We did not choose this particular cruise - other family members coordinated the entire event; half of the group had lived and worked in Alaska many years previously. Some of our group completed a self-guided interior Alaska pre-cruise tour, including 3 nights in the Denali area. We arrived for two days pre-cruise activities in the Anchorage area; the last folks arrived the night before the cruise. We all gathered at the Anchorage Hilton overnight and together took the train to Seward to board the Millennium. With 8 in our group, the ages went from 2 to 72.

Most interestingly from our perspective was that we completed all embarkation processing when checking in for the train: passport check, medical forms completion, and received our SeaPass. Arriving in Seward, it was a quick check through security and we walked directly onboard and to our rooms. Our luggage was transported from the hotel to our cabins, showing up while we were at dinner the first evening.

With the Aqua class cabin, our dining assignment was for Blu. We found the service excellent from the Maitre d to the servers and sommelier. With the exception of one dinner meal, the food exceeded our expectations. (I guess you can not please all the people all the time!) Those of our party in suites were "blown away" with the food and service in Luminae, as well as the concierge and servers in Michael's Club. The entire group was seated for a Chef's Table Experience, hosted by the on-board naturalist representing the Celebrity Crew. The food was great and the wine pairing superb and overflowing. We found the food and service in the Oceanview Cafe to be very good. The only disappointment anyone voiced was the pastries that did not live up to expectations. Read more