Quantum May 9, 2022 7 Nights Alaska Not Very Live

[twangster]

I like to move around and experience these moments from different areas of the ship like down here on deck 5.

 

Having been here a few times before I know this to be our path forward but...  

 

 

There are several large ice flows in the middle of our path.

 

 

We hung around for a bit but the ice wasn't moving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With our path blocked by the ice flows this will be as far as we go on this day.

 

 

 

 

 

After a few turns and hanging around for a bit we began our return down Endicott Arm.

 

 

[twangster]

Our way back down the arm was as scenic and beautiful as it was coming up.

 

 

There was a lot of ice on this occasion, more than I've seen on other trips here.  I had noted that earlier but was hopeful it wouldn't impact us today.  That's the way it goes.  When the glacier has been actively calving there is more ice and sometimes that means ships can't go all the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waterfalls carrying snow melt down to the arm.

 

 

As we approached the entrance off the Inside passage a HAL ship was starting her trip into Tracy Arm next door.

 

 

Once back in the Inside Passage I could see a similar shape sailing away from us.  Serenade of the Seas had been in Tracy Arm and was making her way South.

 

 

At least we'll get to Juneau early and get a few extra hours in port.  Along the way the Inside Passage is beautiful.

 

 

From my balcony:

 

[twangster]

On glacier days they have a shop setup on the pool deck selling Alaska related essentials.

 

 

 

 

Breakfast in Coastal Kitchen with amazing views.  The Windjammer also has floor to ceiling glass.

 

 

 

Often I see people talking about all the glass on Radiance class yet Quantum class has Radiance class beat for floor to ceiling glass walls like here in the indoor family pool area.  All of deck 14 is pretty much lined with glass walls.

 

 

[twangster]

 

 

We are chasing another HAL ship into Juneau.

 

 

 

Great weather today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think this might be the Taku glacier in the distance.  There are five glaciers in this area so if it isn't Taku it's one of the glaciers in this area just outside of Juneau.

 

 

 

Looking down Gastineau Channel towards Juneau.

 

 

Solarium views.

 

 

Indoor pool area.

 

 

Outdoor covered pool deck area.

 

 

 

[twangster]

Back to the suite sun deck for the views.

 

 

 

 

 

Waterfalls are frequent.

 

 

Large flock of ducks in the harbor.

 

 

 

The Mount Roberts Tramway is now called the Goldbelt Tram.

 

 

 

 

 

This will mark Quantum's maiden call into Juneau.

 

 

[twangster]

I was going to take the Goldbelt Tram but the weather was changing and it started to spit which became on a full drizzle.  Clouds were moving in and it felt like it could turn into a full rain so I decided against the tram today.

 

I always make this a game day decision for exactly this reason.  

 

In the cruise planner this was $64.  You can book it online for $45 or wait in line to pay the same on the spot.  With just one other ship in port it would have been a great opportunity to jump on with a short line but I've done it before so $45 wasn't value for me on a cloudy or rainy day.

 

 

 

We used the good pier with easy access to town like Ovation.

 

 

 

Lots of local options for folks who leave it to the last minute.

 

 

I headed over to the Hangar Bar near the float plane base where i contributed to the local economy..

 

 

Nothing like having the ship in sight at all times.

 

 

It was a full rain by this point so I'm glad I didn't do the tram.  That's how quickly Alaska weather can change.

 

 

 

[twangster]

During a break in the rain I ventured back to the ship.

 

Today was the cutoff to return the luggage valet form.  I'm not using this service but it's worth mentioning it for those with flights that qualify.  It's a free service offered by the Port of Seattle.  It requires you put out your luggage the last night of the cruise then you don't have to deal with luggage again until you land in your destination city.

 

 

You have to ask for the form on day two or three so it's easily missed.

 

The TV channel lineup is pretty limited to Alaska.  No ESPN Caribbean for example.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Day Six Cruise Compass

 

 

 

 

[twangster]

Day Six - Sea Day

 

If you wake up early enough you'll catch the last few miles of the Alaskan Inside Passage.

 

We changed time last night.  Now back on Pacific time (same as Seattle).

 

 

 

 

 

Here at 10am we are in the open Pacific Ocean.  Kind of windy but otherwise flat seas.  The view from my deck 13 balcony:

 

[twangster]

Some balcony photos of this standard balcony cabin.

 

 

The view down towards the sea.  Small walkway down there in this forward section.

