The Best Cruise Ever! Glacier Bay Alaska, 5/6/09, Pictorial Review.

[JaniceB]

Happy Birthday Janice, I am so sorry you're not able to celebrate with the "Great State" this year and will keep my fingers crossed your birthday wish comes true in 2010.

 

Grady, Wow, I am so impressed. How kind and generous of you to take the time and make the effort to share your Alaskan adventure with all of us. Heading to Alaska in July and am stoked by your review and pictures.

Re; White Pass Railroad. You mentioned the cost as $100. pp. Was that round trip?

Again many thanks, A West Coast Floridian[/quote

 

Thank you and I am hoping that Grady's review seals the deal. Just reading about all the excursions, I know my husband was right, we need to save more money or visit more than once. LOL!

[Minoushka]

Once again Thanks for your comments and pictures .I hope to do as good a job as you in July .I want to take great pictures to paint them on canvas at a later time.

I'm really looking forward to Alaska

Our trip will supposedly take us to the Yukon with DYEA DAVE .I really want to do that

GREAT JOB

 

:) :) :)

 

Michele

[DarthGrady]

Grady

I have Invested almost $2000 in my Camera set up Nikon D60 with lenses etc. and i have taken College courses to learn how to take a decent picture. and the pictures you took of the Cruise have been the best overall Quality i have seen anybody do...Congrats to you for having a great eye.And after seeing your picture i am ashamed of myself for spending that much money on a Camera :eek:

 

Thank you very much Woodey! I can only attribute it to years of trial and error. My mother gave me a little 110 camera when I was about 7 or 8 and I have been a shutter bug ever since.

 

 

Grady - Gorgeous!!!! Your pictures are awsome!!

We were thinking of doing Alaska this summer. One question - Does the casino operate in Alaska cruises? Love the review and these photos are fantastic.

 

Yes, the casino was open, though I don't believe it was open in port. I think it opened a little while after we left each port.

 

 

Darth,

 

Thank you for sharing your pictures with us. They look great. I do have a question I saw you mentioned a crab feast was that a Carnival excursion or a private excursion?

 

That one was through Carnival, I believe it was called the "Exclusive seaplane and crab feast" tour, or something like that.

 

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMZ FZ3. It is an older Lumix and was around $300 new. Recently, the on/off switch stopped working. I paid $138 for repair and shipped it to Connecticut. I would have paid $300 if there was no other way to keep this camera. Everyone comments on the quality of my pictures and I don't know squat about photography.

 

Grady, your review is fabulous. It is making me seriously consider an Alaskan cruise. Thanks for taking the time.

 

You're most welcome! I get the same comments about my Lumix, both here and among friends. They always comment on how much nicer its photos come out. I think its that Leica lens; and like Vince says, "you know the Germans always make good stuff!"

 

I did a bunch of research into "bridge cameras" before I bought, and it seemed that the Lumix always got the best overall reviews. Like you, I also got mine for around $300 (on that shopping site thats named for a river and starts with an "A" ;)) I am very happy with it, worth every penny and then some!

[DarthGrady]

Day 7, At Sea:

 

Our last day at sea was pretty uneventful. My wife used my complimentary entry into the slot tournament and finished third in the first round. She ended up getting bumped off the leader board though. We went back for the final round, where the raffle off a wildcard seat. It must have been her lucky day, because she won the wild card seat out of probably 70 or so other people. The casino host was really nice and gave her a Carnival Players Club shirt and hat. She didn’t win the tournament, but she had a good time.

 

We also took the private galley tour for Platinum guests. It was really nice, there were only six of us on the tour. The Lido Deck Maitre ‘d was the tour leader and he showed us all around the galley. It was really nice not having to go in the big line, and we had time to take lots of photos and not feel rushed.

 

Before dinner we spent a little more time out on the Lord’s balcony. We thanked our servers and tipped them extra; Jon and Rex were two of the best we have had. Afterward, we made an appearance at the piano bar and were two of the three people there. We stopped at the “Dancin” disco and were greeted by a security officer who said “you’re the first customers of the night!” which was kind of sad. We hung out for one song and left for the cabin. It just isn’t as fun when nobody is there.

 

I will say that the design of the dance clubs on the Spirit class is really nice. It is two floors, with a spiral staircase in between. There is seating on both levels, but the dance floor is at the bottom, and there is seating around the top floor that looks down on to it.

 

We put or luggage outside the cabin and gave everything a last once over before going to bed. The last night of any cruise is sad, but leaving a cruise as good as this one, with a fantastic cabin is really, really hard to do!

 

The Galley

 

 

 

Pictures of what the dished should look like, for uniformity

 

 

The huge dish washing station

[DarthGrady]

 

 

 

One of the best serving teams we have had, Rex and Jon

 

Our last night:(

[BIGDADDY2587]

what kind of cam do u use

thats some good quality shots

[Flynlo]

Wheres the tip remover list from the galley tour? Did they learn not to post on tours? Nice review, thanks for all the pics, now I'm really ready to go. 14 more days!!!!

[Celandine]

wow. What an awesome review.

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to prepare it!

 

Alaska has been tempting me since this past December, and now I've decided to save up and do it right (balcony room).

 

Your pictures are just fantastic!!!

[DarthGrady]

what kind of cam do u use

thats some good quality shots

 

Its a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

[DarthGrady]

Day 8, Debarkation and Seattle:

 

We had our sad, final breakfast in the dining room as usual and then waited in our cabin for our zone number to be called. At Vancouver, the Spirit has two gangways, one near the photo gallery on Deck 3, the other next to the entrance to the Empire Dining Room, also on deck 3. Our cabin was just a short walk from the aft gangway, so we just sat in our room hoping that we would be called to that one. As luck would have it we did get called to the aft gangway, and we got there before anyone else. The self-assist passengers had just gone through there, so we were able to walk right off the ship. After we got through Canadian Customs we got our luggage and made it to our shuttle with about a half hour to spare. I will say that the debarkation at Vancouver went MUCH smoother than the embarkation.

 

Our return to Vancouver was not a welcomed event

 

I want to take one moment to give you all a slightly cruise related warning. The Quick Coach we took to and from Seattle to Vancouver really made me angry with their (lack of) customer service. They got us to our destinations just fine, but I had a little problem. I walked off the bus in Vancouver and forgot my cell phone onboard. We were the last ones off the bus, so I figured it would still be there the next day when the driver got back on. I emailed the company and let them know, so they could have the driver look for it the next morning. I also called them the next morning and spoke to their lost and found representative. She said she did get my email and she would have the driver look for it, and that she would call me back later. Later came with no phone call from them. I called her back that afternoon, and she said that she had not been able to contact the driver and that only their “dispatch” could do that. She said she would try again and call me back. When she called back, she said that the driver would look for it at the next stop. At this point, the chances of me ever seeing it again were slim to none. Unfortunately a slim chance was not what I had. The phone was never found or turned in. I fully accept all responsibility for its loss and I certainly don’t blame them one bit. I do however feel raw about the fact that they could have contacted that driver first thing in the morning. This would have been easy since the drivers carry “Nextel” type phones. I observed that they use them whenever they stop to pick up people, or leave a location. Had they done this, there is at least a decent chance he would have found my phone. It was a pretty simple and quick thing that they could have done to keep a happy customer. Unfortunately, it seemed as if the whole operation was very much unorganized.

 

Epilogue:

 

After our shuttle to Seattle we checked in to our hotel near Seattle-Tacoma International and then headed to the Waterfront. We had a nice dinner and visited the Pike Street Market. I can’t say much for the market, wasn’t my style. The guys throwing the fish were the main attraction that my wife wanted to see. After she got to see a fish being thrown we left. Then we went to, and then up in, the Space Needle. After seeing it in pictures many times, it was really something to actually go up in it. Even though Seattle was a good time, it was mostly like a mint after a four star dinner.

 

Seattle's Space Needle

 

The view from the top

 

The Pike Street Market

 

The Waterfront

 

[DarthGrady]

Well, thats it! I want to thank you all again for so many kind words. It was a pleasure to do it. If anyone has any questions, or if I missed it along the way, please don't hesitate to ask!

There were only a few photos that I did not put up, but you're free to check them all out at this address if you like:

[url]http://community.webshots.com/user/darthgrady[/url]

[JP32]

[quote name='DarthGrady'][URL="http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2242429750105161938Mjgmbu"][IMG]http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/44576/2242429750105161938S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL="http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2346659780105161938neqdyZ"][IMG]http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/42899/2346659780105161938S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL="http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2221265450105161938cxMmvr"][IMG]http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/45486/2221265450105161938S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[COLOR=red]One of the best serving teams we have had, Rex and Jon[/COLOR]
[URL="http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2558439330105161938bBRdIt"][IMG]http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/43243/2558439330105161938S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[COLOR=red]Our last night:([/COLOR]
[URL="http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2875263000105161938glSMPp"][IMG]http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/42244/2875263000105161938S600x600Q85.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/quote]
Hey Grady, that first pic is absolutely beautiful and what a coincidence that you got Jon as your waiter because when we were on the Liberty in 07 we had him and he was terrific. Was hoping he'd be on the Liberty with us in September. John

[DarthGrady]

[quote name='JP32']Hey Grady, that first pic is absolutely beautiful and what a coincidence that you got Jon as your waiter because when we were on the Liberty in 07 we had him and he was terrific. Was hoping he'd be on the Liberty with us in September. John[/quote]

He was great, I hope to have him again as a waiter too! His assistant Rex was also excellent, Im sure he will be a head waiter very soon.

[steve4040]

This was the all time best review IMHO. No disrespect to others, but I really wanted to know what this particular cruise was like, and now I do. Next step is to book this bad boy. Thanks again. I really appreciate it.

[Lovharvey]

That is one of the best reviews that I have read. The pictures were so good, they belong in a travel magazine. Your review has made me really want to go back to Alaska. It looked like the weather was perfect the whole cruise. Thank you once again for the wonderful review with the fantastic pictures.

[Purplehaze21]

[B][I][FONT=Century Gothic][SIZE=4][COLOR=darkorchid]As sad as you were for your cruise to end, we are just as sad to see this review end :( It was a great review...Thanks for taking time to post this for us. I keep going back to see your pictures...Beautiful![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]

[islandersx4]

Grady, For the past few evenings I have looked forward to reading about your Alaskan adventure. Like a good book that one can't put down, you don't want it to end, but are eager to see how it all turned out. It turned out pretty good, except for the cell phone. I agree with you, the effort made was slim to none.
We sail in July on the Spirit and I look forward to sharing your story and pictures with my family. I am already thinking about trip 2 and 3 to Alaska. Guess I should get the first one out of the way.
Debating on a new camera purchase and find your interesting.
Again, many thanks for devoting so much time to share with others. Your enthusiasm is appreciated.
I will seek out Rex and Jon.

[ellen9974]

Grady

Thank you so much for the wonderful review. I can not wait to see Alaska. Did you take the photos on the train, through the window or between the rail cars?
Once again thanks you for the review and the wonderful pictures ;)

[DarthGrady]

[quote name='islandersx4']Grady, For the past few evenings I have looked forward to reading about your Alaskan adventure. Like a good book that one can't put down, you don't want it to end, but are eager to see how it all turned out. It turned out pretty good, except for the cell phone. I agree with you, the effort made was slim to none.
We sail in July on the Spirit and I look forward to sharing your story and pictures with my family. I am already thinking about trip 2 and 3 to Alaska. Guess I should get the first one out of the way.
Debating on a new camera purchase and find your interesting.
Again, many thanks for devoting so much time to share with others. Your enthusiasm is appreciated.
I will seek out Rex and Jon.[/quote]

You're very welcome; and if you do happen to get Rex and John give them my regards. I doubt they'll remember us, but theres always a chance right?:D

[DarthGrady]

[quote name='ellen9974']Grady

Thank you so much for the wonderful review. I can not wait to see Alaska. Did you take the photos on the train, through the window or between the rail cars?
Once again thanks you for the review and the wonderful pictures ;)[/quote]

ellen,

A few were from inside, but I was getting a killer glare and reflection from the glass. For about 90 percent of the trip I was standing out on the little platform between the cars. It made for better shots and also eased my tension (due to my abhorrence of being in confined, crowded spaces).

[Alaskagriz]

Thanks Darth, I really enjoyed you review and pics. I found them most excellent. I am leaving on the Spirit tomorrow. Early am drive to anchorage and then the AK rail road to Whittier. 7 days south to Vancouver.

One question, was the slide open? I sure hope so.

Thanks again,

[Peaceful]

I love the statement, "Like a mint after a four-star dinner".

Thanks for your review and photos.

[RaMar]

Grady - Thank you again for the review and fantastic photos. You win the prize for photography!! Loved them!!!

[vegs1]

DarthGrady - That was an absolutely wonderful review. I loved reading it and it has made me so excited for our upcoming Northbound trip on the Spirit. You did a great job...and your pictures are amazing.

A question regarding your beautiful photographs. When you were taking the photos of the owl and eagle, do you remember if you used a certain setting? I love the way the bird is so sharp in comparison to the background.

Thanks again for taking the time to write this.

[Coolcruise02]

Thanks for taking the time to post a great review and great pictures!