12thman

Found this on Alaskatrain.com While mile zero of the Alaska Railroad main line is located at the historic depot location in downtown Seward, you will be boarding at the current depot location less than two miles away, near the small boat harbor. The harbor is the departure point for must-see wildlife and glacier cruises to Kenai Fjords National Park, as well fishing charters for Alaska salmon and halibut. If you are arriving in Seward by cruise ship, the “big ship” dock is also located nearby. Many cruise passengers disembark their cruise ship, take a Kenai Fjords cruise during the day, then travel to Anchorage in the evening by train or bus. If your schedule allows you to spend a night or two in Seward… that is even better. After pulling out of the Seward train station you will pass the Seward airport on your right. The airport is well used by local air taxi and general aviation, however, there is no scheduled commercial airline service to Seward. Just past the airport you cross the Resurrection River. The river, along with Resurrection Bay, was named by an early Russian merchant and explorer who took shelter in the bay during an Easter storm. Also sharing this name is the Resurrection Pass trail network that travels 72 miles from Seward, over Resurrection Pass, to the small historic mining town of Hope Alaska. As you leave Seward behind, you will soon enter the Chugach National Forest. Believe it or not… nearly all of the remainder of your trip to Anchorage will be within the borders of either the Chugach National Forest or the Chugach State Park. The National Forest is about the size of New Hampshire at just under seven million aces, 30% of which is covered in ice. The Chugach State Park is a half million acres in size, making it the third largest state park in the country. Next you will start to climb into the Kenai Mountains, making your first crossing at 694 foot Divide. After crossing the Snow River, you follow the eastern shore of the 22 mile long Kenai Lake for approximately 6 miles before reaching the small community of Moose Pass. About 200 residents live in this scenic town which is nestled between Upper and Lower Trail Lakes, and is also where the railroad tracks “separate” from the Seward Highway. As you cross over the 1,063 foot summit pass of the Kenai Mountains, you will understand why this area is called Grandview. For the next dozen or so miles, you will want to have your camera ready as you pass by Grandview, over the Placer River Bridge, by Bartlett Glacier and through a series of tunnels to Spencer Glacier. Part of the Glacier Discovery route offers whistle stop service to Spencer Glacier, where passengers may disembark for camping, hiking and day tours. Next you will cross the Placer River Valley before reaching the Turnagain Arm and rejoining the highway. This location is known as Old Portage Station, and is also where the 12 mile spur track to Whittier leaves the main line. Depending on the time of the year, the remainder of your trip is often a spectacular journey into the setting sun as you travel along the Turnagain Arm to Anchorage. Keep an eye out for beluga whales and bald eagles, as well as adventurous humans surfing on the incoming tide, kite boarding along the windy points or climbing the rocky coastal cliffs. You will make a brief stop at Girdwood, home to Alyeska Ski Resort, before continuing along the arm past Bird Creek, Indian, Windy Point and Beluga Point. From Windy Point, if you look directly across the Turnagain Arm you can often just make out the community of Hope, mentioned above as the beginning or end of the Resurrection Pass Trail. Before heading uphill into the city of Anchorage, you will pass the historic Potter Section House on your left. On your right you will see the Potter’s Marsh bird sanctuary, part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. After traveling through Anchorage, past several residential neighborhoods and commercial areas, you will rejoin the coast one last time as you roll along the outskirts of downtown into the rail depot. You can visit this page for more information on Anchorage, and if you need help finding or booking Anchorage hotels to tours… we can help with that as well It does say that you should have time for a Glacier cruise. Also I'd imagine they would hold your luggage as well.

Good to know, thank you @cruisellama

YES! So if no cups how are the beverages served? Can, glass that I can't keep?

Does Celebrity give out the take home souvenir cups like Royal when you get the refreshment package?

Few years ago when a cruise to China was listed did some research and also asked my travel agent and it's up the the individual to make sure they have the correct documents before entering the country the cruise ship will enter. Here's the statement found in the FAQ'S: What should I consider when booking a cruise visiting international ports? Given the events over the last few years, having the proper travel documents has been a considerable concern of many guests prior to enjoying a carefree vacation. Passport, visa and inoculation regulations may vary by destination and may change from time to time. For your protection, your passport expiration date needs to be at least six (6) months after the sailing termination date. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to obtain and have available when necessary the appropriate valid travel and health documents such as passports, visas, vaccination certificates, etc., that are necessary for air travel, disembarkation at the various ports of call and re-entry into the appropriate country of origin. P.S. This is the UNOFFICIAL blog of Royal caribbean no one connected with the site works for Royal caribbean.

Got this from eatsleepcruise.com Dinner on the Edge On one select evening of the cruise, the Magic Carpet is docked on Deck 16 for an elaborate “dinner on the edge” experience. For a cost of $75, you can dine on an upscale buffet while enjoying scenic ocean vistas. During our cruise, this event occurred on Day 5. Currently, you can only make reservations once onboard the ship, and the experience does sell out quickly. We inquired about this event after the muster drill, but it was already completely booked. The app also advertised a Brunch on the Edge for $50, but it was not offered during our cruise.

