Living the Alaskan Suite Life On Board Celebrity Solstice, September 2018

[LF23]

Following your report and loving it.  So helpful in our planning and beautiful pictures too.  Can’t wait for the next installments!  Kudos from another menangioma and best wishes for your continued recovery.  

[musik07]

How dressy was it on board at dinner? Last summer in the Caribbean I was very over dressed. Thinking of wearing black pants and tops and bringing one dress. I could rewear the tops the next day in port!


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[Kevin's girl]

On 2/26/2019 at 8:41 PM, LF23 said:

Following your report and loving it.  So helpful in our planning and beautiful pictures too.  Can’t wait for the next installments!  Kudos from another menangioma and best wishes for your continued recovery.  

So glad you are enjoying the review and pics. Sunsets, Inside passage cruising and Washington coming up. 

Thanks for the kudos, it was such a scary thing. I'm glad to hear of other survivors here on Cruise Critic. So Kudos to you too.

[Kevin's girl]

On 2/28/2019 at 7:50 AM, musik07 said:

How dressy was it on board at dinner? Last summer in the Caribbean I was very over dressed. Thinking of wearing black pants and tops and bringing one dress. I could rewear the tops the next day in port!


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It was not dressy at all. Cruising on Celebrity I have always expected a bit dressier than the other cruise lines we have used, but times have changed. There was no "formal night" and the Evening Chic attire is more laid back. On cruises other than Alaska it may be more dressy, but Alaska was VERY laid back. I brought one pair of dressy black pants and nice tops for the Evening Chic nights and was over dressed. The overall feel is to wear what you are most comfortable in and rewearing any of it next day is fine.

[Kevin's girl]

We grabbed a quick dinner in Luminae and back out for sunset and our watch for the elusive Aurora Borealis.

 

[Kevin's girl]

Getting darker and time to bundle up. The sightings were predicted to be between 11:00 pm and 3:30 am. Everyone stayed out on deck just in case. It was really neat. Very quiet, everyone wrapped in blankets and watching the beautiful dark star filled sky. 

 

I did mention she was the elusive Aurora Borealis, right? So many of us did stay up until 3:30 am and many after that. No colors in the sky, but some beautiful stars.

 

 

[Kevin's girl]

Our next day was a sea day and we did pretty much nothing all day. It was great! Our sea day flowed very nicely into the next day as we had a late arrival in Victoria BC. This was the day that we saw the pod of four whales right off the side of the ship and from our own balcony. I promise you this whale tale is totally true, but I no photo to prove it. I had been packing when I saw the first blow. I thought It was mistake for sure. I wandered out to take another look and was then afraid to run back in to get my camera. I just had to settle for the memory I was making with my own eyes. The views from the balcony were beautiful all day.

 

 

This was the view when the whales would come out and play. Mist out all along the water, then you could hear the blow.

[Kevin's girl]

Victoria and our last port of call. This was a little hard for us as we as we have never stayed on board during a port stop, but this port just didn’t offer anything we wanted to do. I understand that Butchart Gardens are very nice, but last year we did a British Isles cruise and I used up all of my castle and garden chances for years to come and Kevin was just not interested. We live close to Chicago and are just not really city lovers so the city tours just held no interest either. This was the only night during the cruise that we took advantage of the Diamond lounge and watched as the others hurried off to explore. 

 

Once the crowd died down we got off took a couple of pics, bought a fridge magnet and got back on board. We went to dinner in Luminae, gave our wonderful servers a little extra tip and headed back to our cabin. Bags were out at 10:00 on the dot and off to bed we went. I usually feel sad at the end of a cruise, especially one as amazing as this one. But this time I had a great post cruise stay planned. I booked a pretty little cabin just two miles outside the Mt Rainier National Park. We had an entire week to do as we pleased and I couldn’t wait to get started.

 

[TahitiDreaming]

Such wonderful pictures - appreciating your details about the journey.  Sounds like your surgery was rough - glad you are recovering well enough to share your trip report with us!  We are headed for Alaska in June on Viking Ocean - their first summer in Alaska.  I have not been before and can't wait - I have been reading as much as I can, looking at pictures, watching videos, and I feel like it will all pale when compared to seeing the real thing!  Thanks again for sharing. 🙂

[Kevin's girl]

2 hours ago, TahitiDreaming said:

Such wonderful pictures - appreciating your details about the journey.  Sounds like your surgery was rough - glad you are recovering well enough to share your trip report with us!  We are headed for Alaska in June on Viking Ocean - their first summer in Alaska.  I have not been before and can't wait - I have been reading as much as I can, looking at pictures, watching videos, and I feel like it will all pale when compared to seeing the real thing!  Thanks again for sharing. 🙂

All of this is just a nice way to pass the time waiting for the real thing. And you are right, nothing can compare. It is bigger than you think, more beautiful than you can believe and most awe inspiring. You will love it and on their first summer in Alaska I'm sure they will be sure they ring all of the bells for you.

 

Our post cruise trip to Mt Rainier is coming up soon. 

