How about one more "LIVE" from Edge in Alaska? August 16 - 23. 2024

[cruisetonowhere10]

14 minutes ago, doghog said:

Is downtown or wherever the port shops close to where you docked? 

A few weeks ago it was about a mile.

[doghog]

2 minutes ago, cruisetonowhere10 said:

A few weeks ago it was about a mile.

Shuttles, taxis? 

[cruisetonowhere10]

58 minutes ago, doghog said:

Shuttles, taxis? 

Yes there was a shuttle if I recall correctly. We walked as we were going hiking up Mt. Roberts.  I’ll ask DH if he recalls it’s a mile as well…could’ve been a half mile too…

Edited August 20 by cruisetonowhere10

[mac_tlc]

5 hours ago, doghog said:

Shuttles, taxis? 

No, Edge docks near industrial area. It is about a mile to town, seemed uphill the first half. Shuttles run continuously and are free. They drop you near the sky tram ticket booth. It’s about a 4 minute ride. 
 

mac_tlc

Edited August 20 by mac_tlc

[mac_tlc]

Juneau continued. 

 

After the whale watch, we went to an all-you-can-eat salmon bake. It was about 25 minutes from the harbor and on the way back to town. If was probably 6:45 when we got there. Very nice setup!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took the last shuttle from the salmon bake back to the ship, it left the eating area about 8:45. All aboard was 9:30. 
 

By about 9:20 we were in our cabin and had some great views of the ship in port all lit up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up? A cloudy and sometimes rainy day in Skagway..

 

mac_tlc

 

Edited August 20 by mac_tlc

[Northern Aurora]

11 hours ago, Mrs_Tiki said:

We were on Edge’s 8/2 sailing with this same itinerary. Our passports stayed in the safe the entire cruise. We carried our drivers licenses and cruise card ashore with us, and only had to show our DL at one port to get back into the secured area before reboarding the ship. (Sorry, can’t remember which.) You are correct - the ship’s security officers only scanned our cruise card.

 

....

 

My educated guess is that @Mrs_Tiki had to show a photo id at Juneau.  For some reason (perhaps because Juneau is our state capital) the Juneau port authorities have been stickers for years in wanting to see both your seapass card and a photo id at that port.

 

And I also am enjoying this trip report.

[curry767]

11 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

 

Have your Australian driver's license to use as photo ID as needed in ports.  You don't need your passport while visiting port-of-calls.

That’s what I would normally do, however more and more in America these days they won’t accept any non-US drivers licence and want a passport instead. Hopefully come sense prevails 

[Georgia_Peaches]

3 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

mac_tlc

Wow!  We never saw that much darkness the entire time we were on our cruise. Cliche but, time sure flies!  That salmon bake looks lovely. 

[mac_tlc]

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Wow!  We never saw that much darkness the entire time we were on our cruise. Cliche but, time sure flies!  That salmon bake looks lovely. 

The salmon bake was a pleasant surprise. We did not know it was outside but it was a pretty spot…… campfire…. s’mores….. stream running alongside …

 

 

Sunset has been around 8:30 or so.

 

 

mac_tlc

Edited August 21 by mac_tlc

[mac_tlc]

On 8/19/2024 at 9:02 PM, chefchick said:

I’ll be boarding this Friday and have been enjoying seeing the dailies and your amazing photos!  Can I ask, have you been enjoying the restaurants, the shows?  How about the bars and lounges?  The cocktail above looks good, have you had any problems getting good brands of wine or alcohol at the bars?  (supply chain issues, blah, blah, blah). Does the ship feel crowded?  Lots of kids?  Is that enough questions?  Can you tell I’m excited 😎

I try these one at a time 😂😂.

 

Restaurants: We had a fixed time in Cyrus and have kept that every night. We have gone to the MDR 4 out of 5 nights so far. You can order the “exclusive” items from any of the four restaurants.  We like our servers and the table location next to the window so we have stayed put. Here is my short review of the food. What we have had has been very good. We wish there were more selections like there used to be. A lot of nights, other than the Caesar sales, there are none. Quality very good, selection needs to be expanded. 
 

Shows: The E-class production shows are excellent and the theatre is great. We have not gone to any of the headliners this cruise.

 

Bars/Lounges: We don’t bar hop. We will usually pick a spot for a pre-dinner drink and have a couple with dinner. Since we are in the MDR and that is in the back, we have gone to the Casino Bar and sat at a table along the Grand Plaza or LeGrand Bistro. I like Woodford Reserve and have had no problem getting it. 
 

