Lodge Red Hook, also a 2-star hotel. Don't expect the highest quality accommodations, but these hotels are convenient. For dining, highly rated is the Hometown Bar-B-Que, on Van Brunt Street, corner of Reed Street.

Cunard does not operate cruises on the Queen Mary 2 between New York and England. The vessel making the transatlantic crossings is an ocean liner, designed for rapid transportation purposes, and thus distinct from the other lines that leisurely cruise across the pond. This difference may be part of the distinct boarding times and arrangements at Brooklyn.

The qualifier here, a travel agent that is experienced and good, is essential. Online agencies that do not have a real person do not count . . . they provide no service and can be frustrating if things were to go wrong. But simply having a real person is not enough. Too many "travel agents"--a substantial majority of all travel agents--are inexperienced people who simply like to travel, and know only how to push keys on a computer. Even many experienced travel agents are "gee whiz" agents, who might know a bit from the fam trips they've taken, but they've never actually worked for a transportation company--preferably in its operations planning department and someone who studies timetables intensely--so as to really understand what is going on beyond the pretty color brochures. You really want a person who knows travel generally, and knows how transportation operations work. These people are rare, but if and when you find you will do well. A good starting point is to locate a travel agent that specializes in railroad travel. There are a few of these, nationally, and the railroad people behind them really know how travel and transportation work (not just for railroads but other modes as well). I use such an agent located in New Hampshire, and his advice has been invaluable, and competence excellent, for my travels by railroad, cruise vessel, and motorcoach. The above said, I will not discourage individuals who, themselves, also know travel and transportation well to book arrangements themselves. Doing so provides greater control than handing over the responsibility to a travel agent. However, one should be sufficiently capable and knowledgeable, and have patience, to deal with systems that are usually more focused in selling services than in providing exactly what you want. This is a niche with which I am well familiar, and I edit and publish a bimonthly timetable of railroad, bus, ferry, and cruise line services throughout Canada and Alaska, as a tool for individual travelers to plan out and book their itineraries independently.

You should do at least one more bit of homework. Your vessel will dock at Seward, and the train to Denali will be departing from Anchorage. Thus, you will require a transfer from Seward to Anchorage. It is likely that your cruise line will offer a transfer via cruise train departing Seward on the morning of the vessel's arrival. This train utilizes Panorama Dome cars. Note, however, that this train arrives at the airport in Anchorage, rather than downtown Anchorage, so you would need further transportation to get from the airport to your hotel that is, presumably, in downtown Anchorage (there's good local transit bus service to make that connection, as well as other transportation). Additionally, there is the regular train, the "Coastal Classic," departing Seward on the evening of the vessel's arrival. This train utilizes Ultra Dome cars, as well as ordinary coaches. This train arrives in downtown Anchorage. Of course, there is also motorcoach service between Seward and downtown Anchorage, several times daily. On the trip from Anchorage to Denali, keep mind that there are three train services that use Ultra Dome cars: Denali Star, operated by Alaska Railroad; Wilderness Express, operated by Premier Alaska Tours; and McKinley Explorer, operated by Holland America-Princess. Tickets for all train services are available to all persons, regardless of the cruise line utilized (if any). There are minor distinctions between each train service. The first two train services, Denali Star and Wilderness Express, operate as a combined train, and have the same timetable; the latter train service, McKinley Explorer, is a separate train operating on its own timetable (departing Anchorage one hour later than the first two train services).

There are a number of good videos, like the one posted above, that illustrate the scenery of the rail route. But this scenery is enjoyed by all, whether one travels along the route in a GoldStar service car or an ordinary coach car. The distinctions in car types are not really highlighted in the video above, though there are other videos readily found with Google searches that will show the actual cars used and services provided. Below are two such videos that do well in showing the cars, themselves, used for GoldStar service and Adventure Class service, respectively.

Yes. Direct bus service will be operated by Alaska Cruise Transportation on May 8, 2023, direct from the Seward cruise vessel terminal to the airport in Anchorage. As others have mentioned, Norwegian Cruise Line will also arrange for the transportation its passengers, by bus and/or train. With nearly all of its disembarking passengers requiring onward transportation to Anchorage, it would not be the case where the cruise line would strand thousands of its customers in Seward.

