LIVE - Solstice - R/T Seattle to ALASKA

[cmoore5524]

We were on the July 29th Solstice sailing. You’re in for a great time. Service was fabulous and the scenery was spectacular.  We rented electric bikes in Skagway (not through the ship) and that was one of the highlights of our trip. I highly recommend Klondike Electric Bike Rentals in Skagway if you’re looking for a fun and memorable way to see the beauty of Skagway. One caution I would give you is to not take the ship’s transfer bus to the airport after the cruise.  Instead arrange your own transportation or take a taxi or ride share. We took the transfer bus and it was filled with unmasked coughing passengers from both the Solstice and Ovation OTS.  I’m sure Covid was passed around that bus during the 45-55 minutes we were on it. Several people from our cruise posted that they tested positive after they got home. Be safe and have fun!

[aring75]

Made it to the airport a little early. When I booked our flight, I didn’t give much thought to morning traffic on the way to the airport. Left an hour earlier than necessary to miss the worst of it. 
 

But, so far so good with the flight. Let’s hope it stays that way!

 

[aring75]

6 hours ago, cmoore5524 said:

You’re in for a great time. Service was fabulous and the scenery was spectacular.

This is what I love to hear!!

 

Thanks for the tips @cmoore5524!

[aring75]

Our checked bag (I never can do carry-on only when it’s Alaska) was 3 lbs. over the limit. Figures. We were able to move a couple of things to the carry-ons, but now we are stuffed. Fingers crossed that we don’t get yelled at for my bad packing skills. 😩

[aring75]

Just received notification that our Move Up bid was not accepted. Didn’t think it would be since I made the minimum bid. But we were happy enough with our room, so we’re good with it!
 

We spend a lot of time out on deck on an Alaskan itinerary, so we’ll save the nicer rooms for the longer cruises. 

 

Delta says we can upgrade to First Class on this leg for $923.

 

Each.

[SHIP TRAVELER]

Following along.....We sail on August 26.  Thanks for posting about your move up response.  I have a couple of bids pending on ours and feel they really keep you dangling.   I guess I am just excited.

[SHIP TRAVELER]

Sorry duplicate post

Edited August 18, 2022 by SHIP TRAVELER

[aring75]

2 minutes ago, SHIP TRAVELER said:

Following along.....We sail on August 26.  Thanks for posting about your move up response.  I have a couple of bids pending on ours and feel they really keep you dangling.   I guess I am just excited.

According to the time stamp on the email, the notification was sent at 11:10 pm yesterday. So about a day and a half before departure. It does seem that they like to wait until the last possible minute, doesn’t it?

[Gatordad1967]

Just got back from that itinerary. Always wanted to go when we lived in FL, and finally made it happen.  Great cruise.

[aring75]

2 minutes ago, Gatordad1967 said:

Just got back from that itinerary. Always wanted to go when we lived in FL, and finally made it happen.  Great cruise.

Awesome! I’m happy to hear all these positive reviews. 😁

 

Flight scheduled to board in 30 minutes!!

[theopup]

Have a great cruise. I am following along, live in Vancouver and never been on an Alaska cruise.

[techteach]

I received an email yesterday that I didn’t get either of my move up offers, and I bid $1500. per person for two different suites.

[aring75]

Received notice about the tendering situation in Skagway. 
 

[peanut head]

Following along for the ride.

 

I think that it is nice of Celebrity to offer a complimentary call to your independent tour operator if the change in port time was affected by the slide.

[Barwick Cruiser]

Thank you for doing this live review, we sailed Solstice to Alaska a few years ago and are looking forward to revisiting in a few weeks on the 11 night Eclipse sailing. What are your ports? Enjoy! 

[aring75]

20 minutes ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

Thank you for doing this live review, we sailed Solstice to Alaska a few years ago and are looking forward to revisiting in a few weeks on the 11 night Eclipse sailing. What are your ports? Enjoy! 

Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway

Plus Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier

[aring75]

Made it safely to Seattle on a relatively uneventful flight (those are the best kind).

 

Took a taxi from the airport and it was $41 with tip (we will probably check Uber or Lyft when we return).

 

The hotel is kind of a boutique hotel with dark hallways (it’s chic, ya know) and small, but comfortable, rooms. 
 

 

[aring75]

We are one block from the Market and decided to take a quick walk and find a late lunch/early dinner. 
 

Stopped in a bar & restaurant (Lowell’s) overlooking the water. I had blackened cod tacos which were great!! Messy. So, so, so messy. But delicious. 
 

Mark had a mixed grill plate with King Salmon, Dungeness crab cakes, and grilled shrimp. He wished his piece of salmon was bigger (it was about the size of a deck of cards), but everything was very tasty.)
 

Edited August 18, 2022 by aring75
Autocorrect is annoying.

[theopup]

May I ask the name of the Seattle hotel, Looks nice

[aring75]

45 minutes ago, theopup said:

May I ask the name of the Seattle hotel, Looks nice

It’s the Thompson Seattle. It’s a Hyatt branded hotel. I like it. It’s very conveniently located. But, to be honest, there are quite a few hotels in the area. This one is recommended on the West Coast Departures board every now and then. 
 

We booked an interior courtyard view king room for $260. But they have some nicer water view rooms too. 

[aring75]

It’s only 7 pm here in Seattle, but we are already exhausted. We decided to head back to the room and relax while we adjust to the 3-hour time difference. We’ll stay awake as long as we can and should be good by tomorrow. 
 

Our boarding time is scheduled for 12pm, but check out is at 11am. We may get to the port (just a little) early, since Google is telling me it’s about a 12-minute drive to the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. I’ll let you know how it goes!

[abbydancer2003]

Have a wonderful trip.

[Ferry_Watcher]

6 hours ago, aring75 said:

Our boarding time is scheduled for 12pm, but check out is at 11am. We may get to the port (just a little) early, since Google is telling me it’s about a 12-minute drive to the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. I’ll let you know how it goes!

 

Do arrive earlier than noon and enjoy lunch onboard.

[postnobills]

4 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

 

Do arrive earlier than noon and enjoy lunch onboard.

How early can you embark at Pier 91?  We have an assigned check-in time of 1:00 pm, but we are in a suite and I've been told that allows us to check-in at any time.

Edited August 19, 2022 by postnobills

[Ferry_Watcher]

Just now, postnobills said:

How early can you arrive at Pier 91?  We have an assigned check-in time of 1:00 pm, but we are in a suite and I've been told that allows us to check-in at any time.

Terminal doors open no later than 10:30.  If you are in a Celebrity, Royal or Penthouse Suite you will be escorted to check-in by a pier host, then escorted on to the ship by a Retreat host.  I think Sky Suite guests are escorted to the Suite door and then they get themselves to check-in.

 

Weatherwise, be prepared for some rain today.