Celebrity Millennium: Alaska
We are back to Cruising Alaska!
www.celebritycruises.com
With their caption “Someday IS HERE” Celebrity Cruises welcomes a new era for the cruise industry with its Inaugural Alaska Dawes Glacier Cruise on board Celebrity Millennium. This long-awaited sailing marks the brand’s first voyage from a US port into Alaska for vaccinated guests eager to get back to traveling and embrace the new cruising protocols to safeguard all guests and crew in a COVID-19 world. In 2019, Celebrity Millennium entered The Celebrity Revolution by completing a full-scale modernization with luxurious upgrades, additions and technological advancements. The Celebrity Revolution utilized the creations for the brand’s award-winning Edge Series by world renowned architects, engineers and designers to reimagine their entire fleet and bring about their biggest transformation to date.
ON BOARD
The 90,940-ton Celebrity Millennium can accommodate 2,218 guests although on this inaugural voyage it was only filled to about sixty percent capacity. Guests are asked to register online or on the Celebrity App prior to boarding as this makes available contact-less registration, on-board credit management, general cruise information, the option for a digital key, activities schedule, excursions and an on board chat. Celebrity Millennium features exterior midship elevators with panoramic views that allow passengers to enjoy the magnificent vistas on the way to their selected floor destinations. The heart of Celebrity Millennium is her Grand Foyer comprised of a three-deck atrium featuring a backlit staircase that provides a sense of glamour as guests ascend or descend on it. The overall décor is sophisticated, modern and calming accentuated by the natural light permeating throughout the ship. If variety is the spice of life, you will definitely find it on board Celebrity Millennium. The entertainment on board is fabulous! From music flowing from lounges and bars, duets, live bands and energetic DJs dance parties to outstanding performances and Broadway style musical productions there is something for everyone on board to enjoy.
BARS & LOUNGES
Delighting in specialty drinks prepared by expert mixologists using the best ingredients available and yet still serving the classics can be easily attained at one of their well-stocked bars. The Martini Bar, situated mid-ship offers a variety of classic and contemporary martinis served on an ice-topped bar by their high energy and talented bartenders. This is a perfect place to enjoy a pre-show sip while listening to upbeat tunes. Cellar Masters caters to wine lovers and they do it very well. If this is your first experience in wine tasting or you are a wine connoisseur this is the place for you! Here, you will find sommeliers who are more than happy to introduce you to wines from around the world or pour some of your classic favorites.
The Sunset Bar, located aft on the tenth floor is perfectly perched to enjoy a magnificent sunset while listening to happy tunes. This casual bar offers cocktails with delightful spirits from around the world while allowing passengers to view the world go by right in front of their eyes. Rendezvous Lounge offers an elegant and relaxing area where handcrafted cocktails are poured while enjoying background piano or light music. This is the perfect place to start an amazing evening while meeting new friends over cocktails. If romance is in the air, the Rendezvous Lounge is the perfect place to let cupid do his magic. The Casino on board is highlighted by an expanded bar over which you can view a variety of sport and racing events on large screen TVs. Guests can learn a new game or enter their Slot and Blackjack tournaments.
DINING
Dining on board Celebrity Millennium is truly a delicious experience. Seventy percent of produce on our sailing was brought on board in Seattle and Alaska, ensuring the freshest offerings possible. There is plenty of delectable food options available around the clock to accommodate everyone’s tastes and mood. There are nine food venues on board, four are Specialty Venues. Two of the Specialty Venues require additional costs and two others are exclusively reserved for either AquaClass passengers or guests staying at suites in the Retreat. The Oceanview Café offers globally inspired and American traditional gastronomy in a setting that echoes an international marketplace. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner everything here is presented buffet style with plates, utensils and food all behind tasteful glass casings only available to the servers behind them. You can make your selection and the food will be served and handed over to you which keeps everything wholesome for all passengers.
The main dining room on board is the Metropolitan Restaurant. This contemporary and elegantly appointed restaurant boasts an impressive two-story assembly of windows and two tiers of dining connected by a dramatic double staircase in a setting reminiscent of a grand ocean liner. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Metropolitan offers some traditional favorites and globally inspired dishes created by a Michelin-starred chef that reflect global cuisine using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The Specialty Venue Le Petit Chef at Qsine offers one of the most unique dining experiences on board Celebrity Millennium. At this venue you can enjoy an animated presentation that combines a four-course dinner with a three-D animated visual performance using augmented reality from Skullmap and TableMation Studios. The experience features four hard-working tiny animated chefs who compete against each other, illustrating their culinary adventures to prepare and execute each exceptionally crafted course right in front of you. Definitely a delightful treat for your senses!
