Shadowmeboy's Alaskan Adventure on the Sun

Please note: I am redoing my 2016 review from the NCL Sun due to problems using Photobucket on that review. Others have mentioned that I should start a travel blog instead, I am still considering this strongly, and at this time have not decided on what site to use and the logistics of the endeavor. I miss being able to share our adventure on these boards with pictures, and so I am copying what was wrote, fixing the pictures, and minor revisions if needed.

If you want to read my most recent adventure: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2516206

Here we go (again!)

I want to share My wife and I's recent trip aboard the Norwegian Sun. We sailed a southbound itinerary from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I surprised my wife with this trip at Christmas, and 6 months of planning resulted in this wonderful trip.

Here is the Norwegian Sun, anchored in Sitka harbor!

Our cruise itinerary was to sail from Seward, visiting Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Tracy Arm of Sawyer Glacier, Skagway, Ketchikan, and arriving into Vancouver.

Our sailing had two different itinerary changes, waste water treatment issues, and anchor problems. We also had wonderful entertainment, great views, and an overall wonderful time. But I am getting ahead of myself.

My name is Matthew and my wife's name is Susan. I work for a grocery store and she is a school teacher. We love to cruise but schedules are often the limiting factor in us doing more cruises.

We live in the Pacific Northwest, Washington State, but on the "dry" side of the state. We live among apple and cherry orchards.

The pictures in this review were taken on either a Canon Rebel T5 DSLR, an iphone 6s, or an Amazon fire phone.

Without further delay, lets get this review started.

Since we live on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State, we end up driving a lot. In order to get to our cruise we first had to travel to Seattle in order to fly to Alaska.

Here our bags are lined up ready to pack the car.

We get packed up and head out.

Here is an idea of what the area we live in looks like.

The small town we live in, is on the shores of the Columbia River.

I was in charge of the Cruise Critic Meet and Greet for our sailing. We planned a gift exchange for those who wanted to participate. The gift was to be about $10 and represent the area you come from. Since we live in North Central Washington, known for Apples and Cherries, we had to stop and pick up some Aplets and Cotlets from the Aplets & Cotlets factory near our home.

If you have never had Aplets & Cotlets, you should definitely try them they are really good.

Here my DW Susan is modeling with the recently purchased Aplets & Cotlets threatening to eat them all herself. I just shook my head knowing we should have bought two.

back on the road we go...

Blewitt Pass (US 97)

Susan looking cool driving Snoqualmie Pass (Interstate 90).

Then we hit the summit of Snoqualmie and crossed over to the West ("wet") side of Washington State.

Susan's favorite restaurant in the greater Seattle area is Chick-fil-a. We don't have any on our side of the State, so its a treat anytime we come over.

We get our food to go, since we were going to visit my Grandfather. Unfortunately, My Grandmother (Dad's Mom) passed away less than two weeks prior to this trip, and the Memorial Service was going to be while we were on the cruise. My Grandfather, parents, and everyone else in our extended family told us to go on our trip. They would miss us but Grandma would want us to enjoy the trip. We reluctantly agreed.

After visiting Grandpa, we went and checked into our hotel.

We always stay at the Best Western Seattle Airport Hotel. It is located about a mile or two South of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on International Boulevard. Hotel rates are cheaper than downtown, and we are often doing things around the airport or Renton where I grew up.

Hotel Front Desk

Lobby/Eating Area

Hallway leading to our room.

The rooms here are so quiet and relaxing.

This is a King room and they do have two queen rooms.

Susan relaxing on the bed, before we headed out and explored!

Heading back towards the lobby.

Outside view of the property. We also stay here for their secure parking and Park & Fly packages.

game room

Exercise room

Pool area

Another view of the lobby while waiting for the shuttle.

Breakfast Area

Riding the shuttle to the light rail station, heading to Downtown Seattle.

Sound Transit's Link Light Rail is a convenient way to get to Downtown Seattle.

Alaska Airlines planes as we passed Seattle-Tacoma International on Link Light Rail.

Safeco Field, as we arrive into Downtown Seattle.

