Live from the Jewel April 29-May 13, 2024: will definitely contain sarcasm and grumpiness

[YVRteacher]

5 hours ago, laudergayle said:

Oh my…what a beautiful addition to your cruise.  And, it was free, compliments of Mother Nature🥰.  Was this between Ketchikan and Juneau??  We just got notice today that our whale watching excursion in Juneau doesn’t guarantee whale sightings…so this would be amazing to see.  And…our cabin is really close to the Great Outdoors.  Tell Dad he has a fan club!  
 

Lol, I just got to your next post where you acknowledged it was free!  Yay!

This was in Seymour Narrows on the sea day between Vancouver and Ketchikan. We are heading north, not south.

Edited May 2 by YVRteacher

[YVRteacher]

3 hours ago, Eggs2Go said:

I'm another Yvonne. I get called lots of names too. At Starbucks I'm often Evan.

 

Loving your review. The laughs keep coming. Better than Burns and Allen (ask Dad).

I get Evan all the time at Starbucks too!!

 

I know Burns and Allen (not personally…!)

[YVRteacher]

 

Disclosure:

I have just spent a good amount of time at Maltings. I have no idea what I’m going to write. 

 

Here’s our tour bus. We are clearly in the right place.

Our NCL excursion is the Alaska Lodge Adventure and Seafeast. Unfortunately our time was changed from 10:45 to 9:30am which isn’t ideal for a food-based excursion. Oh well.  I booked this one for dad since he loves seafood. I did register a vegetarian meal and have low, low expectations. Don’t tell ANYONE but I have a banana and some cookies in my purse for backup. I’ve said this before: I was a Girl Guide and am always prepared.

 

Our driver is Matt.

In his other life he is a sixth grade history teacher in Las Vegas.  Matt says speaking of history, our bus is older than him.  He also says he doesn’t know what is more difficult: dealing with sixth graders or cruise ship passengers from Atlanta.

 

We had a lovely drive north from Ward Cove to Clover Pass.

Clover Pass Marina

 

The properties here aren’t connected to the city water supply. All homes have cisterns.  I know someone who lives in Wales who had frog eggs hatch in her cistern so her water was teaming with tadpoles. 

 

Here is our boat for the trip to Silver King Lodge

 

So some excursions are meh. Some are outstanding. Ours was the latter!

Every time the captain spotted wildlife he zipped the boat closer and did a slow 360 so everyone could see. It was like we were on a wildlife viewing tour!

My dad and I once did a wildlife tour out of Ketchikan and saw nothing except ocean. Today made up for that! We saw (sorry the capital letters)

 

Eagles 

Seagulls

Kittiwakes

Crows

Sea lions

Seals

One Humpback Whale

Sitka deer x3

 

Our tour took us through Clover Passage

 

 

This boat zooms like a luge and I say wheeee many times. My dad holds on and looks afraid for his life.

 

This dock is part of the Navy base

 

These two barges

are part of SEAFAC which is the acronym (can you believe I spelled that correctly when I’m this tipsy!!??) for the SouthEast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility. Their technology is so sensitive they can hear a snowflake hitting the water.  They are designed to detect submarine signals and determine foe or ally.

 

We see a humpback whale and take a little detour for gasps of awe before spotting Grant Island

and the neighbouring Silver King Lodge.

You can stay for a week  here (that’s the minimum) and each cabin includes its own skiff.

[YVRteacher]

The Silver King welcoming committee was very enDEERing

 

 

[bluenose1]

1 hour ago, YVRteacher said:

 

 

Disclosure:

I have just spent a good amount of time at Maltings. I have no idea what I’m going to write. 

 

Here’s our tour bus. We are clearly in the right place.

Our NCL excursion is the Alaska Lodge Adventure and Seafeast. Unfortunately our time was changed from 10:45 to 9:30am which isn’t ideal for a food-based excursion. Oh well.  I booked this one for dad since he loves seafood. I did register a vegetarian meal and have low, low expectations. Don’t tell ANYONE but I have a banana and some cookies in my purse for backup. I’ve said this before: I was a Girl Guide and am always prepared.

 

Our driver is Matt.

In his other life he is a sixth grade history teacher in Las Vegas.  Matt says speaking of history, our bus is older than him.  He also says he doesn’t know what is more difficult: dealing with sixth graders or cruise ship passengers from Atlanta.

 

We had a lovely drive north from Ward Cove to Clover Pass.

Clover Pass Marina

 

The properties here aren’t connected to the city water supply. All homes have cisterns.  I know someone who lives in Wales who had frog eggs hatch in her cistern so her water was teaming with tadpoles. 

 

Here is our boat for the trip to Silver King Lodge

 

So some excursions are meh. Some are outstanding. Ours was the latter!

Every time the captain spotted wildlife he zipped the boat closer and did a slow 360 so everyone could see. It was like we were on a wildlife viewing tour!

