Cool Breeze Cruiser
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The shuttle driver picked us up again & took us to Mendenhall Glacier for a brief visit. It was pouring down rain but we went down to watch the salmon swimming upstream. Poor things!
Porcupines (thanks Robin :D) up in the tree.
I know everyone says not to bring umbrellas to Alaska but we were actually glad we took small umbrellas, especially when we were standing in line to get back on the ship. We did have on waterproof jackets but the umbrellas were nice too.
I had read that the best shopping was in Ketchikan but we found the best deals in Juneau. Most of the locally owned shops already had 50% off their merchandise. They had nice long sleeve t-shirts for $7.50. I bought ULU knifes to take back as souvenirs. I thought I would have to check them when we got to the ship but security looked in our bag & told us to make sure we did not take them out of our cabin.
We took a picture at Red Dog Saloon & we had planned on going in for a beer but it was PACKED!
What a PERFECT rainy day!
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Alaska was on J.R.'s bucket list. Whale watching was on mine. J.R. & I & Robin & John went on a whale watch in St. Lucia last January but did not see any whales so we were extremely hopeful to get to see them this time.
This was the highlight of our trip for me! I am fascinated by whales. They were as beautiful & majestic as I thought they would be & to be close enough to hear the sounds they were making left us all speechless! Robin & I were almost crying!
It was so overcast that day that the pictures do not really do them justice. Robin captured a lot of it on video & if we can figure out how to post them we will as the videos show how amazing our day was a lot better than our pictures do.
We left after 30 minutes or so as Steve said they do not like to ‘crowd’ the whales for too long. He took us to an island to see sea lions next.
I always like the wake.
Steve thought he spotted another whale on the way back to the dock but it never resurfaced. We did see another bald eagle though. The poor thing was soaked. It started pouring again on our way back.
It was too rainy to see the glaciers that day but we didn’t care. We got to see WHALES!
Captain Steve from Harv & Marv was such a great guy & so respectful to the whales that we were very thankful we got to share such an amazing experience with him as our Captain. A couple of the other captains on bigger boats that were out there that day 'crowded' the whales to give their passengers a better view. That made us all sad! Steve kept his distance & the whales actually came to us. He is also very knowledgeable about whales & Juneau. J.R. & I always talk about how people make the trip & we both agreed that Steve was one of the most genuine people we met the whole trip. He really made an impression on us.
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And then it was our turn!
I don't know why but I love this photo.
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Look at how close the whales got to Captain Russell's boat!
That is probably when Todd was able to capture these amazing photos! Thanks for sharing Todd!
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We all really liked Captain Steve.
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And then guess what we found?!?
Steve told us that the last few weeks they had only been able to find one or two whales but we found 6 or 8 & one was a baby! They really put on a good show for us. Steve either really knows the behavior of the whales or was extremely lucky that day because he stopped the boat & the whales literally came to us! I was so excited I could hardly breathe! And the most amazing thing was that as soon as we reached the whales it quit raining so we could go out on the deck areas & take pics. Steve told us how to wait for their terminal dive to get the best pics.
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Out of the whole cruise Juneau was the day I was most looking forward to & we woke up to rain & more rain! J.R. called Guest Services & they said there was a 90% chance of rain all day. :(
This was the (wet) view from our balcony.
Oh well, we brought rain gear (even a rain sleeve for the camera) & we had booked my favorite excursion of the whole trip, whale watching with Harv & Marv. Besides the whales would not mind getting wet so we did not let the rain 'dampen' our spirits! :rolleyes:
Our tour included approximately one hour of round trip transfer time, three hours of whale watching/sightseeing cruise, as well as a 15 minute stop in at Mendenhall Glacier and Visitors Center. It was $149 pp. plus tax.
A shuttle driver picked us up to take us to the dock. He was witty & full of knowledge about Juneau.
The Harv & Marv Captains greeted us as we were getting off the shuttle & we met our Captain, Steve. I am sure all the Captains with Harv & Marv are wonderful & our friends from our roll call loved their Captain, Russell, but I don’t know how anyone could beat Steve. He was such a class act & extremely respectful to the whales but I am getting ahead of myself.
We boarded a six passenger (plus Steve) boat & headed out in search of whales. You can sit inside or go on the small front or back deck area.