It could go either way. On the one hand, there was a purposeful inclusion of an apostrophe, and the abbreviation of Saint as "St." On the other hand, there is the use of the provincial abbreviation NB. Of course, it could be that the wrong abbreviation was used, as NL differs from NB by only a single letter. There are cruises that visit both Halifax and St. John's, as well as cruises that visit both Halifax and Saint John, and while there are more of the latter than the former, you cannot eliminate either as being possibilities. It may well be that some people will confuse St. John's and Saint John, but that's all the more reason to clarify. Imagine someone going on a cruise, anticipating a visit to one port, making all the arrangements for tours or sightseeing there, and then getting surprised when the vessel arrives in the other port. Best to eliminate the confusion and clarify now, not later!

I am confused. Are you going to St. John's, which is in Newfoundland, or to Saint John, which is in New Brunswick? Two very different places, and you certainly don't want to arrange for excursions in one community when your vessel will be visiting a different community!

I would agree that missing the outdoor viewing platform is the largest drawback to Adventure Class, but riding the dutch door in a vestibule is nearly equivalent.

What was reported here is that the Celebrity representative said that the only available transfer is by bus. I interpret that to mean that there might be a charter train transfer, but it is unavailable. Maybe sold out or otherwise insufficient capacity. Maybe Celebrity doesn't have its systems fully in place yet. Maybe some other reason. It is possible that the unavailable status might change. A different representative . . . or a different day. Do try again: it won't hurt.

My preference is having an ordinary coach seat, and having the options to walk to the Vista-Dome car for the all-directional views, and ride in the vestibule with the upper half of the dutch door opened for picture-taking. This is coach, or "Adventure," class service. In the higher-priced "GoldStar" service, you're stuck all day in a coach with glass ceiling, having the sun always shining down on you with no respite. Additionally, "GoldStar" service passengers generally do not have the same all-around view that coach passengers have in the Vista-Dome car, as all the Ultra Dome cars used for "GoldStar" service are uniform in height, with forward and rearward views possibly blocked. And while meals are included in the "GoldStar" service price, it works out to be rather expensive meals. The meals served in the bistro car available to coach passengers, while costing extra and not inexpensive, end up being more economical than the meal-inclusive "GoldStar" service. Finally, only coach passengers have the option to take all their baggage on board with them, as their coaches all have generously-sized luggage racks . . . "GoldStar" service passengers are compelled to check their baggage because their cars have no facilities for carry-on baggage. I think that many passengers choose "GoldStar" service because it is sold as being a higher level of service (and at least to the extent of receiving more personalized service and some extras, it is), but given the choice I would choose coach, or "Adventure," class because it is both a better value and relies on cars (including Vista-Dome cars) more to my liking.

Purchased directly from the railroad, a basic trip from the railroad station in Skagway to the summit and return is $142. The excursion purchased from the cruise line provides the added benefit of being able to travel on the train directly from the side of the cruise vessel, obviating the need to walk the 1/4-mile or 1/2-mile walk between the vessel and the railroad station. Is it worth $80 per person not to have to walk that distance?

You also have the option of booking bus transportation yourself, without Celebrity being an intermediary. Alaska Cruise Transportation charges $68 one-way between Seward and the airport on your cruise vessel arrival day.

We may have different perspectives of things that are of interest. I like seeing the world for what it is, and while Seward is a place of interest, a pleasant town but not a great town. (It is true that, within Seward itself, it is not difficult to get around if one is ambulatory--it is a small place and readily walkable--but to get around the surrounding area can be challenging because there is no regional public transportation except for the bus services to and from Anchorage.) I think you're missing what Alaska is actually all about. The state is not solely about "exterior beauty," and its attractiveness is deeper than just its superficial appearances. Alaska is also about cities, industry, history, culture, recreation, politics, and more. It may well be that Seward is a place with "exterior beauty," though there are many other places in Alaska that also share the same characteristic. I suppose some people could stand for hours in Seward admiring the "exterior beauty," but for me a static view does not require an extended period of time to take it in. Coming off of a vessel in Seward it is worthwhile seeing Seward for an hour or two before heading to Anchorage. And there certainly are other sights and activities in the surrounding area, outside of Seward, beyond the reach of the small public transportation system, for which to partake (e.g., Exit Glacier), though they require becoming captive to a tour or other transportation operator. Seward itself is a small city, population 2,700, that is pleasant to visit, but there's just not a lot there in the city itself. It is a nice place to visit, and it should be viewed for what it is. There are also many other places in Alaska to visit, but in the end each individual will come to own conclusion as to the degree of interest each place holds.

