We have traveled more than 2460 nautical miles since Wittier with only 690 left until the next port. The journey has been along the edge of the Bering Sea, thru the Pacific Ocean on our way to Japan. The first port for this portion of the cruise is Muroran, in Northern Japan. The sea has been very calm and kind to us. Every day we turn back our clock by an hour. Yesterday we crossed the International Dateline and lost an entire day. Wednesday simply vanished.
The days and nights are filled with more fun than a human should be allowed. From art classes to Zumba and everything in between, we have been enjoying every minute of each day. From educational seminars to just dancing or bowling on Wii, there are always too many things to do and not enough time to do them. Every evening, an elegant dinner is followed with one or more shows and several hours of dancing to live bands.
We especially enjoy the conversations with so many people from around the world. Breakfast we sat with people from UK and Malaysia, lunch was France and Ireland and dinner is always filled with laughs with friends from Canada and India. Learning about the rest of the world gives us great appreciation for what we have.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The next two days were spent cruising Glacier Bay and the College Fjords. We saw some spectacular glaciers that towered 50+ feet above the water. We were even lucky enough to see some calving. Princess had specialists from the National Park Service on board giving us a guided tour through the bay. It was strange to see large chunks of ice float by as we ate a gourmet dinner in the International Dining Rm. We also delighted in seeing some blue skies.
The highlight of our ship activities was winning a trophy at the “Ballroom Blitz” dance competition. We continue to have outstanding food, entertainment and plenty of choices for places to dance each night.
Today we are swapping 800+ passengers in Whittier. Some did just the 7 day Alaska cruise and others are joining us to sail either to Beijing or Singapore. The next six days will be out-to-sea transiting to Asia including crossing the International Date Line where we lose a day. I will probably not be making another posting until we arrive in Japan.
The highlight of our ship activities was winning a trophy at the “Ballroom Blitz” dance competition. We continue to have outstanding food, entertainment and plenty of choices for places to dance each night.
Today we are swapping 800+ passengers in Whittier. Some did just the 7 day Alaska cruise and others are joining us to sail either to Beijing or Singapore. The next six days will be out-to-sea transiting to Asia including crossing the International Date Line where we lose a day. I will probably not be making another posting until we arrive in Japan.
Skagway
What I have learned is that Alaska is a place to visit in July, but not so inviting in late September. It was another cold rainy day, but we did not let that stop us from exploring. If the stampeders could survive 60 degrees below zero in a tent all winter, then this was a walk in the park.
As soon as you get off the ship the history begins. The first time a ship sails into Skagway, they bring an artist to paint a plaque on the rock walls next to the pier. Some of the paintings go back to the 1920’s although we were told that the fist ships arrived in 1908.
We watched a fascinating movie about the Gold Rush at the visitors center, visited museums, both of the Moore homesteads and walked the historic boardwalk of Broadway Street including the Artic Brotherhood Hall, now 112 years old. Skagway has done an amazing job of keeping its history alive with artifacts, reconstructed saloons and show s depicting life in the late 1800’s
In the afternoon, we took a tour up the historic Summit Highway traveling to Canada and back. At the summit we saw the rock people started by the native Tlingit people. The rain made for some spectacular waterfalls. By the time we headed back to Skagway, the fog had settled in, so we went back to the ship where I found great enjoyment in the indoor hot tub.
The evening included an elegant dinner, a comedian and lots of dancing.
As soon as you get off the ship the history begins. The first time a ship sails into Skagway, they bring an artist to paint a plaque on the rock walls next to the pier. Some of the paintings go back to the 1920’s although we were told that the fist ships arrived in 1908.
We watched a fascinating movie about the Gold Rush at the visitors center, visited museums, both of the Moore homesteads and walked the historic boardwalk of Broadway Street including the Artic Brotherhood Hall, now 112 years old. Skagway has done an amazing job of keeping its history alive with artifacts, reconstructed saloons and show s depicting life in the late 1800’s
In the afternoon, we took a tour up the historic Summit Highway traveling to Canada and back. At the summit we saw the rock people started by the native Tlingit people. The rain made for some spectacular waterfalls. By the time we headed back to Skagway, the fog had settled in, so we went back to the ship where I found great enjoyment in the indoor hot tub.
The evening included an elegant dinner, a comedian and lots of dancing.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Juneau
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The weather was not as cooperative today, so we decided to skip our planned activities of visiting Mendenhall Glacier and the Glacier Gardens. Knowing we will be back to Alaska for a month next summer, made the decision to not spend the day in the rain easy.
The ship does a great job of having plenty of things to do throughout the day. I am especially looking forward to meeting Libby Riddles the first female Iditarod Champion speak this afternoon. Attached is a pic of another silly, but fun way we were entertained when the weather is less than perfect. In the covered pool area, the goal is to hit the golf ball into the life preserver. It's harder than it looks. We watched more than 30 people try and not one made it inside the ring.
