LIVE from the Sapphire - 14 day Voyage of the Glaciers, August 31 - September 14, 2024.

[theliterateleprechaun]

This was the BEST embarkation ever! 

 

We are big transit users and are fortunate that the SeaBus (passenger ferry) is so close and convenient. This ferry holds 395 people and crosses Burrard Inlet from North Vancouver to Vancouver every 15 minutes. It takes 12 minutes to cross the inlet and an 8-minute walk from the SeaBus terminal to the Cruise Port terminal. Twenty minutes from terminal to terminal for $2.60 CAD is fantastic! 

 

We met Auntie Marg and got the 9:30 SeaBus and boarded at 10:30. That's correct. One hour from car to sailaway drink! 

 

 

 

 

Embarkation process: 5/5

[theliterateleprechaun]

@hpeabody I'm pleased to report that our inside cabin near the stern DOES NOT have light sensors! 

 

 

Our cabin steward is Richard from the Philippines and he's one of the top stewards of all time. Within 10 minutes of asking for robes and extra pillows, he was at our cabin delivering them. When we returned to get ready for dinner, we had a stowaway bear!

 

Richard had left us lots of hangers - both kinds. 

 

 

Cleanliness/room preparation: 5/5

[theliterateleprechaun]

We headed to the Trident Grill on deck 14 for a burger and fries and were fending off a hungry seagull when we met @wallyj. It's always so nice to put a face to the name. He's such a knowledgeable cruiser and had lots of tips for us. I love talking itineraries with people who love cruising. We discovered we had a mutual friend, @YVRteacher. I wasn't surprised...cruise lovers enjoy spending time hearing about cruises and hanging out with fellow cruisers. 

 

Sailaway was earlier than expected. We have a tradition of throwing a coin off the ship at sailaway; not just any coin, we choose one minted in the year the ship was built. We tossed our 2004 Canadian quarter off the deck as we sailed under the Lions Gate Bridge. Apparently sailors did this as an offering to the gods, hoping to buy the wind for a favorable and swift voyage. 

 

 

 

 

[theliterateleprechaun]

[theliterateleprechaun]

 

We met our waiter in 2011 on the Sapphire during his second contract and have stayed in touch with him. When he discovered we were going to be on the same ship at the same time, he organized our dining and put the 5 of us at a window table in his section in the International Dining Room for 5pm dinner. It will be wonderful to see him each night! We appreciate a fantastic table location. 

 

 

I loved the gravlax of wild Alaskan salmon. It was dill cured with asparagus, beet and radish slices.

 

The Alaska ale braised short ribs were 'to die for' and served with wild mushrooms and an amazing brie polenta. I hope this menu is repeated on our return to Vancouver. 

 

 

We thought it was a nice touch for chefs from the kitchen to come to the table to get passenger feedback! Way to go, Princess. 

 

 

We were following the Koningsdam and Bowen Island as we ordered dessert. 

 

 

 

I chose the vanilla mascarpone and blueberry cremeau. It was OK, but I don't think I'd order it again simply because I didn't care for the texture. 

 

5/5 dining experience 

 

 

 

Edited September 2 by theliterateleprechaun

[YVRteacher]

On 8/28/2024 at 12:43 PM, theliterateleprechaun said:

Thanks for following! Reliving cruise memories is wonderful. We do it often. 

Especially over sushi with a friend!

[YVRteacher]

11 hours ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

@hpeabody I'm pleased to report that our inside cabin near the stern DOES NOT have light sensors! 

 

 

Our cabin steward is Richard from the Philippines and he's one of the top stewards of all time. Within 10 minutes of asking for robes and extra pillows, he was at our cabin delivering them. When we returned to get ready for dinner, we had a stowaway bear!

 

Richard had left us lots of hangers - both kinds. 

 

 

Cleanliness/room preparation: 5/5

What a delightful towel bear friend for Stanley bear!

