Not as live reports: Y4Z prestige (Y4C Yukon/double Denali + SB cruise) 6/15/22 - 7/3/22

[tundra1]

Thank you so much for your updates!  We are still trying to figure out which meal plan to select, and are leaning towards the breakfast plan only, since there does seem to be options for dinner.

 

I hope the weather gets better for you once you get into Alaska!

[shuyak]

22 hours ago, tundra1 said:

Thank you so much for your updates!  We are still trying to figure out which meal plan to select, and are leaning towards the breakfast plan only, since there does seem to be options for dinner.

 

I hope the weather gets better for you once you get into Alaska!

 

Thank you! 

 

Yesterday, we went through rainy, foggy, cloudy, sunny, back to rainy,... need using poncho to shield at one point.  

 

Actually, since we arrived Vancouver, the forecast has been constantly changing at all locations, most days had high % of rain forecasted even the day before yet the actual weather had been quite nice.  We were told to be lucky.

 

Yesterday was National Indigines Day and summer solstice, many places and restaurant had modified schedule.

 

Went to Riverwest for breakfast on way to the Yukon info center.  Seemed to be a local frequent place.  Constant incoming flow yet moving fast.  Cheechakos is closed this year.

 

Visitor center has lots info and offers various tours.  The 1.5 hr walking tour is popular (only 6:30 pm remaining). 

 

Picked up map and made own way along the Yukon River bank, through various historical sites, up to the Jack London square.

 

 

 

There are First Nation celebrations. (Feel the sun?)

 

Took the free 7 min 24/7 ferry ride to west Dawson when the rain got heavier.

 

Gental reminder in the ferry.

 

Saw this in a tiny "museum".

 

Signed up the top of dome tour last min as the sun peeked out.  Drizzling on way, the sun is trying up there.  Lots mosquitos!

 

 

[shuyak]

Luggage out at 7, check-in for flight at 7, bus leave at 8, flight to Fairbanks is at 9.  Hotel bkfst started at 6:30.  No time to have a relaxed breakfast.  Sun is about out.

[shuyak]

The 1 hr Air North 737 flight to Fairbanks is a real treat!  With beverage service and snack bars.  Leg Room!

 

And this!  

 

Gained 1 hr arriving Fairbanks.  Immediately signed up the optional Riverboat excursion (thanks to @Alphen).  Had about 2 hr free time, walked ~11 min to the Morris Thompson Culture and Visitor Center.  Strongly recommend to learn the native Alaska's culture and history.  Wish we had more time.

 

Antler's Arch is next to it.  Though not as grand as Jackson Hole WY, it is nice.

 

Riveryboat tour.  Due to big groups today, it is the first time in 2 years they are running both Discovery II and Discovery III at the same time.  I will add two pic's to complement @Alphenhad already provided.  Bush plane demo, and observed the color difference where two rivers meet.

 

 

All Westmark seem to have same price for breakfast.  Fyi

 

Fairbank may be the HAL tours coveraging and diverging location.  Very busy all the time.  

 

Found The Donut Shoppe near hotel with really good soft and fluffy donuts.  Went for 2nd's even for this savory liking person.

[shuyak]

The gold dredge was actually educational and fun, kind like a field trip.  Learned oil pipeline, dredging history, and nervous/excited panning - we all are a few dollar worth of gold richer.  The cookies tasted pretty good also.

 

Went back to the Culture and Visitor Center to fill in what we missed the day before.  The satue at Golden Heart Plaza is quite impressive.

 

Bus ride to Denali was not as scenery.  When we arrived, bags were in room already.

 

Speaking of bus, we rode Princess's bus from Fairbanks Airport and to/from river boat excursion.  HAL's buses seem to have more seat cushion that rides more comfortably.

 

Mckinley Chalet is a huge complex, took the frequent on property shuttle to explore the area.   Our wildness tundra tour departs at 5:45 am in the morning.  Another short night sleep.

 

Thought we need to take hotel shuttle to the park, then board the park bus for tour.  Was surprised to see the park bus actually came to Chalet to pick up us.  Our bus supposed to a newer one that has sliding vs top/down window.  Think the sliding ones provided better viewing.