The Tuscan Grille is another Specialty Venue set in a contemporary Italian inspired ambiance. Here you can dine on iconic Italian cuisine that features fresh handmade pasta, artisanal salumi and cheeses, butcher cut meats and regional Italian wines. Portions are plentiful and side dishes are served family style. The Tuscan Grille is one of those places where you must not skip dessert as they are absolutely scrumptious! Blu is an exclusive venue for AquaClass guests that serves spa-inspired breakfast and dinner. Inventive meals are prepared on the lighter side which the line refers to as “clean cuisine.” Blu is reminiscent of the Mediterranean or a Greek island where meals are always simple and fresh. With sparkling chandeliers and dazzling light fixtures that illuminate stark white walls, curved white leather chairs, crisp linens and cobalt blue accents, Blu is as impressive and vibrant as its cuisine.
Luminae is the exclusively dedicated restaurant for suite guests staying in The Retreat. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are inspired by modern and eclectic cuisines from around the world while notable chef Daniel Boulud’s special signature dinner menu creates a unique gastronomic experience. The setting is a refined space dressed in luminescent metallics and very evocative of light and warm radiance. Located on deck 5, Sushi on Five serves an a la carte menu crafted by sushi chef Yoshi Okada that features Japanese inspired specialties as well as handmade sushi and hand-cut sashimi from fresh locally sourced fish. Sushi on Five is a celebration of Japanese cuisine with an intimate flair created by wood-crafted dividers and a festive black and red décor. For in-between-meals, Café al Bacio & Gelateria is the perfect place to enjoy a nice cup of gourmet coffee or tea accompanied by delectable sweet treats and mouthwatering gelatos, all made fresh on board. Coffee and tea are the central theme here and you can indulge in a pick-me-upper cocktail that will get your afternoon going.
SPA
Follow the soothing music and scents to The Spa. This relaxing area is perched forward on deck 10 on board Celebrity Millennium and it has been re-imagined with a focus on wellness and complete relaxation. Featuring the Persian Garden where guests can indulge in dry and humid steam rooms, a sauna lined with aromatic cedar planks, and tropical rain showers with stimulating water sprays that massage the body. This serene space is decorated in calming tones of green and blues with a relaxation lounge complete with heated tile ergonomically designed seating. Offering a variety of treatments aimed to stimulate your senses all while relaxing with an expert massage, a complexion improving facial treatment, an exfoliating body wrap or getting rid of pesky frown lines, this sanctuary will effectively improve your well-being. The perfect place to relax and renew!
Guests wanting to keep up with their workout routines will enjoy the on board Fitness Center located forward on deck 10. This area is perfectly situated with large panoramic windows that allow for spectacular vistas while exercising. The Fitness Center is equipped with a variety of cardio and weightlifting equipment including treadmills, Peloton stationary bikes, weight machines and free weights. Passengers can also enjoy al fresco walks on the Sunrise Deck.
THE RETREAT
Modern luxury spares no detail when you are a guest of The Retreat on board Celebrity Millennium. This indulgent experience turns your vacation into your very own sanctuary where luxurious accommodations, butlers, attendants, private concierge, exclusive lounge, restaurant and a dazzling sundeck are available at your fingertips. At The Retreat, guests embark on an unforgettable journey where a dedicated team looks over your every need and a private lounge is available around the clock. This is a private escape within your escape!
ACCOMMODATIONS
Every stateroom and suite on board Celebrity Millennium has been completely redesigned with an airy modern feel that invites all passengers to unwind and relax into a private escape at sea. The color scheme is modern and calming utilizing a variety of shades of grey and muted pastels. Making very good use of the space, the staterooms seem roomy and well organized. Dual closets have plenty of shelving, a safe, robes and a number of hangers. Glass fronted cabinets provide for ample storage and organization. There is a well-appointed desk fit with lots of drawers, USB ports and 110- and 220-volt outlets. A backlit round mirror makes for amazing ambiance in the room and helps with makeup application. The luxurious beds are sizable and comfortable showcasing Celebrity’s eXhale bedding featuring Cashmere mattresses and fluffy pillows that make it almost impossible to leave the bed in the morning. Bathrooms are spacious with glass doors, bath amenities include shampoo, conditioner and shower gel plus plenty of soft towels to wrap into after a refreshing shower. There is plenty of storage provided above and below the sink.
