Northern Aurora

As I interpret the post by @Stevepcb64 they leave the next day to transit to DNP. And I don't agree that only the Riverboat Discovery is "a common itinerary for pax who just spend one night in Fairabanksk... ." Not the feedback I hear when on cruises.

My verbiage in my post #15 gave me some "wiggle room" regarding the pair (Riverboat and GD). I felt I really shouldn't claim that the pair were "always" sold together to the cruise lines, but this is the first time I have heard of a Princess land package which didn't include both. We spend about 90 days a year on a cruise ship doing lengthy fall and spring trips. When fellow passengers find out that we are from Alaska we hear about their Alaska cruise. When their trip to Alaska is on a cruise line sponsored package and they were in Fairbanks either pre- or post cruise I don't think that I have heard of someone only doing one (and not both). The Binkley family, which owns both, makes it so easy to sell both attractions to the cruise lines as they even have facilities for lunch on their properties. If @Stevepcb64 has a description of their day in Fairbanks which includes anything about trying to pan for gold, then they are going to the Gold Dredge #8.

Interesting that GD#8 may not be included in your land package. A local family owns both the GD and Riverboat Discovery so both attractions are often sold as a package. The dredge itself is in good shape -- much better than the one outside of Dawson, Yukon Territory, but it is my understanding that Parks Canada has poured some restoration funds into that dredge in the last decade or so. The antler arch is on the grounds of the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. The center is well worth a visit. And I hope you understand that you can walk from the Westmark to the MTCC. Lunch options downtown include Soba (Moldovan cuisine) and the Thai House. There is another Thai option downtown but I can't remember the name (it isn't our favorite Thai place). Also Lavelle's Bistro may be open during lunch; during the past few summers they have opened for lunch but we are experiencing a severe labor shortage so I don't know if they will be open for lunch this summer. If you decide to visit the Antique Auto Museum then consider Geraldo's on College Road; the food is "Italian-ish."

Pike's Waterfront is essentially beside (other side of Airport Way) from a Fairbanks airport runway. If folks don't have luggage they could walk to the hotel from the terminal. Regarding the rental car situation, the rental agencies have their airport desks directly across from the luggage carousels. The cars are at the airport so no shuttle needed to reach the car lots. And yes, Fairbanks has taxis and Uber drivers. Actually, your particular hotel may have an airport shuttle (check their website to determine if they still offer an airport shuttle). While you could use the FNSB bus system and the campus shuttle to visit the Museum of the North and the LARS, but given your limited time the bus routes will eat a chunk of it . A rental car would provide so much more flexibility and allow you to visit places like Running Reindeer Ranch. Also, I don't know how you could use the FNSB bus system to reach the pipeline viewing site in the Fox area. If you just want to visit the Museum of the North and LARS then consider taking a taxi to the Museum and then using the campus shuttle. And, as I stated in another post, before purchasing tickets to Gold Dredge #8 make sure that your land package doesn't already include it.

Just a few comments from someone who lives in Fairbanks -- The Westmark is indeed downtown. For those who are doing a cruise line sponsored land trip two Fairbanks attractions generally include (if not always included) Gold Dredge #8 and the Riverboat Discovery. Gold Dredge #8 is located very close to the pipeline viewing site closest to Fairbanks (about ten miles north of Fairbanks on the Steese Highway); this viewing site includes interpretative signs. Before you purchase tickets to GD #8 make sure that it isn't included in your land package. And remember that folks don't see the pipeline on the drive to Denali; I've had folks tell me that somehow they thought they would see it on the drive to DNP. I would also suggest eliminating a visit to Santa Claus House at North Pole. Santa Clause House is basically the "emporium of bad taste" in my opinion. Almost nothing unique. Basically junk made overseas. Cookie Jar is not a great place for lunch. When it was included that Food Network show (Dives, Dinners and whatever -- obviously I don't recall the name) there was surprise at the time that it was featured. I don't know what you are planning to do along the waterfront area, but I would suggest a stop at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. If the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is of interest (check their website -- this museum is worth a visit) it is a quick drive from the MTCC. Depending on what day of the week you are visiting, if the Tanana Valley Farmer's Market is operating (prior years they have opened on Wednesdays and Saturdays) then plan a stop there. Pump House is a decent choice for dinner. But if you like Thai the Lemon Grass is excellent. Jazz Bistro is within walking distance of your hotel. And I am not sure that the Westmark is going to offer a hotel shuttle from the airport after dropping off the rental car.

We always just ask for what we want regarding pillows and receive our requests. Doesn't make any difference if folks are in an Aqua class stateroom or not.

The original question was about the Edge. While some folks went "off topic" I remained on topic. We boarded the Edge on October 30, 2023 in Civitaveechia and left on December 9th in Sydney. Our friends (on deck 7) were on the same B2B2B on the Edge. This was the cruise series which went through the Suez Canal.

We were in a Sunset Sky Suite (9305) last fall on a B2B2B. Very quiet room. Friends were in a SV on deck 7 (there was only one available for all three cruises) and they had serious noise issues from Eden.

The Elite and above breakfast was been offered for years. I remember it on the now departed Mercury. It is a nice alternative to the Ocean View Buffet or the MDR for a light breakfast. As already mentioned on this thread the Captain's Club info sheet (which will be in your stateroom) will have the location on your specific ship.

I would not assume that "the authorities will not have the manpower available" in Whittier. This situation is not unique for the trans-Pacific crossings from Asia. Our preferred cruise line flies CBP folks from the respective country to the ship so that the formalities are conducted onboard . They have even had folks board in Papeete, Tahiti for the first New Zealand port of (Bay of Islands in that case).