My dad and I once did a wildlife tour out of Ketchikan and saw nothing except ocean. Today made up for that! We saw (sorry the capital letters)

 

Eagles 

Seagulls

Kittiwakes

Crows

Sea lions

Seals

One Humpback Whale

Sitka deer x3

 

Our tour took us through Clover Passage

 

 

This boat zooms like a luge and I say wheeee many times. My dad holds on and looks afraid for his life.

 

This dock is part of the Navy base

 

These two barges

are part of SEAFAC which is the acronym (can you believe I spelled that correctly when I’m this tipsy!!??) for the SouthEast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility. Their technology is so sensitive they can hear a snowflake hitting the water.  They are designed to detect submarine signals and determine foe or ally.

 

We see a humpback whale and take a little detour for gasps of awe before spotting Grant Island

and the neighbouring Silver King Lodge.

You can stay for a week  here (that’s the minimum) and each cabin includes its own skiff.

Enjoying following your cruise. Love your Dad quotes of the day. We have a cruise on Oct 10th on the Jewel a 9 day cruise. I have been to SEAFAC 2 times both on different submarines. A very interesting experience. Never have stepped foot in Alaska. Enjoy your cruise.

 

[Disney Deb]

Sorry that we won't be on the same cruise but we will get everything ready for you!

That lodge looks wonderful-hoping to hear that you were able to get something yummy!

[YVRteacher]

I could have stayed in the rainforest for hours, forest bathing, taking photos and just being in the presence of vast trees, lush moss, newly sprung trilliums and drooping lichens. 

 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

At one point we came to an ancient Western Red Cedar and those of us nearest the tree all reached out at the same time to place our palms on her trunk.  I went to take a photo and asked everyone to keep their hands on the bark. I love, love, love this photo!

 

[ceilidh1]

I trust by now that dad’s truffles are securely locked away in the safe…

[YVRteacher]

Yup!!

[YVRteacher]

Up next?

Deer on the beach 

followed by the seafood boil.

 

We all cozied up to newspaper covered tables

 

and large pots were brought to each table.

 

Our newspaper was from January 3, 2023.

 

Out of the pot tumbled Dungeness crab claws and legs, prawns, clams, mussels, corn, red potatoes and lots and lots of garlic. Everyone received their own tub of butter and there were condiments and seasonings on each table. 

 

 

[YVRteacher]

I had pre-arranged for vegetarian food but they forget to make it. When everyone was done eating they brought me some corn and some potatoes. 

 

For dessert there was a whole tray of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies with the chocolate chunks still all melty inside.

 

 

My dad wanted another hot chocolate and I thought he could prepare one himself. I was wrong.

 

After the staff and I cleaned up the counter, the floor, the tea bins, the hot chocolate maker, the paper towel dispenser and everything else within a one metre radius I made dad another hot chocolate and apologized to the staff. 

 

When everyone had their fill of seafood (the cooks brought out another round of crab legs) I went down to the beach 

 

 

Our boat ride back to the dock at Clover Pass was swift and bouncy. I told the woman next to me I should have worn a sports spa! We were lifting off our seats and laughing!

 

The streets were wet so it obviously rained in Ketchikan today but we stayed dry and sunny at Silver King Lodge.

 

I highly recommend this excursion and I hope you get Matt from Las Vegas as your delightful bus driver.

[YVRteacher]

What to buy at Ward Cove?

 

Treats for people

 

Treats for pups

 

items you don’t need

Yes, they are bringing the jewels to the Jewel.

 

Here’s a view of the Jewel from Ward Cove

 

 

and a view of Ward Cove from the Jewel

 

 

[YVRteacher]

Happy hour at O’Sheehan’s

 

leaving Ketchikan

 

 

 

Latitudes party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 3 by YVRteacher

[YVRteacher]

Dinner at La Cucina (I was hungry after only eating corn and potatoes)

 

 

My dad had a half portion of calamari and a half portion of fettuccini

 

Alfredo con funghi with shrimp

 

 

 

my dinner was the caprese salad and a half portion of spaghetti marinara (not on the menu)

 

 

We had cake in the Garden Cafe for dessert

[YVRteacher]

So my dad found a duck. Most people would be thrilled.

 

Dad was utterly perplexed.

 

What’s this?

Why is it there?

Who put a duck on the staircase?

What’s it for?

What’s this card?

 

I told him about the new-ish tradition of cruise ship ducks and he still wondered why.

 

I said the purpose is to experience a moment of joy in the placing and a moment of joy in the finding. I told my dad he could keep the duck.

 

He looked at me and said, “but I don’t NEED a duck.”

 

Now I have a duck.

 

 

Edited May 3 by YVRteacher

[YVRteacher]

Day 4 Juneau

breakfast

 

This is what I ordered (let the record show that I did not order those potatoes nor did I eat them)

 

and this is what I made

 

[YVRteacher]

 

Approaching Juneau (not pictured=all the dolphins we saw from the balcony this morning!)

