MisterMatthew's cruise to AK, on Eurodam, 5/20-5/27

[MisterMatthew]

Continuing...

Day 5 (Ketchikan, AK)...

 

I really liked Ketchikan.  A nice place to visit, the harbor was picturesque.  And, the shopping was a little more tame than the other ports.  Our weather was great. 

 

The Eurodam got a great place to dock at.. VERY close to the main part of town.  I wonder if HAL has a preference of sorts that is grandfathered "in", that other ships do not have?

 

There was the roar of the Lumberjack Show.  It already had most of the performances booked for the day.  I did not see it, but could hear the fans having a good ole time!

 

Someone on board mentioned to me that going to a specific place for fish n chips, I have photos of it.  My mistake -- didnt get there when they opened!  1st photo, 2 hour before opening.  2nd photo, they're open.  And, a line.  Oh well.

 

 

 

The historic street where they had the Brothel, very cool.  I love the sign with the humor!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will look forward to going back to Ketchikan in the future.  There are some art galleries here that are awesome.

 

Let's see... lunch back on the ship was at the Lido.  Two items to grub on:  Salad, and another salad. 

 

Next, went to the World Stage... they had another wonderful presentation.  This one was about women in Alaska and their "unlikely" careers.  Great film.  Jordyn, the cruise director, again, hosted.

 

At dinner, I was thinking I would just get some Room Service, but decided at the last minute, to do the Lido.  I'm glad I did.  I met a few more servers.  One of them was Dwinda.  Great sense of humor, and a LOT of energy!

 

 

We talked for almost an hour.  And, that is a difficult thing to do for someone working in the Lido!!!!!!  Okay, we did not talk continuously of course -- just here and there.  She is from Indonesia.  I remember, her hometown name, and even pronounced it correctly!  Lol.  Towards the end of my stay at the Lido, Dwinda asked me what I would like next to eat.  When I didn't answer... she took me BY THE HAND and escorted me to station that I did not even notice tonight.  It was one of the salad stations, but--tonight it was all fresh-cut fruit.  Nice.  "Now, Matthew, look... we are going to get you some of this, and some of that, and what about this!".  Good fun.

 

I have to say, this was (perhaps) the best thing I ate the entire cruise.  Ripe, very ripe, tropical fruit.  Pineapple, papaya, mango, kiwi.  Yum!

 

 

 

 

It was, somewhat late, but not too late.  I had a burst of energy.  Made it to the casino -- played dice -- won a couple of Benjamin Franklin's.  Now, that SAFE will come in handy.

 

Alright, went to sleep at midnight.  :)  :)

 

-----MisterMatthew

[SilvertoGold]

Photo is of the decoration on the atrium ceiling?

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, MisterMatthew said:

Continuing...

Several random things...

... Oh, sort of a strange interaction.  On day number 3, I was walking down the corridor (Deck 6) from my stateroom to the mid-ship elevators.  I got towards the end of the hall... and, a passenger asked me a question.  "You're on 6 also, right?"  I said that I was.  And, she goes on to ask me "Does your cabin have the smell of raw sewage that is so putrid you feel like vomiting?"  (Wow.)  I told her no.  This was near 6087.  Hmm.  Hmm.

 

----MisterMatthew

 

We were on Eurodam April 29 - May 6, deck 6.

1) That Starboard glass midship elevator did not work that full week, either. Hmmm...

2) We were in 6056. Cabin was spared the sewer smell, but it was very strong at the midship elevators from day 1, got stronger and creeped up the hall as the week progressed. We use the forward elevators.

Being a couple weeks since we disembarked, I hope that odor she experienced was a new one, not the same untreated one. Either way, ugh.

[MisterMatthew]

41 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

Photo is of the decoration on the atrium ceiling?

Correct!

[Haljo1935]

4 minutes ago, MisterMatthew said:

Correct!

Looks like it has a camera in it.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I am very much enjoying your commentary of your cruise. It has made me laugh and smile and say :Yes that is about right" 😁

Looking forward to Saturday's Game and for GKs to take the Stanley Home!!

