YVRteacher’s dad is on a cruise! Live from the Jewel Aug 19- Sept 2, 2024

KACTravels · August 26

12 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

This is just a pop in quick post to say we are both doing great. The spa passes this week were well used!

Hi! We were on The Star and in Reykjavik until Saturday and I just was able to read through this Live report. It is so disappointing that some things are still not up to par, but it does sound like you are having a great time. Bailey and I are curious about the Spa on the Jewel - Does it have a relaxation area? Comfortable chairs to relax and maybe read? Or are the ceramic loungers and a few chairs only available in the wet area with the Hot Tub and Thermal Therapy pool? Also, when is Rumi back from vacation? Will you see him this week on your return cruise?

YVRteacher · August 26

Rumi is back October 10. I’ll take Jewel spa photos this week to show you.

YVRteacher · August 26

I love watching the docking procedures and we had a prime view of AJ dock in Juneau from our balcony.

The seagulls lost their peaceful perch as we came in and started throwing lines.

The following is a prime example of our highly functional communication skills:

Me: my feet are cold.

Dad: look at all the birds!!

YVRteacher · August 26

Our whale watching with Jayleen didn’t start until 2:20pm so we went to the spa for two hours. It was heaven! No one else was there. It was hard to leave the heat of the pool and the hot loungers to head out into the rain.

I wondered if the sun would come out…

(It didn’t.)

Dad wanted lunch at 11:30am because that is what time lunch is where he lives but we didn’t finish breakfast until 10:00am so I wasn’t hungry at 11:30. I managed to convince dad to join me in the thalassotherapy pool which delayed lunch to a sensible-to-me time. We went to Cagney’s where we both had potato leek soup and dad had a crab cake. Of course we shared the banoffee pudding! This was a good lunch.

YVRteacher · August 26

This winter I bid on a whale watching tour with Jayleen through an online auction in Juneau. I won the bid and we were supposed to go out with her on May 9. That was a day of torrential rain and 15’ swells so we postponed to today.

The grey misty drizzle gave our whale watching experience what I’m going to call ‘atmospheric enhancement.’

Really, it was cold and drizzly and very hard to take decent photos. The other times we have been out with Jayleen the boats were Island Girl and Alaskan Girl. Today we were in Merlin and we did not like this boat at all. I’ve been a huge supporter of Jayleen through the years but please check what boat you will be in (she has 4) and avoid the Merlin. All six passengers were sore and uncomfortable after our tour. My neck was hurting from twisting to try to see. The seats face inward so if you want to see out the windows you have to either twist or go to the bow or stern and there is no room or place to sit in the bow or stern. If you sit near the back the smell of engine exhaust will make you sick. There are no handles and there is nothing to grab on to to prevent yourself from sliding into other passengers or falling down if you are standing. I had to tell one woman twice to stop grabbing on to me to steady herself. This is also a difficult boat to get into and out of and the woman I just spoke about really held up our tour and reduced our time out on the water because she couldn’t get off the dock and into the boat. She was from the Celebrity ship.

We saw plenty of wildlife but most of the creatures were too far away to photograph. I have a lot of pictures of whale breath

and not one decent photo of a whale.

These photos are all in colour but some look grey scale due to the misty drizzle that turned to soaking rain.

Bull orca

While we were admiring the sleek orcas something incredible happened. A humpback breached right next to our little Merlin. The entire whale was out of the water and hung there for the briefest moment before thundering down with a splash powerful as an erupting volcano. We didn’t know the humpback was there and no one had a camera poised and ready. This one whale gave us such an explosion of excitement!

YVRteacher · August 26

Despite a wool hat, many layers and a winter jacket I was chilled to the undies and absolutely shivering with chattering teeth when we returned to the Jewel. Never in my life have I been so grateful for a hot chocolate station. I thanked the guy profusely and he must have thought I possess a deep love for hot chocolate!

Dad said “this is good but it is hot.”

YVRteacher · August 26

Before I continue with Juneau it’s time for the fruit bowl story. If you’ve read my past trip reports from the Jewel you know how much I adore Kevon. He used to be a waiter then was promoted to assistant maître d. He is the one that arranged the incredible vegetarian meals for me in Cagney’s. He was on vacation when we were on the Jewel in May.

