Northern Aurora

Regarding refrigerated cases I remember a number of years ago the old Cova Cafes (now called the Cafe al Bacio) had tapas in the evenings. They were served in small white plates displayed in the cases (the same cases which displayed the breakfast pastries in the am). Those plates, when handed to you, were definitely cold.

The aforementioned tunnel accommodates both rail and vehicle traffic, but not both at the same time. I doubt that google maps takes the tunnel delays into consideration.

I also am posting from the Edge. I also have not observed any pre-made mini sandwiches but have seen the coconut macaroons. And at least some of those pastry cases are indeed refrigerated.

We are presently on the Edge, and the world final for cricket was broadcast several days ago. That game is a mystery for Americans but we watched the last part of the game with Australians who had to “translate” for us. So there may be hope for your husband.

If you want to do an Arctic Circle trip from Fairbanks consider the highly rated company Northern Alaska Tour Company.

Have you contacted the Kodiak visitor’s bureau/chamber of commerce?

Would a visit to the Casino be of interest? Incredible art deco about twelve stories high.

I am currently on the Edge on a B2B2B series as the ship moves from Europe to Australia and New Zealand before moving to Alaska for their summer season. Repositioning itineraries often have rather unique port stops. And on the Suez Canal segment Aqaba, Jordan was dropped due to safety concerns. Oman was a last minute substitute.

Jim: Since we have been to Dubai previously we stayed on board and we are SO glad we did. The Retreat B2B passengers had it somewhat better than the B2B passengers who went a shore but it was still an appalling mess. Absolute mess. Never have experienced anything like it. Zenith friends went outside and — even with a transit pass — they reported a two hour line to reboard. One person fainted while in-line. People are very upset, and I mean very upset. I have seen some photos and they are appaling. We had the CC welcome toast this am. Again sloppiness as some Zeniths did not receive an invitation. We learned of it as Charles ran into the CC hostess. She told me that she had prepared the invitations before the turnaround day (and I believe her). Very poorly attended by all levels of the CC. But Captain Matt announced that we have 51 Zeniths onboard for this leg. Gerry

My apologies again to our OP for jumping into her thread. We are also in this cruise and also boarded on October 30. We are Zenith CC members and are also in a suite. Despite a number of emails some folks have boarded without visas for Sri Lanka. Even in the Retreat Lounge there is, at best, minimal assistance offered. Make sure you get that visa before your board. Do not expect help once onboard. Some of the Suite passengers thought that the Retreat Concierges would be of assistance and have now learned otherwise. When we boarded on October 30 for the Suez Canal cruise we were asked if we had an Indian visa. We did. Other folks were asked to produce them.

Whoooo baby —- Sitka is definitely evaluating the future impact of cruise ships. An acquaintance in Fairbanks grew up in Sitka and returns for holidays. They do not want to become another Skagway.

Skagway also offers helicopter trips to a glacier and dogsledding. Is Skagway on your itinerary? In any event use google to locate the website for Temsco which, at least in the past, as offered such excursions in both Juneau and Skagway.

We did B2B Alaska cruises in June 2922. The first was just before the slide with the second just following. Just a few comments random comments — I am always suspicious about comments from a Skagway shopkeeper as very few (almost none) of folks in those stores live in either Skagway or Alaska. And I wonder if that person was aware of the amount of emergency funding the State provided Skagway to develop a remediation plan. Due to passenger feedback regarding the repetitious Alaska itineraries some cruise lines are offering some variations, such as including Sitka on some runs.

While we have dined more times in specialty dining than in Luminae. I am not aware of any hallway or entrance into Luminae other than the main entrance. Luminae does have its own restroom, which I have not used, but I haven’t noted any one walking out of that restroom hall way who did not just walk into it a few minutes before.

We boarded the Edge on October 30 and will be onboard for three legs. We are in the same aft Sky Suite for all three legs. My perception mirrors that of jeylane. We have met the head butler several times. Our retreat host is excellent but does not seem to have the authority to do much —such as exchanging the cheap bubbly in the stateroom found on embarkation day for a bottle of red. It was exchanged but took several days. And when we return to the stateroom the room stewards are generally still working on their assigned staterooms after 2:30 PM. All feels very impersonal, and this Zenith member of the loyalty club is not overly impressed and has discussed the situation with one of the powers to be.

We live in Alaska. While we live in the Interior of the state we subscribe to the electronic version of the Anchorage Daily News for statewide news. The cruise industry is frequently discussed and I have not read any articles even remotely suggesting that there is any consideration of dropping Skagway.

We are currently on the Edge. On the Celebrity Today delivered tonight a “Remembrance Day Memorial” will be held tomorrow in the theater. The description is as follows: “ Join us as we honor active and retired members of the service, remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom, and recognize the families of those who have served, and continue to serve.”

Our letter was delivered to our mail slot about an hour ago. I find it interesting that those in suites were totally unaware of the B2B meeting this am. Different numbers are circulating regarding the number of B2B passengers but I have heard 1250. We rarely do a single cruise leg but this may be the highest number we have experienced. And I apologize to our OP for jumping into her interesting report. Gerry

My sense is that a number of folks in suites are at least B2B. But it is clear that our procedures will be slightly different in Dubai as our immigration will take place in the Retreat Lounge. We had to go outside in Piraeus but were escorted by the concierges. I have just seen the letter going to those in suites. Folks who are changing staterooms are also asked to pack everything. No leaving items on hangers. Fortunately we are in the same suite for all three legs.

To be totally accurate we dropped by Cafe al Bacio after lunch at Luminae. My husband likes a pair of oatmeal raisin cookies after lunch.

Very interesting to read the above post. Suite/Retreat passengers did not receive a letter regarding the turnaround day (TAD) process and B2B meeting held today as all TAD procedures will happen in the Retreat Lounge for us. The suite manager has given an outline but we will receive a detailed letter tonight. Gerry

No lemon or chocolate tarts this morning on the Edge. They have been serving a delicious pear-Nutella cake which is wonderful — but alas none today. And today I realized that there is a small sign indicating that the Cafe al Bacio treats “are on us.”

With pleasure! Not only am I not a fan of the lemon tarts I also do not care for the chocolate ones which appear periodically.

I am posting from the Edge and am happy to report that both chocolate and vanilla macaroons have been available (not at the same time). Not a fan of the lemon tarts but they seem to be available.

I also am currently on the Edge and am dining in Luminae. We like to avoid the busy times and asked the seating hostess if the current passengers tend toward early or late dining. Generally the seating hostess sense very early in the cruise if they are dealing with a predominately early or late crowd. The current sailing is the first leg of a B2B2B and the other sailings may be different. Despite the fact that we live in Alaska we have done six or seven Alaska cruises. My sense is that after busy port days a greater number of folks just dine in the buffet than other cruises. So on port days Luminae may be less busy on an Alaskan itinerary.