Aug 20 Arrival back at Vancouver

I was feeling much better in the morning but Caro was tired. Just to be very safe to anybody nearby we stayed masked up the whole day until we got into our car in Edmonton.

Getting off the ship, through customs and over to the metro went smoothly and we were at the airport in plenty of time

Our Westjet flight was delayed one hour but went smoothly. Upon arrival at YEG and retrieving Caro's luggage it was immediately clear the suitcase had had a rough trip

Westjet gave us $150 credit for our account (we accepted that option but the "catch" which they didn't tell us at that time was that the credit has to be used within a year). We also had the choice to pick up another suitcase from their limited selection at the airport however the money option was preferred.

Our car pick up went smoothly and by about 1715 we were home.

The first thing we needed to do was to confirm we didn't have covid as we wanted to see the grandkids. 

Well we "thought" we mght be OK but no, we weren't

So our Alaska adventure continues as we self isolate at home. Vanessa brought us over a couple bags of groceries and we are "facetiming" with everyone to catch upon things

Aug 19 at sea

 Last night was not a good sleep.

With the time change from Alaska to BC time we lost an hour so consequently we ended up sleeping until 0900 (Caro missed her Zumba class!)

Slept on and off all day. This seemed to come on very quickly. I only had a sore throat the day before and nothing serious. No appetite at all today . Left cabin only once and never allowed the cabin steward to come in.

Caro was able to enjoy a normal day but when she came to bed at night she had a sore throat. Hmmmm : (

Aug 18 Ketchikan again

A fabulous day in Ketchikan. We had a good night sleep and we’re able to watch us come into port at about 0930.

By 1030 we were walking around downtown and saw the fifth cruise ship of the day come in. The Alaska cruise ship tourism season is doing just fine!

We went down to the creek and watched the salmon run. We walked up above the fish ladders and then further on city streets until we found a path to the creek itself where we could get up close to see the fish. Caro hated the smell of the rotting fish that didn’t survive the horrendous journey up the water falls (or had spawned already and died naturally) so she went back up to the street. From there we carried on up to the city park ( near the totem pole museum).

Well that is one fish who never got the memo about the fish ladder to its immediate right!

Here is one who made is up to the top!

We then walked back downtown to the Alaska Fish House restaurant for their salmon chowder. Mmmmm good.

By about 1400 we were back on board enjoying the hot tub and later,relaxing.

Supper was at Allegro restaurant (just the two of us)

After supper we went to a magician show followed by a drink at Crooners Bar ( we had earlier spoken to the singer/pianist and he is from Calgary) the Crooners bar show ended at midnigh (!!) but I “manned up “ as Caro wanted to go.

Aug 17 Juneau again

Caro woke up early and watched us dock and then came back to sleep

We slept in to about 0800. After a breakfast in the buffet (as always) we headed off ship in disgusting weather.

We didn’t have much planned for today anyway which is good because the weather got progressively worse and soon there were sheets of rain ( and we didn’t have umbrellas with us).

We went to the city public library to get good wi-fi and caught up with Vanessa and Lisa

After returning to the ship for awhile to dry off we ventured off boat again ( with our umbrellas) and went to Tracy’s Crab shack where we enjoyed a pound of snow crab and some crab cakes. The place is a “must” visit while in town and was very busy

There were two Princess ships, a Holland America, a Viking and Royal Caribbean ships in town today

We watched from our balcony as we undocked and manoeuvered our way out of port about 1715. The weather had cleared up a bit before we left however within minutes we were back in the fog with the ships’ fog horn bellowing.

Aug 16 Haines

We had already docked in Haines when we woke up 0630

The weather looked pretty darn good with a few bits of blue sky so after a nice breakfast we headed off into town to explore. This is a small town so we saw most of it in no time at all. The library opened at 1000 hours and we were there shortly afterward. The wifi was great and we caught up with Lisa ( and Chelada’s recovery from her leg operation). I was able to down load quite a few podcasts so now I am OK for the remainder of the trip. Caro bought a used book there and I gave a donation as a “thank you” for their great wi-fi.

