Northern Aurora

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.

Your research may be very interesting. Canadian law treats "youthful indiscretions" very seriously. Good luck and make sure you are confident in your results before boarding that Alaska cruise in 2025. Consider posting this on the Alaska CC forum as frequent poster on that forum works at Seattle's Smith Cove pier boarding passengers. @Ferry_Watcher works in Seattle but has insight regarding such issues.

Folks considering hotel choices in Anchorage need to be aware that Anchorage has a serious homeless population issue. Read reviews carefully.

I always find it interesting when posters are told that something is a "must do." The only attractions which are a "must do" are those which are of particular interest to that poster. I also have been to Glacier Bay and didn't find it to be a "must do" for me. Those glaciers are in full retreat -- they are melting. Yes -- it is a national park -- but would it be designated a national park now? I doubt it. Our OP on this thread is traveling with 3 and 5 year old kids. Wonder how "interesting" it would be for them to stand outside on a bow of a ship looking across the way at some rocks with snow on them. Just a thought.

No -- we have encountered self serve soft ice cream (with either cones or bowls) on both M- and S-class ships. We left the Edge on December 9th and they also had self serve soft ice cream.

On our last several cruises Celebrity did indeed have comedians onboard. One comedian, not two. We left the Edge on December 9th after a B2B2B and all three legs had comedians onboard. Shows suitable for all ages are in the theater at 7 and 9 PM. Shows suitable for adults are in another venue starting about 10PM. All three legs on the Edge also had magicians onboard.

The Mast Grill (think hamburgers and hotdogs) has a self serve soft ice cream machine. Scooped ice cream (and sorbet) is available in the Ocean View Cafe (think buffet).