 Crowds/Kids: It does not feel crowded but you are not alone. The only issue we have is that due to the wheelchair, it usually takes a few elevators before we can get one that has enough room. This is especially true when leaving the ship or coming back. As far as kids, there are not many. Maybe a couple dozen? No issue at all with uncontrolled children. 
 

Being excited is the bast part of the pre-cruise ritual. You will have an excellent time!!!

 

 

mac_tlc

Edited August 21 by mac_tlc

[mac_tlc]

Your Celebrity Today for Day 5:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 21 by mac_tlc

[mac_tlc]

Good morning from here:

 

 

 

Yesterday we were in drizzly cloudy Skagway. We did the White Pass & Yukon Route Train up the mountain. It’s about a three hour round trip that climbs to a maximum elevation of 2,888’ . 
 

Since the dockside near the pier and train tracks, and since the Edge docks at the far end of the pier, you need to take a two minute shuttle from the ship to where the train now loads. Last time we did this train in 2006, it pulled up along side the ship and it was maybe 25 steps from ship to train. Now you cannot walk to the ship. The shuttle driver indicates that there is another outcropping of rock that they are concerned with. Sounded like it was a matter of “when” not “if”. 
 

The train ride really is spectacular and the pictures don’t due justice to the wide expanses of valleys and mountain and streams. That did not stop me from taking about 100 pictures, some through the window but many standing on the platform between the train cars. Here is a small sample:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everything needs to be maintained::

 

 

 

In the second picture, right above the top of that tall lonely spruce and is the Skagway waterfront where the ship is docked.

 

After the train we had decided to seek out the Skagway Brewing Company for lunch. Judging by the crowds, so did many others😂.

We had heard about their Halibut Fish and Chips and it was fabulous. Also had a couple of Spuce Tip Ales. 
 

The story of Spruce Tip Ale is interesting and goes to prove what I have always thought——- beer is a very medicinal beverage! I’ll give the detail later 😜😜. 
 

 

Edited August 21 by mac_tlc

[jjikids]

Great review. Sorry to highjack your review. We were on the cruise before you. Loved it. Only issue of 11 people 7 came back with Covid. Still the trip was amazing. Just want to give our thoughts.

We did Royal last time out of Vancouver. Did Seattle this time since we had teenagers in the cabins with us. Loved the high rise beds instead of the beds from the ceilings for them to be comfortable .

We asked for fixed dining on our first night. We were given two tables next to each other in Normandie. Worked out perfect for us could order from any dining room menu. 
We felt the shows were much better than in previous years. Brent Nixon the speaker was enjoyed by our seven year old, the teenagers up to the seniors in our group. Trivia offered often to make everyone happy.

Excursions we did the duck boat in Ketchikan. Loved by adults and kids.

Juneau we did the small Endicott boat. Loved getting close to the glacier. We were able to see harbor seals and so many whales. That afternoon we went on a dog sled. Petting  the dogs was fun. Skagway the railroad excursion is always a hit. In the afternoon we did the Liarsville salmon bake. That was terrible and a waste of money. We complained to the shore excursion manager on it. Victoria some of the group just walked around. Too short a time to really do a long excursion.

Glad we went. Happy to answer any questions too.

 

 

 

 

[mac_tlc]

And finally, a few pictures as we sailed down the Lynn Canal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 21 by mac_tlc

[mac_tlc]

21 minutes ago, jjikids said:

Great review. Sorry to highjack your review. We were on the cruise before you. Loved it. Only issue of 11 people 7 came back with Covid. Still the trip was amazing. Just want to give our thoughts.

We did Royal last time out of Vancouver. Did Seattle this time since we had teenagers in the cabins with us. Loved the high rise beds instead of the beds from the ceilings for them to be comfortable .

We asked for fixed dining on our first night. We were given two tables next to each other in Normandie. Worked out perfect for us could order from any dining room menu. 
We felt the shows were much better than in previous years. Brent Nixon the speaker was enjoyed by our seven year old, the teenagers up to the seniors in our group. Trivia offered often to make everyone happy.

Excursions we did the duck boat in Ketchikan. Loved by adults and kids.

Juneau we did the small Endicott boat. Loved getting close to the glacier. We were able to see harbor seals and so many whales. That afternoon we went on a dog sled. Petting  the dogs was fun. Skagway the railroad excursion is always a hit. In the afternoon we did the Liarsville salmon bake. That was terrible and a waste of money. We complained to the shore excursion manager on it. Victoria some of the group just walked around. Too short a time to really do a long excursion.

Glad we went. Happy to answer any questions too.

