LIVE from Ovation of the Seas 5/31/2024 - Who isn’t tired of sandy beaches???

[Jimbo]

@niksmom630 what time were the ships pics taken, just about all your pictures have no passengers in them?

[niksmom630]

53 minutes ago, sdonaghy said:

I'm on this same cruise next Friday.  Loving the pictures and the insight.  We also booked our excursions through Alaska Shore Excursions.  Enjoy !!!!   

thanks! We almost missed our excursion, as did many others, because debarking was a hot mess. I’ll share more on that later! But Alaska shore excursions was a  GREAT help! 

[niksmom630]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

@niksmom630 what time were the ships pics taken, just about all your pictures have no passengers in them?

About 7:15 am. There were definately people milling about, but I also try and cut people out or wait for people to pass when I’m snapping away. 

 

the hour time change back also helped! 😂

 

[niksmom630]

What can I say…. Sitka was amazing. We really lucked out with the weather, it was grey but in the lower 50’s and mostly dry. 
 

for the ladies out there, looking for clothing tips/references, I wore: 

 

cotton shirt sleeve tshirt. 
oversized thick hoodie sweatshirt

quilted sleeveless vest

north face raincoat

fleece lined leggings 

 

was completely comfortable, even when the winds picked up. 
 

debarking was ridiculously crazy. Granted, I didn’t do as much research as I should and probably cut the timing too close. Especially considering it was a non royal excursion. But MANY people did the same and missed excursions. 
 

good news…. We actually ported 15 minutes early. But, unlike Caribbean cruises, EVERYONE  gets off. 
 

More later! 

[niksmom630]

So, before I get onto the happy news…. A word of warning, or rather, a hint for timing…. It will take you nearly an hour or more to debark the ship and get to town center in Sitka. 

[niksmom630]

The bears….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

Raptors…

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

Day 4, Skagway 

 

 

balcony views…

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lulu00s]

These views are just gorgeous!

[niksmom630]

Today’s tour…

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g60877-d12650259-City_and_Mountain_Summit_Shore_Excursion_in_Skagway-Skagway_Alaska.html

 

 

[niksmom630]

Cafe 270 for a quick bite this morning 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pastries for an up charge. They have the same ones at La Patisserie on deck 4

 

 

[niksmom630]

We had an awesome tour in Skagway. I would definitely recommend it. 
 

I debated between this one and a rail/train tour, and I’m glad I chose this. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

White pass trail, bridal veil falls, tormented valley, and the gold rush cemetery stops…

 

 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

This waterfall in the cemetery was one of the best…

 

 

 

lunch at the Skagway brewing company. Great fish and chips! Also recommend the Spruce Tip Blond Ale…. 🍺 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

 

 

 

Dawes

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

Balcony views….

 

 

 

 

 

[A&L_Ont]

Just caught up and enjoying your Alaskan adventure.

[niksmom630]

11 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

Just caught up and enjoying your Alaskan adventure.

Thanks, Andrew! @A&L_Ont And thanks for the tip 😎 

 

It was 10/10

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

The thing about Alaska weather is that no one really knows what it will do……

 

the forecast for the entire week has been sketchy, yet we’ve had great weather 🤷‍♀️ 

 

today we had a few brief rain showers… but not the washout that the weather channel predicted…nor the near perfect day apple weather predicted… so, best to just be prepared for any outcome 

 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

 

 

the views today are really almost indescribable. The photos just don't  do the views justice. 
 

the floating ice absorbs the color of the sea

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 5 by niksmom630
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[niksmom630]

 

port was hopping today 

 

 

I think there were 5 ships in? Tracy’s is on the right …. Amazing king crab….also had the beer batter fried shrimp. 

 

the line to get in will look intimidatingly long…or at least it did today. Maybe 30 people deep. But somehow it works. 
 

you order your meal…. It takes maybe 5-10 minutes to prepare… the seating is long picnic tables… people rotate out pretty quickly. 
 

also highly recommend the draft Alaska Brewery beers served on tap 🤗