The Alaskan Jewel! Welcome Aboard….You don’t Exist!

[jenseib]

Day 4, Aug. 3, 2015, Ketchikan, Alaska

One thing I forgot to mention yesterday was last night we had to change our clocks back another hour. I was kind of surprised. I didn’t realize all of Alaska was 4 hours different than home. I actually thought only parts of it were and not the parts we were visiting.

Our excursion was a fairly early one today…8:15. I set my phone alarm to be sure we woke up in time, but I figured we weren’t going to have too many issues being that our bodies were still on East coast time.

I think I ended up waking up around 5 AM. I know it seems too early, but it was around 9 at home.

I went out on the balcony to see where we were.

ketch20 by Jenseib, on Flickr

We were still moving but there were signs of life! I turned my phone on and had reception. Skip leaped out of bed to see if he did….he didn’t. He had a dumb phone and he had a lot of issues getting it to connect in ports the whole trip.

A Princess ship was following us.

ketch21 by Jenseib, on Flickr

It wasn’t raining at the moment but there was mist and fog in areas. I just loved how it looked. So different than the other itineraries I have sailed in the past.

ketch mtn 2 by Jenseib, on Flickr

Any doubts I may have had had now totally disappeared. Alaska is amazing, Stunning, Breathtaking!!!!!! There is just no other way to describe it.

ketch mtn by Jenseib, on Flickr

ketch22 by Jenseib, on Flickr

ketchport by Jenseib, on Flickr

[jenseib]

ketch23 by Jenseib, on Flickr

ketch24 by Jenseib, on Flickr

At some point I headed to deck 7 for a bit so my pictures are from both my balcony and deck 7.

ketch25 by Jenseib, on Flickr

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[jenseib]

ketch30 by Jenseib, on Flickr

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With phone service I was also taking a few phone pics and posting them on facebook, and checking my emails and chatting with a few friends. It was nice to update them and tell them that things were now going better than our check in day.

ketch2 by Jenseib, on Flickr

It’s kind of hard to see, but I caught a bird in midflight.

ketch6 by Jenseib, on Flickr

I kept seeing splashes in the water and couldn’t figure it out. Later I learned and realized it was salmon jumping.

On my trip back from deck 7 to our room I past Tsar’s. I never did go in there to eat nor did I ever go back in and take pictures after our Muster Drill….but I did take a picture of this sign.

ketch32 by Jenseib, on Flickr

More pictures of the wonderful scenery.

ketch33 by Jenseib, on Flickr

[jenseib]

ketch7 by Jenseib, on Flickr

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The Princess ship was catching up to us.

ketch34 by Jenseib, on Flickr

ketch3 by Jenseib, on Flickr

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[jenseib]

There were just so many interesting things to take pictures of.

ketch38 by Jenseib, on Flickr

ketch39 by Jenseib, on Flickr

As we were getting ready to dock the Princess ship went past us.

ketch12 by Jenseib, on Flickr

ketch13 by Jenseib, on Flickr

All tied up.

ketch8 by Jenseib, on Flickr

[jenseib]

Our view from our room.

ketch40 by Jenseib, on Flickr

ketch41 by Jenseib, on Flickr

ketch42 by Jenseib, on Flickr

Up next…Our first Deadliest Catch sighting….and breakfast.

[MrsPhoenix91]

Jen, I am really enjoying your Alaskan cruise review. This is something my husband and I want to do within the next 5 years, but we're working our way way up with the "baby-sized" cruises (3- and 4-day cruises).

 

I see you mentioned Toledo once or twice...that's where we live! :) :)

[jenseib]

Jen, I am really enjoying your Alaskan cruise review. This is something my husband and I want to do within the next 5 years, but we're working our way way up with the "baby-sized" cruises (3- and 4-day cruises).

 

I see you mentioned Toledo once or twice...that's where we live! :) :)

 

What a small world. I live west of there...but it's the "big" town we go to. LOL.

[mykindaparty]

Trying to get hubby to book Alaska, hoping this AWSOME review will convince him. Lol love the review and pics.