On Wednesday we received a fruit basket in our cabin with Kevon’s business card. Under his name it read Maître D. Kevon has been promoted! At breakfast this morning I asked the host where Kevon was and Bon called Kevon.

Right in the middle of my grumpy moment when coffee and breakfast took too long this big smile and outstretched arms came to the table and enveloped me in the most welcome hug ever! Kevon!!

He told us he was reading the manifest before the cruise and saw our names. He is now the Maître d in the Palace MDR. He said he came up to find us in La Cucina the first night but we were done by the time he arrived then he came to find us in Cagney’s but we were done so he sent us a fruit basket to let us know he was on board. Last May I told Rumi that Kevon needed a promotion and I could not be happier for him. He asked us to come to the MDR and he told us we would be in good hands.

I hadn’t booked anything for tonight because our whale watching with Jayleen was from 2:20-6:30pm and I didn’t know exactly what time we would be ready for dinner.

Kevon saw us in the line up at Tsar’s Palace, came and pulled us out and sat us at the gorgeous floor to ceiling windows at the back of the gold filigreed dining room.

I ordered a beer for dad and a hot toddy for me. I told our waiter how cold I was. He didn’t know what a hot toddy was so I explained. He came back and said the bartender for the MDR didn’t have the ingredients for a hot toddy.

I said I’m just so cold. He said “I know ma’am. The bartender told me to give you a hug!”

Oh my gosh I laughed until I cried and so did the waiter. Then he brought me this:

My dad said this is the best restaurant on the ship. He said he felt like people cared and it wasn’t just an act.

We loved everything we ordered and the service was both easy and flawless. Thank you to Enrico and Kevon for the relaxed, lovely meal.

Dad’s dinner

French Onion Soup

Fettuccini Alfredo with shrimp (his favourite)

Cannoli

Yvonne’s dinner

Bruschetta

3 items from 3 different entrees: spaghetti from the eggplant parmigiana (no eggplant since I didn’t want anything deep fried) steamed broccoli from the fish dish and mashed yams from something else. I forgot to order a half portion of spaghetti so received a big bowlful. I wish I had room to eat it all, it was that yummy!

Fruit plate for dessert

My favourite part of the meal was the mashed yams! I offered dad a taste and he ate half my yams.

YVRteacher · August 26

There wasn’t any good-for-us entertainment so I told dad the evening’s entertainment would consist of drinking. He did not object.

Overheard at Maltings by a group of very tipsy group of friends: “this is the bar that serves alcohol!”

Me, to dad: I didn’t cuddle any dogs today!

Drink tally day 4

Dad

1 beer

Double amaretto

Yvonne

Irish coffee

2 Old Fashioned

Amaretto

luvcruzing · August 26

50 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

I said I’m just so cold. He said “I know ma’am. The bartender told me to give you a hug!”

Oh my gosh I laughed until I cried and so did the waiter.

I laughed right along with you as I read this. 😂

Disney Deb · August 26

On 8/23/2024 at 5:58 PM, YVRteacher said:

I showered in the spa and dad showered in the cabin.

While pulling the cabin door shut, dad asked me if I was hungry. He does not care if I am hungry: this is the way he tells me he is hungry! I said yes, but first we have a party.

His face lit up and he asked “is it my birthday?” Then I could tell he was doing some math is his head because he said “no, it can’t be my birthday because your birthday is before mine.”

We walked up two flights to Spinnaker for the Latitudes party that was not for dad’s birthday. He pointed to a green drink and said I’ll have that. I said no you won’t and ordered him a beer. That Kermit the frog coloured drink was tequila with green stuff and my dad would not have liked that.

The music at the latitudes party is so loud and metallic it hurts my teeth.

The Latitudes party was, for lack of a better word, pitiful. There was no thank you, no recognition of latitudes members and no food. Not even a grape. Some ships still do appies and some do cheese and grapes on little plates and this one does nothing.

The Cruise Next manager has not even said hello to us.

I love this dress of Tahani's! She wore that on our cruise a week ahead of yours. Missing our trip and enjoying your report!

YVRteacher · August 26

Flowers and thimbleberry by the small boat harbour in Juneau

YVRteacher · August 26

Day 5

Skagway

We woke up to sunshine which is a relief after the chilling rain of Juneau yesterday.