Westlake Park, as we exited the underground Light Rail/Bus tunnel.

Walking towards Pike Place Market

We had decided we wanted to eat at Hard Rock Seattle.

Heading to the table...

Look at these cool wooden postcards we found at the Made in Washington Store!

We decided to include one of them in the gift bag for the cruise critic Meet & Greet. Susan, an avid postcard collector, had to keep the other.

Warning: Food Porn ahead!

yummy! Onion Rings

Pulled Pork Sandwich

Hard Rock Legendary Burger

April, our server, was awesome. She totally rocked it!

One last view as we headed back to the Hotel.

Pike Place market

Looking at the Waterfront, from Third Avenue.

The Seattle Light Rail/Bus Tunnel. A Link Light Rail train is pulling out and heading towards the University of Washington.

A very crowded train ride back to SeaTac. There was a Copa America Cup Quarterfinal game at Centurylink Field and everyone wanted to ride light rail home! By the way, the USA won that game!

We got back to the hotel, double checked everything was in the right bags for our flight the next day, and went to bed.

Another reason we love the Best Western Seattle Airport Hotel is the breakfast included in your room rate.

Living in Washington State, Susan and I are diehard Seahawks fans.

We decided to wear our jerseys for the flight since we were flying Alaska Airlines. Alaska Airlines' Chief Football Officer is Russell Wilson, the Seahawks Quarterback.

After Checking the bags and clearing security, we head downstairs to catch the tram to the North Satellite Concourse, where our flight was departing.

Seatac's tram

We scored great airfare deals and paid only $50 dollars more than coach fares to fly first class. One of Alaska's perks, when flying first class, is you can visit the Alaska Air Board room. There are two in Seatac, one in C/D Concourse and one in N Concourse. We stopped in the one in N Concourse.

Full bar with free non-premium drinks.

Susan liked the pancake machine...

and the Mocha machine!

The board room offers excellent views of the ramp.

One of Alaska's new planes with its new logo rolled by.

watched a plane come into the gate!

Soon it was time to head to our gate!

There is our Boeing 737-900.

Yes, welcome aboard.

We got settled but I was getting excited. We were going to spend a few days ahead of the cruise with my sister who lives in Anchorage.

As we pushed back, it started to rain.

Here we are! Headed to Anchorage!

Taxiing out to the runway.

Next for take off!

starting our roll down the runway

We have lift off of Alaska Airlines flight 93 Seattle to Anchorage!

Lake Washington

Museum of Flight and Boeing Field

Interstate 90 floating bridge

I90 - I5 interchange

Downtown Seattle

Lake Union and Gasworks park

University of Washington to the top right

Shilshole and Puget Sound

Interbay, Ballard, Magnolia, and Queen Anne hill

Ballard Locks

Flying over Washington's Olympic Peninsula

Lunch on board. Butternut Squash Ravioli. I don't normally like Butternut Squash, but it was excellent.

After two hours of flying, the Alaska Range started to show above the clouds.

I noticed the clouds were starting to break up.

Look a cruise ship!

The glacier views were incredible.

The Seward highway

The first sighting of Anchorage!

Downtown Anchorage

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

I see our shadow!

Taxiing to our gate in Anchorage

There is our gate!

Note: Keep in mind, our cruise left Seward on 6/20/2016. 6/20/2016 was the longest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere. In Anchorage, it never got completely dark, it would get dusky from 1130pm till about 4am. having never experienced this before, our body clocks were totally messed up.

My sister lives in Anchorage, and let us crash at her place for a few days. She also played tour guide! Thanks Nicole!

We took her and her boyfriend out to a local pizza joint for Dinner.

Moose's Tooth - really popular even at 8:30pm!

packed to the gills, a sign of a good restaurant!

A better look at the logo!

Loved the plates!

We shared some Nashville Nacho's - BBQ pulled pork nachos.

My Sister Nicole and her boyfriend Eric!

Susan trying her first beer ever. She had an apple ale that Moose's Tooth brews themselves. She really enjoyed it.

Dinner finally arrived - a Macaroni and Cheese Pizza with Reindeer Sausage. Yum!