[violetstar222]

Thank you for this breakdown!  I'm on the 2019 Sept Celebrity Solstice out of Seattle.  We are actually doing our wedding on the cruise (day 2 at sea day)!! But... neither of us have ever been on a cruise before which has made this super challenging.  Your review has made it so much easier to envision the trip.  I'm getting tons of questions from our guests as to excursions since its a first cruise for a ton of us.  For the ports - are there any you'd say are more doable on a budget w/out signing up for excursions?  Any tips from your experience on this cruise line?  Was it super crowded/full during Sept?  What would you recommend for how much to bring for layering?  Thanks!!

[realnice46]

Thank you so much for a wonderful trip report and amazing photos. We are set for our first Alaska’s cruise on Celebrity Eclipse May 9,2019. Still trying to decide on tours so this was a big help.

Also booked on Solstice April 2021 for Australia,New Zealand& Tahiti to Honolulu cruise, also a first.

[Kevin's girl]

On 3/7/2019 at 6:03 PM, violetstar222 said:

Thank you for this breakdown!  I'm on the 2019 Sept Celebrity Solstice out of Seattle.  We are actually doing our wedding on the cruise (day 2 at sea day)!! But... neither of us have ever been on a cruise before which has made this super challenging.  Your review has made it so much easier to envision the trip.  I'm getting tons of questions from our guests as to excursions since its a first cruise for a ton of us.  For the ports - are there any you'd say are more doable on a budget w/out signing up for excursions?  Any tips from your experience on this cruise line?  Was it super crowded/full during Sept?  What would you recommend for how much to bring for layering?  Thanks!!

Wishing you congratulations and fun wedding planning. There are always budget friendly things to do in port. Your guests may not get the wilderness feel that others may, but still things to see and do that won’t kill the wedding buzz.Our weather was really great, nothing was crowded. Ours was the last cruise of the season. 
Ketichikan is an entertaining place to wander around, do a little shopping and get a feel for the for what it was like to be a prospector. Creek street is a nice bit of history and the Totem Pole museum is supposed to be very nice. You can pre book the Crab lunch we ate through the George Inlet Lodge at this website:

https://catchcrabs.com/portfolio-item/world-famous-crab-feast-at-george-inlet-lodge/

The cost for the tour to the Lodge is $59/child and $60/adult. This does not include the seaplane ride but would still be a great way to enjoy the views.
There is also a small place just off the ship where you can buy port side excursions. I took a pic for reference.

Juneau is another port that can be budget friendly. This is from here on CC:

Mount Roberts hike: Sure, you can take the Mount Roberts Tramway, but that will run you $34 each ($17 for kids). What savvy, reasonably fit visitors with appropriate shoes do is hike to the top. You should allow about two hours to make your way up the 1,800 feet, but it's a lush, well-traveled trail with spots to rest along the way. After burning off the previous day's buffets, take in expansive views of Juneau and Gastineau Channel and visit a live bald eagle display. In the Chilkat Theater, you can see a short free film on Tlingit history and culture, and get a free mini lesson in the Tlingit language. Gunalcheesh! (You're welcome.) Spend $10 per person in the gift shop or restaurant, and that's your tram ticket down.

I wished there had been time for us to squeeze this in, but maybe next time. I have read here that there are very few that would recommend hiking to the top. I know I am not that fit. The trail and shop at the top is supposed to be very nice.

Skagway is very small but offers gorgeous views and nice little town and the train close by. Easy walking distance.

[Kevin's girl]

On 3/7/2019 at 10:29 PM, realnice46 said:

Thank you so much for a wonderful trip report and amazing photos. We are set for our first Alaska’s cruise on Celebrity Eclipse May 9,2019. Still trying to decide on tours so this was a big help.

Also booked on Solstice April 2021 for Australia,New Zealand& Tahiti to Honolulu cruise, also a first.

I'm so glad you are finding this helpful. These things can take so much work, it helps to know that people have enjoyed it and find it useful.

We have cruised the Solstice and Equinox, but not made it to the Eclipse. I'm sure she is as pretty as her sister ships. I am a bit envious of your 2021 cruise. We did Tahiti for our 25th anniversary. It was beautiful and a place I would love to go back to. But you have the whole package planned. I can't wait to hear about it. 

[realnice46]

14 minutes ago, Kevin's girl said:

I'm so glad you are finding this helpful. These things can take so much work, it helps to know that people have enjoyed it and find it useful.

We have cruised the Solstice and Equinox, but not made it to the Eclipse. I'm sure she is as pretty as her sister ships. I am a bit envious of your 2021 cruise. We did Tahiti for our 25th anniversary. It was beautiful and a place I would love to go back to. But you have the whole package planned. I can't wait to hear about it. 

This too is our first cruise on Eclipse, we have been on Equinox and Silhoutette. We love the Solstice class ships, not sure what I think of the upcoming changes. Not too impressed what I have heard so far and I hope the cabins will look better than what I’ve seen in photos. We sail on the Equinox April 2020 so we shall see.