 

 

Only see a few animals, but had the opportunity to see Mt Denali from distance.

 

Checked out the park visitor center, good maps and info.  The two movies are very good.  Too bad the Science center was hosting special event and not open to the public until later.

 

Hopped on the Chalet shuttle back to hotel, then on property shuttle back to room.

 

Had both yesterday's dinner and this lunch at karstens public house. Both wedge salad (fresh. Crispy) and fish (cod, moist and nicely fried) sandwitch.  Did find dinner has better service and flavor though.

[Btimmer]

Thanks for the postings and pictures.  We leave for a triple Denali on Monday, 6/27 and I'll also have an "Almost Live" thread.

[shuyak]

After a nap, we headed out for Denali Flightseeing and Glacier Landing with Fly Denali.  My cell phone camera have processed the pictures heavily.  Think below as near true paintings vs near true pictures.

 

 

Mt. Denali closeup

 

A small flight was training near where we landed.  It's multiple landing and taking off caused a small avalanche.

 

A few more

 

[shuyak]

Sorry, not sure why the last (repeated) picture is there.

[oakridger]

Nice pictures!  You had such clear views.

[shuyak]

Train ride to Anchorage was relaxing and provided us to rejuvenating our energy.  Saw a mother moose with baby on shuttle from hotel to the train depot.  Later saw another while on train.

 

Mask and covid testing

We all were tested the day before we started the land tour. 

 

A few of us informed our tour director on the first day that we will be tested for our return cruise and expressed our wish to have the mask mandate enforced.  Since then everyone wears mask most of the time even off bus.  Our collective hope is everyone can make it to the ship. 

 

In contrast, almost no one in other groups (Princess and HAL) we met or cross passing along the way wears mask consequently increased our potential exposure.

 

Today, we were tested at Westmark Anchorage.  Already heard a few tested positive.  Clearly the small bubble we created is not sufficient to protect against the big environment.  Sad!

 

[shuyak]

Not sure why my last post was not published.  Finally got good cell signal at Juneau.  Try to catch up.

 

9 out of 30 did not make to the cruise. 

 

Even if testing is no longer required prior debarkation, please use your judgement to best protect self and others.

 

 

[shuyak]

Only had time in Anchorage to do the trolley tour.  It was quite entertaining with some information.  Would recommend.  Saw this house 3 stories below ground with 2 skylight provid sunlight.

 

Cruisetrain direct to Whittier port is a breeze.  As soon as on board, staff checked our passport, vaccine card and negative test result, then issued security check slip and (ship) boarding pass.  Our verifly check may have saved us one minute at best.  Some nice view along the way.

 

Sunset from our aft balcony.  Finally can relax.

 

[shuyak]

It was cloudy and foggy as we approach Hubbard glacier.  The small boat excursion was called off.

 

Saw a black rock near by, wondered if the ship needed to maneuver avoiding it.  All of a sudden, the black rock showed two nostrils and hummed up.  It's a whale!  Happenef too fast to take picture.

 

The captain waited patiently.  All of a sudden, it cleared up and the sun came out!

 

As the ship turned around, got other pictures from our balcony,  also as the ship sailed away.

 

We appreciated the aft location even more.  Thanks to the tips from @Crew News.

 

[shuyak]

Another foggy start as we approach Glacier Bay.

 

From lido, saw the small boat the park rangers came up to ship.

 

The ship was delayed to address a medical emergency happened last night.  Itinerary was changed, but the weather began to clear up.  Saw quite a few wildlife while waiting (cell did not take as clear pic's as camera).  Sea otters, whales, lots of birds, eagle,

 

 

 

 

Also saw the sister Dam came out from the bay.

 

We only spent time at Marjorie Glacier.  It was massive!  Heard a few thunder up in the mountain.  Happy to see small calving twice. 

 

Saw 3 whales from balcony! 

 

It was a wonderful day!

 

A tip, in addition to deck 5, deck 7 bow will also open.  It is right below the bridge, less sun exposure, less crowded.