The interactive TV system makes it quick and easy for passengers to participate in the Muster Drill, manage their on board accounts, schedule shore excursions, order room service, watch complementary and paid movies, get daily updates and find out about the highlights for the day ahead.
ALASKA DAWES
GLACIER ITINERARY
Embarking on Celebrity Millennium’s Alaska Dawes Glacier cruise started in Seattle, Washington where the picturesque and energetic scenery of the Pacific Northwest can be best appreciated. The Emerald City is the perfect place to begin your cruise vacation as it is surrounded by ancient forests, metropolitan charms and sprawling vistas. Visitors can enjoy a couple of days discovering what Seattle has to offer and they will not be disappointed.
Pike Place Market is the quintessential farmer’s market with over 200 businesses operating year-round offering local crafts and farmed goods. Visitors will delight in artisanal cheeses, local honey, fresh flowers, fresh seafood that is sometimes tossed from one fishmonger to another, fresh pastries and produce. Visit The Space Needle where you can take the 41 second elevator ride up 520 feet to the observation deck where you can sit on glass benches with the city right at your feet or step onto The Loupe, the world’s only rotating glass floor. Delight on fresh seafood along The Seattle Waterfront offering a lively collection of restaurants, shopping and attractions.
KETCHIKAN, ALASKA
The first port visited in Alaska was Ketchikan. This picturesque city is located in the southernmost point on the Inside Passage and often referred to as the “Gateway to Southeast Alaska”. Ketchikan is famous for having the largest collection of totem poles in the world and visitors have the opportunity to view them at The Totem Heritage Center where over 30 original, unrestored totems from Tlingit and Haida villages are housed. There are plenty of tour options on board Celebrity Millennium that give passengers the opportunity to explore this charming town and take in the stunning landscapes. Travelers can experience a wilderness exploration where visitors can discover Alaska’s nature and wildlife on board one of the fastest and luxurious vessels in Alaska through the Behm Canal and glide past the pristine beauty of Misty Fjords. Embark on a sightseeing vessel under snow-capped mountains viewing a 2,000-foot-high waterfall while observing wildlife and culminating with an authentic Alaskan Crab Feast at the historic George Inlet Lodge.
ENDICOTT ARM AND
DAWES GLACIER
On route to Juneau Alaska, passengers can witness the stunning beauty of Endicott Arm Fjord of the Inside Passage. The serene scenery is only disrupted by pieces of ice that have broken off the Dawes Glacier and softly crash against the small waves and the ship. This passage is bordered by soaring cliffs above the glassy calm waters and the splendor of the place overtakes the mind.
JUNEAU ALASKA
Alaska’s state capital, Juneau is one of the most visited cities in the state and it can only be accessed by air or water. Downtown Juneau lies between Mount Juneau, Mount Roberts and Gastineau Channel with narrow streets running along old buildings dating back to the early 19th century gold mining days studded with quaint restaurants and pubs.
Numerous adventures can be booked on board and they offer plenty of options with a variety of activity levels. Embark on a sightseeing tour bus to Mendenhall Glacier visitor center where sightseers can gaze at the splendor of the glacier and hike along several trails. End the day with a delicious Salmon Bake where musical entertainment and natural beauty surround the visitor while enjoying alder wood grilled salmon with plenty of delectable side dishes and top off the meal with a piece of delicious local blueberry cake. For those seeking a more exciting excursion, embark on a kayak tour through the beautiful waters of Mendenhall Lake and soak up in the splendid scenery as you reach the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier.
SKAGWAY ALASKA
With an interesting history, charming wooden sidewalks, historic storefronts and restaurants, Skagway is a favorite port while cruising Alaska. In 1910 Skagway was declared the “Garden City of Alaska” due to its fertile soil, adequate moisture and the long lasting summer days that create the perfect environment for beautiful gardens.
There are several excursions available on board ranging from a picturesque ride on the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Railway built in 1898, listed among the International Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks, allowing you to step in the footprints of brave stampeders that trekked to the Klondike Gold Rush to visiting the Kroschel Wildlife Refuge where visitors learn about the importance of conservation and view some of Alaska’s wildlife up-close under the care of “Dr. Dolittle of Alaska”, Steve Kroschel.
Celebrity has announced its 2022 Alaska sailing season, including the seven-night Alaska Dawes Glacier sailing and more, with all of the offerings available at www.celebritycruises.com