Live from the Maasdam-14 night Alaska

[maureencruiser]

I liked how the pier looked.

 

 

 

 

 

I have arrived.

 

 

 

 

 

There was a museum there, it was very interesting. They were restoring this totem pole.

 

[maureencruiser]

The ISP Walgreens! I wonder if I can transfer?

 

 

 

 

I made my wish to return to Alaska.

 

 

Back on board, I attended the Cupcake Tea. I thought it would be a light snack to hold me over till dinner. Boy, was I wrong!

 

 

The view as we sailed away.

 

[maureencruiser]

I attended Martini Madness. $3 for a martini, I thought I could sample many different kinds. Wrong again! You could have a vodka martini, a gin martini or a Lemon Drop. The first two sounded very adult, so, I had a Lemon Drop.

 

 

Where there's a will, there's a way.

 

 

It even stumped the bartender, he had to look up how to make a few of them.

 

 

The final result, pure deliciousness.

 

 

While I was enjoying my martinis, a trivia game sprung up around me, so, I joined in. We lost. :(

 

 

Later that night, I ventured into the casino. I like the poker video games. I consider it a fun way to kill an hour or so and it only costs about $20. I know you're not supposed to take pictures in a casino, but, I couldn't help myself. Look what happened when I held only the King of Spades. Lucky!

 

 

 

After that, it was off to bed.

[maureencruiser]

Sunday was a sea day, which for me means a sleep late, work on your review day.

 

But, when you look out your window and see this, you grab your camera and run.

 

 

So, I threw my raincoat on over my nightshirt and ran outside barefoot.

 

 

As the door was 1/2 inch from closing, I realized I didn't have my keycard.

 

Thank goodness I realized it, can't you just see me up at Guest Services?

 

I needn't have worried though, when I got back to my cabin, I had left the door wide open, just swinging in the breeze. Good thing I live in a nice neighborhood.

 

It was worth it though.

 

[maureencruiser]

Since it was a sea day, I tried the MDR for lunch.

 

 

I had the Summer Fruit Salad.

 

 

The Grilled Cobia.

 

 

And, the Lemon Tart.

 

 

Today ended up being a rainy, dreary day. We were all glad it happened while we were at sea. Would our good weather luck continue on to Anchorage?

 

I spent most of the day resting and working on my review.

 

I've heard of bathtub gin, but, this is ridiculous!

 

 

Since I had my wine to drink, I ordered a cheese plate from room service.

 

 

 

They said it would take 35 minutes, it was here in 10.

 

On a related note, all the laundry I have been sending out has come back in a few hours, not the next day as promised. I know we're not at full capacity, but, I don't know how many of us there are.

 

On a side note, since we got to Ketchikan, people have been seeing the Northern Lights. They are usually out around 11 to 12. Since I'm usually out at 8:30, I have only heard about them. Even the shuttle drivers, etc in the ports are buzzing about them. Leave it to me to sleep through a natural phenomena.

[erewhon]

Wonderful photos.

At the Cupcake Tea, did the waiters bring trays of the available foods for you to choose from?

[Krazy Kruizers]

great report and pictures.

[AV8rix]

On a side note, since we got to Ketchikan, people have been seeing the Northern Lights. They are usually out around 11 to 12. Since I'm usually out at 8:30, I have only heard about them. Even the shuttle drivers, etc in the ports are buzzing about them. Leave it to me to sleep through a natural phenomena.

 

Wow! I'm on after you return. Hope the lights stay there for me. Like you, I'm usually early to bed but if there's a chance that the lights will be present might sign up for late seating in MDR this trip.

 

And I can't believe you're just using an automatic point-and-shoot. Your pictures are amazing!!

[RuthC]

I am so enjoying your pictures; they are making me want to book another cruise to Alaska next year.

Thank you so much for the continued views. That snow on the mountains looks so good right now! :D

[AtlantaCruiser72]

I have been debating between doing a cruise tour and one of the 14 night round trip itineraries for 2018, and your fabulous review is only making my decision more difficult - THANKS :o LOL

[denatravels]

I have been debating between doing a cruise tour and one of the 14 night round trip itineraries for 2018, and your fabulous review is only making my decision more difficult - THANKS :o LOL

 

 

You really miss out not doing Denali, IMHO.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Setting sail for fun]

Maureen, you really should be doing this for a living. A travel blog or something......so entertaining.

[maureencruiser]

Wonderful photos.

At the Cupcake Tea, did the waiters bring trays of the available foods for you to choose from?

