Btimmer's Almost Live Triple Denali and Southbound Cruise (6/28-7/10/22)

[Btimmer]

Contrary to what has been reported on CC, Verifly worked perfectly on the train to Whittier.  Check in took under 2 minutes just to photograph the passports and us.

[Tim in MI]

Thank you so much for all the info and the great pics and tips! We leave for Fairbanks on Tue 7/5, and can't wait - We'll be several days behind you! We definitely will keep our ship-only belongings in separate luggage to send ahead.

 

I'm wondering: What was the mask situation on the motor coaches/trains/etc.? Holland says on their website that masks are mandatory on all busses, trains, and inside the ship for Alaska tours from Whittier to Vancouver - just wondering what your experience was/is, now that you're on the ship. We're packing masks for worst case, but wondering if they've relaxed any of these requirements.

 

Thank you again, and enjoy the rest of your voyage!

 

Tim

[Gray Lady]

1 hour ago, Tim in MI said:

Thank you so much for all the info and the great pics and tips! We leave for Fairbanks on Tue 7/5, and can't wait - We'll be several days behind you! We definitely will keep our ship-only belongings in separate luggage to send ahead.

 

I'm wondering: What was the mask situation on the motor coaches/trains/etc.? Holland says on their website that masks are mandatory on all busses, trains, and inside the ship for Alaska tours from Whittier to Vancouver - just wondering what your experience was/is, now that you're on the ship. We're packing masks for worst case, but wondering if they've relaxed any of these requirements.

 

Thank you again, and enjoy the rest of your voyage!

 

Tim

From our experience, they won’t even mention masks on any part of the land tour. Just know that between a third to three fourths people on every tour are testing positive and missing their cruise. 

[Btimmer]

3 hours ago, Tim in MI said:

Thank you so much for all the info and the great pics and tips! We leave for Fairbanks on Tue 7/5, and can't wait - We'll be several days behind you! We definitely will keep our ship-only belongings in separate luggage to send ahead.

 

I'm wondering: What was the mask situation on the motor coaches/trains/etc.? Holland says on their website that masks are mandatory on all busses, trains, and inside the ship for Alaska tours from Whittier to Vancouver - just wondering what your experience was/is, now that you're on the ship. We're packing masks for worst case, but wondering if they've relaxed any of these requirements.

 

Thank you again, and enjoy the rest of your voyage!

 

Tim

We generally have worn masks on all of our inside excursions and on busses.  Unfortunately many disregard this and we have heard of at least two families who missed their cruise due to contracting Covid.

 

in the terminal and inside on the ship masks are being worn.

 

Happy eaters!

[Btimmer]

Here's my balcony evening view.

 

 

I think this will work!

 

 

[Btimmer]

Whittier is a very small and remote port which was a secret creation during WWII.  The only real land access is using the mile long railway tunnel which has been opened to vehicle use.  The various types of transportation and direction of travel alternate their use. Generally the trains have first priority.

 

Even with our pre-clearance, boarding was a bit chaotic and we didn't discover the shorter 4-5 star Mariner line until we were well into the regular line.  But onboard it felt right at home.  We met Abdul, our stateroom attendant, did the safety drill, and ate a light dinner.  Of course Katie was blown away by the lack of food restrictions in the Lido Market.  And for the most part the buffet is served by HAL staff.

 

Here are a few pictures of the ship and surrounding scenery.  I'll put more details in my daily blog.  The plan is to watch the sailaway even though it conflicts with the 'We are Alaska' EXC presentation.  Gorgeous scenery or a lecture? It's a pretty easy choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tundra1]

Your pictures are beautiful!  I am so happy you made it to the ship safe and sound and Covid free!

I hope you have an amazing cruise also!

[Btimmer]

1 hour ago, tundra1 said:

Your pictures are beautiful!  I am so happy you made it to the ship safe and sound and Covid free!

I hope you have an amazing cruise also!

Thank you. Yes the cruise is amazing.  Our granddaughter is totally engaged; breathtaking scenery; a HAL ship at about 1100 (50% capacity), and a terrific cruise director (CD) that we've sailed with before extensively in Asia.

 

I learned today from our CD that 143 people did not make the ship due to Covid and that the rate of infections for the southbound is DRAMATICALLY higher than the northbound cruises.  This is after 4 RT's.  If you are planning to take the Land/sea cruise southbound, please take your Covid protections seriously.  One group of 23 didn't make it.

 

Today was Hubbard Glacier.  We arrived around 3pm, discharged some  guests into a smaller tour boat which was able get very close to the glacier.  Because of icebergs in the water, the Captain announced that we could get any closer. Later at the Captain's toast, he commented that we didn't want to be like the Norwegian Sun a few weeks ago which hit submerged ice (a growler) and had to cancel their cruise and return to Seattle for repairs.