 

 

The view forward.  You can see the very small overhang for the forward section.  Midship deck 13 has a large overhang and angled support brackets to support the pool deck floor above.  The short overhang has been nice as it keeps the rain off the balcony for the most part.

 

 

The view looking aft.

 

 

View from the cabin door.

 

[twangster]

I haven't seen as many whales compared to last week on Serenade.  Then again I haven't been living on my balcony like I did last week.  The corner aft balcony on Radiance class is pretty special and it was great last week.

 

With more going on with this ship I just haven't been out as much so it's not like the whales aren't out there, I'm not out there to see them.  

[Oceansaway17]

3 hours ago, twangster said:

 

There are several large ice flows in the middle of our path.

 

 

We hung around for a bit but the ice wasn't moving.

 

 

yes I guess the thrusters can only do so much.  In a couple of weeks the ice will have melted more and then ship can push away with thrusters.

 

I think halfway into glacier area is still interesting and enjoyable.  Love the mountains with snow.

Alaska is not so pretty in late August of Sept for ice and snow.  I will be on Quantum late August but will enjoy the trail in Sitka if now rain.

[twangster]

The Solarium is directly above me.  Despite that this has been a pretty quiet cabin.  Once or twice I heard some footprints when someone was running for some reason but for the most part the concern of pool/solarium deck noise has been nonexistent.  On some older ships pool deck noise from above is very loud.  Not so for this class in my experience.   

 

I've stayed in this area on other ships in this class and generally like it.  On some ships there is a door to the solarium that guests can use all the way forward on deck 13.  On Quantum the door is marked "Crew Only".

 

The North Star can be seen when it's doing the extended mode rides that extend over the sides of the ship but you have to be standing at the balcony railing to see it.  You can't see North Star from inside the cabin so privacy really isn't a concern.

[twangster]

Each Quantum class ship has a Two70 show.  Typically this is the only show on board that uses reservations (pre-pandemic).

 

On Quantum the show is called "Starwater" but it isn't currently being offered.  I did hear the suite concierge say that the Starwater cast recently joined the ship and they have been rehearsing.  Once they are ready the show will be offered "soon".  If not next cruise then likely the cruise after.

[Tree_skier]

29 minutes ago, twangster said:

I haven't seen as many whales compared to last week on Serenade.  Then again I haven't been living on my balcony like I did last week.  The corner aft balcony on Radiance class is pretty special and it was great last week.

 

With more going on with this ship I just haven't been out as much so it's not like the whales aren't out there, I'm not out there to see them.  

I've never had a Radiance class corner aft.  How would say they compare to a Voyager/Freedom class corner aft?  I've had 3 of those on deck 10.

[twangster]

1 minute ago, Tree_skier said:

I've never had a Radiance class corner aft.  How would say they compare to a Voyager/Freedom class corner aft?  I've had 3 of those on deck 10.

 

Radiance class has no superstructure on the aft like Voyager/Freedom class does (on the aft).  I prefer Radiance class aft cabins for this reason.  Unimpeded views on Radiance class.

[CatLadyFemme]

Thank you for all of your updates. Getting so excited for our August trip.

[twangster]

Day 6 Evening - Dress to Impress Night

 

Lobster on the menu.

 

Getting thirsty, time to leverage my C&A drink vouchers.  🙂 

[cruising twosome]

How much is the Port Valet luggage service?

thank you for your review- great pictures!

[swmichigan cruiser]

40 minutes ago, twangster said:

Day 6 Evening - Dress to Impress Night

 

Lobster on the menu.

 

Getting thirsty, time to leverage my C&A drink vouchers.  🙂 

Thanks for the info on lobster night. We are doing a B2B on the Quantum starting August 29 and we are hoping it would not be the day when we are in Juneau as we are planning on crab legs at Tracy's Crab Shack in Juneau. 

[twangster]

17 minutes ago, cruising twosome said:

How much is the Port Valet luggage service?

thank you for your review- great pictures!

It’s free.  If your airline charges luggage fees you still pay those.  

[twangster]

Sitting in the SL when I saw a familiar shape sail past.

 

Ovation of the Seas!

 

 

Edited May 15, 2022 by twangster

[CatLadyFemme]

As a side note, you can sign up for Seattle port valet in advance (I just signed up for our August trip on Quantum); that way you don’t have to worry about doing it while in board. Just go to the port of Seattle website!

[twangster]

Victoria update: Masks required to leave the ship and worn while debarking until through the small terminal.  Once past the terminal masks are optional.  

[twangster]

Voom update:   Solidly back on O3b as we approach the top of Vancouver Island.