 

Yes, in other words, I chose each item you see on my plate. :o:o

 

Maureen, you really should be doing this for a living. A travel blog or something......so entertaining.

 

From your mouth to God's ear! But, working at Walgreens is so much more entertaining than cruising! :eek::eek:

[maureencruiser]

Monday

 

Monday was Anchorage day.

 

I knew I had a long day ahead of me, so, I started my day with a skillet full of mushrooms.

 

 

 

Eww, gross. I better ease into my day with an omelet instead.

 

 

These people have the right idea, have a little fun with your door. Or, maybe they were trying to smuggle a live starfish into the country.

 

 

Wow, HAL really takes their window washing seriously.

 

 

I have no idea what this was all about, but, I liked it. A hallway full of soda!

 

[maureencruiser]

I had a tour in the afternoon, so I headed off to town in the morning to see what was going on.

 

My first otter! I love otters! I had my picture taken with this one.

 

 

 

 

Anchorage seemed like a cool town.

 

 

 

I love this moose! The Fred Astaire of mooses.

 

 

The tourism center.

 

 

My moose again. 2016- Year of Adventure! I like it!

 

[maureencruiser]

Me and my moose.

 

 

Look out, everyone, it's a bear!

 

 

Don't worry, I'll fight him for you.

 

 

All's well that ends well.

 

 

 

Anchorage is full of bears.

 

 

 

So much so that I bought a 10 piece Bear Nativity set. I love it. I wish I could set it up in my room. I have no idea how I'm going to get it home, but, when I do, I wil post it so you can see how adorable it is.

[maureencruiser]

One of the things I knew I wanted to see was the statue of the Sled Dog.

 

The only problem was I appeared to be the only person in Anchorage who knew there was such a thing. I asked at every store, every street vendor. I told them it's at the place where they start the Iditarod. Blank stares. One man told me, I've lived here 40 years, if there was a statue of a dog, I would know about it.

 

Well, dude, I've been in town 40 minutes and I found it.

 

 

 

 

Fun with the sled dog.

 

 

Time to head back to the ship to meet my tour. I'd like to come back to Anchorage when I have more time.

 

 

 

Reefer Plus! Isn't that what ̶w̶e̶ they had back in Seattle? :D:D

[maureencruiser]

My tour was to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Portage Glacier.

 

They take in injured and abandoned animals.

 

 

 

 

Pretty bear.

 

 

He looks like a dog, laying like that.

 

 

 

Did someone call me a dog?

 

 

 

It was a cold, dreary, rainy day.

 

 

 

 

 

There were all sorts of interesting creatures there.

[maureencruiser]

 

 

 

It's a fox in a box!

 

 

 

[maureencruiser]

Your intrepid reporter is starting to realize she spent a lot of money to be this miserable.

 

 

Some strange creatures.

 

 

 

Very strange indeed.

 

 

As we were leaving, the baby bear Kobuck, scampered up a tree. I guess he wanted to watch us leave.

 

 

[maureencruiser]

Off we went to Portage Lake for a cruise on the Ptarmigan to Portage Glacier.

 

We were already cold and wet from walking about the Conservation Center.

 

What would really make our day as we headed out to a glacier?

 

A good, stiff breeze, of course.

 

 

Your intreped reporter, feeling more trepid as the temperature drops. :D

 

 

 

 

The blue in the glacier was amazing, photos cannot do it justice.

 

 

It was huge.

 

Your intrepid reporter, realizing for about 1/10 of the price, she could be sitting on the beach at Nachi Cocum sipping a Margarita right now.

 

[maureencruiser]

As we were leaving, this hiker waved goodbye. Or, maybe he was waving for help? Oh well, if you're looking for this young man, here he is.

 

 

Even the HAL busses are pretty.

 

 

As we were returning to the ship, the sun decided to show her face and we saw a glimpse of blue sky.

 

 

 

 

 

Hey, check that out! Oh,no, never mind, I thought it said Glacier Wino.

[Yorkvillain]

Reefer Plus! Isn't that what ̶w̶e̶ they had back in Seattle? :D:D

 

 

Haha! Oh man.

[A&L_Ont]

Haha! Oh man.

 

Reefer Plus, isn't that the official supplier of Jamaica reefer? You know, refrigerated container supplier.:D

Edited September 9, 2016 by A&L_Ont

[Setting sail for fun]

OK, now I remember, why I have never taken a cruise to Alaska. The COLD weather! Although, I think I want to go at least once after seeing your photos.

 

What is Holland America like? We have only sailed on RC.