Northern Aurora

San Diego is compact and easy to navigate. The airport is on the edge of town. You will watch planes landing and departing while standing on your cruise ship upper decks. We have used mass transit to visit the Zoo. Other ideas to visit are the USS Midway (we generally spend most of a day there) and the Maritime Museum of San Diego. We also check the Padres' game schedule; their baseball field is also centrally located. Lots of interesting hotels in San Diego.

I have stayed at both the Westmark and the particular Marriott you are referencing. Anchorage has a surprising homeless population which has been an issue for a number of years. The current Anchorage Assembly and Mayor have been clashing regarding solutions. While there is a group which essentially moves out the overnight homeless from doorways in the mornings, I would suggest staying at the Comfort Inn at Ship Creek.

I never save them but in the boarding day Celebrity Today, under the itinerary list, not only are tender ports marked, evening chick nights designated, but the time zone changes are also noted.

We were on the September 24th Mexican itinerary, and yes -- there are time zone changes.

The US 954 area code is for Broward County, Florida, which includes Miami.

Depending on the size of the items, and if you roll tightly, we can generally get about 30 items in a laundry bag. These items are underwear, shirts, blouses and so forth. If a pair of jeans is included then less than 30 items.

The craters around Pretty Rocks are incredible. Our local newspaper published photos taken four days after the road maintenance ended in August 2021 and it was impressive. Stunning that the NPS was able to keep shuttles operating as long as they did. But Pretty Rocks is not the only area in which the road was built over ice rich land. There are multiple areas in which the road is on ice rich soils which are now melting.

The issues with the single road into Denali Park have been ongoing for a number of years. When the road was constructed (was it in the 1930s or 1940s?) the notion of climate change just didn't exist. The road was constructed over sections of ice rich land (not glaciers as some have posted on CruiseCritic). While stable for a number of years those sections of ice rich land have been melting in several areas, including a section of the road called "Pretty Rocks." This area has required daily maintenance as the road has been sloughing off the mountain side. In August 2021 the National Park Service determined that they could no longer maintain the road at Pretty Rocks. It is now totally impassible past Pretty Rocks (essentially mile 43). The NPS has issued RFPs for a bridge over the problematic area. According to the NPS website, at least the last time I checked, the road may be closed through the summer of 2024. But who knows. And who knows what the condition of the road will be past mile 43 since there has been no road service since August 2021. Folks who plan a trip to DNP need to understand the limited road access. In my opinion, from someone who lives in Fairbanks, is that the stop at mile 43 means that folks will miss some of the prime wildlife viewing areas such as Polychrome Pass (above tree line with expansive views down on a braided river). While tours into DNP are "feasible" they will stop at the Pretty Rocks area. You will have to decide whether that limit is an issue for you. The off road Jeep 4x4 is most likely a tour out of Healy. I hope my fellow Fairbanks-ian, @wolfie11 will chime in with her opinion.

I am trying to think of which or any Zenith we know who spends any time in the casino. Maybe avoiding the casino is why folks can cruise enough to reach Zenith. That and avoiding the bidding on the Park West "fine art."

Well -- my perception is that the growing number of new Zeniths are NOT Blue Chip members who reached the level on comped cruises.

When we were called in November 2020 by shoreside concierges to inform the Zeniths that the Zenith Loyalty Level would no longer allow access in to Michael's Club the person who called us told me the number of Zeniths at that time. I can account for at least 12 folks who became Zeniths since the resumption of cruising. The number may be approaching 500 folks who have over 3000 loyalty points. There has been at least one death that I am aware of. But more importantly, from Celebrity's point of view, is that the number of folks reaching Zenith seems to be accelerating.

Years past we spent time in Denali at least once a summer and periodically two times. With the closure at Pretty Rocks we didn't bother this past summer. And with no road maintenance past Pretty Rocks since August 2021 I really wonder what the DNP maintenance will find once Pretty Rocks is bridged. I have suggested to several folks that they consider visiting Wrangell -- St. Elias National Park and Preserve as another option.

Several years ago I was seated beside the current head of loyalty during a Zenith lunch. She told me this suggestion is mentioned frequently. Captain's Club hosts will say the same. Since past behavior can be a predictor of future behavior I don't realistically seen an additional loyalty tier between Elite+ and Zenith being created.

Just wanted to comment that the cruise line chartered ARR runs only happen on a day in which their ship is departing from Seward. So if someone wants to spend several days in Seward before boarding, if they opt for a ARR trip, they would need to book the early morning ARR train from the downtown Anchorage ARR station to the Seward station.

We have the Millennium March 28, 2024 (Best of Southern Japan) and April 9, 2024 (Best of Japan) cruises booked, so we are also following. and April 9, 2024 cruises booked, so am closely following.

This plan is "doable" ONLY if you booked the cruise ship special chartered train from the Anchorage Airport to Seward. It can only be purchased through the cruise line. This is early afternoon departure and is not offered daily. It runs only on the days which a cruise line has chartered the trip and is not available for sale to the general public. The daily "regular" Alaska railroad run is from the Alaska Railroad downtown (not airport) station to Seward. This is a early morning departure and does not use the spur for a stop at the Anchorage Airport. This is purchased through the Alaska Railroad.

