Royal Princess / July 20 2024 / Semi-Live Trip Report w/ Pre Cruise AK Adventure … Let’s Go!

[Italy52]

@Fishbone, I am so sorry that you were not able to get into Hubbard; it is one of our favorite places to visit on the itinerary.  We are scheduled to take the Hubbard boat excursion off the ship on August 18th.  Hopefully, we will be able to make it. Definitely better to be safe than have a Titanic moment.

 

I definitely agree with your husband with regard to the slope of the bed.  When we were on the Royal in May it seemed to me that the bed was sloping -- I guess I wasn't the only one who felt the same way.

 

Looking forward to reading more of your journey.

[Hogladyrider]

@Fishbone I am guessing you are finishing up this review back from home in steamy Florida!

 

Great job so far!

[Fishbone]

Very small collection of photos to correspond to Day 10 - Whittier. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fishbone]

21 hours ago, Italy52 said:

@Fishbone, I am so sorry that you were not able to get into Hubbard; it is one of our favorite places to visit on the itinerary.  We are scheduled to take the Hubbard boat excursion off the ship on August 18th.  Hopefully, we will be able to make it. Definitely better to be safe than have a Titanic moment.

 

I definitely agree with your husband with regard to the slope of the bed.  When we were on the Royal in May it seemed to me that the bed was sloping -- I guess I wasn't the only one who felt the same way.

 

Looking forward to reading more of your journey.

@Italy52

Sending good vibes for your cruise in August! I hope your Hubbard Glacier excursion is spectacular!

 

That’s so funny that you noticed a slope! I’m not going to tell my husband ‘cause I would never want him to know that he was right! 🤪

[Fishbone]

20 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

@Fishbone I am guessing you are finishing up this review back from home in steamy Florida!

 

Great job so far!

@Hogladyrider

We made it home yesterday at 2am! It’s hot, it’s humid, & we’re loving every minute of it! 
 

The Heat Index is 107 & it’s fixin’ to rain! 

Edited July 31 by Fishbone

[Fishbone]

Very small collection of photos to correspond to Day 11 - Hubbard Glacier Scenic Cruising. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ninka26]

@Fishbone Welcome home! Hot and humid here in NY too. Wants to rain but... don't think it's gonna happen any time soon.

[Fishbone]

Beach Club paperwork …

 

 

 

 

 

[Fishbone]

31 minutes ago, ninka26 said:

@Fishbone Welcome home! Hot and humid here in NY too. Wants to rain but... don't think it's gonna happen any time soon.

@ninka26

I hope y’all made it home safely too! I wanted to ask you & your husband to join us for dinner one night, but I didn’t want you to think I was being creepy, so I chickened out! Next time! 

[Wishing on a star]

Love your trip report...  very informative and entertaining!!!

"Fixin' to rain..."

Yep, I hear the SOUTH!!!  

Getting ready to do something sounds like repairing something!!!  Hahahaha!!!

 

Based on a recent comment.  I have a question.  When you boarded the ship, did you notice nice flower arrangements in the public areas, like in the circle area in the Piazza, Guest Service area? etc????

[ninka26]

1 hour ago, Fishbone said:

@ninka26

I hope y’all made it home safely too! I wanted to ask you & your husband to join us for dinner one night, but I didn’t want you to think I was being creepy, so I chickened out! Next time! 

And here I was worried I was being creepy! Two peas in a pod, I think. Definitely next time!

[Fishbone]

Day 12: Monday, July 22 – Glacier Bay; 9:15AM-6:15PM

 

A few weeks after booking, we were notified by Princess that our time in Glacier Bay would be shortened by 1hr15min. Not necessarily a big deal, but it was slightly annoying. 

 

We woke up early, but clearly not early enough because by the time we got outside, the masses had already congregated in every last crevice on the decks of the ship. Fortunately, I spied a pair of loungers pulled up to the rail & we promptly deposited our butts into them. I was looking forward to a day of soaking up the sun. And taking in the scenery, of course! My husband was clearly not “on board”. “How long are we going to sit here?” he asked. “All day,” I replied. “ALL DAY?” he scowled, “NO WAY". “Yes, way,” I replied. “This is the highlight of the cruise & I’m fixin’ to sit here all day long”. And that’s exactly what I did.

 

The bay was dramatically different from what we experienced in June 2023. The sun was beating down like a spring day in the South. I had to peel off layer after layer until I was down to a short sleeved t-shirt & jeans. It was hot. But then again, I’m going through menopause, so I’m not really sure if “it” was hot, or if “I” was hot. Hot & bothered. Note that my husband would not approve of me mentioning my “menopausal” stage of life, which is precisely why I don’t let him read my daily recaps. It is what it is.

 

The majority of snow covering the mountains has melted & the trees are literally a thousand shades of green. I must admit, I was somewhat disappointed. Yes, it was incredibly beautiful, but compared to last year, it was … meh? Last year, it was freezing cold. We were bundled up & drinking hot chocolates while traversing through an endless stream of large icebergs. The mountains were covered in snow & it truly looked like a winter wonderland. It was a completely different experience this year & while it was still very enjoyable, I think sailing through Glacier Bay in early summer was a far spectacular endeavor.

 

We passed multiple glaciers en route to Tarr Inlet. Upon arrival we spun “right ‘round, baby, right ‘round, like a record baby, right ‘round, ‘round, ‘round.” Oh the 80s. How I miss them. Shortly after arriving at Margerie Glacier, it calved, which was fun to witness. It calved again after the ship turned, which gave everyone on the other side of the ship a sight to see.  

 

Colt & my husband tried to sit still & bask in the glory of Glacier Bay, but after about two hours they got restless. Thus, they made various treks throughout the day, but always returned to check on me. They went to the gym, the sports deck, & of course the Lido, where an endless buffet of good eats was waiting to end up in someone’s belly.

 

My favorite part of the day was the multiple “rafts” of lazy little otters that floated by en mass. What a sight to see. Those lazy little otters are living the life.

