*ICE + FIRE* ms Statendam in ALASKA with pre in Las Vegas - Summer 2013 Trip review

[fireflies]

Did the usually roaming to work off some calories. One place we liked to stop at was Explorations Cafe.

 

Can order a hot drink for a nominal amount and then catch up on reading or flip through a decent selection of current magazines. Some photos from the first couple of days.

 

 

Clever idea with the erasable marker board.

 

Stocked and organized. Checkouts and book drops, good that there are librarians on HAL.

 

Too bad I can't play.

[fireflies]

DAY 1 Formal Dinner

 

We got dressed and headed to the Rotterdam early since we prefer a quieter atmosphere. We were seated quickly with no real waiting.

Everyone followed the suit or jacket dress code, only saw one gentleman without a tie. I mentioned earlier about the gender ratio on board and bring it up again saying that the lone female in the MDR was a wine sommelier.

Experienced HALers may be used to it but for us newbies it was a noticeable difference.

 

Captain's Gala Dinner:

 

Prosciutto, Genoa Salami, Melon and Figs

 

French Onion Soup "Les Hailles" From the Available Daily menu. Was hoping for a more burnt caked on spilling over the rim look. Tasted quite average.

 

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

 

Heart of Romaine Lettuce Nicoise

[fireflies]

Fillet of Beef Wellington. This one needs some work if you eat with your eyes. The puff pastry wasn't puffed at all.

 

Rack of Lamb with Tomato Couscous and Garlic Pearls. I wanted to try HAL's lamb but found it lacking. No intense flavour to the lamb and the other components didn't really add to the dish.

 

We weren't hungry for dessert again but I took our server's suggestion and had the daily Fruit (Blueberry) Crumble. Simple but fine.

 

DAILY VERDICT: Disappointing mains. Not a good sign when the best dish is a cold assembled appetizer. A miss, for a formal/gala dinner an even bigger miss.

[fireflies]

Some fresh air after dinner. The Sea View pool on the Navigation deck (Deck 10). The wooden flooring makes the pool "pop" more in photos I think.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 1 in the books. Hopefully back on Thursday for Glacier Bay ;)

[lstrong]

Wow, great pictures! Quick question - is the Sea View Pool on the same floor as the Lido?

[RuthC]

Quick question - is the Sea View Pool on the same floor as the Lido?

No. It's down one deck on Navigation Deck on this ship.

[JamesEM]

Thanks for sharing.

[ralf]

Hi Fireflies,

 

thank you for your review on your ms statendam cruise !

 

I read it with pleasure,

as we'll be on the ms statendam next september ( from Vancouver via Hawaii and french polynesia to san diego ).

 

And your food pictures are a delight !

 

A question,

some time ago, I read on cruisecritc that on the eurodam/nieuw amsterdam,

HAL offered an " all-in drink package , limited to 15 drinks/day " for 39,95$/day, only offered the 1° and 2° day of the cruise and to be taken for the whole cruise.

Did the ms statendam offered this drink package on your cruise ?

 

Thank you for your help !

 

kind regards,

ralf,

BELGIUM

[SilvertoGold]

Hi Fireflies,

 

thank you for your review on your ms statendam cruise !

 

I read it with pleasure,

as we'll be on the ms statendam next september ( from Vancouver via Hawaii and french polynesia to san diego ).

 

And your food pictures are a delight !

 

A question,

some time ago, I read on cruisecritc that on the eurodam/nieuw amsterdam,

HAL offered an " all-in drink package , limited to 15 drinks/day " for 39,95$/day, only offered the 1° and 2° day of the cruise and to be taken for the whole cruise.

Did the ms statendam offered this drink package on your cruise ?

 

Thank you for your help !

 

kind regards,

ralf,

BELGIUM

 

Not sure about the drink package, but I have to say that the Tahiti cruise from Vancouver is the BEST! We loved this cruise and hope you have a really super time!!

[fireflies]

hi, :D friday

 

Wow, great pictures! Quick question - is the Sea View Pool on the same floor as the Lido?

 

As RuthC mentioned it is below the Lido. In this photo the side stairs lead up to the lido deck. The glittering doors doors open up into the Lido.

 

 

 

Hi ralf. I looked over the first daily handouts (called On Location) on HAL and didn't see anything about an all day drink package. Alaska is pretty quiet so can understand why they might not offer up north.

They did have the usual wine and cocktail class tastings and a local craft beer promotion though. I'm crazy jealous, your trip sounds epic and can imagine the incredible ports!

