Brentt_M

35 minutes ago, liam1965 said:

My wife paid for it, hoping she could participate in a meeting that she was supposed to have this week. It was no more reliable nor any faster than the regular Internet.

After the 1st day I paid $30 to upgrade to the premium plan. It may be slightly better than what I had standard with the Have It All promotion but not much and I absolutely would not count on being able to use it to do videon streaming at all.  I was able to sit in on the audio side only of a meeting that 2nd day right after I upgraded, but really since thay point in time the quality has dropped significantly.  It has been better than Lisa reported during the 1st sailing as it has only been completely unavailable a few times, but I have had to be extremely patient with it most of the time.

We have no formal plans today in Sitka today.  They kiddos are sleeping in a bit and then we will get around and do some exploring on our own and grab lunch in town and do a bit of shopping.  If anyone has some lunch suggestions we would be open to considering any of them.  

1 hour ago, CruiseMGM said:

 

Yuck. Something to NOT look forward to. But (except for these, LOL!) beautiful pix and thank you SO much for taking us along on your trip.

 

The ISP disembark bring up a question for me......were you early into ISP or on-time at 6pm? I ask because we have a private tour set up and are supposed to meet them at the Excursion Hub at 6:15.

Thank you, and smooth sailing!

We were on time arriving but delayed being allowed off the ship some what do to gangway positioning issues. Eventually the also ended up letting us off both forward and midship and that helped thr congestion big time.

7 minutes ago, dobiemom said:

Were ship shore excursions let off the ship first or did they meet on the pier?

Met on the pier 

27 minutes ago, Wjpenterpriese said:

Are you able to hear any of the rangers talk from your balcony?

 

Kind of, but it was a challenge sometimes.  However, you can have it broadcast on your tv if you want.

4 minutes ago, julia said:

Hi Brentt:

Wonderful thread to date, thank you (and your two sidekicks) for taking us along.  The rainbow pics were beautiful!  Have you used your thermal suite pass at all?  Would love to hear details... is it busy? crowded? quiet? relaxing? worth it?

I love the thermal suite! Definitely worth it to me.  The 1st day I went it was a little crowded but cleared out quickly.  The 2nd day it was not busy at all.  I think it really depends on when during the day you go. This trip it has been very quiet, but last trip there were 3 ladies that were there it seemed like all the time on the ceramic loungers and they chatted and laughed constantly. That was extremely annoying.

Got off and walked around ISP a little bit, bought a few souvenirs and headed back to a ship. It was an absolutely gorgeous evening!

Here is what it looked like getting off the ship in ISP.

I have not seen anything except the mask change. There has been absolutely no communication about. It would just be speculation.  However, it is very likely there will be some cases on almost all cruises and there is no reason for HAL or any cruise line to broadcast when they do happen unless they are required to.

It has been basically a pre-pause cruise from my experience and I am happy with that.

14 minutes ago, Tridentnyc said:

Hey Brentt,

Thanks so much, fantastic reporting so far! Has the weather allowed for much or any on deck lounging or is the weather just too cold? I love being “outside and topside” as much as possible and have never done Alaska before. Will be on the 08/14 sailing and am curious whether it’s possible to spend much time topside or not regardless of sights. Of course my weather may be much different then but thought I’d ask. Thanks so much!

We have spent plenty of time outside.  While the ship is moving it can be a bit cold, but out of the wind and in the sun (if it is out) is usually very nice.

1 hour ago, curtdesilets said:

Were the Forest Rangers on the ship during Glacier Bay?  They were a wealth of information last time we went. Also, any PEA SOUP?   

Yes rangers were onboard.  The when and where said there would be Pea Soup, but we spent all day on our balcony so not sure if it was actually served.

Almost to ISP...

2 minutes ago, cal56girl said:

We’ve been twice and going again in September. If I get to choose the cruise to Alaska, I always choose the one that goes to Glacier Bay!

This was my third time as well... out of 5 total cruises.  Already have one booked for next July too

2 minutes ago, cal56girl said:

I love Glacier Bay!

Me too!

1 hour ago, aliaschief said:

Wow! If only we can have the same weather next week! Any idea why CDC has ship in Code Yellow? Any announcement?

No announcements about anything covid related at all.  I really doubt they will tell us anything unless it is absolutely necessary.

5 minutes ago, liam1965 said:

That’s very sweet!  Right now, she’s on the bow and I’m sitting on the pool deck.

 

 If she comes back here soon, I’ll ask her, now that we’re turning do the glacier is on your side, that would be perfect!

We are just waiting on room service to be delivered so we will be around. Going to eat on the balcony 

@liam1965 let me know if you and your wife would like to join us on the balcony for any part of glacier bay.

1 hour ago, Coffeeluvr05 said:

Lido cabanas...is anyone using them?  Is it cozy and warm in them?  Is the lido roof being closed when the weather is cold and cloudy?  

Some of them are being used. 1 family actually has 2 of them side by side and they were able to open the divider and it made for a great space for a bigger group.  Here is a pic of an empty one.

Some more pictures...

53 minutes ago, liam1965 said:

Just watched a humpback dive and then roll to wave to us.

 

Obviously not really, but it looked like it.

We saw that one too! Relative close to the ship on the starboard side.  It was absolutely waving at us!

Such a beautiful day at Galcier Bay!

Good morning from Glacier Bay!

Just watched Magician & Illusionist Joseph Reohm in the main stage.  I thought it was a very good performance and he was rather funny.  He had my daughter laughing and the general HAL audience at the the ssme time and that is not always the easiest thing to do.

40 minutes ago, bcummin said:

Thank you for sharing this sentimental cruise with all of us, Brentt..

I would like to know if there are HAL photographers aboard.  What have you noticed?  And have you seen a photo package deal??  Thank you.

Barbara

I haven't been paying attention to that really, but I know they did the embarkation photos and had photographers around on gala night.  Outside of that I don't remember seeing them and I have not looked at any packages, etc

I will say the bus to my excursion had 30 people on it and they did a good job with masks while on the bus.