 

As the day progressed, the masses of pushy people began to thin out. I have not encountered much negativity on the ship until today. Some people worked hard to stake their claim to a railing & were not willing to budge for others seeking a view. A large group of people next to me turned multiple loungers sideways, which blocked off a large span of the rail. That wouldn’t have necessarily been such a bad thing had they actually sat there, but after claiming the space (piling the loungers full of blankets, sweatshirts, & other personal belongings), all but two of them left. People clamoring for a spot would notice the gap in the rail & attempt to catch a glimpse by stepping over the loungers, only to be told that the space was taken. In one instance, a completely exasperated older gentleman replied, “Please, I just want to take a quick picture.” At that point, the antics were annoying, so I stood up, pushed my lounger away, tapped him on the shoulder, & offered to take a picture of him & his family. He immediately handed me his camera & said “You are a good person”. That made my whole freaking day & thus anytime someone approached, I would offer to take their picture, which meant they had to climb over the loungers, which resulted in a lot of sighs, side-eyes, glares, & frowns by my unhappy neighbors. I guess that doesn't necessarily make me a good person either, but it did make me smirk in spite & delight.        

 

We eventually headed down to the Vista Lounge to stamp Colt’s National Park Passport. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the small outside area of the promenade deck. The view there was far superior to that of the higher decks because it’s much closer to the water line. The only negative was that it stunk. When we first sat down, my husband gave me “the look”. “That wasn’t me!” I loudly responded. If you sat there long enough, you became accustomed to the funk, only to be reminded of it when someone new stepped outside & proclaimed “It smells disgusting”. Sigh. If Princess can’t resolve the issue, I think they could easily address it by moving a coffee cart out there to mask the stink.

 

As an aside, I would love to know the reasoning for eliminating the wrap around promenade deck. There’s nothing better than a midnight stroll on the promenade, or a late afternoon slumber, or an early morning spent curled up w/ a good book. Who makes these decisions? Sigh.

 

As the ship chugged along, en route to Icy Strait Point, we watched many whales spout in the distance. By the early evening the majority of people had gone inside, so it was very peaceful. After a while, we headed to eat. Colt pleaded his way out of a family dinner in an effort to maximize his time w/ his new friends at the Beach Club. Oh to be 14 again. We enjoyed our table for two in the Symphony Dining Room, but happily chatted with the couple seated next to us. It’s fun meeting new people & interesting to hear how others spent their day.    

 

After dinner, I stopped by the “perfumery” for a little spritz. I was looking for something that smelled fruity & fresh, like the old DKNY “Be Delicious”. The ladies in the shop encouraged me to try “Chance” by Chanel. Hmm. Nope. Not for me.

 

We stopped by the Watercolor Fantasy Show & then snuggled into a pair of lounge chairs to watch Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. It was very cold, so my husband got us additional blankets. We wrapped ourselves up tightly w/ only our eyes showing. Halfway through the movie, a large group of teenagers walked by, including my Colt. I was super disappointed that he totally ignored us & didn’t stop to say hello. Afterwards, he told me that he didn’t even know it was us. “All I saw was two mummies laying out there in the cold like a bunch of frozen fools,” he said. Sigh.

 

After the movie, we took the scenic route back to our cabin. We stopped at the casino to make our obligatory donation & then meandered on to the International Café for another late night delight. They heated up a salami sandwich for me & I was in heaven. As I was enjoying my indulgence, we noticed a couple in discord. They were seated in the middle of the Piazza. She was sitting motionless, crying her eyes out. He was seated in front of her, making all kinds of hand gestures, & flapping his jaws. She never said a word, but he went on & on & on. I wanted to bring her a salami sandwich & tell her that he wasn’t worth it, but my husband told me to mind my own business. So I sat there & enjoyed two salami sandwiches. One for me & one for her.  

 

Goodnight from the Royal Princess, which is currently docked in Hoonah, Alaska! Last year, I was really surprised that we docked the night before. I incorrectly assumed that we would be slowly sailing through the seas all night long. I would have preferred that, but instead the lines are tied taut & we are clinging to the dock. The sunset was gorgeous tonight, reminiscent of a rainbow sherbet ice cream cone.  

[Fishbone]

On 7/31/2024 at 6:49 PM, Wishing on a star said:

Love your trip report...  very informative and entertaining!!!

"Fixin' to rain..."

Yep, I hear the SOUTH!!!  

Getting ready to do something sounds like repairing something!!!  Hahahaha!!!

 

Based on a recent comment.  I have a question.  When you boarded the ship, did you notice nice flower arrangements in the public areas, like in the circle area in the Piazza, Guest Service area? etc????

 

@Wishing on a star

What an interesting question. Unfortunately, no, I didn't notice any flower arrangements on the ship. They may have been there, but I don't recall ever seeing any!

[Fishbone]

Glacier Bay Day ,.. Paperwork … 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fishbone]

Very small collection of photos to correspond to Day 12 - Glacier Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fishbone]

Day 13: Tuesday, July 23 – Hoonah, Alaska (Icy Strait Point); 6:00AM-7:00PM

Despite not being a fan of manufactured ports, I like Icy Strait Point ‘cause it smells like … Alaska!

 

A few weeks after booking, we were notified by Princess that we would no longer be docking at Icy Strait Point, but would instead be at anchor for the duration of our visit. However, yesterday afternoon, we received a letter in our cabin stating that the docking situation had changed & last night we were already docked at this little hamlet on the sea. The letter stated that we’d be docked until around 11:30AM, at which time the ship would move to anchor further out. A tender would subsequently be required to/from the ship.

 

When we woke, it was already raining & it never stopped. The temperature also dropped. It was cold & wet. Feels like … Alaska! After breakfast on the Lido, we stopped back by our cabin to pick up our day pack, & then headed out to explore. We all donned our new raincoats. The guys were also wearing rain pants, which helped keep them very dry.

