Barwick Cruiser Posted May 18, 2023 #101 Share Posted May 18, 2023 4 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said: @Barwick Cruiserwe have done both early season (May) and end of season (Sept) but never peak season, so all we know are cooler, wetter days. But considering much of the area is located in a temperate rainforest, we expect the rain, lol. We really like the snowy peaks, and even light snow, we see/get in May; although we know we're too early for salmon running. We have been blessed with bears, though, especiallyin Sitka and ISP/Hoonah. We very much enjoy the beauty of the active waterfalls in Sept, so both are great times for us. Interesting…I would’ve thought with spring melt that the waterfalls would be larger and faster in the earlier months. We’ve previously chosen September to avoid the bugs as well as the kids of summer. May would work well too then apparently. Thanks everyone, sorry OP for digressing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 18, 2023 Author #102 Share Posted May 18, 2023 1 hour ago, Barwick Cruiser said: Interesting…I would’ve thought with spring melt that the waterfalls would be larger and faster in the earlier months. We’ve previously chosen September to avoid the bugs as well as the kids of summer. May would work well too then apparently. Thanks everyone, sorry OP for digressing! IMHO May (especially early May) is the best period to go. Never been disappointed so far. That being said, I went once in July (Millennium 2021) and it was great as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barwick Cruiser Posted May 18, 2023 #103 Share Posted May 18, 2023 15 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said: IMHO May (especially early May) is the best period to go. Never been disappointed so far. That being said, I went once in July (Millennium 2021) and it was great as well. Was there still snow on the peaks in July? How many kids were onboard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 18, 2023 Author #104 Share Posted May 18, 2023 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Barwick Cruiser said: Was there still snow on the peaks in July? How many kids were onboard? This was during Covid. Almost no children, as the cruise left in the early days of the mandatory vaccine yada yada (JUL 15 ex SEA). Let me check my photo files and find some pictures. Edited May 18, 2023 by Fly and Sail 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 18, 2023 Author #105 Share Posted May 18, 2023 I have to say the BLU desserts are spot on at the moment. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinfly Posted May 18, 2023 #106 Share Posted May 18, 2023 Thank you for the live review. Will be on board the Solstice in a couple of weeks and really looking forward to it! I sure hope we have the same weather you're having. If there's anything specific that you've done that's special that you'd recommend, love to hear about it. Either on the ship or at the ports. Hope you have a good day in Victoria. We are planning to do an e-bike tour there.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 18, 2023 Author #107 Share Posted May 18, 2023 54 minutes ago, cruisinfly said: Thank you for the live review. Will be on board the Solstice in a couple of weeks and really looking forward to it! I sure hope we have the same weather you're having. If there's anything specific that you've done that's special that you'd recommend, love to hear about it. Either on the ship or at the ports. Hope you have a good day in Victoria. We are planning to do an e-bike tour there.. Yeah: Avoid eating at the Mast Grill. It'll save your life! 😬 But if you're referring to activities and excursions, no I didn't do anything except going for a walk on my own (totem pole heritage museum in Ketchikan, Tram up the mountain in Juneau). If this is your first Alaska cruise you should take the White Pass Railway in Skagway - it's an unforgettable experience. We're completely fogged in today and this doesn't bode well for Victoria. I was planning on getting off and eating some oysters but with this weather I guess it'll be Persian Garden and Hottub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinfly Posted May 18, 2023 #108 Share Posted May 18, 2023 Sorry to hear about the fog. Maybe a trade for all that great, sunny weather! I do love a good burger but from what I read, you can't get one from the mast grill. A bit disappointing to hear. This is our first time in Alaska and yes, we are planning the Railway in Skagway (one way with the other trip via bus stopping at a couple of sites). We're also doing some wildlife/whale watching boat tours in Ketchican/Juneau. I hope they are worth the cost. Looking forward to additional pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 18, 2023 Author #109 Share Posted May 18, 2023 Fog has largely disappeared and we’re sailing along the coast now. I estimate about 2:30h to Victoria plus clearance time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 19, 2023 Author #110 Share Posted May 19, 2023 It turned out to be quite a beautiful day after all! Now for some oysters in victoria! ❤️🦪 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavias Posted May 19, 2023 #111 Share Posted May 19, 2023 9 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said: It turned out to be quite a beautiful day after all! Now for some oysters in victoria! ❤️🦪 We were just there for a visit a few weeks ago. Such a beautiful place! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 19, 2023 Author #112 Share Posted May 19, 2023 So good!! 