Last days!

June 11, 2016

Alaska tip #9: Play the tables at the casino. The slots are too tight.

At Sea:  1469 Miles behind us!

The Coronation of the King of Blackjack on the Noordam!

 Our last day will be all day at sea. After considerable coaxing, RC agreed to join me in the Black Jack Tournament. Billie and Beth tried the Slot tournament earlier this week, finishing a respectable second and third. Although I am way ahead at the tables this week, I got knocked out early. RC, however was crowned Champion and won a cool $500 and a snappy tee-shirt!  

The last night on the ship was again a dress up occasion. We had our picture taken and RC and I again dinned at the Pinnacle. We clean up ok for Floridians.

We over tipped our crew members and prepared to depart in the morning. We have a red eye out of Vancouver and were notified at the last minute that our luggage would be taken directly to the airport and we could ride the Hop-on-Hop off bus in Vancouver all day if we’d like. We put our bags out and enjoyed the last night with our now familiar routine; Dinner, show, casino, Blues.

June 12, 2015

 

Vancouver, BC

Last Alaska Tip:  Vancouver is a Beautiful City. That said, if you can avoid flying out of their Airport, do it. If the choice is end in Vancouver or Seattle, it’s Seattle.

Vancouver was on our North West vacation of 2015. I love this spotless Canadian city. The gardens, waterfront, and parks are breathtaking. We disembarked without trouble, boarded the tour bus, and had a nice lunch at the Spaghetti Factory. We took the train to the airport, picked up our bags and enjoyed a Timmy’s coffee and doughnut without a hitch. Then the fun began.

No one was at the American Airlines check in desk. After hours of trying to check in, schlepping our heavy bags around Vancouver Airport, a terrible airport dinner, two tired travelers hopefully approached the now staffed desk. It was two hours before take-off and we were informed we had to pay $120 for our bags, Customs was closed and our bags would have to be inspected in Dallas/FtWorth. To make a long story short, customs was a mile away from our gate (again schlepping), no help was available, and to add insult to injury our bags never made it on our flight.

I grew up in a border town. Crossing the border was never a big deal, but this was a cluster----.  If you can avoid customs, Seattle is a better choice, sorry Vancouver not your fault.

June 13, 2016

Orlando and back to the bubble!

Exhausted, time change, tough red eye flight, no luggage, WHAT?  Our luggage is not on the conveyer. The American Airlines employee had no interest in helping. They informed us the luggage would be here in an hour or so. REALLY? You are not going to offer to deliver it to us?

We had a Great trip. I will get over the last leg, and cherish the memories of a Beautiful place with great friends (after I sleep for a few days). Night, night.

Ketchican

June 10, 2016

Ketchikan, Alaska

Alaska tip # 8: Try one of the smaller ships, they are more intimate.

Duck Boat tour today. This sleepy town produces canned salmon and survives on tourism.  Ketchikan is the gateway to the Misty Fjords. I think this was the stop that Elaine and Patti took a float plane ride. I have sort of lost track of when and what our companions are doing, on which stop. I am doing this by memory, and that can be shaky at best.

RC got a haircut today. He has been growing it for over a year and it finally started to get on his nerves. The salon was not too expensive, but he generously tipped the lovely European hairdresser, for a very good haircut.\.

I won a bracelet at the Jewelry sale this evening. Lucky me!

The MS Noordam holds around 2000 passengers. It is much smaller than ships that I have sailed on before. The crew is predominately Filipino. The crew members are hardworking and polite and less “in your face” than some other crews I’ve encountered. I really liked that. Every evening we were greeted by a towel animal and the room was always spotless. I can’t say I ever saw our cabin Stewart, but never needed to. The crew performed s quaint show tonight, demonstrating their culture through dance and music. It was charming.

Juneau: Puppies

June 9, 2016

Juneau, Alaska

Alaska Tip #7: Every one frets about how to pack for Alaska. Pack as light as you can. Laundry facilities are available at Denali, and reasonably priced by the bag options exist on the ship. Layers and at least one rain suit is my suggestion.

Puppies

Juneau is the Capital of the state. The strange thing about this city is that you can’t get here by car. The roads end several miles outside town, and you have to get in by boat or plane. It’s the second largest city in the US, by area.

The weather has been perfect! We are told that is not always the case. We have seen nothing but blue skies and comfortable low 70’s. The Alaskans tell us that it rains or snows round 250 days a year. I tell them we brought our Florida weather with us where ever we go. The fact is this is better for me than the 100 degree weather Wayne is experiencing in the Villages. They say mosquitos are a big problem up here.

 

We took an excursion to sled dog camp. They are high in the Rain forest near Juno. The dogs LOVE to work. They go nuts when it’s time to pull the wheeled sled for us. 70 degrees is way too hot for these dogs that are much more comfortable at 10 below. They had to rest them often. These dogs were an interesting mix of breeds. They are not the husky dogs that I expected. The musher explained that through the years, the sled dogs were bred for traits the team owner liked, and they are not AKC for that reason. The Eskimo dogs we are used to seeing are the strong dogs, not necessarily the fast dogs. We got to hold puppies, and they wouldn’t let me take one home. So Cute! That’s Mike the Magician from the ship holding a puppy

Our tour guide was a racer who went north to the Arctic Circle for winters. What? The Alaskan residents are a different mix of accidental, seasonal, native or On the Lamb. Many came on vacation and fell in love with the land or someone residing here, often are retirees who drive the busses or staff the resorts for the season, but some are just hiding out for whatever reason. Most are eager to share their stories, but one Captain of a jet boat we met shocked us with his one word answers to any type of personal questions; RC:  “Were you born here?” Captain: “Nope.” RC: “Lived here a long time?” Captain: “Nope.” On the Lamb I’m guessing.