 

There are two docks at Icy Strait Point. We were docked at the Wilderness Landing. I had hoped to walk the nature trail to the other side, but Colt quickly vetoed that idea. “Did you not notice that it’s raining,” he said with lots of snark. Umm. Ok. I guess maybe the guys don’t understand how raincoats work yet. So, despite the fact that we were decked out in rain attire, we took the free “Transporter” over to the other side. It’s a pleasant ride & we saw a couple of deer, but I’m not sure such a high-tech gondola was necessary. I would love to know how much it cost & how that cost was justified. The zip line was not running, which made me sad for those who had booked it.

 

We spent about two hours exploring the shops, something that we don’t generally do, but you know … it was raining & the guys clearly didn’t want to get their new raincoats or rain pants wet. Sigh. Colt bought a basketball w/ a “tribal” design. It was not inflated. The guys debated for 15 minutes on whether they should ask for it to be inflated. I was amused, but eventually shut it down.

 

After our shopping spree, I stood out in the rain & bought us a bag of maple donuts from the Salvation Army’s “Lil Gem’s”. The man who handed me the bag made a joke & then started laughing hysterically. As usual, I didn’t get the joke, but that in itself made me laugh, so it was all good. The guys were waiting for me at a picnic table under a shelter. I sat down & “Purelled” my hands. When I went to reach into the little paper bag filled with freshly made donuts … it was empty. What. The. Heck. I looked at the guys, but they were staring straight ahead in complete silence & avoiding all eye contact. Ridiculous. “Do you want me to go stand out there in the super long line in the freezing cold rain & buy us another bag?” Colt eventually asked. Sigh.

 

We spent some time exploring the cannery. I wish there was more to it, or that it was more authentic, but it’s been polished & shined. I guess it’s not really “unauthentic”, but I love this kind of stuff & would have liked to see more of it in its original state. When I was little, I loved visiting the Dole & Del Monte Factories when we lived on Oahu in Hawai’i. Those factories are now long gone, but I can still vividly remember standing on the metal scaffolding up above the canning line watching the factory workers do their thing. It was fascinating. The best part was the free samples at the end. When we had Colt, I pledged to take him to as many factories that I could find. Although there’s never enough time in life to do everything we dream of doing, I think I’ve fulfilled that pledge. A few highlights include Sally Dark Rides in Jacksonville, Florida (theme park ride manufacturer); Wilson Football Factory in Ada, Ohio; Jiffy in Chelsea, Michigan; Louisville Bat in St Louis, Missouri; Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, Texas, & dozens more. We’ve also visited lots of breweries & distilleries, which are always fun ‘cause when we give our free drink coupons away at the end, the recipient is always super grateful & confused. “Why are you here if you don’t drink?” they usually ask. “Cause it’s fascinating!” And, the absolute stench of the fermented grains & yeast that lingers in the air is enough to make me never ever want to drink whatever it is that comes out of that mash.   

 

We eventually explored the beach, where large bushes filled w/ berries lined the gravel path. We were so tempted to gather up a handful, but didn’t quite know what they were. Salmonberries? Sadly, we left them for the bears. The guys had fun lifting up rocks in search of … “things”! They found a bunch of crabs & had fun naming them. There was a little girl running around w/ a large & heavy piece of whip-like seaweed (bullwhip kelp?) that she was hitting her older brother with. It looked like it really hurt, but he took it all in stride. I thought she was super lucky ‘cause my older brother would have taken it & whipped me right back.

 

We came upon a nice fire that was roaring, despite the rain. We warmed ourselves up while listening to the local, who was manning the flames, tell us about the wooden halibut hook that he was holding. It was very interesting. Afterwards, my husband chatted w/ him for quite some time about fishing. He shook my husband’s hand at the end & said, “It’s nice to talk to another true fisherman”.

 

We stopped by The Cookhouse for drinks. That ice cold Dr Pepper from the fountain was legit! I would have liked to walk to Hoonah, but it was raining pretty hard & it seemed as if the temperature was still dropping.

 

At 2:30PM, it was time to go our separate ways. The guys headed to the Excursions Hub. I decided to walk the nature trail back to the dock. That wasn’t necessarily the best decision on my part. It should have been a very easy walk, but because it had been raining all day, it was a very slippery & very muddy mess. Half-way through, I decided that I was an idiot. In addition to the less than favorable conditions & poor shoe selection, my feet are super swollen – like double the size of my normal feet! Not sure if that’s from our flights, my fall in Anchorage, or from all the salty food we’re eating. My only goal was to make it to the end without falling. Although it was a beautiful walk, my progress was very slow, so I decided to motivate myself by pretending that there was a bear following me. I know, I know. I’m a complete whackadoodle. But it worked. I raced along the edge of the path until I made it to the end. Hooray. And I didn’t eaten by the make-believe bear!

 

There was a little store at the end, so I sloshed my way over & purchased myself a little wooden frame engraved w/ “Icy Strait Point” & little nautical designs. I have a collection of these type of natural wood frames hanging on our walls at home. I also bought Colt a sticker to affix to his bedroom door which is filled w/ stickers from our travels. Sometimes people are surprised that I let him stick them up there, but … it’s a just a door. No big deal.

 

Afterwards, I scampered aboard a tender & made my way back to the ship. I patiently waited a long time for the lady in front of me to walk across the gangway from the tender to the ship. Apparently, she was afraid to cross it. I get it. Everyone has their own issues. I wanted to growl & scream “BEAR” to help her get movin’, but instead I just waited. But she wasn’t budging & the crew was just looking at her. The tender was empty by then, but she was blocking my path. I may or may not have “accidentally” bumped into her, which caused her to grab onto the side rail. That gave me just enough room to pass. “The waves are really picking up out here,” I said innocently, but w/ a totally guilty conscience. I had lost my patience & my feet hurt. For all I know, that lady is probably still clinging to the tender. Little does she know that it could have been a lot worse ...  

