Not a rant nor a rave.. just reality – Spirit to Glacier Bay September 11 2012.

[Pee-ah]

Allow me to start of by giving you some back ground info. This is my second Alaska cruise on the Spirit. I did my 1st one Vancouver to Vancouver (BC Inside Passage – Juneau – Glacier Bay – Skagway – Ketchikan – BC Inside Passage) 3 years ago. The reason I wanted to do this one was it was the Spirits last Alaska cruise and also sailed Glacier Bay and the BC Inside Passage on the last sea day.

 

Embarkation Day.

 

Got to the pier just after Noon. Porters were there to take our luggage. Checked in very easily and we were given Zone 15. We were on the ship just shortly after 1pm. Once on board we were able to go directly to our cabin (5270) to drop off our luggage.

 

The Lido was busy when we made our way up there. We grabbed a sit in the Serenity area and took turns getting our food. Everywhere I went there was a line, so I went to the grill. No line there yet. Had a burger (a bit on the dry side) and fries. And also had a yummy Margarita!

 

We then went back to our cabin and as our luggage had already arrived we unpacked. Muster soon followed and it wasn’t too long, though our muster attendant did have a great sense of humour. After Muster was the CC meet and greet!

 

I think pretty much everyone showed up for the Meet & Greet. Thanks to John Heald we had 2 bottles of bubbles and ships on a stick. Sail a Way was a lot of fun and was great to meet so many people that we had been chatting with for a looooonnnggggg time J

 

As the Meet & Greet broke up my friend saw that in the Fun Times that the “My Awesome Bar Package” was being offered on the Spirit. Oh yeah! Normally I have order Bon Voyage, but hadn’t for this sailing (so glad I hadn’t). So to the Lido bar we went to purchase the package. (The package allows you 15 drinks per day. If you order a Vodka Soda. Don’t order the generic as they will give you Skye - $5.75, order Kettle One $9.. same goes for wine be specific). While in line for the package we meet some great new friends that were also buying into the program.

 

Dinner that evening was at the Steak House. I started with the escargots (not a fan of the breading around them, much prefer the ones in the MDR) then had the Beef Steak Tomatoes, they were yummy. Finishing of the dinner I had the Lobster… a little rubbery. Then had the sherbet again another yum. As we had the drink package the steak house allowed us to take the free bottle of wine back to our cabin (when you dine in the Steak House the first night you get a free bottle of wine). After dinner we went to the welcome aboard show then enjoyed the comedy shows.

[Pee-ah]

1st Sea Day

 

Slept in. Had room service deliver the coffee and juice to start the day. Had lunch in the MDR. Started with the chilled avocado soup then had the veggie Quesada’s. Both were okay. After lunch we headed up to the Lido deck to see the Hairy Chest contest. (This was my first time seeing one). Meet up with some friend from our roll call, and spent a great afternoon up there.

 

Dinner that evening was the first formal night. We had been in the Atrium having a pre-dinner drink when we were joined by Cruising Debbie (what an amazing lady!) she was on the leg of her B2B2B, all the way to Australia! While sitting there a young male asked if you could take pictures of him and his girlfriend on deck 10. He wanted to have documentation of his proposal! Oh yeah! He didn’t just get picture.. but also a video. Great couple!!! Dinner for me was lobster (still rubbery). After dinner it was the casino and then the Comedy shows.

[Pee-ah]

Juneau

 

Waking up in Juneau to the rain.. Did I mention rain! My friend, and Deb and I had agreed to meet to take the bus to the Mendenhall Glacier (from the pier $16 return). Even with the rain the Glacier was GORGEOUIS!!!!!! We paid the $3.00 for the Visitor centre (not a wow!). Got back into town and went to the Red Dog Saloon for bevies. The saloon is very touristy, but also fun! After that it was on to Tracey’s Crab Shack! OH MY!!!! I got the $34.95 meal and didn’t come close to finishing it! After I did a quick shopping run! Everything was pretty much 50% off. Stood in line to board through the pouring rain! No comedy that night so listened to Doug in the casino with our friendsJ

[vivavegas]

Looking forward to reading more of your review!:)

[Pee-ah]

Glacier Bay!

 

Back to beauty!

Spent pretty much the whole day on our AFT extended balcony! Glaciers were calving. We went to see the Margerie Glacier and the Johns Hopkins. Saw seals on icebergs! It was amazing!

 

No real entertainment on the ship that day (even the casino was closed down)

 

Though we did have our booking for Chef’s table this day. If you haven’t done one, you are missing out! Sorry no pictures of the food, just the Glaciers

[mumofsons]

Keep up the great write up! I am totally enjoying it! Loved Alaska/the Spirit and our aft balcony:)

[Crusin Karen]

Oh,my....Spirit is my favorite ship. Love all the SPIRIT CLASS, but Spirit holds a special place in my heart. I had this CRUISE OF A LIFETIME planned for a few years ago. A B2B Spirit cruise to AK. I think I had a folder 10" thick a year before we would sail with all the advice and info. Well, "financial situations" changed drastically and I had to cancel this. We are fortunate that we are still able to cruise sometimes from our home port of Manhattan, but in my heart, Alaska will always be the "big fish that got away." :rolleyes:;)So I very much appreciate reading these reviews and thank you for "taking me" on them with you! :)

[Pee-ah]

Skagway

 

Overcast skies but no rain!

This was the port that I spent $$$ on. I took the All Aboard Steam Train. It was amazing and well worth the money! We boarded just a short walk from the ship. This one needs little words… just photos.

[Luckysll]

Ah, Pia, thank you for the review. I'm reliving our cruise from 3 years ago and wish I could have been with you for the Spirit's last Alaska cruise.

[Pee-ah]

Keep up the great write up! I am totally enjoying it! Loved Alaska/the Spirit and our aft balcony:)

 

LOL.. I'm ready to go back :)

 

Oh,my....Spirit is my favorite ship. Love all the SPIRIT CLASS, but Spirit holds a special place in my heart. I had this CRUISE OF A LIFETIME planned for a few years ago. A B2B Spirit cruise to AK. I think I had a folder 10" thick a year before we would sail with all the advice and info. Well, "financial situations" changed drastically and I had to cancel this. We are fortunate that we are still able to cruise sometimes from our home port of Manhattan, but in my heart, Alaska will always be the "big fish that got away." :rolleyes:;)So I very much appreciate reading these reviews and thank you for "taking me" on them with you! :)

 

I hope that you one day you catch that fish!!!!

[Crusin Karen]

LOL.. I'm read to go back :)

 

 

 

I hope that you one day catch that fish!!!!

Oh, how sweet of you to think that...maybe some day I will,but in the meantime I thank you for your generosity in sharing your cruise with us! ;):)

[Pee-ah]

Looking forward to reading more of your review!:)

 

Thanks :)

 

Ah, Pia, thank you for the review. I'm reliving our cruise from 3 years ago and wish I could have been with you for the Spirit's last Alaska cruise.

 

It was great! So neat that each time I go to Alaska its changed! Sandy you would have loved Glacier Bay and seeing the seals on the icebergs!:D