gregma60

That is the exact ones I'm really thinking about. Are those neptune? -gregma

This will for sure be my first place to look. I'll have LOTS of questions! Just as I did with this (my first) cruise. Learned so much! Also learned from youtubers, but there are very few who actually cruise HA, they mainly vlog about the other lines. -gregma

You are exactly right. I think there were at most 3 times that we ever experienced a full elevator and never twice in a row. We used the forward bank 95% of the time, it's not that long of a walk to get to it. I know the middle aft bank had 3 of the 4 elevators OOS for a few days, but even that didn't really put too much stress on availability! Exactly what I was thinking. Didn't even think of the ratio of balcony vs non. That would indeed put more stress on those coveted public area seats. Again, not an issue at all with us as we had a HUGE balcony and used it often. -gregma

Thank you so much for the kind compliment! It is nice to know at least a few have found value in this. I very much overall enjoyed the cruise and the ship! Yes, there were what managers would call "opportunities", or "learning moments" :), but nothing even coming close to "ruining the cruise". Oh, I do have a bucket list 🙂 Panama Canal transit. Once it goes down to under 10k I might just do it. Yes, it would have to be in a neptune suite (or one of the corner suites on the ships that have those.) -gregma

After trip thoughts... Thought I would give my honest opinion. This was our very first cruise, our very first time to Alaska. Hits : Loved the Volendam, the small ship feel, being able to go from bow to stern without having to call a taxi. With the smaller ship, we could get closer to icebergs and more in glacier bay. Loved the promenade where you could walk 360 around the ship with no obstructions. With the limited number of Neptune Suites, the neptune lounge was never crowded at all! And breakfast in the pinnacle grill was only one or two couples also there. Dinner at the MDR was great! We had fixed early dining and never had a bad experience! No lines, our waiters were ready and waiting as soon as they saw us, and after our second day, they anticipated what we liked well! The waiters at the MDR were great at at least attempting to have gluten free options. What they did was go over the next nights menu and have her select what she wanted. Then the chef would attempt to make that gluten free. Everything except the dessert was exactly what she wanted and delicious! Our balcony was amazing and provided some fantastic views and pics. In fact if we didn't have balcony, there were many times we'd have to stand to see things outside. Misses: Even being a smaller ship the lido was always huge lines and very difficult to find tables. Of course most people would stay at a table for half an hour or more. Talking, reading books, on their phones, etc. Lunch in the MDR was horrible. It was our two worst experiences on the ship. After the abysmal service our one try, we only went back for a tea which was little better. My wife is gluten free and that was a huge challenge. There was twice during lunch my wife braved the lido and all she could have for dessert was jello. Our try at the burger joint on the second day, they were "out" of gluten free buns and instead suggested using lettuce as a "bun". Yeah, a cold, wet, slimy piece of lettuce to hold your burger. She got it on the lettuce and tossed the lettuce. She was sooooo disappointed! Heck, at Skagway the two small places we ate at had full gluten free options and plenty of gluten free buns and bread. Getting off the ship was at times a total mess. Depending on who was working the bottom of the gangway we went from kindly and orderly process to rude and chaotic process. Getting back on was worse than going through TSA at the airport! Thought I'd have to strip once! The MDR chef for most of the dinners could not do gluten free. It was for the most part meringue of some kind. He once though made her a gluten free chocolate souffle that was to die for! But even when asked, never again. Seats around the ship with water views were VERY difficult to get. We would see people camped out in them for hours reading or on their phones. In the 7 days, we would try the crows nest multiple times each day and only twice were able to get seats together with a good view outside. We would see the same people every day camped out and switching who is there many times. We figured those were the inside cabin occupants. Luckily we could go to our cabin to enjoy the beautiful scenery! Without one, it would have been very disappointing. So in conclusion. Did we enjoy the cruise? Absolutely!! Would we sail again? Perhaps. If the price is right, if it's a bucket list we would. Otherwise probably not. And looking at the trend for getting less for more, it's unlikely to happen. -gregma

Thank you so much for the compliment! I truly appreciate it! -gregma

Unfortunately, couldn't edit. Wanted to mention the debarkation process. Oh my. They called us at 8am to begin, and we were waiting for our cab by 8:17. It was amazingly fast! -gregma

Last day! Will post a follow up later tonight or tomorrow about our thoughts overall. Last day was a sea day, so not a lot going on. In fact the only real thing we did was attend the watercolor painting class for my wife which she loved, and the magic classes which I attended which was phenomenal! Otherwise it was spent on our verandah, a bit in the crows nest when seats finally became available, and music trivia. We won last time with a perfect score, but were two point off the mark this time. We also watched the last dance show which was mediocre. Just not polished. I'm one for being out watching the outside world, the beautiful ocean as it mesmerizes you, wondering of the vastness of it all, being curious where that distant ship is headed, hoping to catch a glimpse of a whale or a mermaid. Being stuck inside seems to me to be such a waste! They say cruising is all about the ports, for me it's all about the wondrous glory outside of the ship! For others it's about being entertained 20 hours a day inside. Luckily you can have it either way! We are now back in Vancouver, have 10 hours before our train leaves, so planning on visiting the science center and people watch. -gregma

