TheSecondSister

Hubby and I are booked for the Sept. 4 Alaska cruise from Seattle, and all I can say is that this totally sucks. We live in a sparsely populated area, no local pharmacies or medical clinics are doing testing for travel purpose. The nearest one is 45 minutes away and can't promise that we will have our results back in time. I HATE the constantly shifting goal posts. Boo on you NCL.

1 hour ago, victory2020 said:

Can you get your free minutes on your phone or only on their computers - yeah I'm that tech challenged. I have Whatsapp on my phone as does my husband who will be at home. Can I face time him(just learned how to do this) while I'm on the cruise?

You can connect to the wifi with whatever device you want. Can't answer the rest of it, as I don't know.

46 minutes ago, periodic itinerant said:

I've been pondering upgrading to unlimited or even unlimited premium for my October 3rd cruise. I'm traveling solo, and generally I am happy to be mostly disconnected when on trips as I find lots of interesting people to chat and spend time with. I'm just slightly worried that with social distancing (I know not necessarily a rule for NCL, but still has become part of mine and many others' norms) I may need the extra distraction/connection of my devices.

 

I think the upgrade is cheaper if I buy in advance? Please correct me if I'm wrong on that. I'll likely wait until just before the trip to decide.

I upgraded to the next level, Unlimited Wifi (not streaming) for an additional $84.  Since hubby and I will have to check email for work (I know, I know, who wants to, but we run our own business), and I do blog my cruising adventures, it was the best option for us.

4 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi, is the Sandpiper down there by where the ships dock? And when you are sitting inside looking out the window you can see the small planes take off? (from the water?)

Nope, I believe you're talking about Hangar on the Wharf, which is fun, and good food, but definitely NOT vegetarian. 😃

1 hour ago, Ombud said:

I am a vegetarian so any suggestions on where to eat in Juneau, Skagway,  or Ketchikan?

 

Son wants me to bring him salmon jerky, daughter wants a suncatcher, kids want chocolate rocks, I don't want to spend all day shopping 

I'm not vegetarian, but having been to Alaska a few times (11 and counting), here are my recommendations for vegetarian friendly restaurants (not sure which may still exist/be open however):

In Skagway, Starfire Grill. It's mostly Thai, and very very good Thai. In fact, you're likely to see a number of crew eating there 🙂  Link: https://www.facebook.com/starfirealaska/

In Juneau, I love love love Salt. They do cocktails and dinner, which may not fit with your time in port. Mostly seafood, but a few veggie options. Link: https://www.saltalaska.com/

Also in Juneau, Sandpiper Cafe is primarily vegetarian and delicious (link: https://sandpiper.cafe/). 

Unfortunately, I can't think of any vegetarian restaurants in Ketchikan, except for Chicos which is pretty darn good Mexican food. (link: https://www.facebook.com/Chicos-Mexican-Restaurant-115776745118119)

43 days until I sail north!

There's a timelapse video from yesterday, July 17, showing the Nieuw Amsterdam and the Majestic Princess maneuvering around the Seattle waterfront as they get ready to start the Alaska cruise season.  Here's a snapshot, but you can see the whole thing on my blog: https://twocruisingsisters.com/time-lapse-of-the-seattle-waterfront/

There's a timelapse video from yesterday, July 17, showing the Nieuw Amsterdam and the Majestic Princess maneuvering around the Seattle waterfront.  Here's a snapshot, but you can see the whole thing on my blog: https://twocruisingsisters.com/time-lapse-of-the-seattle-waterfront/

On 7/10/2021 at 12:44 PM, ChiefMateJRK said:

I've only been to Starbucks once or twice in my life.  Yep, I just ordered black coffee and it tasted the same as coffee everywhere else.  Call me simple.  😎

I'm a Pacific Northwest gal, live about an hour and a half from Seattle, and Starbucks is NOT a selling point for me. 🤪

For anyone interested, Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas is schedule to leave Pier 91 in Seattle today on a "test" cruise to Alaska. The Elliott Bay Marina webcam currently shows her docked.  It's not the best angle, but it's the only webcam that shows Pier 91. I've no idea what time she sails, but here's the webcam link: http://www.elliottbaymarina.co/live/ so you can keep an eye out.