[Bluetail48]

ketch7 by Jenseib, on Flickr

ketch35 by Jenseib, on Flickr

The Princess ship was catching up to us.

ketch34 by Jenseib, on Flickr

I am reliving our Alaska cruise every time I read one of your new posts! We had a mini-suite on the 8th deck (our balcony was quite a bit smaller than yours) that we shared with our oldest daughter. Our friends and their daughter were in the mini-suite next to us and we all loved being on the Jewel. We really lucked out for our first time cruising.

 

Your pictures and descriptions take me back to two years ago and I'm itching to go back. I'm giggling about the Princess picture...we called it the stalker ship the whole time! Thank you for sharing and I'm looking forward to the next round of pics and story!

[CruisinLolly]

A reminder folks, there is no need to post 'following' unless you want the OP to know. To keep track of the thread you can Subscribe to it from Thread tools in the right side and request either email notifications on new posts (immediately or digest format) or just have it appear in the top of your User CP when new posts are avail.

Can u do this from a cellphine?

 

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[jenseib]

Trying to get hubby to book Alaska, hoping this AWSOME review will convince him. Lol love the review and pics.

 

I hope it helps your case! I will tell you Skip is a stick in the mud with vacations and this was by far his favorite trip EVER!

 

ketch7 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

ketch35 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

The Princess ship was catching up to us.

 

ketch34 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

I am reliving our Alaska cruise every time I read one of your new posts! We had a mini-suite on the 8th deck (our balcony was quite a bit smaller than yours) that we shared with our oldest daughter. Our friends and their daughter were in the mini-suite next to us and we all loved being on the Jewel. We really lucked out for our first time cruising.

 

Your pictures and descriptions take me back to two years ago and I'm itching to go back. I'm giggling about the Princess picture...we called it the stalker ship the whole time! Thank you for sharing and I'm looking forward to the next round of pics and story!

 

I am reading some friends reports who sailed On Disney and even though it's not the same ship, the ports are pretty much the same and its so fun to relive and see what others did. And those that did the same things as me...how it differed for them.

I really want to go back too. I don't see it for at least 2 more years, maybe more....unless I win the lottery! ;)

[jenseib]

Before I go on any further, I do want to add todays Freestyle Daily.

 

daily3-1 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

daily3-2 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

daily3-3 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

daily3-4 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

So we are now docked in Ketchikan

 

ketch43 by Jenseib, on Flickr

 

ketch44 by Jenseib, on Flickr

[Bimmer09]

Ok, I am caught up....21 pages in one long sitting.

 

A great journal.

 

I was surprised to see some folks suggesting you do a blog and present it all at once instead of unfolding day by day, when you have time. I have blogged some of my cruises but only after I have done as you do...day by day when time permits on the CC board. I much prefer writing for the board where members can comment as you go. Photo reviews take a while but are so worth it in showing other people the ship ("It was a big white one with rooms" only tells you so much) and the ports/excursions, written and photographed in detail can really save readers money or make them drool in anticipation.

 

You can't taste photos of food but at least you can see if foods that you like are on offer and food porn where the plating is pleasing on the eye shows that the kitchen is not just slopping stuff on a plate. It shows they care. You "eat" with your eyes first.

 

The ship looks good-bright and clean. Yes the carpeting is like an explosion in a paint shop-the suite carpeting....yikes, turn it down! It's not an eyesore like the older Joe Farcus Carnival ships for sure.

 

I appreciate the efforts of everyone who does photo reviews-on any board as I surf them all. I can't give them a name check here as there are too many and I'd hate to leave one out. I get to cruise vicariously all over the world thanks to them.

 

For the writers they, like me, enjoy sharing and have a permanent record of their cruise, that isn't hidden on their hard drive or gathering dust in some photo albums.

 

So-keep up the good work and show me the Deadliest Catch excursion in Ketchikan. K is such an eye candy town. I am always on deck before dawn when coming into an Alaskan port.

 

Norris

[jenseib]

ketch45 by Jenseib, on Flickr

Claire and I go down to deck 7 to get a better side view.

I take a nice picture of the town area and try to get the misty clouds in it.

ketch14 by Jenseib, on Flickr

Let’s zoom in.

