Live From the Grand Princess, 22-Day Alaska B2B, Apr 30 - May 22

[phabric]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

 We’ll be going to the game show to make sure we get a good seat for the ensuing lecture. 😉

I have done that to get a seat, I bring a book to read to wait.  When the game show finishes I move to a better seats.

 

I have found, we go to the 7:30 show in the theater at one end of the ship, the game show is at 8:30 at the other end ship and by the time you get through the crowds, there are no seats available.  Some of the events timing is off.

[cr8tiv1]

39 minutes ago, phabric said:

I have done that to get a seat, I bring a book to read to wait.  When the game show finishes I move to a better seats.

 

I have found, we go to the 7:30 show in the theater at one end of the ship, the game show is at 8:30 at the other end ship and by the time you get through the crowds, there are no seats available.  Some of the events timing is off.

 

Way back when....I remember....

 

Princess would have an staggered event in the Princess Theater and one in the aft theater (not club).  It would split the crowd.  There was enough time to get from one theater to the next (about 30 minutes).  

 

The Wheelhouse was between the two venues and they would have their sets timed for between the performances.

 

Everyone was happy.  

 

 

[wolfie11]

On 4/26/2024 at 12:32 AM, milogurd said:

@Ken the cruiser I just checked the Princess app, and they added naturalist and North to Alaska presenters for the 5/15 - 5/22 southbound cruise.

The North to Alaska presenter should be Nick Jans - the author of "A Wolf Named Romeo".

The naturalist should be Pete Griffin - https://www.thestorytellingranger.com . His online schedule indicates he is on the Grand from April 21 through July 17.

I know Pete.  He’s an excellent naturalist and has great lectures!

[Ken the cruiser]

3 hours ago, phabric said:

I have done that to get a seat, I bring a book to read to wait.  When the game show finishes I move to a better seats.

 

I have found, we go to the 7:30 show in the theater at one end of the ship, the game show is at 8:30 at the other end ship and by the time you get through the crowds, there are no seats available.  Some of the events timing is off.

We usually get to the early show around 30 minutes beforehand and play Gin Rummy until showtime using the little table in the armrest between us. We then leave just before the CD finishes his/her closing remarks which usually allows us enough time to beat the rush to the Explorers Lounge, and when necessary the Fusion/Vista Lounge.
 

I guess for this cruise we will need to develop a plan to get good seats for the lectures, if they continue to offer them in the Vista Lounge. But since we’ll be on the cruise for 3 legs, we should have it mastered by the time it’s over. 😂

[Ken the cruiser]

Tonight after a tasty dinner in the Reserve Dining Room, we headed to the Vista Lounge to watch an impromptu comedy show by Michael Wilson which was hilarious!

 

 
Afterwards we headed to the theater to watch the production show, Sweet Soul Music, which was very entertaining!

 

 

We then snuck out right before CD Sofie finished her closing remarks and got front row seats to watch the Yes/No Game Show in the Explorers Lounge.

 

 
Then it was time to head back to the cabin to chill and get ready for tomorrow’s arrival at Sitka!

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 3 - May 2 - Sitka, Alaska

 

 

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Here’s a description of our excursion tomorrow, which I’ve got to say looks pretty awesome! 😁

 

And the weather looks like it’s going to be cooperating as well! But we will still bundle up and bring our heavy coats, especially since we will be cruising around on a boat looking for wildlife to start things off! 😁

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Good morning from just outside of Sitka, Alaska! Got up briefly again this morning around 5:15 am, to hopefully catch a glimpse of a beautiful sunrise over our first view of Alaska!

 

 

 

 
Now if we were cruising around Admiralty Bay in Antarctica, everyone would think this was a sleeping whale. But way up here, I’m not so sure. In any event, I’ll let you be the judge. For me, my vote is that it’s some type of marine wildlife. 😁
 

 
Then I went back to bed for a couple of hours, and here’s where we are now. The interesting thing is we’re only supposed to be sharing the port with the Quantum of the Seas today. However, the Nieuw Amsterdam is currently located near where we’re going to be docking in Sitka a couple of hours from now.

