Celebrity changes Alaska departure port

Cruise lines are so hypocritical. They tell you that your best strategy is to book six months to a year in advance, and then they go and inconvenience you by changing your cruise itinerary. The latest example of this behavior is from Celebrity Cruises. The line has switched the departure port for the Mercury’s 2007 Alaska sailings from Seattle to Vancouver.

Granted, Celebrity has a valid reason for doing this. The line wishes to give passengers more time in the Alaskan ports and a better arrival time at the Hubbard Glacier. A more northerly homeport facilitates these itinerary enhancements.

If you’ve already booked a cruise on the Mercury departing between May 4 and September 14, 2007, Celebrity isn’t completely abandoning you. The line is offering $100 in ship credit per cabin to everyone booked on these Alaska cruises. And, Celebrity will reimburse up to $100 per person any guests who incur a change fee when adjusting their air travel plans. Guests who booked airfare through Celebrity’s Air/Sea department will have the necessary changes made for them.

If you have additional questions about the port swap, contact your travel agent or call Celebrity at 888-281-9343.