Iphone Photo Review Solstice Alaska 8/19-8/26

[twins_to_alaska]

Thu Aug 25 Sea Day/Victoria

 

6:35a Balcony view portends fair day.

 

 

 

7:30a Eye mask, container, and hot water carafe. I usually microwave my eye mask so thankful I found one that could heat with hot water in 20 minutes.

 

 

9a On way to breakfast. Different view looking up above the library.

 

Edited September 5, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

Another staircase.

 

 

Example art on landing.

 

 

Luminae breakfast posted out front. It never seemed to change but you could have anything you wanted.

 

 

Yogurt, berries, and half order fingerling potatoes for me.

 

 

Two egg omelet, tomatoes, rye toast for sis.

 

Edited September 5, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

Our empty table second from the window along the wall.

 

 

Stopped in Grand Epernay next door for some breakfast time pictures. Noticed no flowers on the tables.

 

 

 

From the stairs.

 

 

The floor "bridge" between Cafe Al Bacio and Sushi On Five.

 

[twins_to_alaska]

9:30a Up to deck 12. Still early so quiet.

 

Covered area.

 

 

Out to pools and hottubs.

 

 

 

Smoking area deck 12 aft port side. Sis and I are super sensitive (dislike) smoke smell and it was only when rushing through the smoking areas that we noticed any.

 

 

Deck was being freshly cleaned.

 

 

Edited September 5, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

Pool bar.

 

 

From the bar.

 

 

The Solarium.

 

 

 

 

Family hours in Alaska.

 

[twins_to_alaska]

Aqua Spa Cafe free mini muffins. Sis had been wanting to try all week.

Chocolate, blueberry pear, chocolate chip. Very moist.

 

 

More solarium.

 

 

 

Quiet place to read.

 

 

Never too early for the hot tub.

 

 

I had read about the ladies' room end stall with a window. Deck 12 starboard aft. Went to find. Sis humored me.

View from stall.

 

Edited September 5, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

Deck 14 looking down.

 

 

 

Deck 16.

 

 

 

 

Deck 14 Mast Grill seating.

 

[twins_to_alaska]

10a Deck 15 Lawn Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

[twins_to_alaska]

More Deck 15.

 

 

 

 

 

Back down to deck 14.

 

 

[twins_to_alaska]

More wandering.

 

Now that's a hot tub view! Solarium.

 

 

Down to Deck 4. Ken Mills, Cruise Director, was hosting Top Chef in Celebrity Central at 10:30. We just peeked in.

 

 

Quasar empty during the day.

 

 

Pretty stairs.

 

 

The morning announcements had promoted the benefits of booking a future cruise onboard - lower refundable deposit, transferability to a different cruise, and additional OBC. We thought, not terribly seriously, maybe we should look into that. The signage on Celebrity was old and said the office was on Deck 5 next to Michael's Club - actually now Deck 4 next to Quasar. We stopped in Michael's Club and John, the concierge, said he could ask someone to come there later in the day to talk with us while we sipped beverages. He warned us that it was a very busy day for them... many procrastinators like us and the office closed at 9p for this cruise. A MC meet sounded convenient so we went back to our cabin to relax and await an appointment setup call. We waited for 45 minutes but no call came so we decided to just go down to Future Cruise Vacations in person before lunch.

 

11:26a Walked through Fortunes Casino. We didn't gamble. There were sidewalk sales today and it was quickest to walk through the casino to bypass the crowds and merchandise tables. We did stop, intrigued, to watch someone depositing quarters into a machine. The quarter would drop down onto a little ledge and there was a horizontal bar pushing in and out. If the quarter got pushed forward enough into other stuff some quarters and/or bills - a few $20s tantalizingly close to the edge - might fall off the ledge for you to win. We didn't see anything fall.

