Just off the Spirit - Alaska 7/2-7/9

[1cruiselvr]

Just back and willing to answer any questions. We had a fantastic trip even though it rained in Ketchikan and the ship hit a pier pilon (SP?) on the starboard side docking at Juneau putting a huge dent in the ship and breaking some outside cabin windows. One was not fixable so they welted a metal plate over it for the duration of the trip (I hope those folks got a different cabin). Although our cabin was on the starboard side, we were forward, so we didn't feel a thing, didn't even know it happened until we we got off the ship and saw them doing the temporary repair job. Happy Sailing!

[ehaas]

What excursions did you take and what did you do in Prince Rupert?

[1cruiselvr]

In Seattle, we walked to Pike Place Market and watched them throw fish. There are vendors selling beautiful flower arrangements there. If we weren't booked in a suite with flowers included, we would have picked up a bouquet to enjoy in our cabin. If you go there, be sure to view all the flower vendors before buying as we saw bundles from $5-10 and they looked comparable to me. We shopped in Ketchikan since the weather was dreary. There are lots of excursion vendors in the visitors center bldg not far from the ship. We almost booked a seaplane ride but we didn't think we would get to see much since it was raining and cloudy that day. In Juneau, we took a bus tour of the Mendenhall Glacier in the morning. We purchased this excursion off ship for $10 round trip from the excursion booths located near the ship. In the afternoon, we took the a tour of Sawyer Glacier sponsored by NCL and I'm so glad we did as the Spirit was not able to get close to the glacier due to ice conditions. Since we were on a small catamarran, we were able to get up close and got some fantastic pictures of it. We also saw a black bear walking the waterline, a few whales and seals sunbathing on the icebergs. That excursion was awesome and well worth the expense. Be sure to bring your binoculars should you decide to book it. Lots of nature to watch on that excursion. In Skagway, we bought an excursion off ship that included a shuttle bus ride up the Yukon Highway for some awesome views and a short city tour afterwards. That costs was $40 for 2 hrs. The ship offers this as separate tours at $40 each so we got a deal. The ride up the Yukon Highway took us from sea level to 3,000 elevation. If the train ride is too pricey ($99) I would suggest this tour as an alternative. If you have any specific questions that I have not answered, let me know. Happy Sailing!

[jeffpaddlehawaii]

Really happy to hear that you had such a nice cruise!!!! We are on the 07/30 sailing...also in a suite----am looking forward to being pampered and watching the beautiful scenery from the wrap-around verandah! Did you visit the casino? We understand that it is huge and very nice...would appreciate your passing on anything.... Many thanks.....

Aloha, Barby

[Don Haynes]

Last year I took a wonderful canoe excursion at Prince Rupert. Its one of the biggest canoes I have ever seen..

[1cruiselvr]

Oops - I forgot to answer about Prince Rupert. It was drizzling that day. We walked around the port area. There are shops and a small shopping mall a few blocks from the pier. We didn't do an excursion. We talked to a couple that night in the showroom lounge that took a ship sponsored excursion that they considered a waste of time. Sorry, but I don't remember the name of it.

I'm not a good one to evaluate the casino onboard as we are Vegas regulars so we are use to a big casino but they did have a nice selection of slots and table games. I didn't check the table minimums so I can't comment on that. Every time we passed by the place was full when open.

If Jayne L. Powell entertains on your cruise, be sure to check her out. She's usually the showroom entertainment the night you are in Prince Rupert. She's awesome, not what we expected at all. She allows cameras and video taping because as she said 'you paid for your cruise'. Happy Sailing!

[mumsyo]

We will be on the Spirit on the July 23rd sailing. I wonder how long it will take them to get that window fixed!!! Not long, I hope. Did they sail back out on the 9th for their scheduled cruise?

 

 

You are so right!! Jayne L. Powel is awsome. I have seen her show twice and will gladly go see her again!! I hope that she is still on board!!!

 

 

Marilyn

[1cruiselvr]

As far as I know, they sailed back out on the 9th. It did delay the ship going out to Tracy Arm while they finished the temporary repair. I'm sure if they can't fix it quickly, they won't use that cabin until it is repaired. The Spirit is going into dry dock after the Alaska season, so the repair might have to wait until then as I think the window was 'tweaked' out of shape from the dent. But you never know, sometimes they can work wonders when it comes to ship repairs. Happy Sailing!