 

Ship is about to leave Juneau.  Will try to update tomorrow after excursion at Ketichken.

 

 

 

[Gray Lady]

13 hours ago, shuyak said:

Not sure why my last post was not published.  Finally got good cell signal at Juneau.  Try to catch up.

 

9 out of 30 did not make to the cruise. 

 

Even if testing is no longer required prior debarkation, please use your judgement to best protect self and others.

 

 

Yes, sadly we missed our cruise due to positive tests on land tour. Too many people, not enough masks, no social distancing. Thank you for the pictures so we can enjoy the cruise through your eyes. 

[shuyak]

11 hours ago, Gray Lady said:

Yes, sadly we missed our cruise due to positive tests on land tour. Too many people, not enough masks, no social distancing. Thank you for the pictures so we can enjoy the cruise through your eyes. 

@Gray Lady, very sorry that you did not make it to your first cruise!  Hope you had a wonderful land tour.

[shuyak]

Skagway was cloudy to start but end up wonderful weatherwise.  Went to Glacier Point Wildness Safari with Alaska Excursions.  Jet boat from Skagway to near Davidson Glacier, bus transfer to canoe site, canoeing to near the foot of glacier, walk to glacier if condition permits (it was not for us, water level was too high), jet boat back with a few scenic stops.  We had great time!

 

 

 

 

Glacier ice

 

Guide checking water level

 

 

 

 

After that, we went to town to take a walk.  This sign in a small jewelry store had us smile.

 

 

 

[shuyak]

Just taking it easy in Juneau.  Went to info center got the map.  Took a easy walk to the Overstreet park.

 

Not sure how often Waterfountain will be on.

 

 

 

Saw a few whales from balcony, including breaching.  Some needs binoculars to see. 

 

Saw this higher up there on east as we head south to Ketichken.  Wonder could it be Mt. Denali??   

Ship is about to leave Ketichken.  Will continue later 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gray Lady]

Which ship are you on, if I may ask?

[cowmilker]

20 hours ago, shuyak said:

Saw this higher up there on east as we head south to Ketichken.  Wonder could it be Mt. Denali?? 

Impossible.

Denali is over 800 miles from Ketchikan.  You can sometimes see Denali from Anchorage (about 125 miles or so), but we lived in Cooper Landing, which is about 50 miles as the crow flies south of Anchorage, and it's not visible from there.

[shuyak]

23 hours ago, Gray Lady said:

Which ship are you on, if I may ask?

 

Nieuw Amsterdam.  Guest service told us there are 1,100 passengers on this ship (50%).  The return NB cruise will have 1,600.

[shuyak]

15 hours ago, cowmilker said:

Impossible.

Denali is over 800 miles from Ketchikan.  You can sometimes see Denali from Anchorage (about 125 miles or so), but we lived in Cooper Landing, which is about 50 miles as the crow flies south of Anchorage, and it's not visible from there.

 

Ha ha, just a wishful thinking. 

 

We are lucky enough to see it 3 times, Dawson flight to Fairbanks (confirmed by Denali Park ranger), in Denali Park, and on Fly Denali flight.

[shuyak]

 

It was Canada day when we were in Ketichken.  (For display only?!)

 

It was overcast, perfect for our Kayak Eco tour with Ketichken Kayak Company.  No whale nor orca encounter, saw lots eagles, seal, star fish, the norwegian ship sailed away, and a deer in some island home's yard (took a picture anyway even though we Have families of deers coming to I ur backyard.  Lol)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wandered around town took some random pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Didn't do much yesterday cruising inside passage.  Didn't see wildlife other than seals and birds. Sunset was beautiful from our balcony.

 

 

Arrived Vancouver in the morning.  Overcast then light rain.  Will stay one more night for the early morning (the only) direct flight back.  

[Gray Lady]

5 hours ago, shuyak said:

 

Nieuw Amsterdam.  Guest service told us there are 1,100 passengers on this ship (50%).  The return NB cruise will have 1,600.

Thank you. I have so enjoyed your pictures, but it is also bittersweet. You are on the cruise that we missed. 

[Gray Lady]

I wish you a safe, and on-time, flight home!