World of Wonder…Words of Caution
Celebrity Eclipse Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage
7 Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier (Vancouver Roundtrip)
Sail date: May 28, 2023
Ship: Celebrity Eclipse
Cabin number: 2118
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 1 year ago
Review summary
I write this review with a heavy heart. Finally taking my BFF to Alaska aboard the Celebrity Eclipse, I hoped to recreate my last seventeen-day adventure there, if only the cruise portion and Victoria. Sadly, much has changed over the years. Ports of call, Icy Straits, Juneau and Ketchikan, for the most part resemble glorified cruise shop stores littered with jewelry store fronts, outnumbering local businesses ten to one. Gone are the days of locals intermingling with guests off the ships, proudly selling their handmade items they took pride in making. Now it's like Amsterdam, where nonlocals are hawking their wares to the highest bidder. I even ran into a vendor in Icy Straits, running a "Native Made" shop, who travels annually to my home state to purchase souvenirs at a Gatlinburg, Tenn. convention, made in China and elsewhere. Absolutely, the scenery was magnificent, the service and food outstanding, but little else comes to mind to warrant such a premium paid for the Retreat onboard the Celebrity Eclipse. Going with the highest rated cruise ship to visit the Hubbard Glacier as part of their inside passage itinerary, my goal was to expose my BFF to a brief glimpse of all Alaska had to offer. It did not go as well as I had expected. It's a stretch, but I would rather spend my money on scenic trains, the Kenai Peninsula and magnificent Denali before I would spend it on an inside passage cruise again. And again, I am sorry. It does not bode well to all those dedicated, hardworking individuals in the cruise industry. Hubbard Glacier was awe inspiring at a distance. Unfortunately, there were no excursions offered to us to sail up close to the glacier. Whale watching in Juneau was a treat, you betcha. We were blessed to see Humpback whales, sea lions and Orcas. Sadly, that was the only excursion i booked, based on an endless supply of five-star reviews. Ketchikan, it rained. It always rains. Why they stop there I do not know. If you dream to see Alaska, I suggest you plan a trip to its heartland, meet the hardy souls who call it home and make memories that will last a lifetime.Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Enjoy the pampered pooch approach Celebrity brings to the table.
Ports of call
Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia
Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Alaska