I have traveled to and from Seward multiple times, both by vessel and by railroad. Never by car. The bus service is there is very small scale--a single route two miles long and a half-hour headway without a publish schedule--and its little mobility falls far short of a useful transit system. (It would likely be more useful to have a transit system for the entire Kenai Peninsula Borough than just small individual municipalities.) On my last visit I meandered up and down the main commercial street, Fourth Avenue, visited the airport and took pictures of the airplanes, and would have liked to photograph railroad action as well but things were rather quiet. Unless one has booked a tour to visit natural sights in the surrounding area, there just is not much in Seward. A nice place to visit and to have visited, but that's it. I would not want to spend more than two or three hours there, and I have been bored waiting around there for the evening train back to Anchorage. I find Anchorage to be of much greater interest, but that's likely because I am a "city person." Others may enjoy Seward more than I have.

You're entirely correct on how tipping developed, and, in my opinion, what it should be. The cruise lines (and some other industries as well) have perverted tipping to favor their own interests. The monies collected by the cruise lines for "gratuities" are not given specific individuals based on the quality of the services they have provided to guests. While the cruises claim that the gratuities are collected and distributed to their personnel for services performed, they are distributed uniformly without regard to quality of service, and are effectively a component of their wages. Their collection by the cruise lines as a fixed amount, and in an environment in which passengers are expected not to object or vary from these amounts, further supports the position that this is just another mandatory fixed charge in payment for the cruise.Why do cruise lines do this? First, it allows the cruise lines to lower the apparent price of the cruise, by excluding the amount of the gratuities from the fares it advertises. Second, it allows the cruise lines to not pay a commission to their agents for the sale of cruises. the old way is better. Inclusive cruise prices, where the price advertised includes all the services routinely provided. Envelopes provided if passengers receive exemplary service and desire to provide tangible gratitude to those individuals who personally delivered that service, and on an exceptional, not routine, basis.

Yes, there are up to trains daily. The morning train is chartered by cruise lines, and the afternoon train is operated as regularly-scheduled train. The morning train should depart the Seward cruise line terminal at 6:50 a.m., and arrive at the Anchorage airport station at 11:20 a.m. It is a single class train, all seats reserved in Panorama Dome cars, and access to a café car. The afternoon train should depart the Seward railroad station at 6:00 p.m., and arrive at the Anchorage downtown station at 10:15 p.m. It is a two-class train. Coach ("Adventure Class") includes reserved seats in standard passenger coach cars, plus access to the unreserved seats in the Vista-Dome car, café car, and dining car. First class ("GoldStar Service") includes reserved seats in the upper level of Ultra Dome cars, with outdoor observation deck and meal in lower level dining room. Note that there are three different types of dome cars available (i.e., Vista-Dome, Panorama Dome, Ultra Dome), and you have a choice from all three types. My preference is a Vista-Dome car, but your preference might be different.

It is a choice between spending a day in a relatively remote community, Seward, or a day in an urban center, Anchorage. Each have their draws, and so it really depends on which type of environment you prefer. I have always been drawn to cities, and there are always things of interest to see and do in Anchorage. In addition, Anchorage has a good-enough public transportation system so that the lack of a car would not substantially diminish your mobility. On the other hand, if you like nature and getting away from people, then a day in Seward could be better. But without a car you may be more captive to the tour operators in Seward. It is difficult for me to judge what it is that you like best.

There are three practicable options. (1) The train transfer offered by Celebrity departs Seward in the morning, and is well-timed timed for Celebrity's passengers. It departs from the cruise vessel terminal itself, but it arrives at the airport, so you would need to make your way downtown. The Anchorage transit bus system, known as "People Mover," provides that transfer service on its route 40 service, every 15 minutes (the ride itself is less than half an hour) at low cost. (2) A second train offered by the Alaska Railroad departs Seward in the evening, at 6:00 p.m. This train departs from the railroad station, a short distance from the cruise vessel terminal. While this train does go directly to downtown Anchorage, you would have to hang around all day in Seward--nearly 12 hours--to avoid having to take the half-hour bus ride from the airport to downtown. Maybe you would like to see something in Seward to occupy your time . . . but this is a rather long wait. (3) Use the bus transfer offered by Alaska Cruise Transportation. It departs from the cruise vessel terminal in the morning, about 8:00 a.m., and goes directly to several hotels in downtown Anchorage. Objectively, this is the easiest, least expensive, quickest, and best-timed alternative, but many people traveling from Seward to Anchorage prefer the train over the bus.

Yes, true. Walking from the Broadway dock to the railroad station would be about 800 feet. Marginally longer from the other two docks. Is it worth the extra cost to avoid having to walk 800 feet? That's a value judgment only you can make.