Star Princess North to Alaska! Sept 10 2016

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

 

We flew over this rock 5 years ago on the Misty Fjords Float Plane excursion run by Island Wings so it was nice to see it up close. I think it may have one Starbucks on the side away from the boat. Not sure. Don't quote me.

 

[donswife]

We didn't see very many eagles this year on our Alaska cruise. We saw quite a few 2 years ago, when we went in June, especially in Sitka.

 

On the subject of eagles, but not Alaska, we had a lot of eagles every February in Minden/Gardnerville, NV during calving season. Not a lot of trees there, so there were perches for them along the highways.

[Bimmer09]

A few miles on and now we are in the Fjords with their steep walls (up to 3,000 feet) plunging into the sea. Gouged by the glaciers of the Ice Age. The boat slowed way down so the guide could talk about what we were seeing (rocks and trees in a nutshell)

 

 

 

Broken tree debris

 

 

 

We are being watched by 3 non-eagles, the category of birds we are mostly seeing.Will we ever see some eagles? I asked myself. There was no reply as I am not a good listener.

 

 

Bye-bye birdie!

 

[Bimmer09]

We didn't see very many eagles this year on our Alaska cruise. We saw quite a few 2 years ago, when we went in June, especially in Sitka.

 

On the subject of eagles, but not Alaska, we had a lot of eagles every February in Minden/Gardnerville, NV during calving season. Not a lot of trees there, so there were perches for them along the highways.

 

Great info-especially that perches were provided for them. I like to see us (humans) doing considerate things for animals

 

Glad you are still following along.

 

I have had a busy weekend away from the computer-out at work for 11 hours each day and then a turnaround at home to go see theater-last night it was the amazing musical Hamilton and a late dinner (10.30 to midnight) and tonight the first night of the Opera season (October to April).

 

I have a day off Monday though and hope to write more fully to move this along.

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

[Bubba54]

Hi Norris,

Just found your review. Just wanted to say very enjoyable read, absolutely stunning photography. Thanks for sharing.

[perfect match]

Norris, the Misty Fjords pictures are beautiful! I think when I manage to get DH to agree to an Alaska cruise, I'm going to have to get myself a better camera! That excursion you took is one that would motivate even this night owl to plan an early morning! :eek:

[Bimmer09]

Hi Norris,

Just found your review. Just wanted to say very enjoyable read, absolutely stunning photography. Thanks for sharing.

 

Welcome Bubba and thanks for the compliments!

 

Happy to have you following along.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

The most predominant tree here is the Hemlock but there's also Alder and Spruce. Moss is the foundation due to the dampness.

Edited October 2, 2016 by Bimmer09

[Beachiekeen]

Loving your report and love seeing pictures of this excursion. My in-laws do not want to do a float plane so we are looking at a similar excursion. I had read complaints that the boat was too fast, hard to take pictures, and not much to see so this helps immensely. Can't wait for the rest of your adventure!

[princess-mommy]

Thank you for posting these beautiful pictures of your journey and of this beautiful ship. We will be on the Star in December.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Bimmer09]

Thank you for posting these beautiful pictures of your journey and of this beautiful ship. We will be on the Star in December.

 

And thank you for reading it!

 

Lots more Star coming up soon/ eventually.

 

Thanks for joining us here!

 

Norris

 

[Bimmer09]

Loving your report and love seeing pictures of this excursion. My in-laws do not want to do a float plane so we are looking at a similar excursion. I had read complaints that the boat was too fast, hard to take pictures, and not much to see so this helps immensely. Can't wait for the rest of your adventure!

 

You haven't seen the boat go fast yet-but you will.

 

We did the float planes-see my Coral Princess review for a video from the plane.

It's stunning from the air. I love planes and helicopters but you can't get close nor smell the pine and the mist. The air out there where there are no people is intoxicating. I will have a video of our boat trip after the photos.

 

I took all the photos standing up and many of them with a heavy zoom lens while the boat was going over 30 mph-way way faster than a cruiseship. I didn't have one blurry shot (you'll see!). Just plant your feet and lean against the boat.

 

Yes you can say there is not much to see-it's rocks and trees and water but you could say the same about Rome- it's just a bunch of old buildings and some paintings....but if you like those things, you are in Heaven. We live in a world of television and phones and comfy couches and fewer people get off the couches and get touched by the natural world than they used to.

 

Alaska, outside of the small radius of the towns, is as much natural world as you could wish for.

 

Keep reading....

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Look at that Blue I said to Carol as we came across this valley carved from the rock.

 

 

 

 

I just love the atmosphere mist lends to a photo. Such a soft light.

 

Steep rock walls and we are maybe 10 feet from them. A round of applause for the Moss!!

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

The boat has slowed so we can enjoy the proximity of the fjord walls and smell the trees. Another cup of hot chocolate and maybe a Danish? Why, yes I'd love one! Many people from the deck below have come up to commune with Nature having looked at it through glass until now. We are no fools.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[perfect match]

You haven't seen the boat go fast yet-but you will.