 

 

 

 

No apology necessary! It’s always good to get other people’s views. 
 

Next time we are here (wait, did I just say “next time”?? 🤔🤔) I’m sure my son and DDIL will do a sled dog excursion. Depending on itinerary, the Endicott Arm excursion sounds great too!!

 

Sorry to hear about the Covid situation, hopefully it was a mild case and all are getting better.

 

mac_tlc

Edited August 21 by mac_tlc

[jjikids]

19 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

No apology necessary! It’s always good to get other people’s views. 
 

Next time we are here (wait, did I just say “next time”?? 🤔🤔) I’m sure my son and DDIL will do a sled dog excursion. Depending on itinerary, the Endicott Arm excursion sounds great too!!

 

Sorry to hear about the Covid situation, hopefully it was a mild case and all are getting better.

 

mac_tlc

Appreciate it. Younger  ones are  getting better. DH on Paxlovid so getting there. Due to other medications, I have to toughen it out. Ship was crowded so can’t say where the Covid came from. 
Alaska is one place a repeat visit is never a miss. 

[cruisetonowhere10]

2 minutes ago, jjikids said:

Appreciate it. Younger  ones are  getting better. DH on Paxlovid so getting there. Due to other medications, I have to toughen it out. Ship was crowded so can’t say where the Covid came from. 
Alaska is one place a repeat visit is never a miss. 

We were 2/2 with Covid (sailed week before you and got sick the day after getting home) DH did Paxlovid, I wasn’t eligible. Was milder for me but we both were testing negative in under a week (much quicker for me.) 

[Barwick Cruiser]

Fantastic pics @mac_tlc, even with the overcast skies the scenery is brilliant. We thought we’d only do Alaska once but went again and am ready to go a third time now! Can’t get enough of the scenery and sea life! 
Thank you for taking us all along with you! 🥂 

Cathy

[Stem to Stern]

 

I am really enjoying your commentary, bits of humor, and wonderful photography, @mac_tlc.  

You and your family seem to be having a great time on the cruise.
I have a couple more Sunset Verandah questions if I may.

1.  How has the soot situation been?  I am just wondering if there will be a need to request some additional beach towels to cover the chairs and to wipe our feet on when we are on Beyond.

2.  Would you say the Edge-class SVs provide more or less shade compared to the Solstice-class SVs.  Hoping for a bit more of an overhang on Deck 9 since we are used to baking on the Sostice-class SVs.

Thanks and we’ll sea you soon!

Well, in 591 days anyway.😂😂

[mac_tlc]

27 minutes ago, Stem to Stern said:

 

I am really enjoying your commentary, bits of humor, and wonderful photography, @mac_tlc.  

You and your family seem to be having a great time on the cruise.
I have a couple more Sunset Verandah questions if I may.

1.  How has the soot situation been?  I am just wondering if there will be a need to request some additional beach towels to cover the chairs and to wipe our feet on when we are on Beyond.

2.  Would you say the Edge-class SVs provide more or less shade compared to the Solstice-class SVs.  Hoping for a bit more of an overhang on Deck 9 since we are used to baking on the Sostice-class SVs.

Thanks and we’ll sea you soon!

Well, in 591 days anyway.😂😂

Thank you for your kind words….

 

Funny you mention soot. This morning I noticed a couple small specks on the balcony railing. Since the railing is white, it easier to spot. We have had no issues with it on anything else. Lounger, chairs, small table —- all clear.

 

Regarding the overhang, I would say almost half of our balcony is covered. In fact I was sitting out there yesterday as it was raining, but I was dry! We are on deck 10. I do like some of it being covered. I’ll take some pictures to try and show the covered vs uncovered portions.
 

mac_tlc

Edited August 21 by mac_tlc

[hcat]

wow another brilliant photo review..! you say you took many pics..this was my fav of this batch

 

 

[hcat]

ques abt the "salmon  bake" outing.. How was it prepared & served?  

 

[KKB]

@mac_tlc agree with @hcat & @Mrs_Tiki--these photos are FABULOUS!

Wish I was there with you!

 

[boxkite]

mac_tlc, thanks for taking the time to provide a report of your Alaska adventure.

 

We did Alaska from Vancouver two Summer's ago on Celebrity and loved it.

 

Great pictures and good weather so far!

[mac_tlc]

47 minutes ago, hcat said:

ques abt the "salmon  bake" outing.. How was it prepared & served?  

 

The salmon was grilled on a very large outdoor grill, under one of the tents in the pictures. They had a sweet honey-based glaze that you could add. I had some both ways, preferred without the glaze.