2Xayear

OK...it seems a rather major error on my part. 😞 I was under the wrong assumption that the water taxi departed from somewhere in Kodiak and NOT a several hour flight to King Salmon Alaska Airport. Me bad!! I guess this trip is off the table!!

The Water Taxi (Katmai Water Taxi) is a 45-60 minute trip to Katmai National Park. Unsure where the water taxi drops you off but it's close to Brooks Fall. Were only in Kodiak from 11:00 until 8:00 so one could conceivably book a 1:00 departure and a 6:00 return but that will only give about 3 hours of bear watching. Float plane is faster and more expensive but subject to more weather issues than the taxi. I am still considering.

We stop in Kodiak and wondered about getting to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and I see there is a water taxi from Kodiak. Anyone have any thoughts if this is viable with arriving at 11:00 and and departing at 7:00?

I thought CC used to have a board devoted to each port of any consequence. Has this been dropped?

Can one take the ferry to Rangitoto and do the tram tour on your own or does one have to book a tour from one of the tour companies?

Bob

Thanks for the quick response. Good info indeed.

Can anyone tell me where HAL ships dock in Auckland?

Bob

6 days in Sydney Australia in mid April before cruising back to Vancouver. BNB booked in the CBD and now looking at what to do. One day planned for Taranga Zoo, and one for Manly Beach. HOHO for 2 days with a stop planned for Bondi Beach. What Sydney attractions are on your must do list? We are a couple in our 60’s with no desire for anything really strenuous. Sydney Harbour Bridge yes but not the BridgeClimb to add perspective.

Bob

Thanks Lynne and Krazy Kruisers...that's what I thought.

Are there any cost savings buying a wine package in advance of the cruise versus just buying a package onboard?

I had no problem connecting with my iPhone , MacBook or iPad. I just had to make sure my wi-fi connection showed I was connected to the ships wi-fi first before typing in "Navigator" or "Logon" into my Safari Browser.

Glen, nice to "hear" from you again. How did the "chat" function work for you. Can I send a message to someone in my group, to tell them to meet me on the Lido?

Bob

Know Before You Go

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE NAVIGATOR

Manage your cruise with our free, mobile-friendly tool. Once you’re on the ship, use your smart phone, tablet or laptop to plan your

day’s activities, browse and purchase tours, look at menus and make restaurant reservations, peruse spa treatments, check your accountbalance, purchase internet access and more. You don’t have todownload anything in advance, it’s easy to use and free of charge.

Getting started is simple. Once on the ship, connect with yourship’s Wi-Fi and open your device’s web browser and Navigator

should open automatically. You won’t incur Internet or cellular datacharges when using Navigator.

I read that Holland America Line Navigator lets you instantly connect to make your cruise the vacation of your dreams. Once you’re on the ship, use your smart phone, tablet or laptop to plan your day’s activities, browse and purchase shore excursions, look at menus and make restaurant reservations, chat with fellow travelers, peruse spa treatments, check your account balance, purchase Internet access and more. It’s easy to use and it’s free of charge. Can anyone explain this chat feature? Can I chat with others in my group?

parrothead, it would be a better idea for you to research each of your port of calls and read what others have done and what they have thought of any tour. You question is vague and open ended and you have given no details of your interests.

As a 3 Star Mariner, we get a 25% discount on Wine Packages. I remember from past HAL cruises, they offered some sort of a Wine Package Special at the start of the cruise? Can anyone tell me if it might be advantageous to not pre-purchase and instead just wait until we board and check out the "special"? I don't remember if the "special" was even anything different that the pre-purchase options.

Bob

TheCalicoCat, an excellent idea. Barb's Fish & Chips while at Fisherman's Wharf, grab an ice cream cone and either walk or take Harbour Ferry to visit the Bug Zoo. If you are up for it, after the Bug Zoo, it's a doable walk along the Empress Hotel, check out the Legislative building, which should be lit by then and walk back to the ship. A great evening for you two!

Seattle - Victoria:

Disembarkation was smooth. A bit chaotic at the Pier but that is to be expected.

So what are my thoughts on the cruise? After having been to Alaska several times and growing weary of seeing the same thing, this one was a terrific surprise. Loved the Eurodam, loved the stop in Sitka and the rest of the ports were made all that much better with the unusually great weather we experienced.

Negatives? We noticed many changes in the way things are done now. Worthy belly-aching about? No.

Positives? Lots!! The crew are as fabulous as always. HAL upgraded our room just prior to departure. Thought the food was still great and love the Chop Chop salad option in the Lido. The weather...incredibly good. Would we do it again? :p Time will tell!!

And so ends what turned out to be more of a photo gallery than a real review, but it is what it is. Any questions, feel free to ask.

Photos:

Victoria:

We are from Victoria and could probably have got off here instead of the overnight to Seattle for disembarkation, but we decided to stay on board. Watched the hordes departing from both the Princess and our ship, as well as the Norwegian Jewel docked at an adjacent pier.

