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

[Coolmama_1]

On 8/24/2024 at 2:49 PM, theliterateleprechaun said:

I haven't been on the Discovery yet! I hope you'll post. We're hoping to meet up with three FANTASTIC crew members on the Discovery when it's in port on Thursday, Sept. 12 in Ketchikan. You'll have to look out for Ronnie from India (bartender/wine steward), Hilda from India (waitress/hostess), and Juliet from the Philippines (waitress) as they have made our previous trips so memorable. Have a great cruise! Thanks for following along. 🙂

Was Ronnie on the Crown last year? We had a fantastic wine steward in Vines on the Crown to Hawaii 

[memoak]

58 minutes ago, Coolmama_1 said:

Was Ronnie on the Crown last year? We had a fantastic wine steward in Vines on the Crown to Hawaii 

Ronnie is a real favor of ours. I thought he was going to stay off ships and work on his fishing app 

[theliterateleprechaun]

3 hours ago, Coolmama_1 said:

Was Ronnie on the Crown last year? We had a fantastic wine steward in Vines on the Crown to Hawaii 

Yes! I'm so happy you were sailing with him, too. He's extra special. 

[theliterateleprechaun]

2 hours ago, memoak said:

Ronnie is a real favor of ours. I thought he was going to stay off ships and work on his fishing app 

He sure loves his fishing! I'll ask him how it's coming along. 

[QuattroRomeo]

Those cocktail party treats look so nice and inviting- the chefs did a great job!

[Coolmama_1]

6 hours ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

Yes! I'm so happy you were sailing with him, too. He's extra special. 

We loved Ronnie. We spent most if our time in Vines and he did a wine blending class which was so much fun.

[Sugar Magnolia]

What a lovely Live and gorgeous pics! Thank you for sharing.

 

Teacher @YVRteacher sent me here and I willingly obeyed because I want a gold star from Teacher.

 

[theliterateleprechaun]

5 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

What a lovely Live and gorgeous pics! Thank you for sharing.

 

Teacher @YVRteacher sent me here and I willingly obeyed because I want a gold star from Teacher.

 

Thank you for the support! Great to have you following along. 

[theliterateleprechaun]

11 hours ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Those cocktail party treats look so nice and inviting- the chefs did a great job!

They admitted that it's more work for them doing the cocktail party than the formal lunch they used to prepare. I believe it. They tasted as good as they looked  😋 

[AmyJA]

6 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

What a lovely Live and gorgeous pics! Thank you for sharing.

 

Teacher @YVRteacher sent me here and I willingly obeyed because I want a gold star from Teacher.

 

Me too!

[NancyIL]

I’ve have enjoyed your posts and love the photos! I’m on the ship now, and hope you enjoy the southbound as much as you enjoyed the northbound! 

[theliterateleprechaun]

The teacher in me wants to make sure you visit deck 7 between Calypso Cove and the Princess Theatre to see the table that the naturalist, Sandra Schempp, has set up for us. When will you ever get another chance to see and feel hair from Alaskan wildlife again? It's a great educational opportunity! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn't know they had black skin! It felt a bit oily. I was able to feel the longer, coarse, thicker fur and was told it was called guard hair and it's hollow. It repels water. Then closer to the skin, I could feel the soft, shorter, dense under fur. I don't plan on ever being close enough to feel a bears fur, so this was a cool experience for me. 

 

 

I was shocked at how rough this one felt! I didn't know that the reindeer is the only animal to have its nose completely covered in fur! Did you know they have 1700 hairs in a one square centimeter area? The fur is 3-4 cm thick. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra is a lecturer with Princess's North To Alaska enrichment program. Don't miss this opportunity. 

 

 

[theliterateleprechaun]

20 minutes ago, NancyIL said:

I’ve have enjoyed your posts and love the photos! I’m on the ship now, and hope you enjoy the southbound as much as you enjoyed the northbound! 

You probably saw online that we were the first Sapphire Princess cruise this season to get to Hubbard Glacier! I hope we are just as fortunate today. Have a great cruise. 

[theliterateleprechaun]

2 hours ago, AmyJA said:

Me too!

Great to have you following along. Thanks, Amy. 

[theliterateleprechaun]

 

 

 

I can't believe how fortunate we've been to have sailed on the only two Sapphire Princess cruises that gave made it into Hubbard Glacier this season. 