The race was on in pursuit of whales!
Our friends from our roll call, Todd, Debbie, Bernadette & Kristin were in this boat with Captain Russell.
And this was our boat with Captain Steve.
We saw a bald eagle right away as well as some Dalls porpoises.
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I expect to see a zillion photos of your whale watching day tomorrow!!! :D We were on Miracle with our DS and DIL who just found out she was preg with our lst grandchild. She had a bit of "morning sickness". I was so worried she would absolutely lose it with all those grapes,but no problem. I think the more people talk about things, the more they notice them! Like the pink donuts on Splendor we just had the privilege to admire! :cool:
Your wish is my command! Maybe not a zillion though! :p.
Congrats on the grandbaby. I am sure you all made a lot of memories on that cruise!
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I enjoyed your review and pictures. Looking forward to this cruise itinerary in 2014.
Thank you. I am sorting through about a 'zillion' pics from our whale watching day in Juneau that I hope to add tomorrow. My favorite day by far (& they were all amazing)! Hope you enjoy your Alaskan cruise as much as we did.
I have to agree - that is one ugly dining room. And the other places on the ship was the Mad Hatter and the Phantom Theater. Yup:eek: spooky to me these two are. :eeklol! I never really noticed how 'gaudy' :eek: the dining room is but we made a lot of great memories there dining with friends! Wish we were there right now! :D And we were so busy laughing & having fun in the Mad Hatter & the Phantom Theater that I really miss those places too! :(
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I ABSOLUTELY love Cruise Critic & all the wonderful friends we have made because of this site!
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Hi Juli, I had been looking for your review since Tracy told me you were doing one a few days ago. I'm almost done sorting the 3600 photos I took on our trip. Hoping to start writing my review in a couple of days and start posting it in about a week.OMG what beautiful photos you and JR have posted, take it from me you can post too many. ;)
I really wish we could join you on your next cruise. It's unfortunate that Tracy's course finishes one day before the cruise departs, thus not giving us enough time to get to Florida.
Say hi to JR for me and keep inviting us on your future cruises and we'll do the same. I'm sure we'll meet again. Mike
You taking TONS of photos?!? No way! :rolleyes::D I can't wait to read your review! They are always wonderful!!!
I guess you noticed I added a link to your (our :D) Miracle 2012 cruise review. Your pictures & details of the ship are so much better than mine. Imagine what kind of review you could do of Alaska! :D If y'all had gone with us I would not be writing a review because I could just relive my cruise through your review again!
I wish you could join us on the Freedom too but I will forgive you this time because I am soooo proud of my 'Canadian sister" for getting accepted in to the program! Be sure & give her a big hug from us! I want to see LOTS of pictures!
Keep in mind Hawaii September 2014! Come help us celebrate our 30th :eek: anniversary!
Hugs & 'almost kisses' from J.R. (& me)!!!
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We are booked 8/2014 for this cruise. 2 nd Alaska cruise. We sailed from "Anchorage" south to Vancouver last time on the Spirit. How far ino fjord ones the ship go?
I have a bad cold & my head is fuzzy so don't quote me on this & if anyone else wants to correct me feel free to do so! :D
The naturalist on-board the small boat excursion to Tracy Arm Fjord said the ship is to big to get to the 1st glacier we went to & she said the Miracle 'can' get to within 2 or 3 miles of where we were at the 2nd glacier depending on the weather.
The day we were there the ship was able to go pretty far because it was such a clear day so I am sure our ship mates were able to get a good view of the glacier but we actually got to witness it calving & feel the waves it created. It was AMAZING!
From the research I did on Alaskan cruises before our cruise it sounds like it is hit or miss with the ship being able to make it up in there which is why we booked the small boat excursion.
Wonderful pictures and review, thanks for sharing!!!Thanks for reading! :)
Great review Juli...Just want everyone to that, having met Juli and JR on this cruise, they are just as wonderful as their pictures...It was like seeing lifelong friends from the first time we met.
and as the pictures show so clearly this was a FABULOUS cruise!!!
