BTimmer's Almost Live Alaska 2024 Quasi B2B (8/24-9/11)

[Btimmer]

For this year's Alaska trip, we are sailing on the Koningsdam from Vancouver, BC to Skagway and then doing a HAL land tour through the gold country of Canada and Alaska as well as visiting Denali before ending the HAL portion of the trip in Anchorage.  We're then catching the Grand Princess in Whittier back to Vancouver.  Join us as we appreciate the grandeur of my birth state and experience two difference cruise lines.  We've done Alaska trips on HAL many times previously, but this will be our first Princess cruise in Alaska.  On both ships, we'll be in aft interior inside cabins as we're never in the room except to sleep.  We've not been on the Koningsdam since its inaugural sailing and we've never been on the Grand Princess.  We really like sailing out of Vancouver for the chance to traverse the inside passage of Vancouver Island.

 

I'll post pictures and text in this thread and I'll also do one of my daily blogs that I'll provide a link to later.  Given that it's 4 days until our departure, I guess I had better start packing my bags.  We're really looking forward to this trip and a chance for me to show my wife some more of the interior of Alaska.  We don't have any shore excursions booked and we'll just be "winging it".

[canadianbear]

Have a wonderful time!  Looking forward to your updates. 

[Ken the cruiser]

Have a wonderful cruise and here's hoping you'll see some Northern Lights on your adventure as the skies have definitely been receptive to them this season.

 

Aurora Dashboard (Experimental) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

 

[SUESEABE]

Following ... thanks for taking us along!  Safe travels and have an awesome cruise!

[Btimmer]

54 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Have a wonderful cruise and here's hoping you'll see some Northern Lights on your adventure as the skies have definitely been receptive to them this season.

 

Aurora Dashboard (Experimental) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

 

We are definitely aware of the possibility for viewing the Northern Lights.  We did get excellent views on our May return cruise from Australia.

[Btimmer]

We're off on our voyage.  The shuttle from Seattle took around 4 hours and check in, clearing security as well as pre-clearance border security was smooth and efficient taking about 1/2 hour in total.  I suspect many of the guests were already on board.  
 

Coming on board was like coming home!  Every thing seemed so familiar even though it had been 8 years since we sailed the Koningsdam's inaugural voyage.  Our postage stamp sized aft port side inside stateroom 4168 is nice and cozy and certainly ample for a three day cruise.  We met our stateroom attendants and they were warm and charming.  The muster drill was quick and efficient.  We were also able to make specialty restaurant reservations for all three nights so no buffet dinners for us this cruise.  
 

Departure was at 3:15 which was a bit early, but I suspect it was enfluenced by a low tide to pass under the Lion's Gate bridge which occurred shortly after departure.  Dinner in the Tamarind was wonderful.

 

After dark just north of Campbell River the Celebrity Solstice, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas passed by going south to Vancouver.  
 

Below are a few pictures from today.  Enjoy and ask any questions.

 

 

 

Lion's Gate bridge

 

 

 

 

 

Solstice

 

Nieuw Amsterdam

 

Brilliance of the Seas

[0bnxshs]

Sounds like a great combination of cruises, Tim!  Hope you both enjoy!

[travelnap]

Look forward to following along with your voyage.

[POA1]

Have a wonderful trip! Looking forward to your reports.

[albingirl]

Excited for you.  It will be fun seeing it through your eyes.  Bon voyage!

[pengu1n]

Is there another chair in the room or just the square stool at the desk?

[Btimmer]

1 hour ago, pengu1n said:

Is there another chair in the room or just the square stool at the desk?

Just the cube, there's no more room for a chair.  The Pinnacle class ships all have very small rooms.

[Btimmer]

Today was filled with Alaska presentations, a Mariner reception, and a couple lovely meals. The weather was quite overcast with limited outside visibility. We ate lunch in the Dutch Cafe (pea soup and a sandwich) and a fabulous dinner at the Sel de Mer. At the reception, the Hotel General Manager, René, indicated that the circular stairway between the Rolling Stone Rock Room and the billboard onboard venues would be removed at the next drydock.  This will give more space for the casino on deck 3 above and the 2 music venues on deck 2.

Calamari appetizer 

 

seafood soup

 

Grilled seafood

 

A presentation picture.  It was actually my entree

 

cinnamon ice cream for Angela's dessert

 

My fruit plate & cheese dessert

 

It was the Captain's toast tonight which preceeded Humanity by the Step One Dance Company which was the evening entertainment and we followed that listening to the 70's set in billboard onboard.  The two performers were good. We were at the premiere performances of both those venues back in 2016 on the inaugural cruise.  I recall standing next to the president of Holland America when he said upon observing the crowd at the billboard onboard, "I think we hit a home run!"  It was packed again tonight.

Senior officers

 

Step one

 

 

The seas were flat today until about 6pm, when there was noticeable 'motion to the ocean' for about an hour. Our inside cabin is quite comfortable with little vibration and no noises.

 

Towel animal and chocolate (it was dressy night)

 

We gain an hour of sleep tonight but tomorrow will be Juneau, where I spent my early years until age 8. We are scheduled to arrive around 1:30pm local time.

[Haljo1935]

Have a fabulous cruise - I look forward to your observations and appreciate you bringing us along.

[0bnxshs]

9 hours ago, Btimmer said:

Just the cube, there's no more room for a chair.  The Pinnacle class ships all have very small rooms.

We can attest to the lack of seating in the small insides on the Pinnacles.  Rooms like this are just as small on Rotterdam.  And I swear that cube is half concrete!

[Ken the cruiser]

Thanks for sharing some of your experiences. When you have some extra time, would you mind posting a Daily or two so we can get a feeling for what the entertainment options are like? Thanks!

[Btimmer]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Thanks for sharing some of your experiences. When you have some extra time, would you mind posting a Daily or two so we can get a feeling for what the entertainment options are like? Thanks!

Here's yesterday's which is full of programming. Plus we got our tiles today.

[Btimmer]

Here's the other two days of Daily programs

[Btimmer]

Today is the last day of the HAL sea portion of the trip.  We walked the town of Skagway in very windy conditions & 45°f. The Yukon RR portion leaves in a few minutes.

 

 

 

 

[Hogladyrider]

I really enjoy following your reviews as well as your Blog!

[Btimmer]

For those interested, my blog address is https://timmer2024ak.blogspot.com.  I describe in much more detail each day.

Edited August 27 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

We made it to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory via train and Motorcoach. I t was a good but long day.  Not much time to write.

 

 

[Btimmer]

We're now in Dawson City which has one paved street.  It's an interesting Wild West town which we'll explore today.  Last night at the stage show at Diamond Tooth Gertie's we had a cool experience which I'll recount in my blog post.

 

BTW, the Westmark Hotel here is being renamed the Holland America Dawson City Inn which I this reflects better branding.  We have room 118 and it's nice.  Below are a few pictures from yesterday.

In the middle of nowhere!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Menu at Diamond tooth Gerties

 

 

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

We're out doing some exploring on our own.  We caught the free ferry across the river and walked to a provincial park and discovered a paddlewheel graveyard.  Very cool with 6-7 boats in total decay.

[Hogladyrider]

I still have my mosquito net topper since 2009 best $1 ever.