 

We did the float planes-see my Coral Princess review for a video from the plane.

It's stunning from the air. I love planes and helicopters but you can't get close nor smell the pine and the mist. The air out there where there are no people is intoxicating. I will have a video of our boat trip after the photos.

 

I took all the photos standing up and many of them with a heavy zoom lens while the boat was going over 30 mph-way way faster than a cruiseship. I didn't have one blurry shot (you'll see!). Just plant your feet and lean against the boat.

 

Yes you can say there is not much to see-it's rocks and trees and water but you could say the same about Rome- it's just a bunch of old buildings and some paintings....but if you like those things, you are in Heaven. We live in a world of television and phones and comfy couches and fewer people get off the couches and get touched by the natural world than they used to.

 

Alaska, outside of the small radius of the towns, is as much natural world as you could wish for.

 

Keep reading....

 

Norris

 

Norris, what you said here - this is exactly why I want to go to Alaska!

 

Those blues you pointed out to Carol are beautiful in your pictures. I will bet they are even more beautiful in person. I wish there was a way to include the smell of the air in your review. :D

 

I can't wait to go onthe rest of this journey!

[IECalCruiser]

Steep rock walls and we are maybe 10 feet from them. A round of applause for the Moss!

Norris, I'm lichen your photos of the moss ;)

[Bimmer09]

Norris, what you said here - this is exactly why I want to go to Alaska!

 

Those blues you pointed out to Carol are beautiful in your pictures. I will bet they are even more beautiful in person. I wish there was a way to include the smell of the air in your review. :D

 

I can't wait to go onthe rest of this journey!

 

Nancy, all the excursions on this trip were chosen by Carol.

 

On our first Alaska visit on the Coral we went all-out on the excursions, trying to cover as much turf as we could:Skagway we took the tour out to Bennett Lake in Canada and went kayaking then the White Pass train back to town. Juneau we took an Era helicopter and landed on Taku Glacier and half an hour after the tour ended we were in a Harv n Marv van on our way to Auke Bay for whale watching. Ketchikan the Misty Fjords float plane with Island Wings.

 

On the second cruise a year later on the Diamond I chose the excursions and decided to keep us close to the ground without air travel so Ketchikan was bear watching in the rainforest (where they also have a zip line). Juneau was Harv n Marv again. Skagway was a trip to Haines and onto the Chilkat river in a boat to look for eagles followed by grilling our own hotdogs over an alderwood fire.

 

So much variety to choose from when getting off the ship in these ports.

 

We've had rain but it's always been soft misty drizzle and not a hard steady rain.

 

We've had beautiful warm sunny days.

 

It's all good and we haven't even done the Ultimate yet- a cruise tour before or after the ship. So much to do and see in Alaska so we will always have a reason to return.

 

I'm glad you are in for the long haul, as always.

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Norris, I'm lichen your photos of the moss ;)

 

Puns are welcome!

 

Moss is the beginning of life in Alaska when these rocks have been stripped of their trees by rock falls. Tree seeds blown by the winds arrive and according to our guide in 40 years you have a stand of trees again.

 

Nature is wonderful.

 

I am off work today so hope to advance the tale with all due speed.

 

Glad to have you on board for the duration!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

This is what 30 knots looks like. The Captain wants to take us to Noona Lake where there may be a chance to see eagles.

 

 

 

Unlike in the fjord there is a beach area between the trees and the water.

 

 

 

I scour the trees

 

 

There's one!! Halfway up the photo, in the center.

 

[Bimmer09]

 

 

We want to see him fly so we all start hurling Danish pastries at him. One guy lifted the hot chocolate urn to toss but I restrained him as it was necessary for my survival.

 

Again, he/she is at the center of the shot flying left to right

 

 

 

 

[AF-1]

I am amazed and thankful for your in depth review and pictorial content. I read your review last year from Rome and the med. This is so awesome. I am going to Alaska on Emerald next year; it will be my first cruise to Alaska; so your pictorial review helps me see up front and close what to expect. I subscribed to your you tube channel; which allows me to watch the video's. Thanks for taking the time to post such a wonderful review. Cheers

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cropped that photo (poorly as it was my first crop) to get the bird larger in the frame.

 

 

[Bimmer09]

At this point I have a dilemma. Keep photographing the eagle or check into Facebook to watch some cat videos or pics of Celebrity Botox treatments gone wrong?

 

I hold onto the camera

 

 

 

Note to self-Norris, maybe you do need that 400mm lens after all!

 

 

 

It lands again

 

 

[Bimmer09]

 

 

 

Two eagles in one shot!

 

 

We have to turn back now to retrace our steps.

[ccv]

At this point I have a dilemma. Keep photographing the eagle or check into Facebook to watch some cat videos or pics of Celebrity Botox treatments gone wrong?

 

I hold onto the camera

 

 

 

Note to self-Norris, maybe you do need that 400mm lens after all!

 

 

 

It lands again

 

 

 

 

Forget about Facebook. Love the pictures. Just keep taking pictures.