Dad looked out the balcony and exclaimed, “look where we are!” I went out on the balcony in my luxurious bath robe to watch the people heading into town and out for excursions and waved to the person two balconies down. We have been waving at each other most mornings!

As an aside, this seems like a great group of passengers this week. People are friendly, happy, polite and I haven’t seen any elevator arguments or drink tossing. I also haven’t seen anyone being rude or unkind to crew.

Edited August 26 by YVRteacher

YVRteacher · August 26

For breakfast in Moderno we both ate from the buffet and didn’t order hot food.

Dad

French Press coffee which he didn’t drink (I knew he wouldn’t like it but he ordered it anyhow)

Brie

Blueberry yoghurt parfait

He had something else on his plate but I’m writing this 12 hours after breakfast and can’t remember what it was. Maybe canned peaches. He would like those.

Yvonne

Oatmeal without raisins but with cinnamon. The oatmeal was lukewarm today but it still tasted good to me. Better hot though.

(Can anyone give me your tips for how to make oatmeal taste good like this, please?)

Kiwi

Orange

Watermelon

Berries

Mini muffin (I do like these new mini muffins. They are a perfect size.)

Latte

Sheila said we should eat more since we have a full day excursion but we were both full.

Our excursion met ashore at 9:15. The driver left the doors open and all the flies of various types and sizes boarded the bus. It was like a fly convention came to town and hitched a ride all the way to the Yukon.

On the CC Alaska board there are a few threads about flies and mosquitos. This was the first day in all of our cruises and ports where the flies and mosquitos were abundant and people were swatting and flapping away whenever they were outside.

YVRteacher · August 26

Our coach driver is Isaac from Utah. He shines in his driving, his friendliness and his storytelling and fact delivery. I know we would have enjoyed this shore excursion with a different driver but Isaac elevated the day. He is the kind of person you tip because you recognize their exceptional effort and don’t just tip because you feel would feel guilty if you didn’t tip.

He has been here since June and leaves next week because college resumes. He is studying computer engineering with a minor in Mandarin. This is his first summer in Alaska and he loved his time in Skagway. He said what he loved the most was the sense of community here: there are basketball games, softball games, pickleball games, mystery nights, group hikes and he appreciates the way the 900 locals connect with the seasonal workers.

Come with us as we head north to the Yukon! This is an NCL Excursion, White Pass Railway & Yukon Expedition

YVRteacher · August 26

Our first stop was rich in blackflies and beauty. We are at Tutshi Lake in my home province of British Columbia. I loved the crisp cool air blending with sunshine. I loved the dense glacial waters against the towering mountains.

I loved the boreal forest showing off newly budded alders and bunchberries.

Muckyduckway · August 26

6 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Absolutely adore this photo...

slavetoabunny · August 26

56 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Our coach driver is Isaac from Utah. He shines in his driving, his friendliness and his storytelling and fact delivery. I know we would have enjoyed this shore excursion with a different driver but Isaac elevated the day. He is the kind of person you tip because you recognize their exceptional effort and don’t just tip because you feel would feel guilty if you didn’t tip.

He has been here since June and leaves next week because college resumes. He is studying computer engineering with a minor in Mandarin. This is his first summer in Alaska and he loved his time in Skagway. He said what he loved the most was the sense of community here: there are basketball games, softball games, pickleball games, mystery nights, group hikes and he appreciates the way the 900 locals connect with the seasonal workers.

Come with us as we head north to the Yukon! This is an NCL Excursion, White Pass Railway & Yukon Expedition

We were on that excursion two weeks ago and fortunately didn't see a single fly. I think that is one of the best excursions in Skagway.

YVRteacher · August 27

on the road again

failed attempt at an aerial tram for the gold rush

small desert-like area near Carcross

I booked this excursion back when I booked the cruise and clearly did not read the tour description because I had no idea lunch was included. Indeed, our second stop was

Wild Adventure Yukon for lunch, potential shopping, a farm and sled dogs.

Usually when there is a BBQ lunch the vegetarians get extra corn and extra bread. At this place they had steaming hot, fragrant pots of Basmati rice and lentil dal. They also had unlimited freshly made cinnamon sugar doughnuts.

Dad’s food

At first my dad didn’t really feel like chicken but he tasted it and gobbled up everything on his plate. He even licked his fingers to get every last morsel of BBQ sauce. No one left food on their plate, it was that tasty.

Yvonne’s food