scubacruiserx2

With the new cruise we got a new room and a new Retreat room since the other one that we first had was rented to someone else . When we went to our new cabana - it was occupied . We spoke to the workers who mentioned to their boss who said that our new one was already rented . We went to the concierge who checked with Seattle . Even though we had booked and paid for it in advance they had resold it to someone else ! While we had the same attendants we now had a side Retreat that didn't get the forward breeze . Additionally, we got a "new" revised itinerary. Surprise! Once again Nicaragua (10/16, now Sea Day) was cancelled along with Puerto Chiapas. Manzanillo 8am-5pm on 10/12 (originally a sea day) was the replacement for Puerto Chiapas (10/14) now a Sea Day. The date for Huatulco was changed by a day later 10/13 to 10/14 and time was changed from 10am-6pm to 8am-3:30pm. Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala time change was 8am-6pm, new time 10am-8pm. Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica had a time change from 8am-6pm to 8am-8pm. Some changes were welcomed, but we had to scramble to let guides know and check availability on HAL's high-speed internet. Fortunately all were able to accommodate the changes.

Sunday night was Chicken Parm night at Canaletto

The Crown Princess went by first And then the noisy Noordam backed out We were the last under the Lyons Bridge Followed by a sunset The new room for almost 3 weeks

Getting back on board at 1500 was much better as we had our key cards and in transit cards . Our new room was much nicer . And with a Dive In quickie up top the parade of ships was about to begin

We did make a couple of other stops ( but not for lunch ) . Mahara spent a lot of time on the phone and let us know that someone else had hired her and that she needed to get us back pronto . We would give her a 7 as a result of being cut short on time .

We also went to Queen Elizabeth and Stanley Parks in hope of seeing some Fall foliage We were told that we were in the wrong place and that it was about as good as it gets here .

The bridges We've never seen so many selfies as taken by these people Treetops adventure

The birds

Tree house The bridge Measuring up

First stop was the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park to cash in some of our funny money

Another early morning A new neighbor Lego Orca

The Alaska cruise was over and we're slipping into Vancouver under the cover of darkness and the smell of brimstone We're at the end of the hall and our bags stayed inside . Everything on a hanger with the bags were moved down 2 floors Breakfast was room service as we got off early to visit Vancouver There was only 1 teaspoon of Cottage Cheese We proceeded to the Gangway with In Transit card and old and new Key Card in hand. Started out good until we got to Customs and Immigration. We understood that we were suppose to walk out like a regular visit in port ( In Transit card with our passport through the crew line ) . Nope. Tried to go to Visitors and Crew and the young lady would not let us pass. We got in line with everyone else and when we got to Officer, we did not have our paperwork. We had turned it in the day before to the ship ( a discussion ..). Another officer came over and took care of the paperwork and got us through. Walked outside to pick-up areas for buses etc. A bit of a walk and we came out at the street in front of Pan Pacific Vancouver, where we met our guide Mahara. We thought that she may be a hand full .

Dinner was at the Tamarind with my favorite new cocktail - A Wasabi Martini A refugee from a hot wok The present came in the afternoon in the form of a white bow I never saw a white rainbow before !

Before packing we did enjoy breakfast and a sunny lunch at the Retreat later We also enjoyed pleasant weather and calm seas en route

So glad to hear that . Of about 50 independent guides 47 or 48 were very good or excellent . You will know when we like them when we show them in photos but we've only had 1 or 2 bad eggs in about 30 years .

Saturday October 1st was a day in the inside passage and someone's birthday It was also packing day as we would be moved by the ship's decision makers up 2 floors to a different room .The same room location but a different level on the next day .

Dinner was a dressy night so we just enjoyed room service after sail away

A couple of photos of the ship at sail away . Cruin and Juneau was great and we would give him a 9 . Removing the ship's ramp

We were considering lunch and Cruin called ahead, but they were out of Halibut. We could wait and they would have some fresh in a little. So, we headed off to see bear. On the way we passed some deer along the road. There was a beautiful waterfall we passed by. The bears were being a "little " shy. But the birds were waiting for fish also We still had a little time to kill so we stopped by the Fire Station Out with the old and in with the new This Tower can reach 100' on to or above the ship for firefighting or rescue purposes I spent most of my years on a meet wagon like this Time for the fish and chips . They we delicious !

Thanks Nancy . It's fun to see places where we've been ( and some ) that we forgot until we look at the photo again . 🙂

Our next stop was at rear of Creek Street where we watched the Salmon running and the seals fishing There was a Totem Pole nearby and Cruin explained it

We went outside near the bus bench in a a covered area where our guide showed us some hand made tools that he uses to carve totem poles . He is married to a local lady and had adopted many of the local customs . My wife is from Michigan and I'm from Florida and we met in Michigan when I was on vacation there . We were thrilled to see Fall colors and like to vacation in the Spring and Fall for a cool break from the Hot Florida sun . Pat getting a carving lesson

It was very nice and a lot of kids and their parents .

Because of the rain in Ketchikan we first went to an enclosed space - the library . We bought a book here for a $ that dealt with Pat's Irish Ancestry . We would have liked to bought more for the ship's library but with the rain and perhaps they may not have been allowed with Covid .

The Pea soup was at the bow for everyone . A large group was coming in as we were going outside . He was the last in line coming in to get out of the rain .