Southbound Millennium Cruise and Excursions Photo Review

[Aquahound]

At this point, 7 miles from the glacier, we had to stop. The ice got too thick.

 

 

 

We still had a decent view of the glacier though, and the Captain kept us there as long as he could. The ice prevented the ship from spinning much, so you really had to be outside to get a good view.

 

[Aquahound]

On Sunday, we pulled into Juneau. The birds must get fed often here because while I was eating breakfast on my balcony, this little guy joined me.

 

 

And this is me yelling at him when he tried to get too close.

 

[Aquahound]

In Juneau, we did a hike to the Mendenhall Glacier. It was about an hour hike through the woods and we ended at the glacier.

 

 

 

[Aquahound]

Some folks kayaked to the glacier.

 

[Lois R]

In Juneau, we did a hike to the Mendenhall Glacier. It was about an hour hike through the woods and we ended at the glacier.

 

 

 

 

OMG....I knew I missed Alaska...now I really know it. I need to go

back and am looking at 2014......this picture is AWESOME:)

[Aquahound]

The flat calm seas at night after leaving Juneau and with it starting to get a little more dark at night, the evenings were absolutely gorgeous.

 

 

 

[Aquahound]

I'll use this break between ports to report a room problem. Not my room, but a room belonging to someone else in our travel party. If you book interiors, stay away from 9187 or any other room in a similar position on the deck plans. It is right next to a room service kitchen. I got a look at the space and it is an all stainless room and appears to be a full stocked kitchen. There is constant activity in there and the loud banging kept them up all night.

 

When they complained about the room, Guest services told them they are always having to move people out of it. Seems to me they should fix the problem, but their failure to do so worked in my friends' benefit. GS was gracious enough to upgrade them to a balcony on deck 6. I think this made up for it nicely and my friends were very happy with the unexpected upgrade.

[drarill]

I'll use this break between ports to report a room problem. Not my room, but a room belonging to someone else in our travel party. If you book interiors, stay away from 9187 or any other room in a similar position on the deck plans. It is right next to a room service kitchen. I got a look at the space and it is an all stainless room and appears to be a full stocked kitchen. There is constant activity in there and the loud banging kept them up all night.

 

When they complained about the room, Guest services told them they are always having to move people out of it. Seems to me they should fix the problem, but their failure to do so worked in my friends' benefit. GS was gracious enough to upgrade them to a balcony on deck 6. I think this made up for it nicely and my friends were very happy with the unexpected upgrade.

Great pictures and review!!!! Glad everything worked out for your friends!!!

[Aquahound]

On Tuesday, we were in Skagway, where we did an awesome tour. We rode the train up to White Pass:

 

 

 

[Aquahound]

We got off the train after clearing Canadian Customs and boarded our bicycles for the 15 mile trip back down. We hit 30 mph on the bikes and it was a serious adrenaline rush. I didn't get any pictures on the bikes, but the views are awesome.

 

 

The company that ran the excursion was called Sockeye Cycles. The guides could not have been any more friendly and personable. We loved this excursion and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for some action in their tour. We crossed the border again and had to clear U.S. Customs on the way down. It felt odd doing it on a bicycle. By the way, you MUST have a passport to do this excursion. The tour company mandates it.

Edited June 25, 2013 by Aquahound

[Aquahound]

I loved the town of Skagway. It was like stepping back 100 years in time. That is, except for the Diamonds International that found its way to Alaska. :rolleyes:

 

 

I couldn't leave Skagway without visiting the Red Onion brothel. :D

 

 

By the way, it hit 85 degrees in Skagway that day. The locals were miserable and frankly (gasp), I didn't like it either. I love hot weather, but it sorta takes away from the Alaskan experience when it's that hot.

[Despegue]

Hi,

 

The nighttable lamps are not rusty, it is their design...:)

To be honest, I am also not a fan of them.

[Aquahound]

Rhapsody of the Seas joined us in Skagway.

 

 

 

[Aquahound]

Hi,

 

The nighttable lamps are not rusty, it is their design...:)

To be honest, I am also not a fan of them.

 

Really? They're designed that way? :eek: Thanks. I did not know that. No, I do not like them either. It's kinda dirty looking.

[Aquahound]

We were also joined by the HAL Amsterdam in Skagway.

 

[Aquahound]

I'm taking a step back for just a second because I forgot this. These other ships, Silver Shadow, Coral Princess, and Rhapsody of the Seas joined us in Juneau.

 

 

[Aquahound]

Next was Icy Straight Point and one of the most amazing days I ever had. Folks, if you want to do a whale watching tour, look for a private tour. We booked Misty Bay Whale Watching for almost the same price per person as the cruise ship excursions, it was an hour longer, and it was only the 6 of us on the boat.

 

This is the Misty Bay. There was plenty of room inside, a head, and a viewing platform above the wheel house.

 

 

The boat made over 30 knots, so we blew away all the large capacity tour boats on the way out.

 

[Aquahound]

On the way out to the whales, we had this great shot of the USCG. It was surreal though, because I learned they were searching for a missing fisherman who went overboard the previous day.

 

[Aquahound]

Then the fins appeared of a family of Orca whales.

 

 

Then I just happened to have my camera at the ready when this beast did a full breach. This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

 

 

[Aquahound]

And then, as we sat there, they turned and swam right for us.

 

 

This big guy went right under our boat and sprayed me as I was taking his picture.

 

 

This picture speaks for itself. Words cannot describe how awesome this was.

[Aquahound]

Oh yeah, and we saw Humpbacks also.

 

 

 

This picture doesn't do this justice because I was a couple seconds late taking it and they were a lot closer than they look. These 2 Humpbacks breached right next to us. The very loud sound from their blowholes was mind blowing.

 

[Aquahound]

The icing on the cake was seeing this Brown Bear cub on the beach as we were returning.

 

 

 

[Aquahound]

Here is the Millennium anchored at Icy Straight Point.

 

 

 

[Aquahound]

Later in the day, Celebrity Century joined us at Icy Straight Point.

 

[Aquahound]

Before I go on, I'll use this opportunity to give kudos to the Captains Club and to the host, Graehm (sp?) from Zimbabwe. The guy was very visible and very friendly.

 

We took advantage of the nightly cocktail hour in Michael's Club. I can't speak for the early evenings because we avoided the early crowds by going at 6. But from 6 on, everyone was very courteous and very well behaved. There were many tables open. The servers were personable. We enjoyed this experience very much. Thank you Captains Club! :)