Thanks Todd! You are a pretty nice guy yourself! :D
And thanks again for organizing us (& for wearing that crazy shirt to the M&G at Ivar's so we could find you :p, & for offering to let me mail you our suitcase to bring & ordering my camera sleeve & getting the door prizes for the M&G & sending me the pics from the whale watch, etc...)!
Give all of your cabin mates a hug for us & keep the Freedom Valentine's cruise in mind.
OMG - I thought grapes, whole MDR, was the ugliest room I have ever been in. You're telling me there is something uglier? :eek:I can't wait to check out the dining room on the Freedom & to see the grapes again on the Miracle next year! It will mean I am not cooking or cleaning & I am on a CRUISE! :D
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I agree. The scenery looks absolutely breathtaking!!
Breathtaking is the best way to describe Alaska!
You are NOT supposed to be weeding thru photos. You are supposed to be posting them all! Cripes, how are you ever going to go on a cruise to Nassau or Freeport after this!The Bahamas are not so bad. :D I actually really like Nassau. We always go to Breezes & have WAY to much fun there! I hope to try the trapeze (I have great 'respect' for heights) when we go there in February. And I could be a stowaway at Half Moon Cay!
We have loved ALL the cruises we have been on & cruise ports we have been to & especially treasure all the friends we have made! My favorite cruise is always the next one we have booked! ;)
You are lucky it was sunny and warm for you!The weather was absolutely amazing on our whole 18 day trip except for our day in Juneau & the whales did not mind getting wet anyway! ;)
Your pictures are beautiful. The pictures of the glacier remind me of a trip I took out of Seward. It was a day trip with beautiful scenery. Thanks for the review!Thank you. It was our 1st time to see a glacier & I almost cried especially when we got to witness it calving!
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I would not take anything for the incredible day we had with Chilkoot Charters & the unbelievably beautiful places we were able to see but I am a Type A personality & do not sit still well on a good day so you would probably have to pay me to do it again.
It is DEFINITELY worth doing but 8 plus hours of touring made for a LONG day! The bus ride went by quickly especially with all the stops but the train ride became monotonous after a while. The rhythm of the train almost put all of us to sleep! And then we would look out the window & see something so majestic that we were instantly awake again!
We got off the train & ventured in to the shops near the ship for souvenirs.
It started raining during our walk back to the ship! How perfect for us that the rain held off until then!
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There is a restroom (thank goodness!) available on the train.
The train ride is narrated & the route we took was full of history.
I will not get in to a lot of info about the narrated train ride so you can experience it firsthand if you choose to but the engineering feats they were able to accomplish while building the railroad in such a short period of time are absolutely unbelievable! My DD & her hubby are engineers & they would be in awe of the bridges & design of the railroad.
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We stopped at Bennett Station House for an authentic meal of Mulligan stew, homemade bread, coleslaw & apple pie that was included in the price of the tour. It was served family style & you could ask for more. It was delicious!
We wandered around a little after lunch. There are no shops but there are a few hiking trails
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We had to rush to get off the bus at Carcross & get on the train. We had hoped to have time to wander through the shops & get our passports stamped but the train was waiting.
We boarded the train & began our journey. Try to get in the last car & sit on the right side for best viewing.
You can sit inside or stand on the small platforms between the trains or on the platform at the back of the train.
This is info about the train ride from Chilkoot’s website…
Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this Scenic Railway of the World was designated as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark (along with the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty). The 3-foot wide Narrow Gauge Railroad climbs almost 3,000 feet in the first 20 miles with an average grade of 2.6%, and up to 3.9% in some locations. It also passes through 2 tunnels and travels over sky high trestles and bridges.
I again cannot even describe how breathtaking the scenery is. It is hard to tell which way is up in the pictures we took of the reflection lakes.
Here I go posting way to many photos again! J.R. is slammed at work so is not here to help me pick & choose. I have actually weeded out 100s!
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We were surprised to come across a desert!
We went all the way to Emerald Lake & it is BEAUTIFUL! It is reported to be the most photographed lake in the Yukon Territory.
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At one of our stops Alyssa said everyone has to tie their food in trees when they camp. These markings are from bears!
Of course everybody has to stop here & take a photo. The tour guides have it down pat. They each have their group members pose on one side of the sign while another tour group poses on the other side & then they take pictures from an angle. The pictures look like nobody else is in them!
