My First Alaska Cruise on Celebrity Solstice

Dining onbaord Celebrity Solstice

One thing soon became clear: you certainly won’t go hungry on Celebrity Solstice! The food was excellent, with a wide choice of places to eat throughout the day. 

For something quick and casual, the Sunset Park Café offers sandwiches and lighter bites, while the Mast Grill is ideal for a burger and chips. The Oceanview Café buffet has something to suit every appetite, and in the evening you can enjoy dinner in the Grand Epernay main dining room or try one of the ship’s speciality restaurants. 

I was equally impressed by the range of drinks. For me, having a drinks package and Wi-Fi included in my booking was well worthwhile and made life on board even easier. 

 

Making the most of days at sea

Sea days gave me time to enjoy the ship’s facilities, and the Solarium quickly became a favourite. 

This peaceful adults-only retreat is enclosed by a glass roof and walls, offering shelter from the wind and weather. With comfortable padded loungers and a heated indoor pool, it has a calm, spa-like atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing between ports. 

For a more sociable setting, The Parlor is a sports lounge with a pool table, darts and classic board games – a fun spot whenever you fancy a change of pace. 

Icy Strait Point: an unexpected whale sighting

Our first port of call was Icy Strait Point, where you can choose from wildlife excursions, take on the thrill of the ZipRider or explore independently. 

I decided to take a walk and enjoy the surroundings at my own pace. The real treat was spotting a whale just offshore – an incredible moment and the perfect introduction to Alaska’s wildlife. 

It was a good reminder to keep an eye on the water, even when you’re enjoying a simple stroll. 

Hubbard Glacier: the highlight of my cruise

The following day brought the experience I had been looking forward to most: Hubbard Glacier. It more than lived up to my expectations. 

The sheer scale of the glacier, its striking blue ice and the surrounding scenery were extraordinary. Seeing it from the ship was the standout moment of my holiday. 

At 76 miles long, Hubbard Glacier is North America’s largest tidewater glacier. Facts like these give you an idea of its size, but seeing that immense wall of ice for yourself is something else entirely. 

If glacier scenery is high on your Alaska wish list, I would thoroughly recommend choosing an itinerary that includes Hubbard Glacier. 

 

Exploring Juneau: Alaska’s capital

Our next stop was Juneau, Alaska’s state capital. Accessible only by sea or air, it’s a distinctive place to visit and offers superb whale-watching opportunities. 

I enjoyed exploring the downtown area, browsing the local boutiques and popping into the souvenir shops. After the dramatic scenery of Hubbard Glacier, it was lovely to spend some time discovering one of Alaska’s port cities on foot. 

Ketchikan and the salmon run

Our final port was Ketchikan, known as the ‘Salmon Capital of the World’ and Alaska’s ‘First City’. 

Visiting in September meant I was there during the salmon run, and watching the fish make their way upstream was fascinating. They were leaping through the river as they battled to reach the next level, and I found myself stopping simply to watch. 

It was another memorable wildlife experience, and a fantastic way to round off our ports of call.

 

Final thoughts: why I would recommend Celebrity for an Alaska cruise

My first cruise brought together first-class service, delicious food, time to relax and some truly remarkable sights. Celebrity Solstice provided a comfortable base for exploring Alaska, and I would happily recommend the experience – especially if, like me, you’re new to cruising. 

From a whale sighting at Icy Strait Point to the blue ice of Hubbard Glacier and salmon swimming upstream in Ketchikan, this journey gave me memories I’ll treasure. 

 

Alaska cruise holidays 

To experience a Celebrity cruise to Alaska for yourself, take a look at our Alaska cruise holidays. Many can be combined with a Rocky Mountaineer journey through the Canadian Rockies before or after you sail.