 

 

 

 

 

I left my DSLR battery charger at home, so all these photos are taken on my cell phone. I can’t believe I forgot to pack it... 

 

 

 

Dinner at Hubbard Glacier. This was a pinch me moment....natural beauty out the window, a great meal, and my loved ones sitting with me enjoying the view. 

[theliterateleprechaun]

Harvard Glacier, College Fjord

 

 

Stunning with the evening light! 

 

 

1.5 mi wide, 300 feet thick, and 40 km long! 

 

 

It's been fantastic to have the naturalist's commentary as we sail. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[theliterateleprechaun]

Last week I was telling you about the wonderful towel art masterpieces our cabin steward made for us. It's been a regular occurrence. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today we had a towel folding demonstration in the piazza...and our cabin steward is THE towel folding genius on the ship. 

 

The following photos are from the demo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 9 by theliterateleprechaun

[theliterateleprechaun]

The food and service continues to impress. I happened to mention that I missed Indian food and noted that the chef was Indian....10 minutes later, these dishes (off the menu) appeared! 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a flavour burst and I really appreciated the treats. 

 

 

 

 

Still good, but sadly, they've cut back on the garlic. 

 

 

This quinoa, pomegranate, feta and squash appetizer was amazing! 

 

 

I'd never tried a tuna steak before...so this was the time to try it. I was expecting a fishy dish, but it was delightfully moist and not fishy at all. 

 

 

Steak and lobster night is worth getting dressed up for, isn't it?! 

 

 

Lobster cake with a soft poached egg! Don't miss this one. 

 

Tonight we were surprised with tempura prawns! 

 

 

 

Lamb shank - melt in your mouth! 

 

 

Halibut

 

 

crab cake

 

 

Chantilly swan - we always look for this on the dessert menu!

 

 

The hazelnut bar is another favorite of ours. 

 

 

Representatives from the kitchen still appear nightly to touch base with passengers about taste, presentation, temperature and selection. Nice touch, Princess. 

[YVRteacher]

Your food photos are stunning!

[YVRteacher]

Have they done Italian night where they cook steaming vats of pasta in the dining room? My hair smelled of garlic and sauce and I have never felt so connected to my Italian heritage!

[YVRteacher]

1 hour ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

 

 

 

I can't believe how fortunate we've been to have sailed on the only two Sapphire Princess cruises that gave made it into Hubbard Glacier this season. 

 

 

 

 

 

I left my DSLR battery charger at home, so all these photos are taken on my cell phone. I can’t believe I forgot to pack it... 

 

 

 

Dinner at Hubbard Glacier. This was a pinch me moment....natural beauty out the window, a great meal, and my loved ones sitting with me enjoying the view. 

What a special time with your family! I love the photo of your dad enjoying the beauty of the glacier.

 

For anyone wondering, @theliterateleprechaun and I grew up together. Our parents were friends and her mom took care of me after school.  I think our families have known each other for 49 years. 

[theliterateleprechaun]

12 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

Have they done Italian night where they cook steaming vats of pasta in the dining room? My hair smelled of garlic and sauce and I have never felt so connected to my Italian heritage!

 

 

YES! 😋🥰😋🥰 

[theliterateleprechaun]

12 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

What a special time with your family! I love the photo of your dad enjoying the beauty of the glacier.

 

For anyone wondering, @theliterateleprechaun and I grew up together. Our parents were friends and her mom took care of me after school.  I think our families have known each other for 49 years. 

 

...and we're still friends....friends who love to cruise! One day we'll cruise together. Our Juneau and Skagway stops didn't feel the same without you and your dad. 

[Tyskie]

13 hours ago, theliterateleprechaun said:

The teacher in me wants to make sure you visit deck 7 between Calypso Cove and the Princess Theatre to see the table that the naturalist, Sandra Schempp, has set up for us. When will you ever get another chance to see and feel hair from Alaskan wildlife again? It's a great educational opportunity! 

 

 

Sandra is a lecturer with Princess's North To Alaska enrichment program. Don't miss this opportunity. 

 

 

What a wonderful experience!  Thank you for sharing all your pictures and info.  We too enjoyed our time in AK (2018) think it's time to return!

[andimark]

On 9/7/2024 at 5:48 PM, dickinson said:

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

Me too! Making me wish our May 2025 Alaska cruise was now!