Ketchikan
Monday, September 19, 2011
The weather cooperated for us to walk the streets of Ketchikan. It was easy to see why it is the "Salmon Capitol of the World". Even though it is very late in the season, there were still hundreds of salmon and trout in the waterways.
We wandered past some totem poles and over to the famous Creek Street to Dolly's house. She is the most famous of the "ladies of the evening" from the Gold Rush days.
This is the last week for tourism, so there were lots of great sales to be had. After this week all the shops will close for the winter.
We made it back to the ship before the rain set-in. The evening consisted of enjoying a great comedian, and LOTS of dancing. We were chosen for the twist contest at the Sock Hop, won a bottle of champagne as the "Most Romantic Couple" and then moved to the Wheelhouse Bar where we danced the remainder of the night to the ship's orchestra. Another GREAT day!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
First Sea Day
Sunday, Sept 18, 2011
The trip thru Vancouver and boarding yesterday were flawless. Even the weather cleared for the afternoon and evening. The ship is beautiful and our cabin spacious. We found two great places to dance and were pleased to see lots of ballroom dancers on this cruise.
This morning we discovered just how international this cruise is. We had breakfast with couples from Russia, Ireland, Canada and Australia. It is so interesting to sit and have conversations with so many fascinating people.
The weather forced us to get our sea legs quickly. Strong winds and large waves cancelled some of the activities, but there were still plenty of things to do including “Elevator Roulette”. Tonight was the first formal night. I even got to help pour the champagne onto the tower. The day ended with a wonderful Broadway show called “Do You Wanna Dance”. It highlighted styles of dance and music from around the world. What a great way to begin a fabulous cruise.
The trip thru Vancouver and boarding yesterday were flawless. Even the weather cleared for the afternoon and evening. The ship is beautiful and our cabin spacious. We found two great places to dance and were pleased to see lots of ballroom dancers on this cruise.
This morning we discovered just how international this cruise is. We had breakfast with couples from Russia, Ireland, Canada and Australia. It is so interesting to sit and have conversations with so many fascinating people.
The weather forced us to get our sea legs quickly. Strong winds and large waves cancelled some of the activities, but there were still plenty of things to do including “Elevator Roulette”. Tonight was the first formal night. I even got to help pour the champagne onto the tower. The day ended with a wonderful Broadway show called “Do You Wanna Dance”. It highlighted styles of dance and music from around the world. What a great way to begin a fabulous cruise.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
We Are Off
Day 1, Friday, September 16, 2011
Sometimes getting a one day rental can be a more cost effective way to get to the airport. Super Shuttle charges $40 for one person to DFW. Picking up a $ 20 rental the day before and just returning it when you are ready to leave, cuts the cost in ½.
Whether flying or riding, I discovered staying up and making sure everything is done, and then sleeping during the journey makes the trip quick and painless. I stayed up all night Thursday; the shuttle picked us up at 3:30 am on Friday. By the time I was on the plane at 7:00 am, it was easy to sleep much of the 6 hr. plane ride.
We enjoyed a leisurely pre-cruise night at the Comfort Inn. It has free transfers and breakfast, so it was well worth the cost. This also minimizes the stress of “getting to the ship on time”.
I have been asked how to pack for 8 weeks into one suitcase. The answer has two parts.
First, use basics and accessorize. One shell is good for working out at the gym, when paired with shorts. Put it with a skirt, dressy necklace and shawl and it becomes evening wear. It also works as a pajama top. Scarves and jewelry can transform a few cloths into an expansive wardrobe and they are light, easy to pack and carry.
You may be wondering who would want to wear the same top to the gym, dinner and bed. Not me, so there is the second secret, laundry. Cruise ships have laundry mats, but once you have cruised enough, free laundry and dry cleaning are perks of their loyalty program.
Another trick I learned, carry a small amount of Woolite. Hand wash at night, then roll the cloths in a towel and give it a good twist. The towel will pull much of the moisture out. Hang it on a hanger and it will magically be dry in the morning.
First, use basics and accessorize. One shell is good for working out at the gym, when paired with shorts. Put it with a skirt, dressy necklace and shawl and it becomes evening wear. It also works as a pajama top. Scarves and jewelry can transform a few cloths into an expansive wardrobe and they are light, easy to pack and carry.
You may be wondering who would want to wear the same top to the gym, dinner and bed. Not me, so there is the second secret, laundry. Cruise ships have laundry mats, but once you have cruised enough, free laundry and dry cleaning are perks of their loyalty program.
Another trick I learned, carry a small amount of Woolite. Hand wash at night, then roll the cloths in a towel and give it a good twist. The towel will pull much of the moisture out. Hang it on a hanger and it will magically be dry in the morning.
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