We had a lovely dinner, packed our bags and were in bed before the ship departed Victoria. :)

We were asked by many, what to do in Victoria. My response was always the same. You can never go wrong with Butchart Gardens!

Photos:

Ketchikan:

Arrival was the typical Ketchikan weather...rain, but on this visit, the clouds cleared and it was actually a nice day. (My wife even commented on departure, that she saw islands around Ketchikan for the first time)

My wife stayed aboard and I went for a walk. I had no plans however, but the sheer volume of jewelry stores got me to thinking about a ring I wanted. I made a game of walking to a shop, the inevitable greeter at the door. I asked if they had a particular ring. They detest saying No but in my case they had no choice and I carried on to the next shop. In the end I had no success but I got to wander the streets of Ketchikan. :)

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10158840422260133.1073742216.869875132&type=1&l=91692bb3d2

Juneau:

 

Arrival in Juneau was at 1:00 pm. I had booked with Juneau Tours for a 2:30 Whale Watch, followed by a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier. Loved the Whale Watching trip. Saw several whales, all humpbacks and a stop at the Can Buoy to see the sea lions. Back on shore, the bus was waiting and took us to the Glacier. Had time to walk out to Nugget Falls for some photos before a return trip to the ship at 7:00. A great day indeed.

 

Juneau Photos:

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Loving your photo report.

 

Quick question - who did you book the Glacier/Whale watch with? We are sailing the Eurodam 9/2 and booked independent with Juneau Whale Watch for a great price.....

 

Juneau Tours

Love the pics! Are the bear pics from the Fortress? Thanks.

Yes they are.

Sitka:

Sitka was the primary reason to do Alaska another time, having never visiting this port. It's a beautiful stop and well worth the visit. Shuttle to town takes about 10 minutes and i must say, the commentary both directions was stellar! Drop off point is in "Downtown Sitka" and several tours and taxis are available from that point. Had two things I really wanted to see. One being the Fortress of the Bear and the other, the Raptor Centre. Booked a combo Tour for $30 each but after thinking we had an hour wait, cancelled with the gracious tour company and hopped in a cab instead. The Fortress of the Bear is a really good visit. Read up on it before you go so you really understand, in advance, the work these volunteers, are able to accomplish. Alaska state law forbids the return of bear cubs to the wild, in spite of 29 other US states and BC, that have come to realize, is a viable option. http://www.fortressofthebear.org/

The Raptor Centre was interesting but after visiting what I think is one of the premier Raptor Centres ever, in Duncan BC, is not of the same calibre. They do yeomen service to the Raptor community and I still enjoyed the visit. Taxi back to town and then the shuttle to the ship. We look back on our day in Sitka as a great day overall!!

Photos:

Glacier Bay:

I got up early to enjoy the day. Weather started out a little grim but the day turned into probably one of our nicest days ever in Glacier Bay. We were not allowed to visit the John Hopkins Glacier dues to the seal pups in the area but we did manage a peek around the point on our leaving Glacier Bay. The Captain parked us off Marjorie and the Grand Pacific Glaciers for almost 2 hours! I suspect the extra time was due to the non stop at John Hopkins. Whatever the reason, it was much appreciated. Marjorie did not do much calving but with the sun out and blue skies, she looked beautiful!! Glacier Bay never ceases to amaze and this visit was extraordinary, as always! I took lot's of photos so please forgive the number to scroll through.

Photos:

Juneau:

Arrival in Juneau was at 1:00 pm. I had booked with Juneau Tours for a 2:30 Whale Watch, followed by a stop at the Mendenhall Glacier. Loved the Whale Watching trip. Saw several whales, all humpbacks and a stop at the Can Buoy to see the sea lions. Back on shore, the bus was waiting and took us to the Glacier. Had time to walk out to Nugget Falls for some photos before a return trip to the ship at 7:00. A great day indeed.

Juneau Photos:

Sea Day enroute to Juneau

Woke up to overcast skies but in spite of that, enjoyed a lovely sea day as we steamed north to Juneau. Took a few photos aboard ship. Had planned to take the HAL kitchen tour but I think 1,000 of the 2,000 aboard decided it was a good idea too. I chose to pass, grab a coffee and read instead.

Sea Day Photos:

Embarkation Day

Embarkation was smooth as silk. Caught the shuttle from the hotel to the Pier. We were on-board in less than an hour. Rooms were ready so we stowed our carry on bags and headed to the MDR for lunch. I don't know for sure if we have ever been on the Eurodam but we have been on her sister so things were familiar at least. She was refitted I think in the last year or two so she's in real nice shape. We were aboard and delighted to be there!!

Had dinner in the Tamarind. My gawd, the food was even better than I remembered!

I use a CPAP machine and noted that the only power outlets are over the desk on the opposite side of the room. HAL got me a Power bar with a 6' cord so I was able to run power but one had to be careful not to trip on the cord during any overnight bathroom visits. :)

Photo link: