Live from Statendam

[BumperII]

Hi folks,

 

We are in Juneau today. Our flight to Taku Glacier Lodge and Salmon Bake just got canceled due to weather, we are fogged in. This is our fifth stop in Juneau, as well as our fifth attempt to get on this particular excusion. Anyway, we'll be back next week so we'll try again.

 

The Inside Passage cruise got off to a start from PHL when the new TSA regulations went into effect. The security agents took about fifty dollars worth of cosmetics and that kind of stuff from us, but we got off on time, and arrived in Vancouver on schedule. We checked into our airport motel, and headed for lunch as Lonsdale Quay. Super!!!

 

The hotel shuttle dropped us off at Canada Place at about 12:30 p.m. Friday. The Statendam was the only ship in town, and since we had already done the immigration form on line, it only took about ten minutes until we were on board in the lido lounge having lunch.

 

The captain is taking an inside route that really is an inside route to Ketchikan, fantastic scenery every step of the way, and smooth sailing. These waters are like mirrors.

 

The food is excellent everywhere on ship. Don't worry about dress codes at all, very few tuxedos, a lot of suits or sport jackets. Everything aboard this ship is well managed including the excursions. They let us know right away that we were on a weather hold for our flight excursion, and within ten minutes let us know it was cancelled. There are plenty of booths right there on the dock so one can arrange Plan B.

 

The passengers are all very up beat, I don't think we've heard a negative comment about anything other than the Transportation Safety Agency, which is being recognized as and the but of a lot of jokes. The whole mindset of the crew and staff is to accomodate just about anything, from the wheelchair passengers to the kayak jocks. In Ketchikan we went to Misty Fiords for those breathtaking sights, and of course, the boat captain's wife treated us to her version of clam chowder. In Icy Straight Point, we passed on the whale watching tour as there were plenty of whales to be sighted right from the ship. We did go ashore and stroll around the new facilities, and met some of the native american residents.

 

Today we are in Juneau, doing plan B. I'm updating this while the bride is out shopping. There are a couple of museums in town including one of the best displays of native american aritfacts I have ever seen. We will stop at the Red Dog Saloon for the customary "adult beverage".

 

We are playing team trivia, one win, and one blow out butt kicking. We met out trivia team members on the flight from Detroit to Vancouver. Bye the way, that flight was almost all cruise passengers, everyone was comparing cruise docs.

 

Once again we have fabulous cruise mates and table mates. Yes there is some gray hair in evidence and a few of us are foliclly challenged. But there is something about cruising in these waters that is refreshing, in the very best sense of the word. It is a delight to see so many couples out on the dance floor, obviously still in love after all these years, still flirting with each other, still caring for each other. We did notice that many of these couples seem to disappear for an afternoo nap which seems to be very popular. ;)

 

There is something going on from about 9:00 a.m. up until midnight. The library is one of the best and most comprehensive we've ever seen on a ship, just about everyone is reading something.

 

I'll update again when we get to Seward. We are posting from an internet cafe, ten cents a minute as the internet service onboard is very pricey and very slow.

 

Keep On Crusing!!

[Grumpy1]

In Ketchikan we went to Misty Fiords for those breathtaking sights,

We sailed into Misty Fjord in 1997 on Rhapsody of the Seas. After sailing up the north arm and viewing the spectacular scenery, the Captain announced that on all of his other trips, it had always been overcast or raining. That day it was really clear and he dicided to stay a little longer and do the south arm also. Almost as amazing as the scenery was the ability of the ship to turn around in such a narrow place without hitting the walls!

 

It is a delight to see so many couples out on the dance floor, obviously still in love after all these years, still flirting with each other, still caring for each other. We did notice that many of these couples seem to disappear for an afternoo nap which seems to be very popular. ;)

Keep On Crusing!!

 

Afternoon nap?... or afternoon delight:D

[RuthC]

Grumpy! :eek:

[Krazy Kruizers]

ey - you are doing the same cruise that we did in June - back-to-backs as well!!

 

Sounds as though the Statendam is no longer in Code Red!!

[SDHALFAN]

Thanks Bumper for a great review. I haven't been to Alaska in 20 years (and that was on the Rotterdam V) and am thinking about doing a cruise there next year. Looking forward to further posts from you.

 

Continue to have a sensational cruise and may you have great weather and calm seas.

 

Valerie:)