carsaw

We chose Celebrity last year because of the perks but we were not thrilled with the food etc.....We were very hesitant to try Holland America for a few reasons but the itinerary is very good with Glacier Bay and Sitka included so we booked a Holland America for this year, the price at the time was very good. We have been on 25+ cruises and this will be our first Holland America. Alaska is more about the ports than the ship  and since we did not go to Glacier Bay decided to do it again this year. No matter what you choose make sure you enjoy the Alaskan crab if you eat seafood. We plan on having a bucket in every port this year 😃

We did the 7.5 hour rail/bus with Chilkoot last year and loved it. The guide was very informative and so much fun I'm looking to book another Chilkoot tour this year on our 2nd Alaska cruise. 

Ats some point in the near future the cruise lines will see this whole subject as an opportunity to stuff their pockets with MORE cash by coming up with a "Reserve-your-lounger-for-a-day-by-paying-a-fee" plan. Several years ago drink packages were introduced and they are now very popular- reserved loungers could be the way to go.

I agree. They need to come up with something to stop this nonsense, it's getting worse. Last couple cruises watched people saving chairs in the sun and in the shade. I watched one person save 6 chairs then went back a couple rows into the shade and saved 6 more. Watching the behavior of people is really turning me off to cruising and I'm looking into more land vacations in the future.

yes you can

Thanks for the response

Does anyone know if you can book choir of man on a kiosk or do you have to go to the box office. Have a OBC want to use for dining, shows etc....and I can see this taking all afternoon. Trying to buy dining packages and make reservations alone should be a big headache.

I depart Sunday too and have heard nothing. Yesterday my option to bid was gone and today it's back! It shows the cruise basically sold out so I don't think my bid was accepted. I agree, I booked a cabin I was happy with so it doesn't really matter, still going to have a great time.

Just got email not upgraded. Glad I picked out a good room and very happy with it. Maybe next time. ;)

I was invited to bid about 8 days out (booked 10 days out). Bid twice the minimum on a spa mini suite and balcony room. I depart Sunday and haven't received anything from NCL. I assume the bid was't accepted, but it looks like others have received a decline email? Oh well still going to have a great time!

I depart Sunday too and have heard nothing. Yesterday my option to bid was gone and today it's back! It shows the cruise basically sold out so I don't think my bid was accepted. I agree, I booked a cabin I was happy with so it doesn't really matter, still going to have a great time.

I have never had that happen, but if someone actually had the nerve to ask the look on my face would say it all and they would walk away ;p We are not big drinkers but paid hundreds each additional over the sail away rate for that perk and would not let some cheapskate take advantage of us.

Thank you for your review. Everything looks so nice, can't wait to sail to Bermuda in a couple weeks.

Since bottled water is not even included in the UBP I just order a 12 pack to be in my cabin the first day. I think it was $34.00. I think NCL is the only cruise line that doesn't include bottled water in their packages and they are the most expensive. Celebrity included fresh juices, bottled water, specialty coffees. I have had it with NCL policies. :(

I prefer the Escape over the Breakaway. Last time on the Breakaway there were plumbing problems the entire cruise. The plumbing in our balcony cabin did not work 1/2 the cruise and many of the public restrooms had problems also. There were no other cabins available to move us so we were frustrated the entire cruise last year. Since that time read many other complaints about problems on the Breakaway. Every time I went to guest services they just kept saying people flush items they shouldn't so that's why there are problems!? Never again on the Breakaway, just booked the Escape to Bermuda. :D

Arriving Celebrity Solstice Friday May 18th 2018...got a few inquires out on car service but no one has responded found an old rate $60 U.S plus gratuity of 20% is this good rate ....Any other suggestions????

I contacted Seattle Royal Town Car for our cruise in June, they responded within an hour going back and forth a few times. I found some good reviews for that company.

What cruise are you booked on ? I booked the June 15th and found this excursion on their website, under " cruise planner". I booked 4 tickets for this tour

Thanks, it was put on the excursion list a few days ago and I booked it. :)

Thanks for your review. Just booked a cruise on the Silhouette in March and can't wait.

We are also booked on the June 8, 2018 Solstice cruise. I was wondering the same thing since I have a group of 7 that want to do the excursion. If I see it pop up, I will post on this board, so we can all book it.

Talk to you soon,

Lisa

Hi Lisa. I called Celebrity a number of times and they gave me incorrect answers. The seats have been released to the Solstice they just have not put it on their system to book yet. I will book it when it pops up also, heard it's one of the first to sell out.

Verify with Allen Marine-= direct. They certainly, know if they have the contract.

Hi Budget Queen. Yes I did check with them and they do have a contract so don't know what Celebrity is doing. Guess they just haven't put it in their system yet :confused:

We have been waiting for the Celebrity Solstice to offer this excursion. I have called and been told they are not going to offer this. I don't believe that is correct but it's more than frustrating trying to talk to them. I think the Solstice is the only ship that doesn't have this excursion listed :confused:

That Tracy Arm excursion is VERY popular and will be the first to sell out. Make your decision ASAP.

 

 

Since Glacier Bay will already be your glacier viewing opportunity, the urgency to see the lesser Sawyer is not as great.

Thanks, I plan on booking as soon as it's available, should be soon.

Your pictures are absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for the quick responses. I just booked and I am so excited!

I'm just wondering what cruise line you are using. I don't know why it's taking so long for Celebrity to list that excursion.

Tracy Arm, definitely. Much more to see than just glaciers.

 

Also, many cruises are not in port long enough to offer the Tracy Arm excursions, so you need to take advantage of it when offered. If / when you go back to Alaska the Tracy Arm trip may not be an option and you can always see Mendenhall then.

 

Here a a couple of photos from our Tracy Arm trip in May:

 

 

 

 

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Your pictures are beautiful. I am still waiting for Celebrity to list the small boat shore excursion for our cruise next June. I am definitely booking that one.

Thanks for the reply...If I might ask why did you choose Chilkoot over Daves tour

Both tours had good reviews but the Yukon Rail and Bus with Chilkoot had so many wonderful reviews I decided to go with that one.

We used Chilkoot Tours in May of this year and were very happy. We did the bus up and train back just in case of fog and it worked out well. We stopped for lunch at the place with the dogs and did the dog cart ride and got to play with some of the puppies. Probably not a "real" musher, but we enjoyed it. The dogs looked happy as well.

 

As an FYI, the Dyea Dave buses were at all the same stops we did (other than possibly the sled dogs). Both tours use smaller buses, so they can stop for wildlife in places the full size buses can't. Both get high ratings, so it probably comes down to price and schedule as to which to choose.

 

 

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After researching the tours I booked Chilkoot for next June. I did book the train up and bus back but emailed them to see if I can change to bus up and train back due to possible fog that early. Sounds like a great tour.

Is this Excursion offered on all the Solstice sailings normally? We are considering the one on 18th May 2018 and the reason that we are undecided is because we want to see the Glacier's up close so were leaning toward the Millennium which goes to Hubbard Glacier but means flights to Anchorage and back from Vancouver.

Could you give an approximate cost for this excursion if you remember.

Really interested, do you have any pics please? Thanks.

I am waiting to book this excursion for our June 2018 Solstice cruise and it is not even listed yet. Seems all the cruise lines have it listed except Celebrity/RCCL.

 

 

Something went wrong and your booking has been locked

DUH

This looks familiar, get this one almost every time I try to go on the site.

Going in September also and really hope we make it to Bermuda. Twice our itineraries changed to Canada and once to Florida/Bahamas. I heard it's expected to be an active hurricane season the other day and just keeping fingers crossed. I guess just the chance you take especially in Sep/Oct.