We have disembarked in Seward several times, including Celebrity cruises. Unless you experience really rough weather crossing the Gulf of Alaska the ship will be docked in Seward hours before the official arrival time. The Seward cruise terminal is a warehouse like building. You will simply walk off. Our experience has been that the ship empties very quickly as the Alaska Rail transfer to the Anchorage airport is very popular.

The cruise line sponsored cruise tour will likely include theRiverboat Discovery and the Gold Dredge #8 as the same family owns both and sells the tours as a package. Our OP hasn't indicated their interests. They need to google Explore Fairbanks to find the visitor and convention bureau website. Lots of options listed on that website. Our Fairbanks economy is very different than the cruise line driven economies of some of the south east Alaska ports. While every component of an economy is important, tourism and, in particular, cruise line driven tourism is not a major factor. There will not be booths of vendors greeting folks at the airport. This certainly will not be like the Caribbean. The University of Alaska has the excellent Museum of the North. I also would recommend a DIY land tour.

I am late to this discussion, but wanted to add that the outer layer needs to be waterproof -- not water resistant. And your footwear needs are determined by your planned activities -- some folks have reported that they were comfortable using spray waterproofing on athletic shoes, but that would not be adequate for us.

I also can't agree that Princess has the best docking locations for their ships. I've seen Princess ships docked out in the "hinterlands" a number of times. We have stayed at both the Denali Princess and the McKinley View Princess a number of times. We have only stayed limited times at the Copper River Princess lodge. I can't say that we have enjoyed "the best experience with their own lodges" either. The Denali and McKinley View Princess are built using the same model -- a complex of two story buildings with guest lodging, and stand alone buildings housing restaurants, bars and retail space. These buildings are not designed to be operated during the winter so not much insulation; you will hear people walking outside and in the hallways. The story guest lodging buildings do not all have elevators. We have seen guests struggling with the stairs. We have been in rooms both in the DP and MVP which had torn window screens (remember -- Alaska has mosquitos). No air conditioning -- just standing fans you can position on a desk or so forth. When we have stayed at the Copper River facility it was newer so in better condition. For example, dresser drawers readily slid in and out.

We have done the WP&YRR twice. My memory is that the seats were cushioned. And take @SightCRR's advice -- leaving Skagway sit on the left side of the rail car.

Before turnaround day a succinct instruction letter regarding the turnaround day process will be delivered to your stateroom. It will outline the process for you. Also, a meeting for B2B passengers may be held where the procedures will also be discussed.

We have never had an issue with ordering from the MDR menu in Luminae when on a S-class ship. Have done so for years.

The Sitka National Historical Park (which the locals call the "totem pole" park) is easily walkable from the Harrigan Centennial Center. The HCC is where the shuttles from the port drop off folks. Nice visitor's center at the park, and the walk through the park is lovely. If you are interested in the park there really isn't any need to take a tour (unless someone in your party has mobility issues).

Our OP asked the same question on the Alaska CC board eight hours ago. My answer is the same as I posted on at board -- yes -- Solstice will have binoculars but they are terrible. Bring your own. Even if you are in a Suite they will be terrible. If you don't own a decent pair then immediately visit a sporting goods store. You will need to actually hold a pair to determine how they "fit" you. Reviews can be helpful, but you must actually hold the pair you are considering before buying.

The Solstice will have a small pair of binoculars in the stateroom. However, they are of poor quality. Definitely bring your own.

Curious -- "the museum is small but interesting." Is this a reference to the museum operated by Municipality of Skagway in a building dated from 1899? The first time I visited it the name was the Trail of '98 Museum. The National Park Service through the years as acquired a number of buildings which are also operated as museums. Lovely collection.

I had to check -- the first year the Yukon Quest was first run in 1984. The original format of the race was an international race between Fairbanks, Alaska and Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. The race has been changed significantly and no longer is the same as originally conceived. The first several times the race was run were the races which some mushers were denied border crossing between Alaska and Canada. These mushers had paid their UQ fees, had obtained financial sponsorship and so forth to find them selves denied entry. I always thought that their marijuana (and if my memory is correct there were also some DUI issues) convictions were caught on a shared law enforcement database, but have always wondered.

@Hev1128: My experience is that all of the major cruise lines frequently discussed on this forum will have multi-generational families on board. Alaska is a very popular destination for extended families to gather together and take a cruise. While the ports have family friendly options, consider an itinerary with a stop in Skagway. The US National Park Service (Skagway is part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park) through the years has acquired a number of the old historic buildings. A number are museums. The museums are focused on the "edu-tainment" museum theory -- the kids learn something while being entertained. This forum is rather interesting with several folks designating what attractions are a "must see." A "must see" is only a "must see" if you want to see it. Don't feel pushed into spending money on something which does not interest you or the kiddos.

I am curious -- did the bus driver in Skagway give any indication as to why the passengers were denied entry into Canada? Was it information picked up from the ship manifest? Denial of entry into Canada was an issue for years in the Alaska dog mushing community. When the Yukon Quest was being run (a long distance sled dog race between Whitehorse, Yukon Territory and Fairbanks, Alaska) several well known Alaskan mushers were denied entry into Canada due to marijuana or DUI arrests in their past. Marijuana is now legal in Alaska so I wonder how it would be handled now.

Our favorite vendor is Major Marine -- hands down favorite. Excellent audio through out their vessels.