Northern Aurora

We have done B2B out of Seattle (Seattle being both the embarkation and disembarkation port) in the past and are doing another such pairing this June. We have done so when there is a special exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum we wanted to attend and also Mariner's games. Seven days on a ship is just too brief to be on a for us. But understand that the RTs out of Seattle, at least in my opinion, aren't the best itineraries. We also have done Seward to Vancouver and then back to Seward for another B2B pairing. Even though we live in Alaska we find enough to do in these ports to repeat.

I agree with @SightCRR -- I am not aware of a free shuttle to Totem Bight either. Folks have used the Ketchikan bus system from downtown to Totem Bight. In the past there was a free shuttle in Ketchikan which took off-duty crew members to the local Walmart.

As a fellow Alaskan I want to echo the post by @AKStafford. We have stayed there a number of times when driving back from Seward to our home in Fairbanks. Spending the night there means we are an hour of drive time closer to home versus stopping for the night in Wasilla. I am always struck by the number of folks just sitting around when we walk into the main lobby to check in. While there are some walking paths/trails and the view of Denali is lovely when the mountain is "out" it basically is a stopping point positioned in a location which requires a Princess excursion. Some folks use their time there to do laundry.

Welcome to Celebrity! The Ocean View buffet will have a selection of ice cream. With the exception of sugar free (which I was told is made through a different process) Celebrity makes their ice cream on board. While there will always be "basic" flavors such as vanilla and chocolate the flavors will vary each day. There is no additional fee. Gelato is available for a fee and will be located near the Cafe al Bacio. Soft serve is available and is generally located in the Mast Grill area.

The last time we were in Sitka on a cruise ship was in the fall of 2018 when Sitka was the last stop in North America before heading to Japan. Quite frankly I didn't pay any attention to the rates, just observed the sandwich boards.

And thanks for the correction -- I knew that. We flew through the night from Honolulu to home in Fairbanks, Alaska and I am somewhat jet lagged.

On the Eclipse the quarantine deck was on deck 3. We have some first hand experience as my husband was quarantined in one. Since the Eclipse is also a M-class ship I wonder if the same deck is used on the Solstice?

We have walked through the Sitka National Historical Park (AKA "Totem Pole Park") and on to the Raptor Center. At least in the past vendors were set up outside of Harrigan Centennial Center, which is the shuttle drop off point, selling excursions. Those excursions included both the Raptor Center and Fortress of the Bears.

With the number of IV staterooms on the Edge class ships moving a Covid positive passenger into one should not be much of an issue. My husband tested positive on April 30 on the Eclipse. He was moved into an Oceanview stateroom on deck 3 while I remained in our Sky Suite. His food was plated on real ceramic plates, he had metal cutlery and glass wine glasses. He also didn’t have to deal with delays in ordering meals and items which were to be served hot were indeed reasonably hot.

Sitka is a very easy DIY port. Unless there is some unusual issue with the NCL Bliss the ship will be docked north of downtown Sitka. Free shuttles are provided which will take you to the Harrigan Centennial Center in downtown Sitka. The HCC is located beside the small boat harbor. A lovely walk along the small boat harbor to the National Historical Park (referred to as “Totem Pole Park” by the locals). Check the Sitka visitor’s bureau website (should be listed in the “2019 resources …) at the top of this forum page for more ideas.

Since the connections gatherings are important to some I generally register but rarely attend.

You are correct — Annabelles is in Ketchikan and we dine there when in Ketchikan. During the dungeness season they do indeed have dungeness on the menu. Several years ago my husband and I shared a bucket of dungeness before we waddled back to the ship. My memory is that it was the special of the day.

I don’t recall Juneau having fireworks on July 4th. While Juneau is much farther south than where I live in Alaska they won’t be very dark the evening of July 4th. Hopefully someone who has been there on July 4th can confirm. While July 4th is past the summer solstice Fairbanks is so light fireworks are a waste. Our major firework display is a professionally done on New Year’s Eve.

We have used the eMedd proctored tests. Very easy process.

@Kitty Ellas Mom: I’ve stayed at the Pan Pacific several times including last month before we boarded a ship from Vancouver to Honolulu. I love the hotel and its location. But you are also posting comments such as “Well now I’m just plain scared” regarding the potential for delays at the Vancouver airport. You will need to balance your concern about the Vancouver airport with what you want to see in Vancouver before departing. PS: Last month a mid afternoon the cab from the airport to the Pan Pacific took about 30 minutes.

I agree 100%. We used the ArriveCAN to board a ship and it is incredibly easy to use. I also don’t understand the amount of discussion and questions it as prompted.

Have you ever actually stayed at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport property? Depending on the date they can be extremely comparable to the downtown Vancouver hotels.

Have you considered staying at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel? It is located actually in the Vancouver airport very near the check-in counters?

While “Ashland” will need to do the ArriveCAN twice since they are RT out of Vancouver, “5waldos” will do the ArriveCAN once. And for those on RTs out of Seattle since there are port calls in (most likely) Victoria they will also do the ArriveCAN even if they remain on board.

While the name escapes me there is a lovely museum in Prince Rupert (Museum of Northern British Columbia perhaps?). The one time we were there on a cruise ship we spent time at the museum, had a lovely lunch and shopped at a high quality artists co-op.

We were scheduled to be on that May 4 Honolulu to Vancouver cruise but instead am posting from Honolulu where my husband is completing his Covid isolation. With their revised schedule folks on the Eclipse may not have any remaining port calls and so no options to buy on shore if they don’t have kits with them. Danna: I often read the CC forum for Canadian residents. There has been some discussion about this issue. Apparently if someone tests positive on a cruise ship and the cruise ends in Canada the passenger needs to complete their isolation in Canada at expense of the cruise line. Clearly if someone tests positive on the pier the would most likely tested positive while on board. The cruise lines may be trying to wiggle around this public health requirement. Gerry

We flew into Vancouver on April 22 and boarded a ship on April 23 (Vancouver to Hawaii). We did one ArriveCA. And just another quick comment — the ArriveCAN app is easy. I have the impression that some folks are overthinking the issue.

Thanks for the response. No separate letter from Guest Relations for us.

The insight and information posted by @chengkp75 on the thread referenced in post #5 is very interesting. There has been some criticism from “armchair cruise ship captains” as to how this issue developed, and it is a nuanced problem.

I am curious if anyone received a written report/statement from the onboard medical facility regarding how many days to isolate on shore after leaving the ship.