  

 

  
I guess time will tell if they are having issues or just slowing passing through the area. 🤔

 

 

Edited May 2 by Ken the cruiser

[Priszm]

18 hours ago, ba5eline said:

 

Sorry to hear it took so long for transport and check-in.

 

May I ask if you had to stand for most of this 90 minutes of check-in or were there chairs along the way?

 

My partner and I bought these last year before going to Northern Ireland. They are very light weight and the strap can be short for holding or long for wearing cross body. These might help if there's a wait during embarkation. And if you are planning any hikes, these could be good to have with for rests. That was why we bought them. **Edited to add the picture since the link didn't change to include the image**

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Boreeman-Upgraded-Lightweight-Collapsible-Retractable/dp/B083945G36/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2RO0FQK0P3SVM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2nPEOZXoEIqmasHoSuWUz7pPiT61NR-L5uI9cJSOIs0hDtaXxG_lTHt_C_3uf8OxdL_3avd3sqIflCyesmikvkQy3iVMXh1Azb3eBkEuB75ssSZxKQAP3MqUfyrOSRPJXSwUFw7OWb1B1wrU34uREyjp439Ak7OH-AclzNksGeuuy_KDiReEZy1UpzN4fil8FDf6F02w-amBpAYs8pn4u84emUKGo7vI_zULgiDo3djgl8BnNOI-WWN5GCH2Af1ukooXawtBgeDGKyv6KlvzouCEbxlkDSzSYVhCrNDnuL4.xJXWHlVdzyuYkHYunnvZCK_q4a_LdlBUvn9MiGH4YIE&dib_tag=se&keywords=portable%2Bstool&qid=1714668441&sprefix=portable%2Bsto%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Edited May 2 by Priszm

[ba5eline]

Somebody on the Grand posted this on facebook from last night! @Ken the cruiser

 

 

Edited May 2 by ba5eline

[Ken the cruiser]

5 hours ago, ba5eline said:

Somebody on the Grand posted this on facebook from last night! @Ken the cruiser

 

 

Thanks for posting that! We contacted Crew Chat to see if someone can call us when folks on the bridge see the Northern Lights. The Crew Chat member said they would contact us once they get feedback on our question. It will be interesting to see what happens next. The worst they can say is no.

Edited May 3 by Ken the cruiser

[Nikulai]

5 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We contacted Crew Chat to see if someone can call us when folks on the bridge see the Northern Lights. The Crew Chat member said they would contact us once they get feedback on our question.

Oooh let us know what they say. I'd sign up for that notice. 

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, Nikulai said:

Oooh let us know what they say. I'd sign up for that notice. 

Never heard back from them. My guess is my request wound up in the bit bucket. Maybe we might pop by Guest Relations in the coming days and ask if there is a notification list we can be added to. If we do, I’ll let you know. However, if you go ask them first, let me know what they say. 

[Nikulai]

2 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

if you go ask them first, let me know what they say. 

I will happily share what I learn. 

[cr8tiv1]

This would be a good opportunity to "test" out the services of your concierge.  

 

The one late season cruise I was on, I found out about the Northern Lights show from the general crew.  They all knew.  But it was supposed to happen between 2 and 4 AM.  I wasn't about to leave my warm comforter to trek on deck to look for them.  You might be a little more willing since you have an aft balcony that will be fairly dark.  The one time I wish a Window Suite had a balcony.  lol.

 

2 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks for posting that! We contacted Crew Chat to see if someone can call us when folks on the bridge see the Northern Lights. The Crew Chat member said they would contact us once they get feedback on our question. It will be interesting to see what happens next. The worst they can say is no.

 

25 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Never heard back from them. My guess is my request wound up in the bit bucket. Maybe we might pop by Guest Relations in the coming days and ask if there is a notification list we can be added to. If we do, I’ll let you know. However, if you go ask them first, let me know what they say. 