Living here I've noticed that a few years ago the Seattle city council decided that instead of funding the Seattle police department it would be better to cut the number of police officers by about half, yes that's not an exaggeration. Instead they wanted to use those funds that paid for the police officers to be used in other community outreach programs. Well if you were a police officer and saw the writing on the wall what would you do? That's right they started leaving for other police departments. Now the crime rate is worse than before. Unless you're literally under harms way the police will not respond immediately. If you have been robbed at gun point but the robber has left then you'll be waiting a while to talk to an officer. Now the local voter's who put the people in power have gotten fed up and this cycle it seems the city council has realized it's mistake and is trying to recruit officers with bonuses and trying to retain them. They are still leaving in large numbers. Hopefully it'll get better. According to the downtown association more people are coming back to visit. My preference is Seattle but none of the Royal or Celebrity ships stop in Hubbard glacier so we'll be going to B.C. If you do come here just use common sense don't be flashy or dress like they do in NYC. Dress is low key comfortable. At this posting I'd stay away from Capitol hill, be cautious in the SOD area that's by the stadium and China town. The city is making an effort to clear the homeless and clean the streets. Hopefully the port authorities will resurrect the plans for a new cruise terminal it scrapped when Covid-19 hit. Here's a copy: In April 2020, the Port of Seattle suspended its planning for a new cruise terminal to serve the Alaska market, citing a need to better understand the short and long-term cruise industry market impacts from COVID-19 before continuing its project investment in additional cruise facilities. As a result of this current analysis, the Port will cancel its request for industry proposals for a joint investment to build and operate a proposed new cruise terminal at the preferred location of Terminal 46. … Cruise has become an integral leading business line for the Port of Seattle and an important part of the region’s maritime and regional economies. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Port of Seattle was forecasting a record year for 2020 with 233 cruise vessels scheduled to sail from Seattle. With an estimated 1.3 million revenue passengers expected to travel to and from our terminals this season, cruise supports 5,500 jobs, and provides nearly $900 million in economic activity for the region. … Prior analysis of the cruise market and cruise ship deployment supported the need for a fourth berth to meet the demand for Port of Seattle cruise services. A cruise terminal requires a deep-water berth, a building to process passengers, a ground transportation area, long-term parking for cruise passengers, associated utilities, and connection to the local transportation system. The Port of Seattle and Northwest Seaport Alliance will continue with prior projects to make Terminal 46 more sustainable and durable for long-term general maritime use, including installing stormwater treatment infrastructure and rehabilitating the dock. Vessel berthing and maritime support will continue on the terminal. The Port will prepare a recommendation for the Cruise Terminal Project when there is greater certainty about demand for Port of Seattle cruise services

Sad to read they're not doing the towel animals as frequently. When we did inaugural sailing on Wonder there were 3 animals and twice daily cleaning. We gave a couple hundred to our room attendant, seems he deserved it.

Thank you! @Plumlee2028

Never been on Celebrity, does the shore excursions get discounted like Royal if prepurchased?

My advice is travel in a group only during the day. You can see Pike Place Market, Space Needle, etc. Use common sense. Avoid homeless encampment as drug dealers, mentally disabled, and other's have been know to harass and rob tourists. If gas prices remain high Uber and Lyft diver's are quitting.

Which local did you talk to? I never go to Seattle unless I'm packing. You can thank the Seattle city council and previous mayor for what Seattle has become. The police department by their own admission are short over 300 officer's. The staffing level is at the 1980's level. If you get robbed, car jacked or anything else that isn't life threatening the police will be out when they can, meaning expect to wait an hour or two.

There's no slot card for the aqua theater suite.

Really hope he's okay.

Okay, but it's not that either. I'll post a picture later. Do they make large economy size products? Correction: it's Malin & Goetz.

More chocolate...I want the inaugural magnet from the FB. Why didn't royal come up with that!?

What is it?

If you are in Sky class they don't have the L'Occitane products it's some economy size body wash that's smells like it's for men and shampoo and conditioner. Bring your own stuff.

FYI: Day 5 is lobster night not Day 6.

The mattress isn't firm rather a bit soft.

There's a lot of European plus at for level in the bedroom and living room, bring an adaptor if you want more places to plug in at.

ABSOLUTELY A MUST SEE!! This is the most complete and ready show I've seen so far. Hopefully it'll stay even after the boardway show is ready.

Oh yes! There's a lot of that and at times it'll wake you from a dead sleep. Bring ear plugs people.

Oh! Yes, I saw maintenance fixing the water to the fire hose. Wonder (pun intended) if the repairs are covered under warranty?

Not in mine...the conditioner dispenser wasn't working. Room attendant fixed it.