For anyone interested, Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas is schedule to leave Pier 91 in Seattle on a "test" cruise to Alaska. The Elliott Bay Marina webcam currently shows her docked.  It's not the best angle, but it's the only webcam that shows Pier 91. I've no idea what time she sails, but here's the webcam link: http://www.elliottbaymarina.co/live/

I've been on a few Alaska cruises, though never on the Encore.  Hubby and I will be aboard for the Sept. 4 sailing, so I hope you'll be posting your adventures.  60 days for us ... but who's counting. 😄

The Port of Seattle updated their cruise ship schedule yesterday (July 1). The link (it’s a PDF) i: https://www.portseattle.org/sites/default/files/2021-07/2021%20Sailing%20Schedule%20Updated%207.1.21.pdf

The first ship, Serenade of the Seas, leaves July 19.  The last sailing is the Norwegian Encore on October 23. I'll be on the Sept. 4 sailing of the Norwegian Encore (minus the sister but with the hubby). The Encore is making her way to Seattle and is scheduled to arrive July 5.

The Alaska Cruise Handbook – A Mile By Mile Guide; by Joe Upton. Love this and bring it with me on every cruise (especially the huge folded map that usually gets stuck to my cabin wall).  Over 300 great photos, maps and engaging stories trace the route used by most Alaska cruises.  And if you go to his website, there are a bunch of short (3-5 minute) videos.

5 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

I don't know the answer to this but you have to consider how much salmon will be available and thus how many bears will be there in Sept.  When does the typical salmon spawning season stop.

 

DON

Kings and Silvers spawn early July through mid-August, but Pinks (the most numerous) spawn through the end of September/early October.  The bears don't care which type they eat 😀

Hubby and I just booked a cruise leaving the first week in September of this year. The determining factor for me, whether to go this year or in 2022 (since our 2020 plans for our 25th anniversary got canceled), is the fact that there are no Canadian ports this year due to the waiver of the PVSA. Sure Victoria is lovely, but you're only there for a few hours so it's hard to really get to know the place. (And well, I live in WA State, so Victoria and Vancouver are an easy trip for us anyway). 

Other than a whale watch tour (which is always fun), a bear/wildlife search, and if you're not into zip lining (I'm not), I really enjoyed the Cooking in Alaska's Wildest Kitchen.  Fun, informative and tasty 🙂

Or just walk around town - and see whales, seals, and eagles for free.  

Amsterdam, Homer, Alaska

For Juneau, definitely go to Salt: https://www.saltalaska.com/. Fresh ingredients superbly cooked. Great cocktails. A bit pricey (but hey, food in AK is generally more expensive than it is in the lower 48).  Service is friendly but can be slow.  Their menu varies a bit, but if you see the Ginger Salmon on the menu -- go for it!

I'm a book-a-holic and love to share my reading lists (because who has just one reading list??) In addition to Joe Upton's book, and a definite 2 thumbs up for Where the Sea Breaks Its Back, you might want to take a look at these:

Travels in Alaska; by John Muir. (1915). Experiences, reflections and geography that reads like poetry. If you can, find a copy with the original photographs.

Rescue at the Top of the World: The True Story of the Most Daring Arctic Rescue in History; by Shawn Shallow. (2005) In 1897, nearly the entire American whaling fleet was trapped in pack ice, stranding over 300 men. Three officers from the early U.S. Coast Guard and two missionaries volunteered to travel over 1,500 miles through the Arctic winter to reach the shipwrecked whalers. I can’t even imagine …

Two Years in the Klondike and Alaskan Gold-fields; by William Haskell. (1898) This book is a fascinating first-hand account of a two-year trip to the Yukon River valley’s gold fields. Haskell and his best friend/partner set off for Alaska in 1896 (just before the Klondike gold strike). It’s an easy read, part memoir, part field guide. The primitive conditions, personal deprivations, and extremes of environment they experienced are nothing short of incredible.