[YVRteacher]

10 hours ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

We headed to the Trident Grill on deck 14 for a burger and fries and were fending off a hungry seagull when we met @wallyj. It's always so nice to put a face to the name. He's such a knowledgeable cruiser and had lots of tips for us. I love talking itineraries with people who love cruising. We discovered we had a mutual friend, @YVRteacher. I wasn't surprised...cruise lovers enjoy spending time hearing about cruises and hanging out with fellow cruisers. 

 

Sailaway was earlier than expected. We have a tradition of throwing a coin off the ship at sailaway; not just any coin, we choose one minted in the year the ship was built. We tossed our 2004 Canadian quarter off the deck as we sailed under the Lions Gate Bridge. Apparently sailors did this as an offering to the gods, hoping to buy the wind for a favorable and swift voyage. 

 

 

 

 

This is such a special and mindful tradition. My dad and I used to do this too, until Canada stopped minting pennies.

[Mbcruiser704]

Could I trouble to ask if you could snap a pic of the paddling pool and play area onboard for small children?  I see an area on the deck plan but I have yet to find a photo.

[startedwithamouse]

56 minutes ago, Mbcruiser704 said:

Could I trouble to ask if you could snap a pic of the paddling pool and play area onboard for small children?  I see an area on the deck plan but I have yet to find a photo.

We were on Sapphire for 32 days this spring, and cannot recall a family paddling pool and play area. I think there's one on Caribbean Princess.  

 

There's a small kids club pool for the older kids, who can swim, but adults (parents, guardians) aren't allowed in that space. 

Edited September 4 by startedwithamouse

[theliterateleprechaun]

Sorry. I chose being present for my patents and Steve's auntie over spending time on my phone. I will post some more now. 

 

 

[theliterateleprechaun]

We were excited to have a rain-free day in Ketchikan! 

 

 

Since we were here at spawning time AND it was a dry day, we opted to do the salmon walk. I highly recommend doing this. Follow the signs once you walk across the bridge by the museum end of Creek Street. The first thing you'll notice is the fishy smell. If you look down at the river bank, you'll see some fish that didn't make it back to spawn. 

 

 

 

Yes, there are stairs. Not too many. 

 

 

We arrived at the fish ladder

 

 

I stopped, mesmerized by the fish trying to jump upstream...until I got teary. Our lecturer told us on board that of the 5000 eggs one fish lays, only 5 make it back to their birth place to spawn. 

 

 

I took photos of the signs to read later. Not included in this post. 

 

 

 

Highly recommended. 

 

 

 

Done! ✔️

 

There's a great bookstore here called Parnassus Books. This season it's the best stocked ever - lots of selection of both Alaskan setting and Alaskan authors. If this interests you, I've been doing a book review on Instagram (same name) and offer recommendations. 

 

 

 

[theliterateleprechaun]

 

We finally met Sandra Schempp! She's a naturalist on board and I highly recommend her lectures. 

 

 

Folks, let me get on my soapbox for 1 minute. If you arrive 25 minutes into a lecture, push past 5 people who have tray tables down with coffees and/or notebooks and who were intently listening and make them stand up, close their tray tables and make way for you, YOU are being disrespectful. YOU are being rude to the lecturer and disrespectful of those around you who made the effort to get there on time. 

 

I won't talk about the woman with three young children who wriggled (that's politely worded) through the 1.5h lecture or the German couple behind me who translated every sentence to each other LOUDLY. 

 

Come on, people. 

 

From a teacher's POV, Sandra's lecture was 5/5. I was inspired and equipped for our time in Alaska. 

 

 

If you like quinoa, look for this salad with cranberries and feta. AMAZING. 

 

 

If you like mouth puckering lemon meringue, don't miss this in Horizon Court. 

 

 

Salmon cake appetizer at dinner was better than any I've had at Crown Grill or Sabatini's. 

 

Our maitre 'd, Silvio, spoils us each night. Today it was a cheese platter to share. 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 6 by theliterateleprechaun

[theliterateleprechaun]

We celebrated my birthday on board...the first time in 30 years to sail at my birthday! 

 

 

Our room steward, Richard, continues to impress. He did a fantastic job decorating our room and even gave me a birthday card. 

 

 

 

 

Every time I walk past one of those interactive boards, a birthday message pops up. I'll post a photo of that later. 

