LoveTheSkinsAndYankees

Wow, thank you all so much for all the answers, advice, tips, etc! We're leaving tomorrow to spend a few days in Seattle before boarding the Solstice on Friday!!!

Just for fun I'll elaborate a little bit on why I've been stressing about the packing situation way more than I normally would have if we were just going on the cruise... This was my Christmas gift to my husband. We've done many Caribbean cruises over the years, but he mentioned that he'd like to see more of the U.S., so I knew he'd be thrilled with Alaska. WELL, he came up with the brilliant idea that if we're already out west, let's extend the trip by renting an SUV and touring the northwest. Sooo, instead of flying home when we get back to Seattle, we're flying to Denver, picking up an SUV and touring that area for a few days, driving through the Rockies, up to Mount Rushmore, Deadwood, Devil's Tower, Cody, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, then flying home from Salt Lake City. The extended weather forecast is all over the map, from rainy to sunny, from the low 40s to low 90s, so at this point I'm just pretty much packing everything I own. LOL! Turns out my plan to bring maxi dresses for each night of the cruise is the EASIEST part of my packing now that you all have assured me I'm not going to freeze in the MDR and the theaters! LOL!!!

Hi.

Sorry if this question has been asked a million times, but we're finally starting to pack for our June 8 Inside Passage cruise on Solstice and I'm completely stressed out about what to wear for dinner, shows, clubs in the evenings. Do they keep it warm enough onboard that I can just pack all my super travel-friendly summer maxi dresses with maybe a wrap or cardigan over top, or is it too chilly for that, even indoors?

I think I have the daytime attire covered, basically with jeans, layered shirts, sneakers and raincoat. But any advice on what to pack for the evenings is GREATLY appreciated!

Cheers,

Lisa

The 2017 trip report list has 4 or 5 Celebrity cruises, including a photojournal from MPVinBoynton. The reports will provide info about the ship, as well as excursions and DIY options.

 

If you would prefer the Vancouver RT on Celebrity, it's only 140 miles between Seattle and Vanc .... fly into Seattle then take the evening train (Amtrak Cascades) to Vancouver, or Quick Shuttle, Greyhound bus, Bolt Bus, or rent a car and drive.

Wow, now you've given me a whole new option! I'm not familiar with the Pacific Northwest and didn't realize it would be so easy to get from Seattle to Vancouver. Now I may have to actually bring my husband into the mix to see which one he'd prefer! :D

Not to sound stupid, but what 2017 trip report are you referring to, and what is MPVinBoynton?

Thanks!

Personally, I think all excursions would be great to do just depends if you can justify the $$$.

 

In Juneau we did whale watching and saw many humpbacks feeding in addition to a trip to Mendenhall Glacier.

 

In Skagway we did the combo bus/train trip into the Yukon.

 

We had a personal guide in Victoria (my cousin) and we got a fabulous tour for the price of lunch!

Thank you so much for the ideas! I know excursions can be pricey, so I'm sure we'd end up using all of the on-board credit for excursions, especially since we wouldn't have to shell out extra for the drink package! ;)

Hi! My husband and I are veteran Caribbean cruisers and have never been to Alaska. It's on his list, so I'm thinking of surprising him with the June 8 cruise on Solstice as his Christmas gift.

I have kind of a perfect scenario of comps, credits and promos that have pointed me right to that particular cruise -- Celebrity gave me a $300 voucher toward a new cruise because I got sick and was quarantined for 2 days on the Millennium last year, so I need to use that before it expires. Celebrity also currently has a huge special that expires in a few days that would give us $300 in on-board credit AND a Classic Drink Package for 2 (total value for both is about $1000). Plus our travel agent is throwing in another $100 in on-board credit, a $200 pre-or-post cruise hotel voucher, and free basic trip insurance. In addition, I have about $160 in airfare credit with Southwest that I need to use before June 8 (and they fly to Seattle). I'm kind of thinking this is a no-brainer.

So here are a few questions I have...

I've read on some forums that the Tracy Arm Fjord cruise from Seattle may not be quite as great as the other Celebrity cruises from Vancouver or Seward that travel by more glaciers. (But Southwest doesn't fly to Seward or Vancouver and I need to use or lose my fare credit.) So, for anyone who has done the Solstice Alaska cruise, is it still a good one? Were you able to see/do a lot?

Also, I'm thinking about booking an aft Sunset Veranda cabin so that we can have a full panoramic view from our balcony instead of just seeing the port or starboard side, especially when we sail through the fjord. Good idea, or is there some reason why an aft cabin is less desireable?

Are there any particular must-do excursions on this itinerary, which includes Ketchican, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria?

And for anyone who knows Alaska's climate, would June 8 be a good time to cruise?

Thanks in advance for any advice! :)

Hi Tealady. We're booked in the same cabin on the Grandeur in a few weeks. How was it?

Thanks!

Lisa