 

Many years ago, my husband & I took a snorkeling excursion on a cruise that stopped in Belize. It was a complete mess from the beginning to the end. I wish I had kept trip reports back then, ‘cause some of the things we’ve witnessed are straight up crazy. The snorkeling in Belize was fabulous, but for some unknown reason, one of our fellow passengers on the trip decided that he was going to swim from the snorkeling boat that we were on to a little island about ¼ of a mile away. I could have easily made it … ‘cause I can swim! But apparently, not everyone can. When Colt was little, I forced him to take swimming lessons for years. Not “doggy-paddle & cling to the side” swimming lessons. Real lessons that taught him all four strokes & required him to swim laps for an hour each session, multiple times per week. He absolutely hated it. “It’s so boring,” he would whine while asking, “Why?” My husband & I didn’t budge & always replied, “Because we don’t want you to drown in Belize”. After taking OFF the safety vest that we were all required to wear while snorkeling, the guy jumped off the boat & swam about 50 yards away before he started screaming for help. It was terrible. Surprisingly, our guides did not immediately jump in to assist him. Instead, they repeatedly screamed back at him to “Stand Up!”, “Just Stand Up!” But the guy was flailing around, gulping a bunch of water, & was clearly in distress. Eventually (a good 2-3 minutes after he started screaming), one of the guides dove in, quickly swam over to him, & pulled him up on his feet. The guy was standing there like a fool in waist-deep water coughing up bucket-loads. By the time they got him back into the boat a bad storm had rolled in. Lightning, thunder, all that good stuff. The crew told us to get down & hang on tight while they raced back to the ship, which was anchored just offshore. When we arrived, the waves were huge & the gangway could not be placed. I kid you not, two crew members literally lifted each one of us up & flung us over to the ship, where we were pulled to safety. I remember crawling on my hands & knees through the little passageway. And that was the last time we ever visited Belize. But I digress …

 

Back on the Royal, I took advantage of my alone time by taking an extended shower. I threw on some clean clothes & then decided that I was going to surprise the guys by washing all the dirty laundry. I didn’t bother drying my hair, or putting on any makeup … ‘cause it’ not like I was going to run into anyone I knew on the ship. Well, that’s precisely where I ended up meeting fellow Cruise Critic poster Ninka26 in a totally chance encounter. In the laundry room on the Baja Deck. Go figure. I was so excited about our impromptu meetup. I immediately texted my mom all about it & I couldn’t wait to tell the guys. The guys know I’m writing something, but not much else!   

  

Originally, I had hoped to send the guys on a halibut fishing excursion, but I waited too long to book it & thus it sold out. We contemplated a “lazy day”, but I know that my definition of “lazy” is much different than what the guys envision. So I found a little paddle for them to enjoy. The three hour paddle was originally scheduled to start at 3:30PM. I sent an inquiry via their website asking them to confirm the end time, as we would have to be back on the ship no later than 6:30PM. To my surprise, the guy immediately emailed me back & said that he would change the start time to 3:00PM to accommodate our schedule. Now that’s customer service!

 

I’m glad the time was adjusted, because the guys didn’t get back to the cabin until 6:45PM! “We were on the last tender!” they exclaimed. They were very wet & very cold. I celebrated their return & they told me all about their adventure.

 

Fairweather Kayak: The guys kayak in the Gulf of Mexico on a weekly basis, so they were looking forward to kayaking in the waters off Alaska. They were shuttled from the Excursion Hub to Hoonah in a van, where they were assigned a tandem sit-IN kayak (which is slightly different from our tandem sit-ON kayaks) & included a spray-skirt (something we’re unfamiliar w/). They proceeded to kayak around Port Frederick for a solid 2.5hrs. They were then shuttled back to Icy Strait Point, where they jumped on the Transporter, ran over to the tender, & made it back to the ship just in time. The guys really enjoyed their paddle, but would have preferred to kayak faster, longer, & further – but that’s only because their weekly trips generally encompass an all-day (6-8hr) paddle. They had also hoped to see wildlife, but weren’t so lucky. $380.28/2=$190.14pp

 

My husband & I were both starving, so we headed to the Symphony Dining room. Colt did not join us for dinner. I guess he had important business to take care of at the Beach Club. We told him to be back by midnight because we wanted to get up early for our day in Juneau. He pleaded for an extension & promised to wake up at 6:00AM, so we relented. Sigh.

 

The setup in the Symphony Dining Room is strange – when we attempted to enter on the left, we were told that there was an hour to an hour & a half wait. Ugh. We were so hungry. Then the hostess whispered, “Go to the other side”. I was confused & really had no idea what she was talking about. “Just go over there,” she said & pointed across the hall. So we took less than twenty steps across the hall to discover another entrance … to the same dining room. There, we were happily greeted & immediately seated. I still don’t understand. It’s one big room. I can see across the whole room, from one side to the other. What am I missing?

 

After being seated, I told our waiter that I was really hungry, so I was going to order two appetizers. He told me that he didn’t really care how much I ordered. Fair enough, but what he should have cared about was the half eaten roll in the bread basket that he placed on our table. The roll looked normal until I picked it up & only half of it was there w/ teeth marks. Sigh.   

 

After dinner, we made yet another small donation to the casino & then stopped by the International Café for another … say it with me now … late night delight. Yes, we basically just ate, but we are ON VACATION! We were exhausted, so we trod back to our cabin, where we watched movies: The Eyes of Tammy Faye & The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbird & Snakes. I fell asleep during the second movie, only to be startled awake by my alarm going off at 1:30AM & simultaneously, the cabin door swinging open. Right on time.

 

Goodnight from the Royal Princess, which is currently en route to Juneau, Alaska!

[Fishbone]

 

Very small collection of photos to correspond to Day 13 - Hoonah (Icy Strait Point). 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Italy52]

@FishboneThank you for taking us along on your Alaska experience.  You brought a smile to my face every time I read your posts. 