Thousand-Mile War: World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians; by Brian Garfield. (1969) The story of the Japanese invasion of Alaska in 1942.  Not your typical battle/war story. A bit of dry humor and a great narrative style make this an interesting read. (Fact I didn’t know until I read this book: when American and Canadian forces invaded Attu Island to take it back from the Japanese, it was the largest Pacific invasion since Guadelcanel and in terms of casualties as a percentage of troops committed it ranked only behind Iwo Jima.  The reprint (in 1995) includes additional archival material.

If you're into nature/field guides:

The Nature of Alaska: An Introduction to Familiar Plants, Animals and Outstanding Natural Attractions; by James Kavanaugh.  Great preview of wild flora and fauna in the state of Alaska. Well organized, great pictures; highlights more than 325 familiar plants and animals and dozens of the state’s outstanding natural attractions.

Guide to the Birds of Alaska; by Robert H. Armstrong. If you’re a bird watcher, you need this book.  I especially like it because it breaks Alaska down into geographical regions and shows what birds can be found in that region.

Happy reading!

Would someone kindly provide a link to his blog?

Since it's bookmarked on my browser, here you go: https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/albert/ :)

Hubby and I are downsizing, and I'm sorting through 21 years of stuff that we've managed to accumulate in our house. (Oh my aching back!) I've been scanning in much of my cruise memorabilia, accumulated since my sister and I started cruising together 8 years (and a dozen cruises) ago. I found it interesting that, despite common perceptions (my own included), HAL hasn't cut back on the number of daily activities - in fact, they've increased them!

In May 2010, sis and I took a 14 day Alaska cruise aboard the Amsterdam; and in May 2018, she and I took the same cruise aboard the Zaandam. Same class of ship, same basic itinerary. Looking at just a few days for a fair comparison:

First sea day - May 2010: 50 activities. May 2018: 69 activities

Glacier Bay day - May 2010: 54 activities. May 2018: 56 activities

Second sea day - May 2010: 46 activities. May 2018: 66 activities.

Here's the list of daily programs for May 2010 (link is: https://twocruisingsisters.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/may-2010-our-first-2-week-alaska-cruise/) and May 2018 (link is https://twocruisingsisters.wordpress.com/2018/06/13/wrap-up-of-our-zaandam-cruise/) so you can see what I'm talking about.

I for one, was surprised.

Thank you all for the kind comments. I do love keeping a blog, and am so happy that others have enjoyed it as well. Happy cruising!

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I was excited to learn of the free computer learning experiences Holland offers. Is it just photo editing or more? Do they offer the classes on port days?:D

To answer your last question first - digital workshops were held every day of my Aug 5-12 Alaska cruise aboard the Amsterdam. Even embarkation day, there was a Q&A session! There were several different sessions each day, though some were repeated on different days. Just a note, the workshops are all geared toward Microsoft and Windows 10.

I scanned the When & Wheres from the cruise - you can find them on my blog. It'll give you an idea of the workshops offered. I second the comment above, that the "Digital Workshop Host" gives lots and lots of hands-on help. I went to 2 different ones - "Make Living Postcards with Movie Moments - Learn how to produce short, creative movie clips, ideal for sharing with friends and family" and "Tell Your Story with Photos - create exciting footage with 3D models or quickly put together a movie with professional looking features". Neither taught me anything new (I'm pretty computer savvy), but they were fun and gave me some ideas.

For those who may be interested, the When & Wheres are up on the blog: https://twocruisingsisters.wordpress.com/2018/08/14/the-when-wheres-for-aug-5-12-cruise/