After a lunch we ventured out again but were soon chased back to the ship when the rains came. We picked up an umbrella from Princess and walked back up to the spot that used to a Fort. It is now just an area with old Victorian/Edwardian houses. Beautiful.

Back on board we spent some time in the hot tub speaking with a family from Minnesota and later with a man from Vancouver. He was super interesting as his family was from Iran and had to leave in a panic when the Shah regime collapsed. He had purchased the alcohol package on board and gave us a couple drinks without cost. That sure was a pleasant surprise. He works in IT now and travels a lot with his extended family.

Supper was at a table of eight which,for me,was too many as it was hard to carry on so many conversations. The man beside me was a university instructor ( or professor) who had been to China quite a few times and as well Israel.

Aug 15 Glacier Bay again

We woke up about 0630 just in time to see us enter the channel from the ocean. The weather looked promising with only overcast skies and good visibility however a few miles later we were in the fog again.

We never really watched the “moving” map last week so I found it very interesting to see how many islands, bays and fjords there are in this area as we make our way in.

As we progressed up the channel we were in and out of fog.

Caro spotted three humpbacks as we watched from our balcony sharing our one set of binoculars

Our first glacier was Margerie. The fog cleared just enough for us to see the glacier. Weirdly the Grand Pacific glacier right beside it was completely fogged in.

As we turned around and headed to the Lamplugh and John Hopkins glaciers it began to become clearer as the fog and low clouds lifted up to give us spectacular views ( although not one second of sunshine)

We spent the rest of the afternoon watching for wild life with several sea otters and the colony of Stellar Sea lions seen as we made our way back out of the Glacier Bay National Park.

A bit tough to see but that is a rock full of sea lions

Supper was at the Allegro restaurant followed by 45 minutes in the Vista Lounge listening to a sister/brother violin duet. They are amazing. They play all over the ship but this is the first time we really listened to them.

We also went to the Princess Theatre for the very final production number by the Royal Princess singers and dancers. They are the first group back after Covid and have completed 6 months on board. Some of the group did not come on stage to accept a “thank you” from the cruise director as I imagine they were too upset as they will never be together as a group again.

Well another wonderful day is over.

Aug 14 Hubbard Glacier

We woke up at 0700. Wow,slept in!

A quiet morning with a Zumba class for Caro.

We've been walking a lot!

I went to customer service to rectify an error Princess made in our account(s) and clarify for me how our ongoing account balance is shown on the smart phone app.

Late in the afternoon we arrived at Hubbard Glacier. It is a massive tidal glacier that, unfortunately.could only be seen through misty,foggy conditions. I imagine on a sunny day it would have been magnificent!

We were in our stateroom for most of the afternoon watching the shoreline through our door to the balcony through the lousy weather that seems to be the “norm” here. We also turned on the TV to the map page to show our location as we progressed in and,later, out of the channel.

Supper was spent with a couple from Florida. He was retired from Lockheed Martin and she had worked with Cox Communication. The other guest was a widower from New Hampshire who was fulfilling a dream of his late wife ( passed away three years ago) to take this Alaska cruise. Today was his first full day on this “dream” cruise so emotions were a bit raw at some points. He used to restore Victorian era mansions so was a real craftsman.

After supper I returned to the room and Caro went to the theatre to rewatch a production show that we saw last week.

Aug 13 Whittier

Today about 2000 people got off the ship and by tonight another 2000 will board. We were told that approximately 380 people are taking the return trip with us.

We were up extremely early again (about 0530) so I guess all the walking and the Alaskan air are doing their thing.

We ate an early breakfast and by 830 we transferred our luggage to our new room ( same floor about 6 cabins closer to the centre of the ship, still on port side).

The beginning of the afternoon was quiet so when the rain stopped I went up to deck 17 to walk the outdoor track to work off some of the great lunch we had.

Shortly after I got back inside Caro suggested that we walk into town so, why not? Good thing we picked up a courtesy umbrella from Princess as the rains started again, this time extremely heavy. Even with the umbrella we were soaked.