Haines

Haines, Alaska

June 8, 2015

Haines Alaska: Where are we?

Alaska tip #6: The Helicopter trip to the Glacier was very expensive, but if you can afford it, do it!

I have never heard of Haines, Alaska. It boasts a population of 1,644 people. They are the closest port to Glacier Bay and have a small cluster of tourist trap shops, and shore excursions onto the glaciers launch from this stop. 

Elaine and Patty took a helicopter to the glacier where they mushed dog sleds. They were so impressed with this side trip they designated it the “Most Raved about” adventure of the trip. Billie and Beth split up and went on whale watching and Photographic excursions.

Frozen Earth was the entertainment for the evening. A spectacular photographic presentation, music provided by a lovely group of classical musicians.

Glacier Bay

June 7, 2016

Alaska Tip # 5: Shore excursions can be booked in advance. Book ahead if you have something on your bucket list that you would never be able to look back on your Alaska without regret if you missed it. Otherwise, most excursions are weather dependent and available to book last minute.

 

Today we cruised through Glacier Bay. It was not a port, and we had to stay on the boat. They brought Rangers on to talk about the glaciers. The day was filled with interesting speakers, cooking lessons, and food everywhere you looked!  We took in an interesting lecture on Native customs, and were awed by the scenic Bay.

The rest of the day involved Mimosa’s and Burgers poolside, Spa, nap, Dinner, Show featuring a Vegas caliber Magician, Casino (Got ‘em again), and Blues. The sun never sets so we are up until god knows how late.

First Day at Sea!

June 6, 2016

First day at sea

Alaska Tip #4: Splurge on the Balcony Room, it is well worth the added cost. Breakfast delivered to your room and enjoyed on the balcony was awesome. Another splurge well worth the cost is the Hydro Spa 7 day package.

 

Day one at sea, Ahhh, spa! After 10 hours on a bus, nothing says vacation like a day at the spa. The Hydro package includes unlimited access to the onboard spa; hot tub, saunas, ceramic heat chairs. RC and I spent time there every day! Elaine and Patty also splurged on the Hydro package as well as the acupuncture, facials & massages. Pampered, yes, but if you suffer from sea sickness the acupuncture treatment cured Patty’s sea sickness for the whole trip (that could be a tip on its own)!

Dinner was the first of two dress up nights, and included a chocolate soufflé’ for dessert. The crew provided tonight’s entertainment, but we opted to hit the casino again, followed by the onboard Blues band at BB Kings.

On To The Noordam!

 

June 5, 2016

Say good bye Denali, Anchors away on the Noordam!

Alaska Tip #3: Do the land portion of the trip first. It’s an ass kicking pace and a grueling bus ride. Can you say Spa time!

Again I am struck by how big Alaska is! We boarded the bus to Seward early and spent the next 10 hours squashed in the bus with humongous expanse of Alaska rolling by!  Beautiful scenery, Sara Palin’s house and miles and miles of nothing and nobody!

Embarkation onto the Noordam was anti-climactic around 7:30 PM. All of the other passengers were on board, and we got no kitschy photos or Champagne upon our arrival.  The room contained a plate of canapes’ that had been sitting out for many hours. We began to unpack in our balcony room, and were hustled on deck for the lifeboat drill. We didn’t dress warm enough to stay outside for the hour or so it took and happily returned to the comfort of our cabin to look at all of the printed material waiting for us.

In the pile of papers was one card we nearly missed, free drinks for the entire cruise courtesy of AAA, travel (Thanks Frank). Thinking this was some sort of a scam we tucked it into my purse to be confirmed as the real deal later (This perk need a drinking partner for RC, Jake or Greg we missed you). We found our dinner reservations, at the Pinnacle Grill, had long since passed but decided to try just walking in. They were uber accommodating seating us immediately! Dinner was stellar! The fresh Alaskan Crab (Split for me) and shrimp was to die for. Billie and Beth joined us, and Elaine and Patty ate at the buffet.  Ahhhhhh, we sailed off into the Sun that never Sets. The small Casino was now open and despite a long day I found the strength to hit the Black Jack table, and walk away with $150, ka-ching!

Denali

June 3, 2016 Day 2 Denali

Alaska Tip #2:  Spend as many days in Denali as you can afford. There is plenty to do and see.

Today was our Tundra tour into Denali Park. We saw Moose, a Bear, Dahl Sheep, Golden Eagle, Caribou, and the rarely seen Lizzie Moose. All of our sightings seem to be from quite a distance. Very nice variety, but I am still underwhelmed by the wildlife sightings. I guess the time of year and the whim of the animals have something to do with the outcomes, how inconsiderate of them! My closest bear encounter was one with the stuffed on in the lobby. 

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The mountain has also been elusive. Although the weather is really mild, today is our first overcast day, and Denali was obscured by clouds. If that wasn’t enough for one day Elaine and Patty went Zip lining.

 

June 4, 2016 Denali

RC got out early and went fly fishing with our new friend, Keith while I shopped for souvenirs. Keith and Elaine are a practically newlywed couple from the Villages. They hopped on the tour when we opened it up to anyone, after many of our initial crew could not come along. Keith serves on the community watch, and is a retired graphic artist, from an Amish family. Elaine is a retired school teacher from Michigan. They met on a blind date and the rest is history!

     

The rest of the day we panned for gold, learned about trapping, took a jet boat ride and saw a dinner show. Elaine and Patty went white water rafting, and joined us for the dinner show and drinks by the outside patio. We never wanted to go to bed, and the 20 plus hours of day light only encouraged our night owl behaviors.