LAFFNVEGAS

You are all going to laugh especially coming from me but I booked this thinking it was 7 day Mexico and it was not till we got back to the cabin and I looked at confirmation 🤣 We just wanted to find a relatively cheap last minute cruise that was halfway between now and our December cruise. We can get to San Diego easy on SW. But we have also wanted to do the Pacific Coastal with HAL, we did it several years ago on Princess.

Totally agree!!

Ok I lied 😂 although it was the truth when I wrote it. We just booked another cruise on board, We will be on the November 4th 2023 Koningsdam for Pacific Coastal.

We both got Mimosas, then I started with the Fig and Banana Parfait which was excellent. Then we both had the Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Tom got scrambled eggs and me fried over medium. We both skipped dessert but Tom had Tea and I had Coffee oh forgot to mention Tom also had the Blueberry pancakes 😃😋 We also had a great aft view and watched Discovery Princess pass by us to beat us getting to Victoria.

We will be on the Nieuw Statendam December 10th unless we do something silly like through in a extra cruise.

On the last day of the Alaska cruise Holland America offers a Brunch from 10:00 am till 12:30 So on this last day we get to play what do you want to order 2 times. We found there is no limit on what you want to order. Also we had to laugh up till this sailing we have been watching the menus and this we they are no longer calling the sausage Reindeer Sausage 😁 Tom is disappointed he wanted the Reindeer 😉

Internet has been surprisingly good all week but I did have problems with Cruise Critic, it froze on me last night yet all other websites worked perfect. Below is what I tried to post last night about our day in Ketchikan. We started the morning a bit earlier since we had a shore excursion in Ketchikan. Unfortunately Ketchikan is a short port day and All Aboard is at 12:30 pm departure at 1 but lines were pull at 12:40 and we we’re moving away from the dock at 12:44 The shore excursion we too was Oceanftont and Wildlife Cruise that was just two hours We did a quick breakfast in the Lifo this morning then headed out side near the pier to meet up for our excursion. We were lucky with no rain but it was a bit dark and cloudy. We had never taken an excursion in Ketchikan so it was interesting and we did see plent of eagles and several humpback whales that we’re doing the bubble feeding. I did not get very good photos this time just the mist of their spray. After the excursion we had a short time to look in a few shops. I wanted to go to the big Tongass store that about 15 +plus years ago I got this T-shirt with sequins that said Alaska and lots of loving wear that shirt has seen better days , I had hoped to find another, I did but not at Tongess but at a store called Sockeye Sam’s We returned to the ship but I knew Lido would be crazy busy so we tried the Main Dining Room, it too was busy but not terrible.

We had early 5 pm reservation but almost did not make it we decided to to take a nap but I set my alarm for 4:20 . Well sometime during our nap we crossed the dateline between Alaska time and Pacific time and it flipped ahead an hour and skipped my 4:20pm alarm. I woke and my watch said 5:51 😮 Well I showed I can get ready very quickly 😁 We got there at 5:10 and were still first to be seated. Then minutes later it started to full up. We started with sharing the Meatballs, then I had the Canaletto Salad, then Tom had the Short Ribs but with the Carrots and potatoes from the Sirloin, then I had Lasagna, Tom had Chocolate Gelato and I had Pistachio. Plus Baileys and Coffee. I will say the Canaletto is one of those Restaurants with HAL that is not consistent. We last had Canaletto on the Rotterdam in July 2022 and we were amazed how good everything thing was. Sadly this was just OK, not the worst but definitely not the best. Main Dining Room this week has been fantastic.

It’s Friday night and time to play What’s for Dinner tonight on the Holland America Westerdam, tonight is Dess up night but we are in Canaletto the Italian Specialty Restaurant. The small plates are like Appetizer’s What would you be ordering?

It arrived fast and both our entrees at the same time. Tom said that last night both the Lobster and steak were perfect, filet very tender and tasty. He was impressed with the Lobster and had not been for many years.

After dinner this evening we went to the Ocean Bar and each had a drink then got to see the Trio Third Avenue West perform. They were good for a light Jazz background music. Then we headed to the MainStage for the first performance of a very funny Comedian by the name of Alycia Cooper. She was quite good 👍🏻 Tomorrow will be an early morning since we actually have a shore excursion Waterfront and Wildlife Cruise. Hopefully will see some form of wildlife life since so far have not seen anything which is very odd for us when coming to Alaska. Signing off for the night.

Ok for what we ordered, I had the Seafood and Artickoe starter which was delicious, then Short Rib Stroganoff again very good and the Opera Cake. We also each had Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling Tom skipped the starter but had the Filet and Lobster with Baked Potato and they brought him a large plate of carrots, then he had a Hot Fudge Sundae

Thanks, we have an early morning with a shore excursion at 8:30

It’s Thursday night and time to play What’s for Dinner tonight on the Holland America Westerdam, What would you be ordering?