Whittier is not much of a town ( but does have a large marina). We were back on board within about 30 minutes and had to change into dry clothes….. this is all Caro’s fault…..!!

We went to the comedy show at the Princess Theatre ( a different comedian from last week)

Aug 12 College Fjord

Another early wake-up day 0500 (!!)

Caro went for exercise classes and I had a light breakfast before I continued watching the early episodes of Star Trek Discovery

The afternoon was a lazy one with the highlight of the day to be after 1800. And Wow!, was it ever!

College Fjord had a series of magnificent glaciers coming down the sides of the mountains and going right to the ocean. The weather was gloomy,foggy overcast at sea however once we entered the fjord the fog lifted and while there were very low clouds we could still see everything.

We watched for sea life for an hour after getting back out to the main ocean but no luck so after a quick supper at the buffet Caro went to see Lou Gazzara at the Princess theatre and I stayed in the cabin.

Aug 11 Glacier Bay

Woke up at 0540 (JEESH)

It is not going to be a wonderful morning sight seeing the glaciers if the fog doesn’t lift! Oh no : (

After a 0730 talk from a National Park interpreter about Glacier Bay we found that the fog had lifted and we had amazing views of the Lamplugh and John Hopkins Glaciers followed an hour later by a fantastic view of Margerie glacier. Each side of the ship got a 30 minute view. We saw a few calving events.

At one point we saw a humpback whale and a few minutes later a colony of stellar sea lions

The weather was excellent for our time there which was fortunate because by the time we left Glacier Bay National Park at about 1530 the fog was back ( made for great photos though)

Lamplugh Glacier

John Hopkins glacier in distance (so as not to disturb seal colony)

Margerie Glacier

Supper was good as usual and we met a nice couple from Vancouver and a Mom and daughter from California

The stage show was stunning. There was a guest soprano singer as part of it and she was so good that people were giving her a standing ovation during the middle of the show

Aug 10 Skagway

Awoke at 0600(!)again. We were already berthed

At 0700 the tenders started moving people on to shore ( using tenders because an earlier avalanche and further mountain side instability meant our normal dock was out of service)

We went ashore sometime around 0930. On the tender I got talking to a fellow that is a scientist in Antarctica. He works with a group trying to spot neutrinos as they pass through the earth

We hiked up to Lower Dewey lake (about 40 minutes and usually going upwards)

Upon return we headed to the Red Onion saloon which was doing roaring business. We had a local beer (for me) and a local cider ( for Caro).

We found a good wi-fi connection and caught up with everyone.

We bought a couple bottles of wine and had no problems bringing them on board ( they didn’t even register them to our room)

Supper today was at Concerto Restaurant. We sat with two couples from Kentucky ( friends). One is a retired CFO of a Bourbon company. Interesting conversation as always

We left dockside at about 8:30 in a dense fog bank with the fog horns blasting away.

The entertainer was Lou Gazzara. He is a Las Vegas performer who was in American Idol season 2 and made it to the televised part. He was really good. Great vocal range and ability to sing rock and roll to opera

Aug 9 Juneau

Woke up about 6;great sleep

Started off day with a light breakfast as we docked about 7:30. Caro watched the docking while in the gym doing her exercises

We walked the streets of downtown. We found out the library had free wi-fi so off we went. While catching up on texts etc Caro chatted with Hannah and Will but due to “technical” difficulties with her phone too many people were hearing the kids chatting so the librarian kicked Caro outside onto the smoking part but the wi-fi was bad and that ended the conversation.

By 1 PM we were back on board.

After lunch I watched TV while Caro went to the hot tub. While there she learned about a neat hike up to an old mine museum so off we went. About three miles later up in the mountain we came to the closed museum (!). Oh well the hiking was gorgeous.

Caro had heard about the Red Dog saloon and that it was a “must visit”. Sure enough it was awesome! The placed was packed and rocking featuring an old man playing electronic keyboard who could “really”sing and joke. A great entertainer. He had us laughing and singing along.