 

Had to mention one of your line items in one of your posts:  "After dinner, I stopped by the “perfumery” for a little spritz. I was looking for something that smelled fruity & fresh, like the old DKNY “Be Delicious”. The ladies in the shop encouraged me to try “Chance” by Chanel. Hmm. Nope. Not for me. "

 

I had to laugh at your comment.  When we were on the Royal in May I went into the "perfumery" to see if I could find a new scent; something with vanilla and on the subtle side.  Lo and behold, I was given "Chance" by Channel.  I guess they are really pushing that scent but DEFINITELY, not for me either.  The salesperson tried to give me some coffee beans to sniff and clear my nose but that just made things worse --- I am one of those rare individuals who can't stand the smell of coffee --- my husband's eyes got real big, grabbed my arms and led me out the shop as fast as he could. We board the Royal again on the 10th, wonder what scent the store will try to give me this time. 🤔

[Fishbone]

Day 14: Wednesday, July 24 – Juneau, Alaska; 6:30AM-5:00PM

 

We stumbled out of bed & were out of the cabin in record time. So much to do … so little time. Colt was very sleepy the entire day, but that’s what happens when you stay out late.

 

Taxi: We walked over to a cabbie (they were parked immediately adjacent to the ship), who drove us to the airport.

 

Avis JNU: 7 hour “intermediate” rental using my employer’s “personal use” discount. I dislike Avis in general. The ten-minute “video survey” of the car (that I was required to complete to document any damage in advance of driving it off the lot) only made me dislike them even more. $50.36

 

McDonalds: We could have eaten breakfast on the ship, but we didn’t want to waste any time, so went through the drive thru. Is it just me or does everyone have a go-to drive thru menu item? Colt always orders the Big Breakfast w/ Hotcakes. I always order a Sausage Egg McMuffin. My husband? LOL! What do you think! Oatmeal, of course!

 

Mendenhall Glacier: We immediately headed here after breakfast. I think the best view of the glacier is actually on the way there (we pulled over to the side of the road for a few photos). There were only a few people milling about upon arrival. We walked along the Steep Creek trail, which was partially closed due to increased bear activity, but we didn’t see any bears (the salmon were not running). Then we hiked Nugget Falls, which was fairly easy & ended directly at the falls. Very rewarding hike. We stopped by the visitor center on our way out to watch the movie, Landscape of Change, but it was out of commission due to technical issues. Sometimes I read comments that Mendenhall Glacier isn’t worth the effort. I think renting a car & driving there yourself first thing is the morning is a totally worthwhile endeavor.  $10/2=$5pp (Colt was free).

 

Glacier Highway: We hit the highway & were very surprised that we seemed to be the only ones on the road. There was very little traffic & we encountered very few people. It was as if we had Juneau all to ourselves!

 

Auke Village Recreation Center: We parked at one of the picnic shelters to enjoy the view. I was surprised that the covered shelters appeared to have built in pizza ovens? Or maybe they were just fireplaces? Either way, pretty fancy. In Florida, you get a picnic table & a trash can. And that’s usually overflowing.

 

Yaxte Totem Pole: We stopped for a quick photo.

 

Eagle Beach: The salmon were running! We spent hours here watching them. It was fascinating. There were so many! Colt & my husband were both able to simply reach into the water & lift a salmon right out, before gently returning them to the sea. Unreal.

 

Shrine of St Therese: Very picturesque setting. Short walk out to the shrine.

 

Scenic View Turnout: Parking area at a turnout overlooking the Mendenhall wetlands.

 

Wayside Park: We parked near the floating fishing dock next to the hatchery. The guys were in awe of the literally thousands of salmon. I was in awe of the seals that were eating them. Or maybe they were sea lions? I really don’t know. I know one has ear flaps & one has ear holes, but I was too busy laughing at their antics to take note of their lobes.

 

There was lots of activity on the dock. They were pulling those salmon in left & right. It was non-stop action.

 

I wish there had been more time to explore Juneau as there was so much more we wanted to do. At around 3PM, we headed back to Avis, but not w/out a quick stop at the city dump. Unlike last year, there were not a lot of bald eagles & there were no bears. My husband was not happy w/ our stop at the dump. “We can probably see bears at the dump back home too,” he proclaimed. “But I bet you don’t want to do that,” he continued. “Of course not,” I responded. “Only in Alaska”!

 

Uber: We eventually returned our rental to the airport. The taxi guy from this morning was very nice & he gave me his card so that I could call him for a ride back to the ship, but the guys had never used an Uber before, so I wanted to show them how easy it was. It took two minutes for our Uber to pick us up & it cost two dollars less than the cab. I like to ride in the front seat w/ my Uber driver & chat them up. Our driver had no problem with that. Only once in about 50 rides did the guy make me sit in the back like Ms Daisy. The guys were impressed by the efficiency & friendliness of the driver, who was great.

 

Alaska State Capitol: Quick self-tour of the US Capitol. No one was working – I guess they weren’t “in-session”. It’s open to the public & the building is quite beautiful. Stately. Lots of wood & shades of blue. Fancy faux gold hangers & such.

 

Liberty Bell: These little reproductions are supposedly installed outside of every US capitol. Seems a little … monotonous?

 

Secretary William Henry Seward: Statue of the politician who negotiated the treaty for the US to purchase the Alaska Territory.

 

Fishing Bear: Statue of a bear fishing for salmon.

 

VW Karmann Ghia: As we were walking along, I spotted a fabulous green car & had to have a closer look. It turned out to be an old VW Karmann Ghia (Molly Ringwald had a pink one in the movie Pretty in Pink). As we were admiring it, the owner & her husband walked up. She couldn’t have been kinder! She let us take a closer look & even opened up the trunk so that the guys could eye the engine. I think she said she picked it up for $12,000. The paint job appeared to be original. I was so envious! The owner was as fabulous as the car itself! Super nice! A delightful couple!

 

Downtown Juneau: We walked around a bit, stopping to admire various art displays, including the “Faces of Alaska” masks outside of the Sealaska Heritage Institute.

 

Patsy Ann: Super cute statue of a historic little deaf dog who would greet sailors as they docked in Juneau.