🦪 Walked to Finn’s Seafood & Chops. Dozen Oysters and a Seafood Chowder to round up this beautiful sailing. ❤️ 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majkman Posted May 19, 2023 #113 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Fly and Sail, You have been beyond kind and generous with your time, information, news, updates, photos and videos. We'll be on the Solstice in 4 weeks, and regardless as to how many machines are down, my friends and family will know to check the casino if they're looking for me. 🙂 Thank you for everything, and I am so happy the weather has cooperated for you, you deserve that!! Enjoy your remaining time on her, and bring her back in one piece!! Andy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 19, 2023 Author #114 Share Posted May 19, 2023 (edited) I had a visitor today who loved the pound cake with pear from Cafe Al Baccio: Edited May 19, 2023 by Fly and Sail 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted May 19, 2023 #115 Share Posted May 19, 2023 18 hours ago, Fly and Sail said: If this is your first Alaska cruise you should take the White Pass Railway in Skagway - it's an unforgettable experience. Agree 100%. The only thing we have done that was better was on our first Alaskan cruise we did a very long bus tour into the interior that that followed a lot of the train route up towards White's Pass. However, our bus did not stop there and went as far as Emerald lake. It was a wonderful experience with the bus driver stopping along the way when wild animals (deer, moose, etc.) were spotted. 18 hours ago, Fly and Sail said: We're completely fogged in today and this doesn't bode well for Victoria. I was planning on getting off and eating some oysters but with this weather I guess it'll be Persian Garden and Hottub. You are braver than I am ... I think oysters are out of season (May does not contain the letter "R") but I could be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 19, 2023 Author #116 Share Posted May 19, 2023 My last night almost ended up in the medical bay. I got some severe food poisoning yesterday (not sure what it was but the remnants I was able to identify at 3am were all from OVC lunch). Feeling a lot better this morning after two hours of sleep and I got some raw ginger from Sushi on 5. As far as disembarkation goes: It’s now 8:20am and nobody has left the ship yet as there is once again a clearance delay. Walkoff was scheduled for 7:30 am. I have a transfer to the airport arranged by X at 9:05am (Group 18,19). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 19, 2023 Author #117 Share Posted May 19, 2023 58 minutes ago, DaKahuna said: You are braver than I am ... I think oysters are out of season (May does not contain the letter "R") but I could be wrong. I paid the price for that bravery. ☠️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted May 19, 2023 #118 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Just now, Fly and Sail said: I paid the price for that bravery. ☠️ I was actually surprised to see they served them to you. Not that I would have eaten them, although they did look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 19, 2023 Author #119 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Just now, DaKahuna said: I was actually surprised to see they served them to you. Not that I would have eaten them, although they did look good. Actually in Vancouver and Victoria they are served almost year round. Can’t remember oyster ever being off the menu. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted May 19, 2023 #120 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Just now, Fly and Sail said: Actually in Vancouver and Victoria they are served almost year round. Can’t remember oyster ever being off the menu. I know they are some very delicious oysters to be had up in that area but still -- if the month does not contain the letter "R", I'll pass on oysters. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 19, 2023 Author #121 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Eventually I ignored the announcements and walked out with Group 5 at 9:00am even though my assigned number for the bus transfer was 18/19 (I had no luggage to pick up) was on the bus at 9:10 am - and again nobody ever checked any tickets. Arrived at the Terminal for checkin at 10:15 am and my counter opened at 10:30. The airport is an absolute madhouse, one of the worst in North America. CLEAR saved me at least 45 min in security lineup. Now I’m getting my stomach back in order with a Ginger Ale and Chocolate Cookies a and I’m off to Tokyo. I hope those who get on the Solstice today and the upcoming season will have a fabulous time as well. Although I think weather wise he hit it out of the park this time. Cheers! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyecantwait Posted May 19, 2023 #122 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us! Hope you're feeling better. Can't wait for August! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavias Posted May 19, 2023 #123 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Thanks so much for a wonderful commentary and pictures of your experience. We are taking the same cruise a year from now. I’m more excited than ever for it! 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OT-Miami Posted May 19, 2023 #124 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Wonderful review - thanks for sharing! We are planing our first Alaska cruise beginning of May 2024, so I've really enjoyed following along. Safe travels! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Fly and Sail Posted May 20, 2023 Author #125 Share Posted May 20, 2023 Just arrived in Narita, easy peasy ride on Japan Airlines, and already on the train to central Tokyo. Hope jetlag isn't hitting too hard later. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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