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SwissMyst

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About Me

  • Location
    California - Italy - Switzerland
  • Interests
    Member: Travel Century Club - over 100 countries visited
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Holland America 4 Star Mariner

SwissMyst's Achievements

5,000+ Club

5,000+ Club (4/15)

  1. PRINCE RUPERT ISLAND. Starboard side extra benefit Charming low key townafter the recent crush of shared ports. A very welcome port stop. Our verandah faced Odin Seafood Processing facility when a crab boat came to offload. It was like watching an episode of Deadliest Catch live. Buckets and buckets of live crabs hoisted off. Containers and containers of ice loaded on and shoveled into the hold for another run. . It was a ballet of crab sorters, crane operator, forklift operators who all worked as a team, one misstep could create a workplace accident. They worked hard and steady and went to bed every knowing AI would never be replacing their jobs. We stay on for another week to San Diego. Stops in SF, LA will certainly break the mood of so many quieter stops on the first 14 days. Happy travels, tupper and thanks for starting this thread and sharing you beautiful photos. Sorry we did not get a photo of every single large HAL issued umbrella blown to shreds coming back in from Sitka. A little of everything weather wise for Alaska, this time of year.
  2. Was this area now under renovation, that had numerous flat top tables, the old Microsoft Lab classroom?
  3. Glacier Bay Triple Treat. 1. No other cruise ships, Just us alone. 2. Entry permitted into Johns Hopkins glacier bay, partway only due resting sea otter on small ice bergies and growlers. 3. Another day of no rain with sun breaking through for some clear mountain peak views. Very pleasant balcony viewing. I came on this late season cruise expecting it could be rainy, cold and windy every single day. Seven days and counting now, really great weather. One more week to go, as we head into the Alaska rain forest.
  4. Darjeeling tea packets on Noordam at the Lido beverage station. Not the HAL brand, but a French one.
  5. Where is the Big Apple on the Nieuw Amsterdam? It is really big, but on an obscure passage way.
  6. It appears one of our dressy night is the same day as the Orange Party night, three on this 14 day Alaska cruise.
  7. Indeed, port side was the side to be on today, cruising the Prince William Sound out of Valdez with long views of snowy mountains and cliffs meeting the sea. Three enrichment talks today, sea day. 1. Native Alaskan heritage 2. Iditarod race 3. Planning the Glacier Bay visit tomorrow with special access to John Hopkins glacier, which only gets two permits to enter per year. Second Dressy Night tonight. Third one will also be Orange Party night.
  8. Management chose to not deal with the cabana misuse by two adult and six children, including telling us we would probably not get a refund if we wanted to cancel our reservation. Others have mentioned the use of boomboxes, etc. with no resolution either. It is risky proposition if you want the space for a quiet retreat area. But if this is not a primary concern, then it can be a special space reservation option as presented.
  9. No, we had 8 persons using a 2 person cabana close to ours. 2 adults and 6 children. Staff chose not to deal with this. It is a chance you take when renting a retreat cabana.
  10. Darjeeling tea packets are back at the Lido. Not the HAL brand, but a French one.
  11. Captain reported there ar 44 nationalities among the crew. A mini “United Nations” he said, and we have noticed a much wider array than the formerly Indonesian and Filipino crews in the past. I would also love to see the list of the 44 nations listed. Maybe more information when they offer the “City at Sea” video.
  12. Korean Candied Fried Chicken was like Sweet and Sour Chicken in that it was battered small pieces of fried chicken, but the sauce was hot and more salty, which would make it more Korean. Very nice side vegetable with pickled ginger. The maitre d’ was also surprised to see this “crew option” officially. on the menu since he has just come on only a few weeks ago. Don’t know if this is just trial run, permanent or fleet wide. Nice variety to add.
  13. Speaking of good food on this cruise, first time I have seen on the Navigator MDR dinner menu a special featured “Crew Meal of the Day” option. Tonight it is Korean Candied Fried Chicken.
  14. VALDEZ. Shore excursions sold out, left us wondering what we would do for a day on our own in tiny 4,000 population Valdez. Not to worry, surprising treasures and walks in this little town, surrounded by high snowy peaks. Best recommendation was the short walk from the Visitor Center shuttle stop to the remarkable collections at the Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum located adjacent to the Prince William Sound College. Both large and small Alaska wildlife specimens in very naturalistic display and carefully curated native crafts. Valdez Museum is equally interesting including the great surprise exhibit of one of the Prinsendam’s lifeboats used to rescue the 319 passengers after it caught on fire and needed to be evacuated in 1980, before finally sinking. The city of Valdez took in the rescued passengers and crew after their harrowing hours in the open sea. There are several easy hiking trails offering views across the water, town and lush forested landscape. Dock Point Trail includes boardwalks, benches,and vista points. Shared the port today with the Viking Orion, who was small enough to get the city side dock. We were out of town a few miles but free shuttle were available, Valdez is a very worthy port stop. Looking forward to getting reports from the shore excursions.
  15. ENRICHMENT. Christie, a biogeologist, has provided excellent lectures. She takes a very practical approach to enhancing the Alaska experience. How to use your binoculars. Why is there so much life in these cold Alaska waters. How to identify different types of whales.
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