[quack2]

22 hours ago, MisterMatthew said:

Okay.  I re-posted my first 3 posts (but now in the Default font).  Hope they are readable now?

 

I'm very very sorry.

 

---- Matthew

As you will learn, cruise passengers are very, very picky.

[POA1]

Great reporting! Love your writing style.

[julia]

Huge VGK fans here!!

[Haljo1935]

Just now, julia said:

Huge VGK fans here!!

Ugh - of course my reaction may be a bit of sour 🍇 

[LabMom57]

Honestly, this thread is making me look forward to our August cruise even more! @MisterMatthew you clearly have a way with people and a very engaging personality. I, too, love your writing style -- informative and entertaining. 

[MisterMatthew]

22 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

We were on Eurodam April 29 - May 6, deck 6.

1) That Starboard glass midship elevator did not work that full week, either. Hmmm...

2) We were in 6056. Cabin was spared the sewer smell, but it was very strong at the midship elevators from day 1, got stronger and creeped up the hall as the week progressed. We use the forward elevators.

Being a couple weeks since we disembarked, I hope that odor she experienced was a new one, not the same untreated one. Either way, ugh.

 

Wow, that's not good.  I can see where a few guests (or, a lot of guests) would be angry.  Thank you for filling me in mate.

 

----Matthew

[MisterMatthew]

22 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

I am very much enjoying your commentary of your cruise. It has made me laugh and smile and say :Yes that is about right" 😁

Looking forward to Saturday's Game and for GKs to take the Stanley Home!!

 

LAFF--- thank you my friend, I try to be candid and tell how things went.  Good or bad.

----Matthew

[MisterMatthew]

20 hours ago, POA1 said:

Great reporting! Love your writing style.

 

POA1,

Well, I really appreciate that!  Thank you so much.

 

---Matthew

[MisterMatthew]

19 hours ago, julia said:

Huge VGK fans here!!

 

Julia, I think we have a good chance this year.

And, the team is much more "healthy" compared to last season!

 

----Matthew

[MisterMatthew]

8 hours ago, LabMom57 said:

Honestly, this thread is making me look forward to our August cruise even more! @MisterMatthew you clearly have a way with people and a very engaging personality. I, too, love your writing style -- informative and entertaining. 

 

LabMom,

Hi there.  :)   Have you been on a cruise to AK before?  Just curious.  I'm glad my writings have augmented your excitement, passion, and smiles!

 

----Matthew

[MisterMatthew]

Continuing...

 

Well, a few more things to add, and I'll wrap it up.  The last port was Victoria, B.C.  --  and, with the itinerary, you do not get into port until evening.  I was considering going to Butchart Gardens, but figured what would be the point at going at night.  Or, if they would even be open at night. 

 

I do understand (correct me if I am wrong), cruise ships MUST go to a foreign country for at least one stop ---- IF THEY ARE a closed loop cruise.  Meaning they go from SEATTLE to SEATTLE.  Oh well, there will be other times.

 

Friday started with a visit to the Explorations Cafe.  I got there, about 7 minutes after it opened.  I perused the drink menu, and a cappuccino sounded good!  Waited my turn, and placed my order.  I asked for one "with whipped cream, please".. "large size".  The cashier swiped my card & said "your drink will be ready at the other side of the counter".  No problem.  Then, 6 seconds later she told me "Oh, we are out of whipped cream".  I paused, and then said "But, you just opened!?!?!".  The cashier grumbled "sorry" in a low tone.  Oh boy.  I walked over to the other side.  Waited for my drink.  In addition, another person in line said "Did I hear you say you don't have wihpped cream?"  Her voice displayed MUCH more disappointment than mine.  What can you do.

 

Well, I hung out for a little bit, and took in the views.  Next up, hit the gym.  I spent an hour in there.  I went nearly an hour.  Mostly on the treadmill.  And, some time on the (how do you say it...) thingy where you use your hands to pedal "machine".  I have a photo of it posted earlier. 

 

Lunch was a combination of Dive-In, and the Lido.  One item I got at the Lido was a beef dish.  It was from the section (I think they call it Distant Lands?)  Most people refer to it as asian. 