[Walt fan]

I found your review Kevin's girl!  I have been patiently waiting.  I hope you are in full recovery mode and doing much better.  It is so good to see you back and I love, love, love your pictures.  This is bringing back so many amazing memories of our 2 cruises to Alaska.  Both times, no bears.  Not one single bear sighting.  Tons of eagles.  Our kayak tour in Ketchikan brought us so close to a whole family of orcas.  It was one of those moments you wanted to last forever.

 

Following along now and so enjoying!

[Beth_55]

Loved your review ! We did Alaska a few years ago and this made me want to go again !  I did a search for Solstice and that is how I found you. We are thinking of booking a Hawaii cruise on her. Usually sail RCCL but want to try Celebrity. 

 

Glad to hear you are doing well ! We live in southern Indiana. 

[Kevin's girl]

3 hours ago, Beth_55 said:

Loved your review ! We did Alaska a few years ago and this made me want to go again !  I did a search for Solstice and that is how I found you. We are thinking of booking a Hawaii cruise on her. Usually sail RCCL but want to try Celebrity. 

 

Glad to hear you are doing well ! We live in southern Indiana. 

I'm so glad you liked the review and it made you want to do it again. Most of our cruises are RCCI but the Solstice has really stolen our hearts. She is a beautiful ship, and in Hawaii? How could you do better? 

We have a lot of family down in southern Indiana. Where about are you from?

[Beth_55]

31 minutes ago, Kevin's girl said:

I'm so glad you liked the review and it made you want to do it again. Most of our cruises are RCCI but the Solstice has really stolen our hearts. She is a beautiful ship, and in Hawaii? How could you do better? 

We have a lot of family down in southern Indiana. Where about are you from?

 

We live about an hour and a half north of Evansville.   In Dubois County. 

[Kevin's girl]

3 minutes ago, Beth_55 said:

 

We live about an hour and a half north of Evansville.   In Dubois County. 

Both of our son's went to USI. The Evansville area is so pretty. It's a nice drive coming down from northwest Indiana. My BIL is from Jeffersonville and all the rest is a bit more central, Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Summitville. Keep an eye out for the Indiana discount when booking through Celebrity. I know it's offered and they have been sending emails to remind me.

[Beth_55]

2 minutes ago, Kevin's girl said:

Both of our son's went to USI. The Evansville area is so pretty. It's a nice drive coming down from northwest Indiana. My BIL is from Jeffersonville and all the rest is a bit more central, Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Summitville. Keep an eye out for the Indiana discount when booking through Celebrity. I know it's offered and they have been sending emails to remind me.

Thanks for the info.  I have a price alert set also . I am thinking what I booked was some kind of sale that did not include residency or any of the other discounts. But I will keep checking. 

[maggieq]

Hello

 

First, can I ask how you are doing now?

 

Second, thank you for taking us through your beautiful cruise. The pictures are amazing and your added detail is very much appreciated. 

 

Third, I do hope you are doing much better and wishing good thoughts!

 

[Kevin's girl]

15 hours ago, maggieq said:

Hello

 

First, can I ask how you are doing now?

 

Second, thank you for taking us through your beautiful cruise. The pictures are amazing and your added detail is very much appreciated. 

 

Third, I do hope you are doing much better and wishing good thoughts!

 

Thank you so much for the concern, and good thoughts. Six month MRI coming up next week, we pray for no new tumor growth. Recovery from the stroke is a work in progress but getting better all the time. 

 

I'm glad you have enjoyed the review. I will try to get it totally finished up today or tomorrow.

[Kevin's girl]

Off the ship and on our way to Enterprise at SeaTac with our Already There driver. Yet again clean car, and a friendly, professional driver. I pre-reserved our SUV on the Enterprise website and also made sure to include our Plus member identification number. Being Plus saved us from standing in a very, very long line to get our car, so sign up before you rent. It was so nice to get out and on our way.

 

I rented our cabin through Great Getaways http://www.greatgetaways.com/muir-cabin.html. I received a confirmation email right away and confirmed a few weeks before leaving home. The confirmation included the key pad combination, Wifi password and all of the cabin info we needed as well as a link to directions to get there. Easy peasy. The cabin is pretty secluded and you need to pay attention to the directions and sign to find it. 

 

 

The driveway is right before the Copper Creek Inn

[Kevin's girl]

I have been trying to figure out how best to present the post cruise stay. We spent the following week in a little piece of heaven. A place that was magical. It covered in moss and resembled a scene from a movie. We spent much of our time at the cabin taking in the peace and quiet, but did take two beautiful days to drive the Rainier National Park. There were plenty of hikes you can do in the park and so much to see. We took a pass on the hikes this trip. Just a bit more than I was feeling up to, but so very beautiful. I think I will post pics in sections. One section for the cabin, one for the two drives into the Park and one for restaurants and bits and pieces. 

The cabin sits quite a ways off the road and is so quiet.

 

Front view and front porch

 

Back view with hot tub