 

Below are a few pictures from today.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mt. Stuart (2nd Highest mountain in North America)

 

 

Tomorrow the plan is to have a full day in Glacier Bay.  And like always, more details are found at my blog at https://timmertd2022.blogspot.com

Edited July 5, 2022 by Btimmer

[Gray Lady]

10 hours ago, Btimmer said:

learned today from our CD that 143 people did not make the ship due to Covid and that the rate of infections for the southbound is DRAMATICALLY higher than the northbound cruises.  This is after 4 RT's.  If you are planning to take the Land/sea cruise southbound, please take your Covid protections seriously.  One group of 23 didn't make it.

Yes, that is true. We were casualties of that. Made it only from Fairbanks to Denali, and we wore masks the entire time (I only counted 8 people in Fairbanks who even wore masks). I believe DH caught it there. Too many people converging from too many tours taking no precautions. Half the folks already had their cruise and have no testing to fly home so don’t care about the people who need to test to do their cruise. Also, testing before starting the land tours makes people over-confident. We self-reported so as not to infect anyone else and spoil their trip. Did get to spend five days in Anchorage…in quarantine..lol! I do enjoy your pictures. It allows me to see what we missed. We will try another year and meanwhile cruise through your eyes!

[Btimmer]

21 minutes ago, Gray Lady said:

Yes, that is true. We were casualties of that. Made it only from Fairbanks to Denali, and we wore masks the entire time (I only counted 8 people in Fairbanks who even wore masks). I believe DH caught it there. Too many people converging from too many tours taking no precautions. Half the folks already had their cruise and have no testing to fly home so don’t care about the people who need to test to do their cruise. Also, testing before starting the land tours makes people over-confident. We self-reported so as not to infect anyone else and spoil their trip. Did get to spend five days in Anchorage…in quarantine..lol! I do enjoy your pictures. It allows me to see what we missed. We will try another year and meanwhile cruise through your eyes!

Sorry to hear that your DH contracted Covid.  In Fairbanks, the only group excursion we participated in was the Riverboat cruise and most people on that excursion did not mask up (we did).  We did our own explorations there and didn't mingle with groups.

[Gray Lady]

8 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Sorry to hear that your DH contracted Covid.  In Fairbanks, the only group excursion we participated in was the Riverboat cruise and most people on that excursion did not mask up (we did).  We did our own explorations there and didn't mingle with groups.

We only did the riverboat cruise, too. The hotel was jammed with people not wearing masks or social distancing. On our motor coaches there were only 4 of us who even masked. We tried to stay away from others, but it was just impossible. 

[Btimmer]

8 minutes ago, Gray Lady said:

We only did the riverboat cruise, too. The hotel was jammed with people not wearing masks or social distancing. On our motor coaches there were only 4 of us who even masked. We tried to stay away from others, but it was just impossible. 

Our experience at the hotel and the motor coaches was similar.  But we still masked and socially distanced as best we could. Covid is an indiscriminate mistress.

Edited July 5, 2022 by Btimmer

[USN59-79]

Am enjoying your pictures, Tim.  That picture of the cake shows me that HAL still has some very dedicated employees working now.

Ray

[Btimmer]

Today was Glacier Bay.  I spent virtually all day on the bow of the ship watching and photographing.  Lots more written detail is in my blog, but here are a few pictures from today.  It was a bit overcast, but quite pleasant in a long sleeved t-shirt.

 

Artsy

 

 

Eurodam exiting Glacier Bay

 

 

 

 

 

Marjorie Glacier - it calved while we were there!

 

 

 

Sea lions at S. Marble Island

humpback whale

 

 

 

Our first viewable Alaskan sunset

[Lido deck main]

Wow, great photos.  Sounds like your having a great time.  So nice to have your granddaughter with you. Thank you for the review.

[54Carol]

Beautiful pictures!  Looking forward to seeing them.

 

Can't wait for our land/cruise the end of August.  You're kind of scaring me with the Covid #'s.  Hopefully it subsides by the time we leave.   ....   which brings about another question.   If we bring additional luggage that we send to the ship ahead of time and you contact Covid and are not allowed to board the ship, how/when do you get it back?

 

 

 

 

Edited July 6, 2022 by 54Carol
Addition

[Gray Lady]

1 hour ago, 54Carol said:

Beautiful pictures!  Looking forward to seeing them.