 

 

The placard near the item denoted it was "Beef Tagalog".  Oh my lord.. very chewy.  And NO TASTE WHATSOEVER.  My guess is the word "tagalog" is defined as unseasoned.  This stuff was awful.  If I get an item I do not care for, that is one thing... just don't finish it.  Move along.  But, this stuff.  I took a bite & did not care to swallow.  You know -- you know -- yep -- hold up a napkin to your mouth & you know.  Oh boy.

 

Otherwise, rest of the grub was fine.  I had some of the cold cuts.  And, they were tasty.

 

 

The dessert, was... berry cheesecake. 

 

 

The standout item on the Lido tonight was carved sirloin.  I'm almost positive that was the name of it.  A nice medium rare, and tender!

 

 

The art gallery had some promotions going & I guess an auction, or the FINAL auction of the day.  I just took glimpses of the stuff.  There was a giveaway (I think) earlier in the cruise that mentioned 'GUESS THE WEIGHT of the figurine", and you win it.  Not sure if you had to buy a ticket, or it was just a free entry.  Most of the time, there was not a representative near the artwork during the cruise.  Then again, I only passed by three times.  So, I digress. 

 

Tonight, by 11:59 we had to have suitcases, bags, caskets, and other luggage out in the hall.  I did my packing -- well most of it before dinner.  It was around 5pm, and not that many bags were in the hallway from what I could see. 

 

Son passed by, I said hello.  I was not sure if I would see him in the A.M. so placed green-paper-cash into his palm & thanked him.  No, did not use an envelope.  No, was not discrete.  I don't leave thank you envelopes on my dresser, etc, etc, etc.  There are occasions in which your room steward may not be the one cleaning your room on a particular day.  So, I like to HAND THE DOUGH to them face to face.  That's just me.

 

I was going to go downstairs & see about luggage tags, but then remembered that they were delivered to my mailbox in an envelope.  I filled them out and attached them.

 

Took a nap for what seemed like a good hour or two.  Nope, it was just 25 minutes.  But, felt like much longer.  Guess the nap did me good. 

 

Got cleaned up early afternoon & then went to the Lido to hangout.  It was a good hour before it opened.  Chatted with Pravin, Sri, Dwinda, and a few others once they arrived.  Thanked them & took care of them too.  Once it got close to supper time, many of the tables had been taken.  And, a gentleman named Pete asked to sit at my table.  He is from Florida, and we chatted for a good hour or so throughout dinner.  Nice guy.  Pete is retired from the heating/cooling biz.  When I asked him how long he has been cruising.. he responded "well, this is my 23rd.. and my 4th on HAL".  When I told him it was my second, he laughed and told me that I was young & got plenty of time!

 

I did not notice (even though we had a table near a window) that Victoria came into sight, nor that we docked!  See, you get into a good chat & there you go.

 

I have to say, I did not spend much time in Victoria off the ship.  It was fairly windy.  Once I returned to the ship, the weather screen mentioned that there were, currently, 42mph winds.  Hold onto your hats & little ones!  I did not charge my phone enough, so, only snaps I got were of the staging area for shuttles / cabs / rickshaws.  Yeah, rickshaws.

 

 

 

Seeing these, sooooo reminded me of "that" Seinfeld episode.  Lol.

 

At around 9:45pm... I was coming down the corridor to my stateroom, and there were about 12 suitcases, etc in the hallway.  Two cabins (across from one another) had bags outside.  I took it upon myself to put them on the same side, even though they were not mine, just in case a wheelchair, walker, etc had to pass. 

 

Day 7.. Disembark

 

They had announced that the Lido (and Ii think the MAIN D.R.) were going to be serving early.  I slept in.  My group was 9:30am .. the VERY LAST group.  It was assigned to me as my flight that day will not have left til 3pm. 

 

I packed my carry-on, which is just a charging cable, my travel docs, and light items.  Had some fruit and juice for breakfast, and that was basically it. 

