September 07, 2013
Saturday

Having been a passenger on the Millennium when it had to return to Ketchikan due to mechanical difficulties to one of its electric propulsion motors, it was interesting to hear and read about the trip cancellation and other passenger responses. My take is that much ado was made about not much by the news media.

Yes, a few passengers were particularly frustrated by being told at first that they would be flown to Anchorage, and then being told they would not, before most being told they would be able to be flown to Anchorage. But other than the natural frustration of having to wait for disembarkation arrangements to be finalized (and having to wait in lines to be told they (the ship's crew) still didn't know just when and where they would be going), most of the cruise ship passenger's recognized the reality of a mechanical breakdown, and were both appreciative and impressed with Celebrity Cruises handling of the situation.

Moving some 2500 people out of Ketchikan within 70 hours is no mean feat! As it was, we enjoyed our "staycation," and as the "resident experts," made many recommendations for restaurants, bars and other businesses in Ketchikan while we stayed aboard and enjoyed the wonderful food and entertainment while tied to the dock.

Keith Stump
Ketchikan, Alaska

About: "Born and raised and live in Ketchikan. Passenger on the Millennium that became "stranded" in Ketchikan last month."

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