The reflections in the lake are insane!
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We woke up in Skagway to another wonderful, sunny day. Highs in the 70’s! Who said Alaska is cold & rainy?
We booked the Bennett Scenic Journey with Chilkoot Charters along with Robin & John. We actually booked the last trip of the season that goes all the way to Bennett which is reachable by rail only (no road there).
The excursion costs $229 pp & is a combination bus/train ride. You do have to have a passport for this excursion as it crosses over in to Canada & Customs officials come on-board & check your passport.
Also we took snacks & we were glad to have them! They had complimentary bottled water on-board.
Our bus driver, Alyssa was a doll & was funny & informative (& a good driver). The bus held 24 people.
We made many stops along the way for photo ops. There is no restroom on the bus so make sure you go before you board. We made one ‘interesting’ stop at a ‘restroom’ with no water.
If you do the bus 1st sit on the right side, the scenery is much better.
Our tour guide Alyssa
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OH how are you going to decide which one to post. I love them all. What kind of camera do you have.
J.R. will laugh at me when he sees how many pics I posted of the glacier calving. It was exciting to me though! :D
I took three cameras & my favorite point & shoot bit the dust (would not hold a charge) the first day of the trip so I used my Olympus Tough TG-820 Waterproof Camera (the pics with the dates) & J.R. used our 'big kid' camera, a Nikon D3000. He also took some with his IPhone.
Haha dear J.R. and his funny poses, it makes me miss you even more. Do post as many pics as you want, I love reading your reviews !The scenery is breathtaking. Please, please, make Quebec city a future cruise destination so I can take you on a private tour :)I know you know from knowing J.R. :D that there are many pics we took on our trip that I can not post on here! :eek: J.R. always makes things interesting! I didn't realize how those glow sticks were popping up until I saw our pictures when we got home!
We really miss you & Patrice too. We soooo wish y'all had been able to join us on our cruise. Consider joining us for Hawaii September 2014!
J.R. wants to take a trip northeast so maybe we will take you up on your offer to be our tour guide. I am sure we would need help. Nobody there would be able to understand our Southern drawl! :p
Sending hugs!
Juli
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The conference we are attending is over tomorrow so I will get J.R. to help me narrow down the amount of pictures I am posting. I know less is more but I LOVE them all! :D
Just fabulous photos!! Your formal pics were great too.Thank you. We actually dressed up more the second elegant night. Don't know why we did it that way. :confused:
Great review - loving the pics.That's awesome! lol :D
Of all the pics I have in my review so far that is the one you commented on? :p:D
Never a dull moment with J.R. around! Those glow sticks from the Beatles show turned up in a lot of our pics from Elegant night. Obviously I did not want mine back. :eek:
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And then we had to leave. :( Not without a few last photos.
It was 61 degrees & sunny at the glacier but the wind was COLD! I had on underarmor pants & shirt, a long sleeve t-shirt, jeans & part of the time a fleece jacket with a Columbia rain jacket over it. I never broke out my hat or gloves though.
The catamaran brought us back to the ship & took the 2nd group out. We spent the rest of the day on the Serenity deck where we were actually able to land two hammocks! It was an incredible experience snuggling under a blanket (provided by the ‘towel’ desk) in the hammock on the Serenity Deck gazing at the gorgeous Alaskan scenery!
Robin & John's hammock worked better than ours.
Ours had a little to much curve to it!
Miracle to Alaska August 27, 2013
in Carnival Cruise Lines
Posted
Alaska is beautiful!
I am by no means an authority (& if anyone else reading this has a different opinion feel free to chime in) but from the research I did before booking our cruise most people think Glacier Bay is the best. Carnival usually only cruises to Glacier Bay the 1st & last cruise of every season.
That being said obviously we booked with Carnival going to Tracy Arm Fjord because we love cruising on Carnival & really like the Spirit class ships (which the Miracle is) & the price was incredible for the week we booked so it was an easy decision for us once I knew we could get the small boat excursion in to Tracy Arm Fjord (which was absolutely spectacular). I have no regrets!
The naturalist, Michelle, on Carnival is very good too.
We almost always book our excursions independently as we did on this cruise (except the small boat excursion since it is only offered through the cruise line.)