Haljo1935

No offense to RCL fans, but that is exactly why we cruise HAL (Holland America) for Alaska - being smaller ships, they can go places the larger ships can't go. Not that HAL (or any cruiseline/ship) is immune to berthing issues or Acts of God/construction delays/... Truly sorry you will miss out on Skagway. ISP is not a comparable port, but does have unique offerings (nothing can replace the White Pass train ride, so let's not pretend) - we did a bear watching hike a couple years ago that was fabulous and not offered in other port.

I have not as we go to Irish Times Pub for dinner, but have seen them going by while we are walking. It's probably a lovely ride, just be sure to bundle up if you're there early or late season as it gets cold. Hope to see pictures if you do it.

You can board with birth certificate and valid government issued photo ID (for round-trip Seattle) but passport is preferred in case you require medical evacuation while in Canada.

Same horrible experience we had pre-Covid which caused DH to say "never again." We've been doing only Seattle round-trip ever since even though we like the Vancouver area and itineraries. We are at SeaTac now having just gotten off HAL Eurodam this morning. Our boarding experience was exactly opposite yours - had a 1:20pm check in time, but had drooped our bags in cabin before noon, had lunch in MDR and were enjoying a glass of wine from our balcony before 1. Yep, check in to board was less than 30 minutes and fully completed before we werexeven scheduled to board! Seattle vs Vancouver departures... I will enjoy reading your posts and viewing the photos - enjoy and safe travels!!

@Denise T thanks again for your post of your upcoming trip on NA - truly the inspiration for us booking this week. We're in TSA line to head back toward home and already dreading the 90 weather waiting for us. I look forward to reading your Live posts and seeing your pictures - I know you and your siblings are going to have a great time! 🥳 Do everything you can that your heart desires and welcome to AK and HAL. ❤

Same with us - we were in 2nd group to get called at about 10 til 8, so slightly ahead of schedule. Wave passport at customs agent - literally wave it, he didn't ask you to open it or look at inside it, then out to bus or whatever mode you're using. Royal Princess was right next to us - too close to get a picture. We're ahead of schedule getting to SeaTac airport.

Good morning Seattle!! For those of you boarding Eurodam today, your ship is here! Currently, 48 and not raining. Luggage got picked up - not much was out there when we put ours out at 10:30, but deadline was midnight so we were early. Doing Port Valet, next time we see it will be our home airport (fingers crossed). Seattle covers the cost, so you don't pay the $25 Luggage Direct fee nor do you pay overnight fees for heavy bags. Highly recommend if you're on one of the participating airlines. You can stuff all the "thanks for house sitting" gifts you want in your bags without using the scales!! Oh, yeah, there were scales by elevator on our deck last night so no lugging it down to 1 to weigh. We're off to breakfast - Lido this morning - for final time.

Would you share what you found?

We also are in Victoria (in fact, there right now waiting to leave) 8pm - midnight w/1130 All Aboard, so yes,, not much time to do anything. We take the shuttle from the pier to Downtown Victoria and have dinner at at Irish Times Pub. Live music, great food - good place for a b'day celebration!!

We are a 7 day Sat - Sat trip. Attire: Dressy nights - Sun (sea day) & Thursday (Ketchikan) Festive Orange night - Wed (Sitka) Casual nights - Sat (Seattle embark), Mon (Juneau), Tues (GB/Icy Strait), Fri (Victoria)

Some of the maintenance items I mentioned (relative to the Eurodam not the itinerary): rust on balcony, peeling paint and cracked windows at Lido buffet (very top both left and right sides).

Drydock updates: Pix of the newly installed library on deck 3, it is open 24 hours. Casino is expanded with some new machines and a smaller room w/a door (presumably to close for smoking) - no pictures of casino.

Wish we'd known about beer week - maybe next year!!

