Northern Aurora

There are several options. One which has worked well for me is: ExecutiveOffice@celebrity.com

We have done tender ports with overnight stops (such as Lahaina) and our recollection is that the tenders do run, but at a reduced schedule. We have been to Cabo several times, but never have been there on an overnight call.

Just to include another suggestion to the recommendations made by @NothingBeatsBaseball -- if folks opt to spend a few days in the Palmer area other ideas include the Independence Mine State Historical Park in Hatcher Pass. Palmer (and also the University of Alaska Fairbanks) has a musk ox farm which offers tours -- and where do you get to see those critters in the lower 48?

Our local newspaper (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner) had no information in yesterday's edition, and since today is a holiday, no paper was published. We subscribe electronically to the Anchorage Daily News and there has been no information either yesterday or today there either. South central Alaska, including Anchorage, experienced a large atmospheric river of moisture late last week. Great amount of rain, and a number of rivers and streams in the Alaska Range are overflowing. In the Interior, where we live, we also have a number of rivers at bankfull, including the Tanana and Nenana Rivers, with flooding in some low-lying areas. My educated guess is that the mudslide occurred in the Alaska Range area. For those fuzzy with Alaska geography that would be north of Anchorage in the Denali area. This has happened a number of times, and repairs are made very quickly. For those interested in the history of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel just goggle the Portage Glacier Highway. Wikipedia has an excellent article.

Our experience regarding the mini-bars in Sky Suites has been when a butler would tell us that we could consume the water, sodas and beer in the mini-bar the butler made it clear that it was a special favor offered to us -- and the price list in the mini-bar confirmed that it was a special favor.

I agree with @cruisestitch. Accruing enough points while on a cruise to move to the next tier happens to almost everyone. Even when we gained sufficient points to move to Zenith on the middle leg of a B2B2B we didn't become Zenith until the third leg.

With such a short time on land following your cruise I would also suggest a DIY trip. We live in Alaska, and watch folks on those cruiseline cruise tours -- the folks just seem so herded. I also wonder how kids would enjoy such an experience. The single road into Denali National Park is closed approximately midway in to the park. The road, when constructed many years ago, was built on a section of ice rich land which is now melting and soughing off the hillside. The road was closed at this section, called Pretty Rocks, in 2021. Work just began this summer to bridge the problematic area, but it now appears that the road may not be completely open until 2026. Until the road is open to Eielson Visitor's Center (mile 66) I don't think it is worth trying to visit Denali. However the cruiselines are still pushing cruise tours to Denali. Pick up your rental car in Anchorage. Consider staying at the Alyeska Resort for a night. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center receives mixed reviews with some folks raving about and others not so happy; my impression is that folks who enjoy zoos like it. The are options out of Seward for a very nice DIY trip. Or consider driving to Homer.

Since we live about a two hour drive north of the entrance to Denali National Park we have stayed at the Denali Princess complex I don't know how many times -- sometime more than once in a summer. We have also stayed multiple times at the McKinley View Princess as when we are driving home from Seward its location puts us closer to home. Each of the rooms at both of these Princess facilities is essentially the same. I have never thought that some of the rooms were of "lower" quality.

TAD is the turnaround day on B2B (or longer) cruises. If B2B guests and embarking Zeniths are not included in the Concierge Class embarkation day luncheon this is a major change indeed from past practices.

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.