Live Review of Ruby Princess Alaska August 16th through the 23rd.

[kunta67]

Food porn continued

 

Scallops/shrimp

 

Veal

 

Ice cream cake trio

 

 

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[kunta67]

Kent, how is the temperature inside the ship? The reason I ask is that last time we went on an Alaska cruise they keep the temperatures extremely warm inside the ship.

 

 

It's not bad, I feel like our room does get a bit warm but to help combat that we've been leaving the door open at night.

 

 

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[kunta67]

We leave this Saturday for our Alaska cruise on the Crown and I just looked and it appears the excursion is called "Animal Planet Exclusive: Bear Country & Wildlife Expedition", KTN-885.

 

Tour Overview:

Your small-group excursion begins as you board your motorcoach for a short drive to a private reserve.

 

Upon arriving, your guide/naturalist leads you along a trail through the heart of the rainforest, among tall stands of hemlock, spruce and Alaska cedar. This pristine environment is home to black bears, eagles, seals, a variety of birds, and many other species of wildlife attracted by the over 100,000 salmon that return each year to spawn.

 

Large concentrations of black bear gather to feed on the huge runs of spawning Pacific salmon in the stream running through the reserve. Bald eagles wait for scraps, mink and marten frequent the area, and seals can usually be seen feeding on the bountiful fish harvest.

 

Your search for wildlife takes over an elaborate elevated boardwalk system, including a suspension bridge and tree platforms overlooking the creek, and off-the-beaten-track areas, promising an exclusive opportunity to view bears at close range in a safe environment. Although wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, keep your camera ready for a myriad of photo opportunities.

 

At the trail's end, you'll see birds of prey close up, tour a historic sawmill and visit with a master Native carver crafting a totem pole before returning to the ship.

 

 

It's a great excursion!! I know they can't guarantee bears but if you're going next week and if they can still snack on salmon then you should be able to see them.

 

 

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[kunta67]

Whale watching - humpbacks bubble net feeding

 

https://vimeo.com/136797279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[kunta67]

Mendenhall Glacier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[ar1950]

Nice shots of the whales and Mendenhall glacier. Did you make it up Tracey Arm and get to see the glaciers there?

[kunta67]

Nice shots of the whales and Mendenhall glacier. Did you make it up Tracey Arm and get to see the glaciers there?

 

 

We didn't take too many pic of Tracy Arm and wished we took the AM boat trip up for a closer look but here are the pics we did get from our balcony of Tracy Arm...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[ar1950]

We didn't take too many pic of Tracy Arm and wished we took the AM boat trip up for a closer look but here are the pics we did get from our balcony of Tracy Arm.......

 

Great shots none the less. Thanks for posting them.

[Hav2cruise]

What is with the #12 on the side of the ship?

I have never seen that before

 

Tom

[sawtooth]

Looks like you are really enjoying your trip. We loved our Alaska cruise.

Did you plan all ship tours or try to book any on your own?

[Colo Cruiser]

[Colo Cruiser]

What is with the #12 on the side of the ship?

I have never seen that before

 

Tom

 

 

Seahawks Fan cruise.

[ar1950]

Seahawks Fan cruise.

 

It happened in June of this year.

http://www.seahawks.com/news/2015/04/28/seahawks-players-and-alumni-join-sail-12s-cruise

[kunta67]

Good morning from Skagway

 

 

 

 

 

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[CruzinNoony]

We leave this Saturday for our Alaska cruise on the Crown and I just looked and it appears the excursion is called "Animal Planet Exclusive: Bear Country & Wildlife Expedition", KTN-885.

 

Tour Overview:

Your small-group excursion begins as you board your motorcoach for a short drive to a private reserve.

 

Upon arriving, your guide/naturalist leads you along a trail through the heart of the rainforest, among tall stands of hemlock, spruce and Alaska cedar. This pristine environment is home to black bears, eagles, seals, a variety of birds, and many other species of wildlife attracted by the over 100,000 salmon that return each year to spawn.

 

Large concentrations of black bear gather to feed on the huge runs of spawning Pacific salmon in the stream running through the reserve. Bald eagles wait for scraps, mink and marten frequent the area, and seals can usually be seen feeding on the bountiful fish harvest.

 

Your search for wildlife takes over an elaborate elevated boardwalk system, including a suspension bridge and tree platforms overlooking the creek, and off-the-beaten-track areas, promising an exclusive opportunity to view bears at close range in a safe environment. Although wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, keep your camera ready for a myriad of photo opportunities.

 

At the trail's end, you'll see birds of prey close up, tour a historic sawmill and visit with a master Native carver crafting a totem pole before returning to the ship.

 

Thank you very much for posting this tour. We went on our Crown B2B in early July. Maybe too early for this tour. I may have to go again next year in August!!

[shredie]

I love Skagway. Great shot from the ship. It brings back memories.

[hpeabody]

Hi Kent, I am loving going along on the cruise with you two. Isn't Alaska great!

 

I booked the Ruby in September yesterday :) Is Billy Hygate the CD? Do you know the names of any of his cruise staff that do the games etc?

 

Please let me know if you get a chance

 

Thank You

[Colo Cruiser]

It happened in June of this year.

http://www.seahawks.com/news/2015/04/28/seahawks-players-and-alumni-join-sail-12s-cruise

 

 

Well its still there though. :confused:

Edited August 20, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[kunta67]

Here's some pictures from our trip up the White Pass Railway along with our gold panning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Colo Cruiser]

Loving the photos! :)

[vickie_bernie]

what a great live thread... and the pics are so good and i feel like i am right there.

 

you mentioned that your current cabin is smaller than on the Regal or Royal. That the cabin had a couch in it. Those are deluxe balcony cabins. which are a bit more expensive then the "normal" balcony cabins on the Royal/Regal.

 

The only cabins that have a couch in them on the ruby are mini suites and above.

 

I do find that the regular cabins have lots of storage though

[kunta67]

Here's more pictures I wasn't able to post while we were docked in Skagway.

 

U.S./Canada border

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited August 21, 2015 by kunta67

[kunta67]

what a great live thread... and the pics are so good and i feel like i am right there.

 

 

 

you mentioned that your current cabin is smaller than on the Regal or Royal. That the cabin had a couch in it. Those are deluxe balcony cabins. which are a bit more expensive then the "normal" balcony cabins on the Royal/Regal.

 

 

 

The only cabins that have a couch in them on the ruby are mini suites and above.

 

 

 

I do find that the regular cabins have lots of storage though

 

 

That's good to know for the future. My comparison was more between Princess and RCI. The food by far has been better on Princess, but there's some other little things we like better on RCI. My wife and I are debating if we should do the future cruise deposit program and give Regal or Royal Princess a shot.

 

 

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[kunta67]

For the first time in my life, I actually had high tea! Always wanted to try it at a fancy hotel like the plaza, savoy, etc. However we figured we'd give it a shot with the origins of Princess being a British line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[caribill]

That's good to know for the future. My comparison was more between Princess and RCI. The food by far has been better on Princess, but there's some other little things we like better on RCI. My wife and I are debating if we should do the future cruise deposit program and give Regal or Royal Princess a shot.

 

 

 

Sure you should each get at least one FCD.

 

If you decide not to use it or if two years elapse, the money is refunded to you. (Unlike with RCI where it is never refundable.) All you lose if you do not use it for the two years is the interest you could have earned on each $100 for two years which at current interest rates is about 10 cents a year.