Day 6 - Ketchikan Well, this is our last port day, our last day of running the jewelry gauntlet! We booked a cruise and seafood banquet which was due to leave 15 minutes after we docked at 11am. No worries though! So far we had been on the dock 15 minutes to half an hour early. The day started as always with a wonderful breakfast in the pinnacle grill. My wife had her gluten free eggs benedict with stewed prunes on the side, and this morning I had the usual fruit plate with a ham and cheese grill but instead of salsa and sour cream, I had hollandaise sauce. YUMMMMM! Wish I discovered that the first day. The poached eggs, the bell peppers, ham, taters. It was a delicious combo. The up to our room to get the backpacks and camera ready and watch the ship dock. Bow lines and port bow spring lines were easily managed. The stern line proved to be more elusive. They finally got the lead line launched and actually on the dock on the fourth try. I could tell the captain was not too thrilled, poor guy. We headed down to deck two to wait for debarkation, only to be met by a lady who was very gruff at insisting everyone clear the deck and wait in public areas until the announcement was made. Yikes! The guys on each other ports of calls were very understanding and pleasant. About 10 minutes later a very nice gentleman came to get us and we breezed right off the ship and to our awaiting motor coach. Unfortunately, there were two very late comers so we were half an hour behind. It's ok though, they just adjusted everything from the on. We got to the dock to board our catamaran and did some nature spotting before arriving at the resort. Then took a half hour leisurely walk though the old growth forest leaning about the fauna. Of course for us, it was our back yard, so nothing new. Still beautiful! Then back to the lodge where we were put at large tables with 6 to 8 people at each and a HUGE pots of food was dumped in the middle. Oh my! Everything was delicious, the dungeness crab, shrimp, muscles, clams, andouille sausage, red potatoes, corn on the cob, garlic cloves, pearl onions. We were the only table to eat everything by far! Talking about being stuffed with yumminess! After a quick boat ride back, then a pleasant motorcoach ride back to the ship, it was time to brace jewelry alley and spend some time on creek street. We only had two hours before all aboard. We were the only ship left in port as both princess ships had departed earlier in the day. Creek street wasn't too far away, so off we went. As we approached, you could tell it was in the middle of spawning season. Those of you who have spent time next to streams with spawning salmon know the smell of dead and decaying fish. We got to the upper bridge and looked down at dozens and dozens of dead fish on the floor of the creek and others queuing up to make it further upstream. There were hundreds of salmon! Some battered and bruised still going up, some barely moving being carried downstream, some fresh and eager to get upstream. And amongst all of this was a seal. Having a wonderful time doing some chasing and then relaxing while posing for pictures. We stayed and watched for about an hour, then went back to town for some ice cream and hang out at the dock while our wives got the free stuff. About an hour after that we were up the gangplank past security, and into the room to drop everything off before getting to our dinner table about 25 minutes late. Dinner was great as always. My wife had prosciutto and an olive caponada. She loved the prosciutto, but didn't eat the caponada, way too sweet. It tasted like sweet pickle relish. Her main course was petite beef tender which was perfectly cooked medium rare. Desert was a baked Alaska and as a bonus for not having flourless chocolate cake, the chef prepared a special gluten free chocolate souffle! Yummie! I had French onion soup which I loved, salmon which was awesome as always, pear strudel which was ok. The it was right to the theater to watch the comedy magic show. This was an hour of awesome magic! Being in the front row, we both were a part of many of the magic parts. Some of the best entertainment of all!! We were both exhausted, so right to bed. -gregma

That sounds so much better! Wish I would have thought of that! -gregma

My wife thanks you so much! She just gave me a "Woohoo!!!" -gregma

Been there, done that! In fact quite recently. It makes for a uncomfortable time for sure! -gregma

I agree, you need to head back to Alaska! Tell hubby we said so. 😁 -gregma

I've seen that all over and it seems to be a growing trend. Unfortunately, I think now you only get two groups of people. Those who go over the top with yelling and threats and those who choose to just take what they get. I've always been to respectfully say something and if they still refuse I'll write a letter later and never return. There are restaurants to this day I won't step foot in because of events that happened even a decade or more. And I'm much more vocal to my friends about avoiding the place. When and if they eventually close, they will blame the economy or some such when it was more than likely poor service. I'll never get over the fact that two places can be close together, one flourishes, the other goes out of business. They will have lots of excuses, but those who tried the failing business knows it was because of rude staff, poor quality food, or a combination where the one that flourishes has stellar service and/or great quality! -gregma

That's a great idea! Unfortunately, with my 90d, that's only possible shooting in live view with the mirror locked up. I still prefer using the viewfinder. My wife also just said she prefers having quick cringes rather than putting in the SD cards to find 15000 pics all at once! Lol -gregma