Back on board by 5:30 to get ready for our meal at Sabatini’s which lasted from 6 til 8 and was awesome; however shortly afterward Caro had a bloated upset stomach from eating too much. She decided to skip the evening performance by Andrew Grose

Instead she watched us pulling away from pier and getting on our way to Skagway.

The show was great and I laughed a lot throughout

Ketchikan on Aug 8th

Was awake as we arrived here (0600 Alaska time 0700 BC time)

After a light breakfast we started walking the streets ( so to speak)

We made our way over the old hooker part of town and then continued up the creek watching the salmon trying to make it up river. At one point we went down a path to right beside the creek and were only a couple of meters from the fish

Walked up to the Totem Pile museum ( which , once got inside we remembered we had been in to on our last trip).

We caught a free shuttle across town to a mall where I was able to get a slow internet connection to send and receive text messages

After the shuttle returned us to our ship we again went walking to the downtown. At a very popular fish restaurant we shared a salmon burger and mesquite fries. Yummy.

Before getting back onboard the ship Caro did some shopping

As of 1PM we are back onboard having walked 14400 steps and 10.3 km.

While in the hot tub we met a lady from Calgary who works on Baffin Island at a big mine there. Interesting

Supper was supposed to be at Sabatini’s but somehow the reservation was not there so we are now going tomorrow. Instead to went to Concerto’s restaurant which we really like. At supper we were with a couple from the Victoria area. They have been travelling a lot over the years

Saw a couple of humpback whales about 1930 hours.

Caro went to see tonight’s theatre presentation

Sunday at Sea

Ship went around Vancouver Island by Victoria last night

Omg. What a day

While Caro went to exercise class I went to a naturalist talk.

Caro’s Medallion” was not working properly. We spent over an hour looking for each other. Went to cruise desk for help with medallion issue.Problems fixed and now Caro can use the on-board app properly and we can find each other.

We also asked how much it would cost to upgrade our inside cabin to a balcony.

NO CHARGE!!!!!! So we changed rooms.

Before and After!

While eating a nice lunch I noticed the naturalist eating nearby. I asked if we could be put on his list to call for when the northern lights were out ( up til 2AM). Turns out he is from Red Deer and a teacher and he knows Serge!!! We had a wide ranging discussion on many topics.

In afternoon went to watch a talk from a fellow who owns one of the original Deadliest Catch ships (season 2). Now a tourist boat in Ketchikan for those who wish to see what the crab fishing is all about. $C500 each for a tour and boat ride so “no thanks”.The captain gave a phenomenal talk and showed parts of the Deadliest Catch episode with a rogue wave. Super interesting.

Tonight was a formal night so I “tidied up” a bit and we had supper in the main restaurant.

After supper we rushed over to the main theatre to see a production show. Very good singing and dancing

After that ( and in a massive surprise for me) was a show at the other end of the ship in the lounge with Edmonton comedian Andrew Grose. I love his podcast and for about a year was a patron on Patreon. He was also at our house ( in the middle of the night) to hand deliver a “Grose Misconduct” ball cap that I had ordered from him ( it was in the darkest days of Covid and he had no work so I was helping him out). I made a point of talking to him after the show telling him who I was. He remembers going to our house as it was the only delivery he had to make to the Fort.

Aug 6 Alaska cruise start

Royal Princess

Up at 0300 for a 0400 drive to airport. Parked car at Park2Go.

Flight delayed 30 minutes but otherwise smooth.

Walked around Vancouver shoreline for 90 minutes

Checking in took about an hour

Had lunch. Very tasty

Ship left port one hour late at 6:30 PM

Supper was “OK” however starter soup and later deserts were great. Ordered a bottle of Merlot wine to celebrate our 39th. The wine was nice but hard for us to justify once we found out the price (after checking our account) which was $80CDN. It is no more than a $15 bottle of wine at home

Watched an outside fountain light show and after that Caro stayed out to watch one of her favourite movies out on the big screen