Shadowmeboy's "Spirit"ed Return to Alaska

[shadowmeboy]

Hey all! Shadowmeboy here! Well we are making up for lost time by getting in our second cruise in 2022. We had our amazing 2020 Alaskan Cruise stolen from us by Covid 🤬. So Alaska in 2022 was a must. Our 2022 cruise to Alaska was almost a no-go as well but I will get into that in a minute. We made the boat and we enjoyed our trip!

 

Let's take a step back in case you missed my Breakaway review from the Spring. (P.S. I will include the link to that review below!) I know some of you probably have missed my pictorial reviews. I have missed doing them. Covid really screwed up some awesome trips that we had planned. We had a total of 5 cruises cancelled on us, so we were finally glad to be sailing again!

 

What did we do during our unplanned pause in cruising?

In July 2020, when we were supposed to sail Alaska, we ended up doing a 13 day, 7 state road trip. It got me up to 48 states visited, as I hit my 47th State (Wyoming) and 48th (South Dakota) along the way!

 

This picture I took near Glacier National Park was published in a train calendar for 2021! 

Videos from our trip are on my YouTube channel (Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6BY6HPmDubE1rop-vFZS1p-7tqOKvd0O)

 

In December 2020, Susan got her 48th and 49th states when we traveled through North and South Carolina to surprise my Mom and Dad on Christmas Day in Florida.

 

Sunset picture from Indian Rock Beach, FL near Tampa.

Videos from our trip are on my YouTube channel (Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6BY6HPmDubELw7b1b-LHcGNfTHHGRVDA)

 

In April 2021, we took a train ride from Seattle to South Bend, Indiana, rented a car, and drove to my 49th State of Ohio. We visited family, the Ohio State Reformatory (where the movie Shawshank Redemption was filmed), and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

 

There I am in front of the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

Videos from our trip are on my YouTube channel (Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6BY6HPmDubGUpI47p3TseK36oE6g81RA

 

Finally, we snuck away for a Las Vegas Getaway in January 2022 for my Birthday. 

 

A Lion Fish at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Shark Reef Aquarium.

Videos from our trip are on my YouTube channel (Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6BY6HPmDubGSUJn9EuQ-19fbfBb184vw

 

That caught us up to April of 2022. When we finally got back to cruising!

 

Our Cruise History!

 

My wife, Susan, and I love to cruise and do it any chance we can. We have sailed 15 times together and I have sailed once by myself.

 

In 2016 we sailed the Norwegian Sun on a Southbound Cruise from Seward, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. You can read the review here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2529761

 

 

The Norwegian Sun is pictured in Sitka, AK.

 

In June of 2017, We sailed the Norwegian Escape to the Western Caribbean. Review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2516206

 

 

The Norwegian Escape pictured in Costa Maya, Mexico.

 

In December 2017, We sailed the Norwegian Star to the Mexican Riviera over Christmas. Review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2581330

 

 

The Norwegian Star pictured in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

 

In June 2018, We sailed the Norwegian Jewel Northbound Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to Seward, Alaska. Review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2557365-north-to-alaska-shadowmeboys-jewel-shimmering-pictorial-review/

 

 

The Norwegian Jewel pictured in Juneau, AK from the Mount Roberts Tram.

 

In November 2018, We sailed the Norwegian Bliss on a Eastern Caribbean Cruise out of Miami. Review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2614687-shadowmeboys-blissful-eastern-caribbean-pictorial-cruise-review/

 

 

The Bliss docked in Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin islands.

 

In June 2019, we sailed the Norwegian Dawn on a Canada/New England Cruise out New York City. Review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2678378-shadowmeboys-norwegian-dawn-canadanew-england-pictorial-review/

 

 

The Norwegian Dawn anchored just outside the harbor of Newport, Rhode Island.

 

In September 2019, I sailed a 7 Night Alaska roundtrip on the Norwegian Bliss without Susan. Review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2707063-shadowmeboy-helps-close-down-alaska-on-the-bliss/

 

 

The Norwegian Bliss docked in Ketchikan, Alaska.

 

In April 2022, We returned to to cruising aboard the Norwegian Breakaway! We sailed a 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise out of New Orleans. Review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2851477-shadowmeboy-breakaway-adventure-from-new-orleans-to-the-western-caribbean/

 

 

 

Norwegian Breakaway docked next to the Norwegian Dawn in Cozumel, Mexico!

 

About us:

My wife, Susan, is a Elementary Math Specialist and I stopped working for a grocery store and now work a county near our home in elections as a Washington State Certified Elections Administrator!. Susan and I have been married 15 years! Due to her school schedule, we cannot sail as much as we would like.

 

We live in the Pacific Northwest, along the Columbia River on the "dry" side of Washington State among the Apple and Cherry Orchards.