 

We eventually re-boarded the ship, showered up, & headed to an early dinner. I always ask for a table by the window, which is not always available. Tonight, the hostess told me that they’d hook us up. It took just a few minutes for them to push two tables for two together to accommodate the three of us. Tonight’s servers were fantastic. Reminiscent of the good ol’ days! They must have heard me contemplating between two dishes, because they brought me both, without me asking. When Colt & my husband decided that they wanted “nothing” for desert, they were brought a plate of just that. Our waiters were efficient, accurate, accommodating, friendly, funny, charming, etc. Top notch wait staff in the Symphony Dining room serving tables 72/74! After dinner, I decided to walk over to the “white jacket” guy & tell him about our awesome service. I think he thought I was going to complain, which is always funny to me because it’s something that I very rarely do. Years ago, I decided that instead of complaining about terrible service (unless of course, it’s straight up atrocious), I would only acknowledge awesomeness. The “white jacket” guy stared at me for a minute until he comprehended what I was saying. I’m a pretty fast talker, but I was very clear: “I just wanted you to know that our wait staff tonight was, by far, the best we’ve had on the ship”. “In fact,” I continued, “They are one of the best wait staff we’ve had in twenty cruises across multiple lines.”   

 

During dinner, I told the guys that I didn’t think we were taking full advantage of everything the ship has to offer. My husband agreed with me, but Colt was confused. “What are you taking about,” he said in the same obnoxious way that I talked to my parents when I was 14. Apparently, Colt is having the time of his life. He told us that after meeting up with his friends at the Beach Club every night, they all go to the shows; hang out in various venues chatting & listening to music; engage in the many activities taking place on deck; & eat at all the different places around the ship! “You’re going to the shows?” I said, totally perplexed. “What shows are you going to?” I asked. “The SHOWS, mom!” he said exasperatingly. “Like the hypnotic guy last night.” The hypnotist? What? I was a little annoyed that Colt was clearly having way more fun than us! And with that, Colt headed off to the Beach Club!       

 

I think a 7-day Alaskan cruise is completely insufficient for us. Especially since we added on an extensive road-trip to the beginning! Part of our problem is that we are tired, which is a combination of jet-lag & simply doing too much. The exceptionally long hours of daylight are a double-edged sword. During our road-trip, we were regularly staying up until 1:00AM, or later, to accomplish “things”. It was great because we have seen & done a heck of a lot, but now we’re dragging. It feels like the cruise just started, but in reality, it’s almost over. A two-week cruise would have been awesome, but then we would have had to shorten, or eliminate, our road-trip. A few additional days would be ideal. Especially sea days. I remember when we first started cruising, I hated days at sea & loved the days we were in port. Now I appreciate both!

 

If we ever come to Alaska again, we will either book a 14-day back-to-back cruise early in the season (May/June), or a 7-day one-way w/ a shorter road trip in mid-August. I wish I could design my own Alaskan cruise: a 14-day one-way:

 

1.        Whittier; 10PM departure

2.        Scenic Cruising (College Fjord); 7AM-3PM

3.        Valdez; 8AM-6PM

4.        Scenic Cruising (Hubbard Glacier); 7AM-3PM

5.        Sitka; 8AM-6PM

6.        Skagway; 9AM-9PM

7.        Haines; 9AM-5PM

8.        Scenic Cruising (Glacier Bay National Park); 9AM-9PM

9.        Juneau; 9AM-9PM

10.      Icy Strait Point; 9AM-5PM

11.      Scenic Cruising (Tracy Arm Fjord); 7AM-3PM

12.      Wrangell; 8AM-6PM

13.      Ketchikan; 8AM-6PM

14.      Scenic Cruising (Inside Passage); 7AM-3PM

15.      Vancouver; 10AM arrival

 

Back to reality …

 

My husband & I headed to the show. He loved it & thought it was “so funny”. I thought it was “so dumb”! It was a ventriloquist. My husband said I needed to loosen up & enjoy the art of ventriloquism. I told him that it was like a bad puppet show. “And you’re Oscar the Grouch,” he replied. Whatever.

 

We watched the fountain show & then then the most magical part of the cruise took place. It was around 9PM. The sky was totally grey, but the sun had not yet set & thus it was still “as light as day”. There was a slight chill, a soft breeze, & a feeling of dampness that lingered in the air. The sea was incredibly still, almost glass-like. The captain made an announcement that he had spotted a large pod of whales & we would be approaching them shortly. Our eyes were glued on the water. Dozens of flying fish darted from our wake. Sure enough, approximately 10-15 minutes later, they appeared. It was unreal. There are not enough words to fully describe the beauty of it all. It was very quiet. As we cut through the sea, approximately 50-60 humpback whales silently sailed by. They were completely at one w/ the ocean. They gracefully breached the surface w/ very little water displacement. Their tails sliced through the water w/ precision & finesse. It was truly a whale ballet. We were awestruck! What a dream come true!

 

We eventually headed to the casino, where we lost our $5 fairly quickly. No fun. We headed to the Piazza, which is just too loud for me. I don’t really like the lady that’s singing in their every night. She’s SO LOUD. And I have a hearing deficit! I wish they would turn it down. It's ruining my salami sandwich experience. Nevertheless, I snagged a salami sandwich from the International Café & lamented on its location. I wish it was on the promenade deck, near the back of the ship, on deck 7. That would be ideal. Near the outside seating area & Vista Lounge. Keep the library (which is always buzzing) & the seating area of the bar (which is always full), but move the overall "cafe" concept here. Merge it with the Wheelhouse Bar itself. Extend the promenade deck all the way down to the theater. Add tons of small tables/chairs (not loungers) outside. In the morning, you could have a small bite (taking it outside to enjoy) & then enjoy a short stroll. In the evening, you could go to a show in the theater, take a moonlit walk on the promenade, watch the comedian in the lounge, & then grab a small bite at the new “Wheelhouse Café”, which now offers indoor & outdoor seating. Do the people that design cruise ships ever sail on them? I wonder if there’s a cruise ship simulator game. Like the old “Sim City”. I want to design my own cruise ship! Sigh. 

 

Goodnight from the Royal Princess, which is currently en route to Ketchikan, Alaska!

Edited August 5 by Fishbone

[Fishbone]

On 8/4/2024 at 4:54 PM, Italy52 said:

@FishboneThank you for taking us along on your Alaska experience.  You brought a smile to my face every time I read your posts. 