 

Can't wait for our land/cruise the end of August.  You're kind of scaring me with the Covid #'s.  Hopefully it subsides by the time we leave.   ....   which brings about another question.   If we bring additional luggage that we send to the ship ahead of time and you contact Covid and are not allowed to board the ship, how/when do you get it back?

 

 

 

 

I can answer that question from experience. On the information HAL gives you, there is a list of phone numbers in the Alaskan cities as contacts. We were taken to Anchorage from Denali to quarantine, so I called the number listed as a contact in Anchorage. I explained the situation, and the lady made out a report. Our luggage was delivered to our hotel room that afternoon. They just want a description of it and the color of your tags. I think they store the luggage in Anchorage. The woman who helped us was very polite and, obviously, efficient. It took less than five hours from when I contacted her to having the luggage delivered. I would say you won’t have to worry about that at all. Just stay safe so you can make it to your cruise! 

[Btimmer]

Today in Skagway we did two primary activities both of which I booked when we were here in May on the Quantum of the Seas.  The first activity was Dog Mushing Camp.  We were transported out to the receiving area of the camp and then taken by Unimog up to the actual musher camp.  These sled dogs are brought here from the interior and their summer training & conditioning activity is to haul tourists around on custom wheeled sleds (5-6 runs per day).  Afterwards there was a chance to hold 5 month old and 5 week old puppies.  This activity was totally granddaughter approved.  

Late in the afternoon (5pm) we took a 2.5 hour ride up the White Pass using the White Pass & Yukon Railway. This was also super cool with great vistas and tunnels and trestles and other terrific scenery. More details will be in my blog.

 

Tomorrow is Juneau and we have yet another fun activity planned.

 

Enjoy a few pictures from today.

 

Unimog transport vehicles

 

Shovel museum 

 

our sled

 

our asst musher multi-tasking

Showing some love at the end of our ride

 

puppy love

 

 

 

seen better days

 

scenery

Norwegian Encore departing just ahead of us

Edited July 7, 2022 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

In Juneau today, we took the tram up Mt. Robert's and went whale watching.  We found some other critters as well.

 

The day ended a bit damp with typical Juneau drizzle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[WishboneS]

We were booked on the Triple Denali before our cruise on Holland Cruise sailing 7/10/22.  Our whole trip was canceled and refunded by Holland.  I read your experiences and am wondering if you might be able to let us know other than possible covid issues why they may have canceled?  The letter stated staffing issues.  It worked out for us and its not an issue since there have been other things that worked in our favor for not going but just wondering from your perspective if there were issues.  Just wondering,  Thanks

[Btimmer]

6 minutes ago, WishboneS said:

We were booked on the Triple Denali before our cruise on Holland Cruise sailing 7/10/22.  Our whole trip was canceled and refunded by Holland.  I read your experiences and am wondering if you might be able to let us know other than possible covid issues why they may have canceled?  The letter stated staffing issues.  It worked out for us and its not an issue since there have been other things that worked in our favor for not going but just wondering from your perspective if there were issues.  Just wondering,  Thanks

There are staffing issues on the ship and definitely on land.  I wonder if they were trying to reduce the passenger load as the ship is definitely sailing on 7/10.

[Btimmer]

Tonight we passed the Koningsdam as it made its way north to Juneau.

 

[ewildcat7]

13 hours ago, WishboneS said:

We were booked on the Triple Denali before our cruise on Holland Cruise sailing 7/10/22.  Our whole trip was canceled and refunded by Holland.

 

When were you notified that your tour is cancelled; i.e. how many weeks before 10 July?  We are on the Triple Denali on 17 July and have not yet received a cancelation, but are bracing ourselves....

[Sebbiesgrammy]

3 hours ago, ewildcat7 said:

 

When were you notified that your tour is cancelled; i.e. how many weeks before 10 July?  We are on the Triple Denali on 17 July and have not yet received a cancelation, but are bracing ourselves....

I'm not OP, but our Y1L Triple Denali that was scheduled to begin with land in Vancouver on 6/29 was cancelled on 6/16. They cancelled the entire itinerary even though the cruise portion, starting today, 7/10

on the NA is still a go.  No complaints. We were handsomely compensated and leave today on NCL Joy out of NYC to Bermuda, courtesy of HAL refund (with p!entry to spare) and are rebooked for Y1l next year with full FCC as almost total payment. Prices for our cabins are up a little but percs are a little better. One free shore excursion (value $100) and one specialty dining.  Our original booking had two specialty dining, no excursion, and both have the drink package. Also, the new promo includes 50% deposit reduction.  What's not to like?  Our third try to Alaska and we're determined to stay fit enough to do it.

[RSWBADGER]

Noordam right now in Vancouver.