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Did you see that boat docked next to us in the picture a couple of pictures ago above? I decided to play with my point and shoot settings and do a funky shot of it.

ketch10 by Jenseib, on Flickr

WAIT! I know that ship! It’s the Time Bandit from the Deadliest Catch. Now I don’t really watch the show, but Skip does and I see bits and pieces while he is watching. This is the one boats name that I remember.

ketch11 by Jenseib, on Flickr

[jenseib]

We are going to have to tell him. He is going to be so excited.

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A few more pictures before we head back to tell Skip.

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ketch4 by Jenseib, on Flickr

So we head back to the room to tell Skip. We then make sure our bag is packed and ready and put on our coats. I packed Skip a zip up sweatshirt. It has no hood and it has now started to rain. He asks me where his rain jacket is. I respond with “remember when I asked you to try on some coats and jackets and you told me if it was raining you would buy what you needed in port….well I listened and this is all I packed you”. It didn’t seem like such a good idea to him now. Now it wasn’t really raining hard, but you are still going to get wet…but oh well. Maybe next time he will listen when I tell him to try on things.

We headed out to take another look at the Time Bandit….and it left. We could see it sailing off.

timebandit by Jenseib, on Flickr

Another bummer for Skip, but there was nothing we could do about it.

Skip said it went over here and parked but I could never make out where. The boat in this pic is not the Time Bandit.

ketchport3 by Jenseib, on Flickr

[jenseib]

ketchport4 by Jenseib, on Flickr

We then headed into Moderno for breakfast. They have a small buffet set up and then you order your main course.

ketch46 by Jenseib, on Flickr

I didn’t think the buffet selection was all that great.

The little jams at our table.

ketch47 by Jenseib, on Flickr

Skip ordered coffee, which is a press pot. I know a lot of people like this…Skip does not. He’s an instant coffee kind of guy. I don’t touch the stuff, so it’s all gross to me.

ketch48 by Jenseib, on Flickr

Claire loves waffles…so of course that is what she chose.

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Skip had an omelet.

ketch50 by Jenseib, on Flickr

[jenseib]

And I had pancakes. I don’t do syrup, so I asked if I could get some whipped cream. It took them a bit, but they got me some and it was that wonderful sugary stuff! MMMM!

ketch51 by Jenseib, on Flickr

After we were filled up for the morning (and Claire had wanted to skip breakfast, but I told her it would be hours before we would eat again, so she finally agreed to eat), we headed outside for a few minutes.

ketch52 by Jenseib, on Flickr

ketch53 by Jenseib, on Flickr

We then went back in and found Florentina in Moderno. As a suite guest you can get priority disembarking. You will get a letter in your room stating where to meet and the times she will be taking you off the ship. If you don’t go during that specified time you can make an appointment to have her escort you off, but usually by then the lines are pretty short.

She took us down and cut us into the line to get off. It was fairly fast and easy. Skip felt guilty that we cut in front of people, but I told him not to worry as it was a perk that was included in our price.

We had some time before we had to meet for our excursion so Skip said he wanted to see about a jacket or hat in the outlet store.

ketch54 by Jenseib, on Flickr

So we headed that way.

ketch55 by Jenseib, on Flickr

We stopped and asked someone with a clipboard if our tour…which is officially called the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour…had a spot to meet yet and we were told not yet, probably not for ½ an hour yet and then to just find the person holding the sign with the excursion name.

Ok then, we had plenty of time to go to the outlet.

A look back from where we just came from.

ketch56 by Jenseib, on Flickr

Up next…Shopping and a crab boat!

[jenseib]

Ok, I am caught up....21 pages in one long sitting.

 

A great journal.

 

I was surprised to see some folks suggesting you do a blog and present it all at once instead of unfolding day by day, when you have time. I have blogged some of my cruises but only after I have done as you do...day by day when time permits on the CC board. I much prefer writing for the board where members can comment as you go. Photo reviews take a while but are so worth it in showing other people the ship ("It was a big white one with rooms" only tells you so much) and the ports/excursions, written and photographed in detail can really save readers money or make them drool in anticipation.

 

You can't taste photos of food but at least you can see if foods that you like are on offer and food porn where the plating is pleasing on the eye shows that the kitchen is not just slopping stuff on a plate. It shows they care. You "eat" with your eyes first.