 

 

This Alaskan Cruise on the Norwegian Spirit is our 15th Cruise together on Our 15th wedding Anniversary!

 

Most of the pictures in this review are taken with my Canon EOS 90D, Canon Rebel T5, My iPhone 10R, my GoPro Hero 7 Black or my GoPro Hero Black 9, along with some shots from Susan's Samsung phone.
 

Please feel free to ask questions along the way! I will try to answer them as quickly as I can. This review will be (as always) very picture heavy, but I love to relive my journeys through my pictures! I hope you enjoy them as well!

 

Let's get this trip aboard the Norwegian Spirit started!

[shadowmeboy]

Our friends, Trace (@tgloersen) and his wife Maria, joined us on this cruise! We met on the Norwegian Escape back in 2017 and we enjoy their company! We might have two future cruises booked together already.

 

Trace with his better half, Maria, aboard the Washington State Ferry Walla Walla with Seattle in the background.

 

First selfie of many from this trip as we were picking up Trace and Maria at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport ahead of our cruise!

 

As I mentioned, Susan and I have been married 15 years! So our door onboard might have reflected this!

 

Let's get this review rocking!

 

[shadowmeboy]

So a little bit over a week before our cruise, an event happened that might have left us grounded. Literally. As discussed extensively on the Cruise Critic boards, the Norwegian Sun hit an iceberg. Well, that was the ship we were scheduled to sail on July 5th, 2022. 

 

When news came out of the Iceberg hit, Trace and I went into emergency planning mode. I found this sailing aboard the Spirit in case Norwegian cancelled the cruise (which it did). We had plans for each shore excursion, who would call who and what logistics needed to happen when. The fateful day one week before our sailing occurred and the cancellation came down. 

 

Time for Spirit Emergency Plan.

 

The sun was a 9 day cruise where the Spirit was 7 days.

 

Here are the comparisons.

 

                                           Sun                                                                    Spirit 

July 5th                     Embarkation                                         

July 6th                         Sea Day                                                          Embarkation

July 7th                          Sitka                                                                  Sea Day

July 8th                    Icy Strait Point                                                  Icy Strait Point

July 9th                         Juneau                                                         Hubbard Glacier

July 10th                 Hubbard Glacier                                                     Juneau

July 11th                      Skagway                                                            Ketchikan

July 12th                      Ketchikan                                                            Victoria

July 13th                       Victoria                                                         Disembarkation

July 14th                 Disembarkation     

 

The first night on the Sun would have been Susan and my 15th night aboard the Sun on our 15th cruise on our 15th wedding Anniversary, sailing the same stateroom as our Honeymoon cruise back in 2007.

 

It was all for not. Trace helped us out by loaning us the money to rebook onto the Spirit while funds were tied up in the cancellation process. We did creative Math and made it work with credits going to another upcoming cruise! I can't thank him enough.

[shadowmeboy]

Back in 2017, Susan and I sailed a Christmas cruise. We made little Thank you stockings for the crew, with a mini candy cane, chocolates, and a small tip. We still make tip bags for the crew ever since that cruise.

 

We get mini burlap bags and typically puffy paint thank you on the bags. Well in late 2019, my mom started designing Alaska images on the bags for our 2020 Alaska cruise. Well we still had some, and we had to make a few more for this cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

This time we put starlight mints, Hersey's Chocolates, and a tip inside.

 

 

We love giving the bags and the crew enjoys them as well. We try to see how long it takes for word to start spreading. It took till our first Breakfast this cruise. LOL!

[shadowmeboy]

Hitting the road...

 

With it being an Alaskan cruise, we get to drive to the port! So we headed out of North Central Washington.

 

 

US 97 in Chelan County

 

 

Turtle Rock in Douglas County, WA just North of Wenatchee.

 

 

 

 

The Richard Odabashian Bridge (US Highway 2 West /97 South) from Douglas County to Chelan County.

 

 

Welcome to Wenatchee, the Apple Capitol of the World!

 

 

We grab some breakfast at Wendy's before heading west!

 

 

BNSF railway's Scenic Subdivision passing over the highway at Dryden.

 

 

US 2 and US 97 split up at the junction just east of Leavenworth.

 

 

 

Beautiful day!

 

 

I have a thing for big flags!

 

 

 

Wilkommen to Leavenworth

 

 

Leavenworth is a Bavarian themed town, where every business has to look like it came out of the German Alps, even the Starbucks and McDonalds.

 

 

After fighting summer crowds, we make our way out of Leavenworth (without stopping).

 

 

US 2 heading into Tumwater Canyon. Where the Highway is today is where the Great Northern Railroad had the right-of-way through the canyon leading up to Steven Pass before the line got relocated in the 1930's. It follows a different path today.