 

Off to pub lunch.

 

Thanks for your patience. 

[theliterateleprechaun]

It's always a lovely surprise to find the black invitation on our pillow! 

 

 

I used to be disappointed when it was changed to a cocktail party instead of a meal, but I've changed my mind. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was wonderful that the captain stayed to chat. 

 

*missed getting a photo of the lamb cops! Scrumptious. 

 

This photo shows the huge hunks of lobster.

Edited September 6 by theliterateleprechaun

[theliterateleprechaun]

I was so excited to discover that there was an author on board giving lectures. If you get a chance to hear/see Kim Heacox, don't miss it. Anyone remember Nick Jans in Princess's North To Alaska program? Kim is just as fantastic. 

 

 

He came to Alaska 43 years ago as a young Park Ranger...and stayed.

 

His talk The Lure Of Alaska is worthwhile. I was mesmerized. 

 

 

Ever since @YVRteacher told me about the honey lavender lattes, I've made it a tradition - 1/2 sweet, 1 shot espresso - and a seat in Princess Theatre where I won't be disturbed Mmmm. 🥰

 

I followed Kim up to Calypso Cove after his first lecture, bought two of his books, and he kindly signed them for me. I hope to get his remaining 2 books this afternoon. 

 

 

[Donwoods123]

34 minutes ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

It's always a lovely surprise to find the black invitation on our pillow! 

 

 

I used to be disappointed when it was changed to a cocktail party instead of a meal, but I've changed my mind. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was wonderful that the captain stayed to chat. 

 

*missed getting a photo of the lamb cops! Scrumptious. 

 

This photo shows the huge hunks of lobster.

We were invited to the MTG cocktail party on the Ruby in June on our Alaskan cruise.  It was the first MTG event we have been invited to.  We have just over 200 days so I was surprised to get the invitation.  I was very impressed with the food and the Captain couldn't have neen nicer.  We really enjoyed it.

[theliterateleprechaun]

1 minute ago, Donwoods123 said:

We were invited to the MTG cocktail party on the Ruby in June on our Alaskan cruise.  It was the first MTG event we have been invited to.  We have just over 200 days so I was surprised to get the invitation.  I was very impressed with the food and the Captain couldn't have neen nicer.  We really enjoyed it.

It's a culinary treat, for sure! Glad you were able to experience it. I believe the cut off was 275 days for this cruise. I had some questions thought out to ask the captain, but I was so nervous, I forgot to ask. 😆 I'm hoping we still get invited next week and that he attends. I'll share my questions and answers here. 

[theliterateleprechaun]

Juneau, Alaska

 

We decided that we needed a good long walk, so we headed to Overstreet Park. It's about a 25 minute walk from the ship. We'd never seen the whale statue before and mom, dad and Auntie Marg were up for the trek. 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way back to the ship, we stopped at Devil's Club Brewery. 

 

 

 

What a great recommendation, @YVRteacher. We loved it so much, we can't wait to go again on the return trip.

 

 

 

Steve and I shared two flights and a bowl of the best popcorn...olive oil drizzled topped with nutritional yeast. After such a long walk, we enjoyed relaxing in such a welcome environment with great people and great food. 

 

 

I photographed these flowers on my way back to the ship. Juneau is such a bright, vibrant port.

 

Another rain free day in Alaska! 

 

Edited September 7 by theliterateleprechaun

[Coral]

Enjoying and following along!

[theliterateleprechaun]

5 hours ago, Coral said:

Enjoying and following along!

Thank you! I appreciate the support. 

[azbirdmom]

Thanks for sharing!  We last cruised Alaska in July but I always love reading the experiences of others.  Keep enjoying your cruise!

[YVRteacher]

Loving all your photos and you are making me yearn to be onboard Princess!

I hope you enjoy a wonderful southbound journey. 

[dickinson]

I just found this "live from" and am hitching a ride.  Thanks for taking us along!

[Coral]

Happy Birthday delayed. I have yet to spend my birthday on board yet.

 

I have never done Alaska this late (work in education) so looking forward to more pics! 🙂