Alaska on the Millie

[kayehall]

Anyone do Alaska on Celebrity Mille?  Would love to hear pros and cons on the ship, ports and overall experience.  Considering them because they port in Seward.  Thanks, Kaye

[kayehall]

I am showing that Celebrity does not offer any excursions in Seward.  Is this true?  And I have to find my own way to the ship?  Thanks

[Northern Aurora]

12 minutes ago, kayehall said:

I am showing that Celebrity does not offer any excursions in Seward.  Is this true?  And I have to find my own way to the ship?  Thanks

 

Are you boarding or disembarking  in Seward?  You will fly into or out of Anchorage.  Celebrity offers transfers either by motor coach or a specially charter run of the Alaska Railroad.  We have both embarked and disembarked in Seward and I know that when we disembarked that Celebrity offered a combo excursion which was a small boat trip in the bay (lots of marine wildlife) and then a motor coach transfer to downtown Anchorage.  There also was an offering which included the bay excursion and transfer directly to the Anchorage airport.

 

There are also private motor coach transfers, some which include a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.  During the summer the Alaska Railroad also offers daily passenger service between  the downtown Anchorage RR station and Seward.  And you can always do a one way vehicle rental.

 

Seward itself is quite compact and easy to navigate.  Pre-pandemic there was a shuttle bus which had a fixed route around the community.  Also pre-pandemic there was a shuttle which made runs to Exit Glacier; I don't recall the price but think it was around $10.  Also there are rental cars available.  

 

Despite the fact we live in Alaska we periodically do Alaska cruises.  In fact we spent two weeks on the Solstice in June and were on the Millennium for two weeks last September (after passage of the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act).  

 

Which ports are on your itinerary?  Some of the north bound and south bounds will alternate between  Skagway or Icy Strait Point.  The Millennium runs include Hubbard Glacier, which is a large tidewater glacier accessible by large cruise ships; it is impressive and is one which is advancing while in comparison the glaciers in Glacier Bay are in full retreat (ie, melting).  I am not as impressed with  Glacier Bay as some on the CC Alaska forum are.  

 

[Arizona Wildcat]

Strongly suggest an extra day in Seward either pre or post cruise.  Kenai Fjords runs an excellent full day tour.  Probably in the top three day excursions we have ever done - anywhere.

 

Several companies offer shuttle service to or from Anchorage.   Easy and cheap.

 

Seward is very small.  We walked from our hotel - a bit long - once and took a 3 minute taxi the other going to the pier (north end of the bay.

[Dancing Shoes]

We really liked the Millie.  We did the southbound from Seward to Vancouver Aug 2022.  Took the train from Anchorage to Seward a day early.  Our Kenai Fjords tour was cut short due to very high swells. 

Our hotel took us the next day to the cruise ship. The boat tours will take you too.

 

The food and entertainment was fine with us.  We aren't super picky.  Cafe Bianco has good pastries, and some do run out later in the day.  Our ship was only half full.  

[Algebralovr]

We were on Millie in May/June 2022.  Beautiful ship and great cruise.

If you are boarding in Seward, one option is to fly to Alaska a few days early and travel some by train to see the land sights.  
 

You can book a cruise tour through Celebrity which picks you up in Anchorage and then escorts you, taking you to the ship to check in.  You can also just do it on your own or through the Alaska RR.   you can fly into Anchorage a day early and take the regular run of the Alaska RR to Seward, spend a night in Seward and then board the ship the next day.   Finally, you can fly into Anchorage and take the Charter run through the ship that goes from the airport to the ship in Seward.  So, lots of options.

 

We plan to go back in 2024, and plan to do Alaska by land first, then recover from the land part on the ship. 🙂

[Northern Aurora]

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.

[kayehall]

17 hours ago, Dancing Shoes said:

We really liked the Millie.  We did the southbound from Seward to Vancouver Aug 2022.  Took the train from Anchorage to Seward a day early.  Our Kenai Fjords tour was cut short due to very high swells. 

Our hotel took us the next day to the cruise ship. The boat tours will take you too.

 

The food and entertainment was fine with us.  We aren't super picky.  Cafe Bianco has good pastries, and some do run out later in the day.  Our ship was only half full.  

What hotel did you use in Seward please?