 

 

Beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

Climbing to the summit of Stevens Pass.

 

 

 

Heading down the other side!

 

 

-- 

 

I am going to stop here for the night!

[TSUmom]

Thank You!  Always enjoy your reviews!!

[jimbri]

Looking forward to your review and photos.

[Maleficent's Dad]

Glad to see you back here - love reading the reviews and looking at the amazing pics!

[shadowmeboy]

Here are a couple videos to show what the drive looks like! 

 

 

This includes the part through Tumwater Canyon!

 

 

This is my favorite part, which is going over the Summit of Stevens Pass.

 

It would have been one complete drive video, but Susan got too cold, turned down the air conditioner in the car, and overheated the GoPro which was in direct sunlight from above inside on our dash. Thanks Babe!

 

[scgssny]

Following, looking forward to more!

[shadowmeboy]

15 hours ago, TSUmom said:

Thank You!  Always enjoy your reviews!!

Thank you very much! I enjoy doing them, so others can have ideas on what to do/not do.

 

15 hours ago, jimbri said:

Looking forward to your review and photos.

Thank you! Hope I don't dissapoint. 😉

 

15 hours ago, Maleficent's Dad said:

Glad to see you back here - love reading the reviews and looking at the amazing pics!

Thank you. Lots of cool and amazing pictures in this one!

[shadowmeboy]

We arrive into Skykomish, WA on the west side of Stevens Pass on US 2. The Town of Skykomish is a Great Northern town. Skykomish exists along with many small towns because of the railroad.

 

I enjoy visiting Skykomish because the BNSF Scenic Subdivision runs through town, there is a Virtual Railfan camera there, I am friends with the Mayor and owner of the Cascadia Inn, and finally there is a 1/7th scale railroad next to the old station which anyone can ride operating on weekends from May to October. Lots to see and do in this historic town!

 

Our first stop in town is to grab lunch at the Cascadia Inn's Cafe.

 

 

I got a bacon burger and fries.

 

 

Susan got the grilled meatloaf sandwich with potato salad.

 

If you come to the Cascadia and are really hungry, try the Cadia Burger. It has 2 beef patties, bacon, mushrooms, and 2 cheeses and very tasty but greasy. I wasn't hungry enough for that.

 

 

Since my last visit to Skykomish, they created a walking tour with little information plaques around town, so people can learn more of the history.

 

 

Susan is posing with one of the plaques which is on the Cascadia Inn. 

 

 

Great Northern memorabilia inside the historic Skykomish station home of the Great Northern & Cascade Railway. 

 

 

 

Since we were in town on a Saturday, we had a chance to ride the train!

 

 

 

Here is the video of the train ride!

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

We head West on US 2 towards Everett, but not before we picked a special item in Skykomish. My nephew Maximus, who is currently two, has a Brio type train that spells out his name. Well the M at the beginning of his name broke. So my Mom tasked us with finding a replacement. She originally bought the train in Leavenworth. We quickly vetoed stopping in Leavenworth on the Saturday of 4th of July weekend. We luckily found the Yellow M at the Great Northern & Cascade railroad gift shop in the old station. I mention the M as it will become an important item on this trip!

 

We make it to Mukilteo near Everett, because I wanted to railfan Amtrak's Empire Builder (Seattle Section) as it heads east to Chicago. 

 

 

Positioned along the BNSF Scenic Sub at Mukilteo waiting for the train!

 

 

Boeing was testing a Southwest Airlines jet out of Paine Field (Where the 777X is being made) nearby.

 

 

 

Finally Train time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, I filmed the trains passing!

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

After the train we head South on I5 through Seattle.

 

 

The Space Noodle, I mean Space Needle!

 

 

Peek-a-boo, I see you!

 

 

 

 

Lake Union is the body of water shown in this picture.

 

 

Into Downtown and its horrible traffic due to road construction. The "revive I5" work was going on that day.

 

 

Finally we made it to SeaTac and our hotel. We would be staying here for 3 nights (should have been two).

 

 

 

We decided to go up the street to IHOP for dinner.

 

 

Susan got Strawberry Banana Pancakes and Bacon.

 

 

I got country fried steak, hashbrowns, and eggs with the sausage gravy on the side. I also got two pancakes as it is IHOP.

 

We called it a night after that as we had a busy day the next day!

 

--

[AviationInScale]

The Tip Bags are very creative and clever. 👍

[drumming cruisers]

great review so far! What hotel did you stay in? I would like one close to an IHOP

Edited October 21, 2022 by drumming cruisers

[shadowmeboy]

22 minutes ago, drumming cruisers said:

great review so far! What hotel did you stay in? I would like one close to an IHOP

We stay at the Best Western Seattle Airport Hotel. The IHOP is a long block up the road.