 

[Nikulai]

1 hour ago, Nikulai said:

 

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

if you go ask them first, let me know what they say. 

I will happily share what I learn. 

 

Go to guest services. They will put you on the notify list. If/when there is a sighting they will call your stateroom regardless of the time. 

[Ken the cruiser]

 
What a day to go on such an awesome excursion! We started off getting in a bus and driving south for about 15 minutes to the southern part of Sitka, where the main part of town is located.

 

 
HAL Nieuw Amsterdam anchored off the southern part of Sitka, which was not scheduled to stop in Sitka on their itinerary.

 

 

 

 

 
A couple of Bald Eagles flying over the bear rescue center.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Bald Eagle

 

 
Golden Eagle

 

  
Peregrine Falcon who is very proud of his fancy wings!

 

  
Great Horned Owl

 

 
Bald Eagle

 

 
Another Holden Eagle

 

 

[Port Power]

On 5/2/2024 at 1:28 PM, Ken the cruiser said:

Here’s a description of our excursion tomorrow, which I’ve got to say looks pretty awesome! 😁

 

And the weather looks like it’s going to be cooperating as well! But we will still bundle up and bring our heavy coats, especially since we will be cruising around on a boat looking for wildlife to start things off! 😁

 

I did this excursion from Silver Muse last year.  There were also groups from an NCL ship at the two rescue centres.  All three parts were fascinating!  At that time there were plenty of whales feeding prior to heading for Hawaii.  
 

(I’m booked on Grand late next year, so following your very interesting thread for a general idea of the ship’s condition and activities.)

[Ken the cruiser]

Then it was time to board our sightseeing vessel and head out!

   

 

This is what the vessel looked from a distance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Herring Gull

 

 

  

 
Bald Eagles flying over us.

 

 

  
Bald Eagle sitting on a sign admiring Mount Edgecumbe which is a dormant volcano.

 

 

 
Stellar Sea Lions

 

 
Raft of Sea Otters wrapped up in some kelp.

 

 
A sea otter came out to say hi! 
 

 
Bald Eagle nest

 

 

 
Now we’re headed to a cove where there are eight Gray Whales which turned out to be the highlight of the excursion!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
If you look real close, there is a small Sea Star on the right side of the photo. 

 
Annahootz Mountain

 

 
Then it was time to head back to the ship!

 

 
What an awesome excursion we would recommend to anyone that was thing about booking it! 😁

[Ken the cruiser]

And we’re off. Next stop Juneau, Alaska tomorrow morning!

 

 
After a tasty dinner in the Reserve Dining Room, we headed to the theater to listen to a variety of popular songs sung by Travis Turpin!

 

  

 

Then it was time to head to the Explorers Lounge to participate in a very funny Murder Mystery Music Trivia.

  

 
Then it was back to the cabin! However, with all the clouds, I don’t think there will be any visible Northern Lights tonight!

  

 

 

Edited May 3 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 4 - May 3 - Juneau, Alaska

  

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Here’s what we will be doing in Juneau!

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Good morning as we approach Juneau as we enter into Stephen’s Passage!

 

 

 

  
And another pretty day! 😁

 

[treesah]

Following you with bated breath.  Onward to Alaska in three weeks!  Hope you find the Aurora Borealis.

[Ken the cruiser]

21 minutes ago, treesah said:

Following you with bated breath.  Onward to Alaska in three weeks!  Hope you find the Aurora Borealis.

Thanks! We’re going to go to Guest Relations, thanks to @Nikulai, this evening to get on the notification list. This way we’ll hopefully at least have a better chance of seeing them if they appear again. 
 

Update: Just called Guest Relations and we’re on the List! 🕺💃🏻

 

Tonight and maybe even tomorrow, as we will be farther north in Skagway, is looking pretty good! 🤞

 

Edited May 3 by Ken the cruiser