 

Had to mention one of your line items in one of your posts:  "After dinner, I stopped by the “perfumery” for a little spritz. I was looking for something that smelled fruity & fresh, like the old DKNY “Be Delicious”. The ladies in the shop encouraged me to try “Chance” by Chanel. Hmm. Nope. Not for me. "

 

I had to laugh at your comment.  When we were on the Royal in May I went into the "perfumery" to see if I could find a new scent; something with vanilla and on the subtle side.  Lo and behold, I was given "Chance" by Channel.  I guess they are really pushing that scent but DEFINITELY, not for me either.  The salesperson tried to give me some coffee beans to sniff and clear my nose but that just made things worse --- I am one of those rare individuals who can't stand the smell of coffee --- my husband's eyes got real big, grabbed my arms and led me out the shop as fast as he could. We board the Royal again on the 10th, wonder what scent the store will try to give me this time. 🤔

 

@Italy52

Your cruise is just a few day away! So exciting! I hope you have a fabulous time! There will definitely be more salmon running! I wish we could join you!

 

That's so funny about the perfume! Maybe no one is buying it & they're trying to clear it off the shelves! Or maybe everyone loves it & we're the odd balls? LOL! You should walk in there & tell them you're looking for a new perfume & see what they say this time!

 

Safe travels to Alaska!

[Italy52]

12 minutes ago, Fishbone said:

 

@Italy52

Your cruise is just a few day away! So exciting! I hope you have a fabulous time! There will definitely be more salmon running! I wish we could join you!

 

That's so funny about the perfume! Maybe no one is buying it & they're trying to clear it off the shelves! Or maybe everyone loves it & we're the odd balls? LOL! You should walk in there & tell them you're looking for a new perfume & see what they say this time!

 

Safe travels to Alaska!

@Fishbone, thank you for the good wishes, I appreciate them.  Leave for the airport hotel tomorrow; we have a 6:30 AM flight the following morning to Vancouver with a 5 hour layover in Seattle -- not the best but Delta rerouted us so it is what it is.  At least we have a 3-day precruise in Vancouver before our cruise begins.  Have been checking our weather and it is typical Alaska weather.  That's OK as we have gotten used to the weather pattern over the years.

 

Will definitely try to stop by the perfume shop and see what they are pushing; will report back.

 

 

 

 

[Hogladyrider]

@Fishbone...your wonderful review continues!  Maybe consider adding on a land excursion witht he cruise line that would get you up to Denali - talk about amazing!  Denali is like no other place in Alaska for sure.

 

Hope you survived Hurricane Debby with little to no damage.  One of the many things we no longer miss about living in Florida!

[marne-c]

@Fishbone  I loved your thread.  MANY thanks!!!!!

 

And today, when I saw the attached photo on FB, I thought of you and yourr fishing crew.  Perhaps you could use this on a future trip.

 

--Marne

 

 

Edited August 15 by marne-c

[Fishbone]

I have to finish this trip report soon so that my super old German mom will start cooking/baking things for us again. She’s mad that I haven’t finished & therefore: “the kitchen” is currently “closed”. “Ich bin an Schtrrrike!” she says. Tragic. Looking forward to a German feast this weekend! Apfelstrudel & all! I only have a few more days to finish writing!

 

Day 15: Thursday, July 25 – Ketchikan; 10:00AM-6:00PM

 

We slept in today, scoring a lot of extra hours of sleep. We eventually scurried off the ship. I had hoped to complete at least one of the two self-guided walking tours for which I had a map (Downtown; Newtown/West End), but … sigh.

 

The guys had walked their fishing poles off the ship & were itching to throw in a line. We walked up to Creek Street, but the tide was super low. The guys went in to “Dolly’s House” & spoke w/ an incredibly nice lady who told them to head to the “break wall”. We didn’t really know where we were going, so we just kind of walked towards the direction she pointed. I asked a guy along the way if we were headed in the right direction & he confirmed that we were almost there. He seemed to be headed in the same direction & walked along with us.

 

The break wall is noted as the “Waterfront Boardwalk” on the map. I incorrectly assumed that the guys were just going to stand on the “boardwalk” & fish, but the guy that we met along the way told them how to get down. “You just climb up there & drop down,” he said. I laughed nervously, thinking he was over all of us tourists infiltrating Ketchikan. Sometimes I get irritated by all the Instagrammers who infiltrate Florida too. “Is that a real alligator?” they ask. “Nope,” I say. “It’s fake.” “You can walk right up & take a picture.” Sigh. 

 

I didn’t think climbing over was such a good idea, but before I had a say in it, the local guy was helping them over. “They’re fine,” he said. “Don’t worry”. And with that, he was off. “Thank you so much,” I called after him. “You’re a super nice guy!”

 

The guys fished for the next several hours & caught multiple rockfish. I watched them from the boardwalk. What? Did you think I was going to climb over the rail, hoist myself up on a channel marker, & then drop down on a bunch of boulders? Maybe I could have actually done that, but then I’d probably still be stuck down there, ‘cause there’s no way I would have been able to climb back up!

 

So I plopped myself down & soaked up the sun. It was actually quite scenic. I called my mom, but there was so much going on that I told her that I’d call her back & abruptly hung up on her over & over again. There were two exceptionally loud sea lions who were giving us a fantastic show. Did SeaWorld release some of their captives? Float planes were flying past, boats of all shapes & sizes were zipping along, & several people stopped by to say hello, including two local teenagers who also climbed over with their poles & fished next to the guys.

 

Holland America’s Eurodam set sail. I waved, but no one waved back. My husband & I sailed on the Zaandam back in 2000 on our honeymoon. It was our first cruise & we quickly proclaimed it to be our last! LOL! We eventually gave cruising another try & fell in love with sailing the high seas.

 

Later that afternoon, the Discovery Princess pushed back. To my delight, one of the two Princess Ships sounded their Love Boat horn & I was OVER THE MOON! Sadly, it was the one & only time on this cruise that I heard it. Why, Princess? Why? I want to hear that blast from the past every single day! LOVE! EXCITING AND NEW! COME ABOARD! WE’RE EXPECTING YOU!