 

The ship looks good-bright and clean. Yes the carpeting is like an explosion in a paint shop-the suite carpeting....yikes, turn it down! It's not an eyesore like the older Joe Farcus Carnival ships for sure.

 

I appreciate the efforts of everyone who does photo reviews-on any board as I surf them all. I can't give them a name check here as there are too many and I'd hate to leave one out. I get to cruise vicariously all over the world thanks to them.

 

For the writers they, like me, enjoy sharing and have a permanent record of their cruise, that isn't hidden on their hard drive or gathering dust in some photo albums.

 

So-keep up the good work and show me the Deadliest Catch excursion in Ketchikan. K is such an eye candy town. I am always on deck before dawn when coming into an Alaskan port.

 

Norris

 

Thanks so much. I LOVE reading your reports too. The pictures do tell the story better in my opinion as well. I am a visual person so seeing things makes me understand it better....of course then experiencing helps even more. But it's nice to see things so you know kind of what to expect.

I love being on deck early in the morning too. We really used the balcony more this trip than any other as well. So much to see and we could run out at anytime and see such beautiful scenery.

 

The Deadliest Catch Excursion was Skip's favorite and it was very well done. I had read several reviews on it and most everyone enjoys it. It's one of the top rated excursions in Ketchikan, so if you ever get a chance you should do it. Educational and fun and I am sure each trip out is a little different too.

[rjc2015]

Spectacular trip report so far! I was on the same departure, so it's nice to reminisce and see if I can spot myself in your photos. :cool:

[soaringfalcon]

Breathtaking photos!!!! Can't wait to hear about The Deadliest Catch excursion.

[jenseib]

Spectacular trip report so far! I was on the same departure, so it's nice to reminisce and see if I can spot myself in your photos. :cool:

 

 

How fun! What excursions did you do?

 

Breathtaking photos!!!! Can't wait to hear about The Deadliest Catch excursion.

 

Thanks.

I hope to get started on it today...I have some work I have to do first before I am allowing myself to work on the report. ;)

[rjc2015]

How fun! What excursions did you do?

 

In Ketchikan, I did a wilderness tour in the early morning, and the Duck Boat tour at noon.

 

In Juneau, went whale watching.

 

In Skagway, did the Ghosts and Goodtime Girls walking tour in the morning, and the White Pass train ride in the afternoon.

 

Everything except the duck tour and the White Pass train were booked third-party once we got on shore.

 

I was one of the trio group of younger-ish gentlemen (late-20s, early 30s) who made a ruckus on the ship whenever there was video or band karaoke. My friend won Deal or No Deal on the Thursday sea day.

[Mibele]

What a small world. I live west of there...but it's the "big" town we go to. LOL.

 

If you are west of there, are you in Sylvania, or further west still? My dad is from Berkey and my mom is from Metamora. :-) Dad grew up in that yellow farmhouse on Sylvania-Metamora road on the curve as you just come into Berkey, his brother lives there now.

 

Enjoying your review!

Edited September 16, 2015 by Mibele

[jenseib]

In Ketchikan, I did a wilderness tour in the early morning, and the Duck Boat tour at noon.

 

In Juneau, went whale watching.

 

In Skagway, did the Ghosts and Goodtime Girls walking tour in the morning, and the White Pass train ride in the afternoon.

 

Everything except the duck tour and the White Pass train were booked third-party once we got on shore.

 

I was one of the trio group of younger-ish gentlemen (late-20s, early 30s) who made a ruckus on the ship whenever there was video or band karaoke. My friend won Deal or No Deal on the Thursday sea day.

 

We did whale watching through the cruise line. It was amazing.

Sounds like you all had fun too.

 

If you are west of there, are you in Sylvania, or further west still? My dad is from Berkey and my mom is from Metamora. :-) Dad grew up in that yellow farmhouse on Sylvania-Metamora road on the curve as you just come into Berkey, his brother lives there now.

 

Enjoying your review!

 

What an even smaller world!!!

 

Further west. I live between Metamora and Swanton. I bet I would recognize the last names. Did your family go to Evergreen? I actually went to Notre Dame.....many many years ago....But I lived in Evergreen district and most of my friends went there and I hung out with them rather than the the city girls for ND. LOL.