 

I wanted to get out of my stateroom & let the stewards / crew do "what they gotta do" on turnaround day.  Thusly, I went and nabbed a chair just outside of the pinnacle grille.  Listened as they called out the colors and numbers, etc, etc. 

 

Now I was not exactly sure when the next "time" would be that I will see my luggage.  But, I got the answer after we left the ship & got into the Terminal Building.  That is where color-coded sections / numbers had luggage stored.  It was well organized.  I found my area & of course spotted my bags as I was last to get off the Eurodam. 

 

There was no one asking for names, passes, tickets, etc for the Shuttle.  You just got in line & waited.  From the time I left the Terminal Building & was physically "on" a shuttle bus was roughly 30 minutes.  Not too bad. 

 

I enjoyed the cruise very much.  I still think Holland America has great service.  I have not sailed other lines, but that is my opinion for "what it is".  I would do the AK cruise again, certainly.  The only thing I would do differently, is perhaps choose a different HAL Ship.  And, the reason for that is, I kind of want to dabble.  Maybe get to the juncture where I've been on all of the "dam" ships!!

 

Got to SEA-TAC.  Like I said, it's a large airport.  I checked in pretty early and my boarding pass did not even have a gate number on it.  Anyhow, the T.S.A. lines were fairly lengthy.  This airport has a digital screen that shows the # of minutes the wait is.  I have PreCheck.  Most lines were showing 32 or 33 min.  My line showed 1 min.

 

I am home SAFE now.

 

----Matthew

[Haljo1935]

@MisterMatthew THANK YOU so much for sharing your adventure with us. And for changing that pesky font and taking the time to repost the first couple days so we could fully tag along 💝

Alaska is awesome  - you certainly captured it well!

Thanks again and welcome home.

[MaryBethV]

I absolutely LOVED your trip report! Informative, entertaining, and witty. 🙂 It is also my preference to rehash everything after arriving home from a cruise, sort my photos, and write out a full report. (They are fun to go back and read your own memories later also.)  Our first HAL cruise will be early next year and I learned so much from your writings. Thank you for taking the time!

Edited June 3, 2023 by MaryBethV

[Haljo1935]

@MaryBethV

Welcome to HAL - enjoy your cruise!

[LabMom57]

@MisterMatthew

 

To answer your question, no I have not yet been to Alaska. We retired last year and are just starting our travels. We have 3 cruises booked this year and 4 cruises booked for next year to celebrate retirement.

 

Thank you for your pictures and descriptions. We enjoyed your report very much.

Edited June 3, 2023 by LabMom57

[BetsyS.]

Mister Matthew - Thank you for your entertaining posts and great pictures! 😊

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble with your safe, but glad they finally fixed it! 

Your room steward Son was terrific. I'm sorry to also hear about the odor 

on your deck. That should have been taken care of right away.  Thanks 

for saying that you hung your duffel bag on one of the metal hooks on the side 

wall. I never thought of that! It's a great idea and I will do it on my next cruise. 

I'm glad you enjoyed your travels.

[Tigerlily75]

I really enjoyed this, thank you Matthew! 

[MisterMatthew]

On 6/2/2023 at 7:43 PM, Haljo1935 said:

@MisterMatthew THANK YOU so much for sharing your adventure with us. And for changing that pesky font and taking the time to repost the first couple days so we could fully tag along 💝

Alaska is awesome  - you certainly captured it well!

Thanks again and welcome home.

Haljo... very nice of you to say.  I did have a good time.  Mother nature is a wonder, no doubt.

 

---Matthew

[MisterMatthew]

On 6/2/2023 at 8:26 PM, MaryBethV said:

I absolutely LOVED your trip report! Informative, entertaining, and witty. 🙂 It is also my preference to rehash everything after arriving home from a cruise, sort my photos, and write out a full report. (They are fun to go back and read your own memories later also.)  Our first HAL cruise will be early next year and I learned so much from your writings. Thank you for taking the time!

 

   MaryBethV ...

 

Well, thank you so much.  That means a lot to me.  I hope your cruise is amazing!  Being organized and sorted is righteous!  Although, I'm not always organized, he he.

 

 ----MisterMatthew