Northern Aurora

John: Keep us posted on the transfer to Anchorage. What a mess for all involved -- passengers and crew. What can we say -- ship happens!

Just a quick expansion of the response from @BruceMuzz -- We have been to a number of very large metropolitan area across the globe, and nothing prepared us for the five days we spent in Tokyo after a pair of B2B cruises. While extremely well organized, it was clearly the largest most densely populated city we have experienced. Much more densely populated than a city-state such as Singapore. But absolutely wonderful.

NO -- the little tag are not on undergarments. It is clear that such items are washed in labeled mesh bags. And I have had no issues in removing the tags immediately after they are returned to the stateroom. Don't leave the tags on for any period of time.

Actually, the closing times in Juneau are quite variable. My absolute favorite Juneau gift store is the one associated with the Sealaska Heritage Institute: it closes at 7 PM. The Juneau Artists Gallery ( a co-op) closes at 8 PM. And the Alaska State Museum (which has a lovely gift shop) closes at 4:30 PM.

Just a quick comment from someone who lives in the Interior of Alaska. While Southeast Alaska is in a Pacific Northwest rain forest, and it rains ever month, just ask yourself how much you enjoy heavy pelting rain. While a cruise in SE Alaska in late August or September (or -- perish the thought -- October -- which some lines are offering!!) may be tempting, just ask yourself how much you enjoy wet feet.

Your post made me laugh out loud! Thanks so much for the chuckle.

I also want to thank Jeremiah for this very helpful update. I really appreciate the clarification.

Is our OP in a Concierge Class stateroom? If so then the Concierge Class embarkation lunch is available in a section of the MDR. It is also available to all B2B passengers and embarking Zenith Captain's Club members. While not a large menu it is served (not buffet).

I am guessing it is all done using facial recognition now too. In September 2022 at LA following a Mexican Riviera cruise it certainly was facial recognition.

We like the Harbor 360. The company which owns this property also owns Major Marine so at times offers packages including the hotel room and a MM excursion. We have also stayed at the Edgewater. It was fine but the room was literally crowded with furniture. Sometimes less is better. We prefer the Harbor 360. Seward has a number of airbnbs, cabins and other hotels.

The last time I was in the Ted Stevens Anchorage Airport was in late April. But we didn't have to go through security as we arrived into Anchorage and then took a connecting flight to Fairbanks. I hope someone who has recently cleared security there will comment, but in the past a "choke point" was the security clearance. I wonder if the number of security X-ray machines has been increased as for a number of years there were only two. In comparison, the Fairbanks airport, with only eight gates, also has two X-ray machines.

@jlazz: On September 11 in Juneau I would be prepared for heavy pelting rain with some wind. I also believe it will feel colder on the water. If you don't experience rain then feel very lucky indeed.

Are you asking about departing the ship at the end of an Alaska itinerary? You will need to be off the ship by about 9:30 AM.

Check if the Bard and Banker, a Scottish pub located on Government Street, is open. An interesting pub in a heritage building.

A number of years ago we did a Pacific Coastal. We boarded in Vancouver with the second stop being Naniamo (sp?), British Columbia. Next port was Seattle. Very quick immigration procedure with passengers holding our passports near our faces and walking past US Immigration officials. Multiple lines so it was quick.

Thanks for the update. I am fuzzy as to when you were actually in Fairbanks, but our aurora season doesn't start until August 21st. Simply too light to see an aurora between August 21 and April 21st. So while it may seem dark on August 20th, it is still too light to view an aurora.

Ships dock at a private dock outside of Sitka proper. Shuttles (free) are provided to the downtown area. Shuttles drop off folks at the Harrigan Centennial Center. There are tour folks at the HCC selling excursions for the day, but be aware that Sitka is receiving more and more ships so don't count on getting what you want as a "walk up" customer. From the HCC it is a very easy walk to the Sitka Historical Park (locals call this the "Totem Pole Park) which has a lovely visitor's center and walk among old totems. The walk along the waterfront passes the Sheldon Jackson Museum (an auxiliary of the Alaska State Museum in Juneau) and also the Sitka Sound Sea Life Center. From the SHP we have no issues walking to the Raptor Center. Fortress of the Bear is further out of town; most folks take tours. Downtown Sitka has the Russian Bishop's House and the St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Church. The Bishop's House is administered by the US National Park Service. St. Michael's is an active Russian Orthodox church. Sitka is very easy to DIY.

We have done whale watching in late September in 2021. The Alaska Tourism Recovery had passed and so there were some Alaska cruises out of Seattle with no stops in Canada. In any event, we did whale watching trips out of both ISP and Juneau. While the Juneau trip was good the one out of ISP was absolutely spectacular -- ninety minutes (yes -- 90 minutes) of bubble feeding. Sitka is such an interesting community with a number of options for visitors. I wouldn't do whale watching out of Sitka.

How old are these two "little kids?" Hopefully there is another family member with you and the "little kids." If not, the cruise line will not allow you to disembark without the kiddos. Disembark the ship as a family. According to post #1 our OP is only saving a little bit of money. And remember you have to "time the tunnel" so it may take much longer drive to Anchorage to avoid purchasing three shuttle tickets. Don't try this. Don't be the silly parent.

Thank you so much for a "boots on the ground" report. Will be following for further information. And I also hope you are feeling better soon. I once had a bad cold (this was pre-pandemic) and it was absolutely no fun being sick while on vacation.

Have you considered staying at the Pan Pacific? The hotel is literally above Canada Place. The bellmen will come to your hotel room to pick up your luggage and then take your luggage to the cruise porters. You just need to deal with your carry on items. An elevator which will take your down the cruise terminal. While the Pan Pacific can be pricey, in this case, when you are traveling with two folks with mobility issues the cost may not be a factor.

Unbelievable -- just unbelievable. Is this an admission of such a cash flow issue that management thinks a $2 cookie will dig them out of a hole? Does any one have photos of the "handcrafted" cookie on another ship. The other "test ship" seems to be the Eclipse. Is this also happening on the Eclipse?

We live in Alaska. Our provider is AT&T. No issues in Alaska ports.

The early evening sushi offerings were discontinued a number of years ago -- when Sushi on 5 was introduced.

This is a reference to Holland America Line cruises website. But @Steve in Omaha has now clarified they are on a NCL ship so we don't need to guess any longer.