August 2026 - Page 2 of 2 - Northern Viking Explorer

🍳 Breakfast & Our Final Sea Day

We started the morning with breakfast in the Grand Epernay Restaurant before heading out to enjoy the ship. The weather was finally cooperating, so we spent some time playing ping pong, ship spotting, enjoying the views from the aft, browsing the shops, and grabbing some salted caramel gelato. It was a relaxing way to enjoy our final day aboard the Celebrity Solstice.

Cruise ships sailing near the Celebrity Solstice during the final sea day of an Alaska cruise.

🚢 A little ship spotting during our final sea day aboard the Celebrity Solstice.

🐋 Inside Passage & Whale Spotting

As we sailed near the northern tip of Vancouver Island, we were lucky enough to spot a group of orcas right beside the ship! Later in the afternoon, while cruising through the beautiful Inside Passage, we also spotted a humpback whale with the mountains and islands surrounding us. Seeing both orcas and a humpback on our final day was an incredible surprise.

We also caught an afternoon performance from the dueling pianos and spent some time playing the complimentary games in The Parlor before heading back outside to enjoy more of the scenery.

Humpback whale spotted in the Inside Passage surrounded by forested islands and mountains during a Celebrity Solstice Alaska cruise.

🐋 Cruising through the beautiful Inside Passage, with a humpback whale making an appearance in the distance!

🎭 Our Final Evening Aboard Celebrity Solstice

Our final evening began with the Captain, Officers and Crew Farewell followed by Smoke & Ivories in the Solstice Theater. The production featured live music, singing, dancing, tap dancing, and acrobatics, and it was a fantastic show to finish our week onboard.

We then headed to the Grand Epernay Restaurant for one final dinner, where the chef’s special was filet mignon with shrimp. We also shared the braised beef short rib before finishing with the apple tart and crème brûlée. 🍽️

Filet mignon topped with shrimp served for the final dinner in the Grand Epernay Restaurant aboard Celebrity Solstice.

🍽️ One final dinner in the Grand Epernay Restaurant, filet mignon topped with shrimp.

🚢 Final Thoughts

After seven nights aboard, we came away really impressed with the Celebrity Solstice. We found the ship calm, classy, and sophisticated, and despite its age, it felt clean, modern, and well maintained. From Hubbard Glacier and our Alaska ports to the incredible wildlife and Inside Passage scenery, it was a fantastic week aboard the Celebrity Solstice.

Our sixth day aboard the Celebrity Solstice brought us to our final Alaska port, Ketchikan, after a relaxing morning at sea. We spent the morning whale spotting from the ship, relaxing in the hot tubs, and enjoying lunch in the Grand Epernay Restaurant before arriving in port. Even with a rainy forecast, we were excited for another day of exploring Alaska! 🚢🌲

🎥 Watch Our Celebrity Solstice Day 6 Vlog

Join us as we spend Day 6 of our Celebrity Solstice Alaska cruise in Ketchikan, take the Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion, and return to the ship for Evening Chic night and complimentary lobster tail.

Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion

After arriving in Ketchikan, we met our tour group at the Liquid Sunshine Gauge in downtown Ketchikan, where Lighthouse Excursions picked us up and shuttled us over to Ward Cove for the Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion. If you’re looking for a smaller, more personal excursion, this was a fantastic option. Our knowledgeable guides shared stories about the local history, Native culture, and wildlife while we cruised the scenic waterways around Ketchikan.

One of the highlights of the tour was spotting numerous bald eagles throughout the excursion. We also enjoyed views of Guard Island Lighthouse, Totem Bight State Historical Park from the water, beautiful coastal scenery, and an Alaska-inspired snack sampler while learning more about life in southeast Alaska. Even though the weather was wet, it didn’t take away from the experience, and the scenery had that classic misty Alaska atmosphere.

If you’d like to learn more about this excursion, visit Lighthouse Excursions:
https://lighthouseexcursion.com/

Two bald eagles perched on a navigation marker in the waters near Ketchikan, Alaska during the Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion. — Two bald eagles perched on a navigation marker during our Lighthouse Totems & Eagles Excursion near Ketchikan.

Evening Chic & Complimentary Lobster Tail

Back aboard the Celebrity Solstice, it was time for our second Evening Chic night. Before dinner, we enjoyed a fantastic performance by guest entertainer Hayden Smith in the Solstice Theater.

Dinner in the Grand Epernay Restaurant featured one of the highlights many Celebrity Cruises guests look forward to, complimentary lobster tail served during Evening Chic night. It was another wonderful meal and the perfect way to end our final Alaska port day before enjoying the Shine the Night celebration and dueling pianos later in the evening. 🦞✨

Complimentary lobster tail served with rice and broccoli during Evening Chic night in the Grand Epernay Restaurant on Celebrity Solstice. — Complimentary lobster tail with rice and broccoli served during Evening Chic night in the Grand Epernay Restaurant aboard the Celebrity Solstice.

Our final Alaska port was another memorable day aboard the Celebrity Solstice. From relaxing at sea and exploring Ketchikan to spotting bald eagles and enjoying another fantastic evening onboard, Day 6 offered a wonderful mix of Alaska adventure and life aboard the ship. Next up is our final sea day before returning to Vancouver.

Month: August 2026

Celebrity Solstice Alaska Cruise: Final Sea Day & Inside Passage – Day 7