Yes they were definitely passengers. Many wearing Orange Hats and orange beads. It’s starting to look like a convention where people dress up in costumes. Also the shop on board are selling Orange stuff like bow ties, belts scarfs and beads. while I did not buy any logo wear this time Tom did but I found out that HAL has gone back to the vendor that ran the shops previously called Starboard and they got rid of Duffreys.

Good Morning from Sitka Alaska we have always loved the views around Sitka with all the little islands even if it’s a view from the ship. Like other ports in Alaska, we have been here many times. My weather app says it is 52 degrees with drizzle and 90% chance of rain but our balcony is dry and it’s not windy so he feels warm. I was out on the balcony in my pjs 😂 and did not feel cold. Despite being cloudy and dark it is still very scenic. We had already already decided to stay on board today, several months ago because I purchased a 100 minute massage and facial combo at a discount for being a port day. It’s also nice to be on board when most are at shore. Since my appointment is not till 10:30 we can head to the Lido in about an hour and still have some breakfast and easily find a table.

We actually stayed out a bit later tonight lol, after dinner we went to the Rolling Stone Lounge and watched the Game Show The Game of Love, it was pretty funny, then we stayed and watched the first set of Days of Disco music. It is always fun people watching 😃 We left just before the Orange Party but let me say many were dressed in Orange and even some in costumes. One person had a big pumpkin costume and the other was a blow up orange horse 😂 Several were dressed head to toe in Orange. It has been a few years since I had seen the Orange Party and had not realized what it had grown into. I guess I need to be more prepared for our December cruise.

The Dining Room was full this evening ok for what Tom and I ordered. we had left over Sparkling Wine we finished off tonight Tom skipped Starters, I had the three small Trio of Sushi, (not too bad) We both ordered the Prime Rib but Tom had them add some Halibut to his plate. Then we both got the Chocolate Puff Pastry. then I ordered a shot of Baileys to my Americano coffee our servers are wonderful he brought to me saying it was a treat from him. I have to say that this week has felt very much like the old days of HAL This gives me faith that they can still be very much like I remember. Over all food has been very good and Service for the most part excellent.

It’s that time of day to play What’s for Dinner tonight on the Holland America Westerdam, what would you be ordering. Tonight’s Club Orange entree is a Lemon Shrimp with Fettuccine not listed.

Sadly not a great day of viewing, between pea soup fog and pouring rain you cannot see much of Hubbard Glacier. We walked to deck 4 to four on the bow but it was so fogged in and pouring rain. Then came back to our aft cabin Captain turned the ship around to we were facing the glacier. It then started to clear up a bit and quit raining to Captain turn the ship again now bow is once again facing the glacier. We will see it again on the second turn. I have never seen them do two turns before. we can hear lots of White Thunder but no actual calving.

I had the Beefsteak Tomato’s, the Blue Cheese Encrusted Filet and Lemon Sorbet and Two glasses of Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling. Tom had the shrimp appetizer the filet and Sobet. Sorry no pictures we were dining with the Hotel Manager and was too busy talking 😂 Actually totally forgot to take pictures.

We have the regular WiFi for a 7 day and on the first day the cost was $40 more to go to Premium

We have done quite a few Alaska Cruises and a tradition on the day we go to the Glacier is to have Lunch in the Pinnacle Grill, so we can play What’s For Lunch? Pinnacle Grill version Here is the menu selection, we are heading there in 30 minutes

Oops forgot to add pictures BTW the two NCL ships we sailed both in the Las 12 months, the Bliss we were on in November of 2022 and the Encore just 7 months ago in February. Also a picture of Windstar Star Breeze.

I just realized I totally forgot to talk about our day in Juneau 😂 Well first it was probably one of the prettiest Sunny days we have had here espyfor September. Tom wanted Halibut like he had last time from The Hanger so we walked over there I wanted Crab Legs. My Crab Legs were good but but they were not the Jumbo Red King like Tracy’s has and no side came with it so paid extra for Onion Rings. They charged $70 a pound, I had just one pound. Next time we will go to Tracy’s but Tom got to enjoy his Halibut. We then walked around town and in a few shops. Did not see anything that jumped out at me that I needed to buy. Today is Hubbard Glacier and we actually do not arrive at Hubbard till 2:00 pm, that is the latest I ever remember arriving at a Glacier. We have 12:30 lunch reservations in Pinnacle Grill so playing lazy this morning and will just grab a little bite in Lido shortly for breakfast.