 

 

 

 

 

docking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

setting up the gangways and comfort tents

 

 

[YVRteacher]

Today as we were getting ready my dad said “NCL is really declining. They don’t even put soap in the room anymore.”

 

I walked into his bathroom and showed him the dispenser with the very fancy, very citrusy  L’Occitane liquid soap.

 

This is day 4, people! 4 days without using soap.  I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

[YVRteacher]

We used the Haven priority escort to disembark today. The line up for the free shuttle into downtown Juneau was long but moved swiftly. It was an overflowing zig zig through the stanchions but we were on a jam-packed bus within 8 minutes.

 

Two years ago in Juneau we walked up to a kiosk and purchased city tour and Mendenhall Glacier tickets for $39 per person. Last year the tickets were $45. 

 

This year?  $117 or $90 without the city tour.

 

Nope.

 

 

 

We walked along the wharf to see the ravens,

 

 

 

browsed the book store

 

 

 

 

and harbour shops then headed into the busier part of downtown. We walked up and down the side streets

 

 

and I smiled at this cleverly disguised electricity meter 

 

Look at these murals! One on each side of the stairs.

 

 

 

So I saw this shop dog,

 

asked the owner if I could pet her, and plunked down on the floor for an epic floofy cuddle session. She fell asleep when the belly rubs started. Her name is Dottie and I am in love.

 

 

[YVRteacher]

I saw the Ruby Princess docking so we walked back along the wharf to meet our friends! They are on the second leg of a B2B that included a round trip out of Vancouver to Hawaii then a round trip out of Vancouver to Alaska. They had crummy weather for their Hawaiian islands cruise but had to buy sunscreen today in Alaska!

 

The husband was our next door neighbour and the wife is my friend from grade 1!  We went to the Alaskan Brewing Public House on the wharf for an open air lunch. Of course we peeked in Tracy’s King Crab Shack’s vats 

 

 

Drinks came first!

 

Here’s an Alaskan Amber Ale (dad); Solstice Vodka Lemonade (me); Northwind Cider (friend N) and Icy Bay IPA (friend S).  

 

We loved this place so much we stayed for hours, ordering a second round of drinks and lunch.

 

 

 

Seafood chowder for dad

and

waffle fries with beer cheese sauce for me

 

 

Friends enjoyed the Alaskan BBQ Sampler Tray with wild boar and Alaskan Smoked Salmon 

 

An enormous bald eagle perched on the piling nearby so we had a meal with a wildlife view. The ravens provided background noise. They provided background noise All. Day. Long.

 

This was a wonderful way to spend a sunny afternoon in Juneau! We will definitely be back for many more meals at Alaskan Brewing in Juneau!

[cruiseny4life]

6 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Day 4 Juneau

breakfast

 

This is what I ordered (let the record show that I did not order those potatoes nor did I eat them)

 

and this is what I made

 

The breakfast potatoes seem to always make it on my plate, even though I never order them and almost always ask for them not to be delivered as I know they'll be left unscarfed. 

 

Alas, NCL apparently enjoys heaping these potatoes on my plate as if they are laughing at me for missing the greasy sponged fried potatoes! 

 

Your breakfast sandwich, with tomato, looks fantastic!!

[Girr]

7 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Today as we were getting ready my dad said “NCL is really declining. They don’t even put soap in the room anymore.”

 

I walked into his bathroom and showed him the dispenser with the very fancy, very citrusy  L’Occitane liquid soap.

 

This is day 4, people! 4 days without using soap.  I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

I travel with a "gumpy" and liquid soap isn't "real soap".  Ask your room steward for bar soap - I didn't think it still existed onboard, but several bars of L'Occitane verbena soap were promptly delivered to the cabin.

[ceilidh1]

9 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

 

 

He looked at me and said, “but I don’t NEED a duck.”

 

 

Yet he needed a plastic snake.

And a stick.

 

 

[YVRteacher]

The internet is a challenge on this ship and itinerary! 

This wouldn’t post when I was writing about our day in Ketchikan, so here it is two days late

 

Evening Show

Travelelers Duo: Cliché

 

If wine can have the 4 Ss and the 4 Vs, the aerial show can have the 4 Fs

 

Act 1 Funereal

Act 2 Feral

Act 3 Flamboyant

Act 4 Flighty

 

These aerialists weren’t the best. I mean, they were way better than I would have been, but they weren’t the greatest entertainment. There was a lot of bending, walking dramatically, hanging from a stick and spinning but 45 minutes of stretchiness is a lot to watch.

 

Don’t you love how you can exit the theatre on deck 7 and quickly end up at Maltings on deck 6? Thats what happened to us. There’s always a fabulous team at Maltings and these three bartenders are no exception.

 

 

For my last drink, I wasn’t sure what to order. The bartender knows I prefer sweet drinks so he creates something special made with Chambord, elderflower liqueur, bourbon and yuzu.  It was like a choir of angels dancing on my tongue!!

 

 

I’m going to sleep well tonight!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any votes on what this is?