Norwegian Bliss also came in, so there are at least 3 of us here; although, I can't see the NB from my balcony (we're port side next to the Volendam), but did see her pulling in during dinner. Volendam looks pretty all lit up. Of course, it looks like the rain has stopped, but we'll still not go into Victoria. We like eating at Irish Times Pub and already ate on the ship since we thought we would not be getting off. DH had salmon (again) in MDR - said it was good. I was finally able to get mint chocolate chip ice cream - it's not offered every night. Tip if you have a favorite ice cream: ask your server each night what flavors they have as they do rotate nightly. Now for logistics of disembarkation: we are doing Port Valet, so we will not need to claim luggage at airport tomorrow morning. However, we did get charged $40 which Guest Services cannot remove - they have to send an email and we won't know until we see final CC charges whether or not it was removed. That charge was not there before dinner, so be sure to check your statement late enough for everything to hit, but early enough to address discrepancies; Guest Services is open 24 hours; the line was short but moved very slowly. With Port Valet and SeaTac transfer, we are in group B, 8am disembark time, breakfast at Lido starting 6am or MDR 630; there is no room service. I'll do a final post in the morning to advise of any changes and how disembarkation went. I already miss Alaska! 🤧😪

Just got into Victoria alongside the Volendam. Raining g so we're not taking the shuttle to town - no Irish Times Pub for us tonight. We will instead be eating final dinner in MDR. Bags are packed - ready to go into the hall. Deadline is midnight- we packed anticipating going into Victoria but changed our minds - think this is the earliest I've ever packed at the end of a cruise. 😪🤧 We

Didn't find a clean copy of the entire menu, but here's what I did find. Tracy's doesn't really list pound prices that I could find except for the Brown King crab.

Crabs and Restrooms (oh my - that could be a bad combination, 😆) Meant to post this yesterday - the menu from Ketchikan Crab & Go for anyone needing a crab fix. Pinnacle Grill does not have crab on the menu, so this is your place to get it. It's inside the Salmon Landing Market "mall" downstairs near the bear; restrooms are upstairs.

@oakridger Hey, Nancy - figured if I was going to get internet and do a live review, I should really do it 🙂 Yes it always rains on us,, too,, when we're in Ketchikan which is great for doing the ATV excursion. But since we weren't doing it this time, we weren't sure how fun walking around in the rain would be, lol. So we were thrilled to have the beautiful weather. This morning is overcast and really looks like it could rainy any moment. We have company in our clouds...

Just returned from the thermal pool; while relaxing in a ceramic chair (I love those things - can I get one delivered?) I was treated to a very nice dolphin show. We crossed into Canada about an hour ago and were told we'd likely see an increase in wildlife. If that's it, they were right on schedule, lol. No pictures since I was in the spa, but it was nice. Tonight is Pinnacle Grill and candied bacon, so no more spa tonight. Tomorrow I'll do at least 2 final visits as we don't get into Victoria BC until 8pm. Can't visit the spa Sat am since we'll be disembarking, so I will make the most of my time there tomorrow. And still need to visit FCC to book my next Alaskan adventure!!

Happened to go through the 🎰 casino today (to avoid the elevator mob delay getting back on board in Ketchikan). The upgrades are obvious- it is definitely bigger with some fancy new machines. There is also a smaller section with doors that looks like it could be closed off for smoking.

Agree that some people need to do a better job of "self policing" and honoring the honor system. This week, I am on Eurodam in AK. There has only been 1 time where I wasn't able to get a ceramic chair. There were a few people noticeably sleeping (not napping); I went to the hydro pool and when I returned to the chairs, I was able to get one. The sleepers were still 😴...they may have had to wake them up when they closed. Not once has the pool been full. I am working on a neck/shoulder thing, so I feel fortunate it worked out this week. In fact, I just returned from there and was treated to a nice dolphin show while I was in the chair - neither napping nor sleeping. 🤗 Not sure what the fix is, but agree the system is flawed. But I do enjoy having (and using) a thermal pass.

Just short of 1 hour out of Ketchikan - glassy smooth water. No whales yet today.

Hey @Denise T if you're still packing, you might want to be sure to toss in ear muffs. Even in the sun when a jacket may due (vs a coat) the slightest breeze can still chill the ears. I forgot mine today and wished a few times I had them. I practically live in 'em on the balcony.

Back on board still enjoying the beautiful 52(F) almost clear blue sky day. Haven't seen any Pier Runners yet, but there's still time, lol. Well, thanks to a little internet glitch, I lost the original pictures and we've since left. But it was a nice final view of the pier, nonetheless, and sail away is gorgeous. We're headed to our final port, Victoria BC. It will be a very quick stop for dinner, as we're only there 8pm - midnight. We're having candied bacon in the Pinnacle tonight - yummy!!

Enjoying a cappuccino from Local Grounds in the whale park while we wait for All Aboard. Local Grounds has a decent menu - I only captured one side of the menu.