[lax19]

6 hours ago, shadowmeboy said:

We stay at the Best Western Seattle Airport Hotel. The IHOP is a long block up the road.

Curious why you stayed in the SeaTac area instead of north of the city (Edmonds.Lynnwood/Everett)?

[shadowmeboy]

38 minutes ago, lax19 said:

Curious why you stayed in the SeaTac area instead of north of the city (Edmonds.Lynnwood/Everett)?

 

When we go to Seattle, we stay near SeaTac because we can take the light rail into downtown and not have to drive, deal with traffic, and pay exurbanite parking fees. As you will see in my next set of pictures, We took light rail downtown the next day and also picked up our friends from SeaTac International Airport. Plus the airport hotels are often cheaper and we have stayed at this hotel so many times, they welcome us back each time!

[AKR2011]

Welcome back! I'm excited to follow along. Was this your first cruise on The Spirit? She is definitely one I have on my bucket list. 

[shadowmeboy]

4 hours ago, AKR2011 said:

Welcome back! I'm excited to follow along. Was this your first cruise on The Spirit? She is definitely one I have on my bucket list. 

 

Yes, it was our first time on the Spirit.

[shadowmeboy]

Sunday, July 3rd, 2022 - PreCruise Day 1 of 3

 

Susan and I took advantage of the hotels continental breakfast. The breakfast at this hotel used to be awesome PreCovid, like a lot of things! 

 

 

 

 

 

Breakfast was memorable this morning, due to the fact a guest blew up a hard boiled egg in the microwave. Why would you heat up a hard boiled egg in a microwave? Why?

 

 

We went outside to catch the shuttle up to the light rail station at Angle Lake. They are constructing a light rail extension near the hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

So Aunt Susan took Max's M on a light rail ride as we headed to Downtown Seattle.

 

 

She was not very energetic about the M traveling with us, but my Mom (aka Grandma to Max) is going to make a M book about Max's M's travels.

 

 

Starting to fill up after passing through SeaTac Airport station

[shadowmeboy]

 

Downtown Seattle after coming out of the Beacon Hill Tunnel and crossing over I5.

 

 

 

Well the reason for coming downtown was to attend a Seattle Mariners game!

 

 

This is an optical illusion painted on the overpass. Dave Neihaus, the late, great, Seattle Mariner Broadcaster and Seattle and National Baseball Hall of Famer would say this all the time!

 

 

Lumen Field - Home of the Seattle Seahawks

 

 

King Street Station - Originally built by the Great Northern Railroad it still serves Amtrak passengers on the Cascade route, the Coast Starlight, and the Great Northern namesake, The Empire Builder.

 

 

There she is! T-Mobile Park (still Safeco Field in my heart), the home of the Seattle Mariners!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

Once inside the Stadium, I found the Mariners Hall of Fame!

 

 

 

National Baseball Hall of Famer - Ken Griffey Jr.

 

 

 

National Baseball Hall of Famer - Randy Johnson

 

Quick fact: Did you know Randy Johnson is an awesome photographer? Check out his website sometime, he has some great shots. https://rj51photos.com/ His logo is awesome too! 

 

 

Seattle Icon - Dan "the man" Wilson!

 

 

 

 

 

National Baseball Hall of Famer - Edgar Martinez

 

 

 

National Baseball Hall of Famer - Ford C Fick Award Winner - Dave Niehaus

"Grandma get out the Rye Bread and Mustard, its Grand Salami Time!"

 

 

Winningest Manager in Mariners History - Lou Piniella

 

 

 

 

 

Alvin Davis - Mr. Mariner

 

 

Jay "bad to the bone" Buhner

 

 

Jamie Moyer - Only pitcher to pitch so slow it looked like the ball stopped in the air. He was our crafty lefty!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Plate entrance to T-Mobile Park

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

Getting settled in our seats for the game.

 

 

Susan's cuisine de jour - a Hot Dog

 

 

I went with a Seattle classic! Ivar's fish and Chips!

 

 

We also had to get the garlic fries! Maybe that's why no-one was sitting close to us...

 

 

 

Mariners were playing the Oakland A's this day.

 

 

 

 

 

Mariner Moose with some kids!

 

 

Mariner Moose wanted to do some rock, Paper, Scissors with the A's players. No takers

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were 9 kids who went out to the different positions. Each got a baseball signed by the Mariner at that position. This kid got Eugenio Suarez's autograph!

 

 

 

 

2021 AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray was on the mound this afternoon.

 

 

warming up!

 

 

Time to play Ball!

 

 

 

First Pitch!