[fireflies]

DAY 2: SCENIC CRUISING GLACIER BAY

 

Today's Forecast: Partly Cloudy / 58 F / 14 C

Tonight's Movie: Promised Land

 

So today was the big attraction, cruising the serene waters of Glacier Bay. I don't always take the camera when I leave the room and wouldn't you know it as I stepped outside to check the weather I see whales. It was around 9 and some whales were on the starboard side of the ship. Even though there's no digital proof, I am happy I saw them. Channeling my inner Confucius maybe it's a better memory that way.

 

The bow of the ship was opened so we walked up to the area. There was the famous Pea soup being offered. I'm not a big pea soup person, it's not something I have very often but gave it a try. It was pretty good, like I would imagine it to taste so a good way to kick off the day.

 

 

After a few minutes we walked up to the higher viewing area to get some people photos.

 

 

The colour of the bay was incredible with lovely reflections.

 

The Park Rangers were already on board and had begun their announcements. It's a little hard to hear through the outdoor loudspeaker at times but it was useful commentary detailing the gorgeous sights.

 

Passing our first glacier of the day, Reid Glacier.

 

[fireflies]

Salmon Time

 

Up on the Lido deck was the outdoor Salmon Bake. There were a few other buffet items mixed in like shellfish but the visual star was the grilled salmon. I'd say I think the bake is hit and miss with mine being mostly a miss. Of course, try to get one fresh off the grill. We didn't do another Salmon Bake in Alaska, the only bake I want to try is a clam bake on the bake on the beach.

 

 

We found a spot on the port side on deck 6 and started snapping photos again.

 

The Westerdam sailed into view

 

And then out of view passing by Lamplugh Glacier

 

 

First views of Margerie Glacier

[fireflies]

Before signing off the Park Ranger announced a seal was drifting by as we neared our parking spot in front of Margerie Glacier

 

The jagged and twisted glacier.

 

Like a frozen waterfall

 

Aftermath of some calving.

 

 

 

The Statendam hit the pause button for 45 minutes as everyone admired the glacier. It is an awe inspiring spectacular sight. Impossible to capture the immensity of the glacier and sounds of echoing calving, just one of those sights you really have to see in person

[fireflies]

Wanted to see what the starboard side was like so we crossed over to find this.

 

 

As the ship began to pivot the water swirls started, attracting sea gulls hoping for catch of the day.

 

Our stomachs started speaking so we stepped down for the Indonesian afternoon tea. It was busy as we talked with people while waiting.

We always found other passengers very friendly and easy to talk with. Today we sat with a pair of nice cruisers.

 

Light plate with crepe and coconut glutinous bites. We also had scones with jam and cream. It was whipped cream, not as good as a heavier traditional cream.

 

The golden dining experience.

 

[fireflies]

A last look as we exited Glacier Bay.

 

Lamplugh Glacier

 

 

[fireflies]

DAY 2 Casual Dinner

 

 

Grilled Duck Salad with Dried Sour Cherries. I wasn't interested in any of the starters so had an entree to begin. Too much vinaigrette.

 

Brasied Veal Cheeks with Paremesan Polenta. Well braised and the polenta was smooth.

 

Chocolate cake? Can't go wrong.

 

DAILY VERDICT: Proteins were good, compliments and sides worked well so overall a thumbs up.

[fireflies]

Back to the bow again after dinner as the wind picked up and it started to lightly rain.

 

 

 

 

Alaska can be cool, just need to bring gloves and dress in layers.

 

 

Day 2 in the books. Thanks again for the posts and kind comments. It's nice to read between picture posts. A little busy at the moment so I'm not sure when the next set will likely be.

[RedHeadTexan]

Thanks to you my family and friends will be going nuts with my excitement for the next month. :D Your pictures are gorgeous and are making me super psyched about doing this cruise.

 

Lisa (Walt will get the full impact of my giddiness soon):eek:

[Guest fyree39]

Your photos speak volumes of the ship, the trip and your photography skills. Thank you again for a very enjoyable review.

[Typhoon1]

Exceptional pics, thanks for taking us along.

[erewhon]

Super review and photos.

Great photo of the seal on the iceberg.

Thank you.

[JamesEM]

Once again thanks for the great photos of the sights and food.

[LVSue]

This is such a fabulous trip report! Believe me, in Las Vegas, I'm delighting in the pictures of "ice" because I'm in permanent fire! But we will be doing the end-of-season Statendam RT, and I'm assuming some of the things will be the same.

 

Was Day 2 Juneau, because if we have the same menu, I think we'll be happy to follow our plans of whale watching with Cap'n Lar (Orca) and dinner at Twisted Fish.

 

Keep it coming, and thanks for all the pix--they're great!

[sunviking90]

Thank you for sharing your report with us. Your photos are fantastic!

[mudscraper]

Excellent review. Wonderful photos. Thank you.