Does this tour include a special lunch? Years ago they included a special lunch in a specialty restaurant, and then when the lunch was discontinued the price dropped to something more like $89. We have done them on M-class ships and in September did one on a S-class ship. And while I don't remember the price I am thinking it wasn't $125, but may be I am in error. In any event, they are a hoot. You visit areas such as the bridge, the engine control room, the galley, the laundry, the recycling center, food storage areas, interior crew bars and on the one in September we visited the crew messes (they have more than one). Taking one makes you realize how little of the ship is open to passengers, and the questions other passengers have are so interesting. I've just asked my husband if he remembers the price from last September and he doesn't remember a $125/per person price either.

The season for aurora viewing is August 21st through April 21st. ABSOLUTELY no viewing in June or July. This is the land of the Midnight Sun and we are simply too light at night. The Fairbanks economy is not tourism driven. However, every segment of a regional economy is important. Popular summer tourism options include the Riverboat Discovery (half day), and Gold Dredge No. 8 (half day). Popular museums include the Museum of the North (located on the University of Alaska campus) and Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. Day trips to the Chena Hot Springs Resort are popular as the approximately 56 mile drive takes folks through the massive Chena River Recreation area which is prime moose habitat. There are a number of hiking (and I mean hiking -- not simple little walks along flat land) options. The Northern Alaska Tour Company offers interesting trips out of Fairbanks north of the Arctic Circle, and some also into the beautiful and wild Brooks Range. But I am curious if our OP is considering a trip to Fairbanks prior to heading down to Denali National Park. I've always thought that folks who don't go into DNP as far as Eielson Visitor's Center cheat themselves of the best Denali experience. Since the single road into the park is blocked at the Pretty Rocks area due to ice rich land melting until the road is open as far a Eielson I don't really see going to the park.

If you look at the Alaska Railroad route map you will quickly notice that it is not a commuter train. While you can go from Anchorage to Seward on the train, the train does not stop in Girdwood itself. And it certainly does not go to Homer, which is one of my favorite small south-central coastal communities. And while it takes about 2.25 hours to drive between Anchorage and Seward the train requires four hours as the train route and highway diverge. Take the train to Seward and rent a car there.

We became Zenith in 2016 and in the intervening years the number of Zeniths has more than doubled. I doubt that Zeniths not traveling in Suites will ever be granted access to Michael's Club/The Retreat. But would a Zenith lunch made you happy? On my September 16th Solstice Pacific Coastal a cocktail gathering for Zenith's was held in Cellar Masters. It didn't bother me as we could mingle and I thought I spoke with more folks than had we been seated, but one of the Zeniths complained that it was "lame." On the September 24th leg not only no lunch but no cocktail gathering either.

There was a long thread at the time about the folks who were on the Eclipse B2B with an Alaska leg followed by the Vancouver to Honolulu leg. Some had planned to stay on further legs. At that time Canadian public health authorities mandated a negative Covid-19 test for all sailings departing Canada. So folks were tested for the Alaska leg and then re-tested for the next leg from Vancouver to Hawaii. A number of folks tested positive on that turnaround day so Celebrity could not allow them to continue due to the Canadian public health protocols in place at the time. There was at least one poster on that thread who simply could not understand that the Canadian protocols take precedence the Celebrity protocols. If my memory is correct she was one of the folks who had planned to take the Eclipse home to Australia. At least one Canadian poster tried to explain but that person simply could not understand. We were B2B on the Eclipse on its first sailing in April 2022 (aka the "barnacle" cruise). We boarded in Vancouver and would have a turnaround day in Honolulu before taking the ship back to Vancouver. My husband tested positive on board during the first leg and was placed in quarantine. I remained in our Suite. We were given the option to remain on board until his isolation period was completed but decided to leave the ship in Honolulu to complete his period of isolation. It is important to understand that individual countries have public health rules, and if you are not comfortable with those rules then you should not take the cruise.

Just wanted to welcome you to "the club." We were the first Celebrity Alaskan cruisers to become Zeniths (2016) , and, as far as I know, are the only Zeniths who live in this state. Hopefully our paths will cross. Gerry (and her husband Charles) Fairbanks;, Alaska

We have stayed several times, both pre and post cruses, at the Riverside Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. It was recommended by a fellow cruiser and we enjoy it.

Due to the pandemic we had a number of cruises cancelled. Some were with non-refundable deposits and we were reimbursed. We also just just moved some of the deposits to a future sailing. There was no change fee.

DIY in Alaska is so easy. And a three night DIY trip based out of Seward is incredibly easy. Just make your way down from Anchorage to Seward by train or road. And an opinion from someone who actually lives in Alaska -- Seward is a more authentic community than some of the SE cruise ports. For example -- no Diamond International stores. The gift stores are actually owned by Alaskans. Do a day boat excursion through part of the Kenai Fjords National Park. Our favorite vendor is Major Marine. Consider one of the full day trips -- either the 8.5 hour one which goes to Northwestern, Anchor and Ogive Glaciers. Or do the 7.5 tour which goes to Colgate and Aialik Glaciers. You will be much more up close and personal on these options than any cruise ship in Glacier Bay. Through the years we have stayed in several Seward hotels, but our preferred hotel is the Harbor 360. We have stayed there before the company which owns Major Marine purchased it. Now the check-in counter for Major Marine excursions is actually in the hotel. And they offer (at least pre=pandemic) package deals for hotel and excursions. In the past they offered cyber sales on their website around Thanksgiving. The SeaLife Center right in town. Exit Glacier is several miles out of town. The dog mushing Seavey family (Iditarod mushers and winners) offer tours. Other ideas are on the Seward visitor center website which can be quickly located by google.