 

Towards the end of our time in port, we packed up & walked back to the ship. Along the way, some old man gave the guys a look down & mumbled something that none of us understood. “I think he called us a bunch of crocodiles,” said Colt. “What’s that?” I loudly asked the guy, thinking that he was being rude. To my embarrassment, he was super friendly & was actually trying to help us. Oops. Turns out, a “crocodile lure” is a thing & we didn’t have one. My husband chatted w/ him for a while & then we headed on our way.

 

We stopped at a few stores along the way. Lots of tchotchkes, knickknacks, trinkets, & junk. Nothing anybody really needs. Fortunately, we’re not shoppers, so we boarded the ship w/ two stickers & two ice cold Dr Peppers. We would have bought a crocodile or two, but we didn’t have any luck in finding them.

I’m always worried that the fishing poles & tackle will be an issue getting off & on the ship, but we’ve had exactly zero problems. My husband breaks down the poles into two pieces & removes the sharp stuff. The guys simply hand the naked poles to security, who stick them through the machine. The tackle bag hasn’t been given a second glance, despite being loaded with scissors, pliers, weights, & lots of sharp things. I did put plastic toothbrush holders in the shape of hippos & sharks over the sharp things so that no one would get stuck.

 

Back on the ship, we immediately headed to the Lido. I think we forgot to eat breakfast & lunch. We stuffed ourselves with all kinds of goodness. I’m always shocked when someone says they “can’t find nothin’ to eat”. We’re eating & we’re eating well. The food is not lacking. Not on the Lido & not in the dining room. There’s an incredible variety.

 

We had a table next to the window & enjoyed looking out over downtown Ketchikan.  A lot of fishing boats were returning & their catches were visible on deck. We played a game where we pretended to win the lottery & each of us had to silently pick a house to live in. Not surprisingly, we all picked the same house: a super cute three story blue bungalow perched on a hill. It had a ridiculous staircase, but nothing’s perfect. After selecting our house, we moved on to boat selection. We all picked the same boat too, but then another boat pulled in & my husband decided that the triple engines hanging off the back & the extra little mini motor was far superior. I guess.

 

As we were leaving, I noticed that Holland America's "Koningsdam" was also in port. It was flying the "We ❤️ Alaska" banner across the front of the ship.

 

After our late lunch, we headed back to the cabin for quick showers & then headed out for a fun night. We opted to skip dinner … ‘cause we just ate! Colt immediately ditched us & met up w/ his friends at the Beach Club. We’ve given him a lot of freedom on the cruise & he’s proven to be trustworthy. He checks in as requested & returns to the cabin at exactly the time we specify. I’m so happy that he’s having such a great time!

 

My husband & I sat out on the promenade deck to enjoy sail away. Sometimes doing nothing is everything! We stopped back by the Lido, where I hooked us up w/ a plate of happiness. Lots of salami. A variety of cheese slices (including a tangy blue cheese that made my mouth pucker). Olives. Grapes. Walnuts & honey. It made me really miss my mom. She’s my best friend & I would have loved to share it with her. Except she would have demanded a glass of wine. Or two. Maybe she would have even ordered one of those drinks w/ olives in them. I forget what they’re called, but it has to have two olives in it. She’s real finicky like that.  

 

We went to see the comedian in the “Laugh Lounge” (aka the Vista Lounge). We thought he (Ross Bennett) was very funny & decided to come back for his next set. We wandered up to the Lido deck for a few more nibbles before heading to the “show”. I was certain that it was going to be a “magician” & wasn’t looking forward to it. But it was a regular production show called “Encore” & I liked it a lot. After the show, we umm … noshed on the lido! My husband found a little area that was flambéing up some fruit & thought it was amazing. After he enjoyed his three bowls of caramelization, we scurried up to see the fountain show, which is never spectacular, but I enjoy it. We stopped back by the Lido, where my husband asked me to ask for another bowl of flamed fruit. “My husband would love another bowl,” I loudly exclaimed to the employee manning the dish. The guy serving it started to giggle & ladled up enough for three additional servings. My husband’s eyes rolled back into their sockets & he mumbled a bunch of gibberish. I guess I was supposed to pretend that his fourth bowl was for me. Nevertheless, he sheepishly took the bowl that was given to him … & gobbled it all up. We tried to see the comedian’s second set, but the lounge was packed, so we headed to the casino. We opted not to make a donation. Instead, we watched everyone else lose their money. Except, unlike our $5 daily loss, they were losing mega money. Yikes. We strolled through the shops, stopping by the perfumery for a spritz, before heading back over to the Vista Lounge. On our way there, we ran into Colt & he introduced us to his new group of friends. The lounge wasn’t very full for the comedian’s last set, so we had great seats. Unfortunately, he told the same jokes. It was still funny, but I wish he had changed it up a bit. After the show, we went to the International Café. Have I mentioned how loud the music is in the Piazza? It’s negatively impacting my salami sandwich soiree.

 

At the end of the night, we were super tired & my feet hurt. We’ve been walking all over the ship. Time to hit the hay! My husband fell asleep instantly. I guess that’s what happens when you eat too much flambe!

 

Good night from the Royal Princess, which is currently sailing through the Gulf of Alaska.

[Fishbone]

On 8/5/2024 at 6:37 PM, Italy52 said:

@Fishbone, thank you for the good wishes, I appreciate them.  Leave for the airport hotel tomorrow; we have a 6:30 AM flight the following morning to Vancouver with a 5 hour layover in Seattle -- not the best but Delta rerouted us so it is what it is.  At least we have a 3-day precruise in Vancouver before our cruise begins.  Have been checking our weather and it is typical Alaska weather.  That's OK as we have gotten used to the weather pattern over the years.

 

Will definitely try to stop by the perfume shop and see what they are pushing; will report back.

 

 

 

 

 

@Italy52

I hope you had a wonderful cruise!?! I also hope you made it safely back home & are already planning your next voyage like me!