 

 

All Future Cruise Vacations representatives were engaged so we sat down with pamphlets to wait. Representative Leslie appeared and called us over. Leslie knew our names. Which was freaky. Turns out, she was the representative John had talked to and she had called our cabin before we returned but hadn't left a message. She had looked up our faces on the computer so she'd recognize us if she saw us. We were impressed.

 

Sis had narrowed the choice to a Southern Caribbean itinerary. We did end up booking - we can always cancel - for Nov 2017 on Summit, a Millennium class ship, in a Sky Suite on the Penthouse Deck. We've always spent 4-7 nights on one Caribbean Island per vacation. Go Best with unlimited internet, prepaid tips, $300 OBC, premium beverage package upgrade and an additional $250 OBC. Not sure we'd like all the port hopping but having fun researching.

Edited September 5, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

12:20-12:50p Luminae, same lunch menu as Saturday. I earlier wrote the menu had returned disembarkation day, obviously wrong as no lunch on disembarkation day, at least not for us! There is breakfast in Luminae disembarkation morning.

 

I had had a light breakfast as I knew the short ribs would be available.

 

 

As sis had a heavier breakfast she just had the ricotta cheesecake again.

 

Edited September 5, 2016 by twins_to_alaska

[twins_to_alaska]

The next set of pictures jogged my memory of 3p-5p yesterday - I went to the last hot glass show of the cruise! I arrived early so got a pillow to sit on, blanket for my legs (it was gray and chilly), and a front row seat on the right side.

 

Today at 2p they were auctioning some of the pieces made this cruise. The proceeds benefit a scholarship fund at The Studio at The Corning Museum of Glass to help developing student artists who want to work in glass. One jointly made piece proceeds went to the Celebrity Cruise's charity, World Wildlife Fund.

 

1:30p Auction preview. Artisans Julia, Bob, and Jared.

 

 

The two back pieces are Jared's. I had seen Julia make the golden vase yesterday.

 

 

Bob's platter I saw made earlier in the week.

 

 

3 vases - Julia's pink in front, Bob's yellow of 'leftover' pieces, and the joint WWF cylinder vase.

 

 

Had some time before the auction so more ship wandering.

Aft view.

 

 

Pool busier.

 

[twins_to_alaska]

1:50p Heading back to the cabin briefly. View from glass elevator.

 

 

Sis decided to watch for orcas - our morning jaunt 5 folk asked 'Did you see the dolphins?' - instead of attending the auction. She saw two pods of orcas, one with a mother and calf. Closer than 100 yards and about 200 yards away!

 

I went down to the auction.

 

 

First up was Julia's pink vase. I was second to last bidder at $350. It went for $400.

 

Jared's blue exterior/gold interior vase went for just over $1000. Bob's platter close to that.

 

I was second to last bidder also on Julia's golden vase, $400 and it went for $425. I went a little higher as I'd seen it made. The pieces were beautiful and had a wonderful feel when held. I hadn't actually planned on bidding but am a little sad I didn't go higher, although I live in a condo with two active male cats and the high furniture spaces are already full with things that have to be kept out of their reach.

 

Jared's Alaskan inspired vase - blue ocean, green mountains, white clouds - also went for over $1000 to the family from the Bahamas our Juneau day. Bob and Jared took turns as auctioneer as it was Julia's first auction.

 

Bob's yellow vase and the joint project were in the $700-$900 range.

 

At one point sis came down to tell me about the first pod of orcas. I decided to stay for the rest of the auction. More orcas weren't guaranteed but I was jealous to hear about the second pod! And happy for her of course.

 

Looking up at the glass elevators and the live tree.

 

 

After the auction I joined sis on our balcony with my binoculars. It was a gorgeous sunny warm day. I was treated to several orca tails and spouting, but not the above water pod travel. We also saw many tiny dolphin or porpoise top fins. As we approached Victoria a fast moving whale watching boat appeared and when it stopped and idled we saw they had found orcas - right next to the boat! A fantastic view for their passengers and a good one for us with our binoculars.

[mtn_couple]

Fantastic review. I look forward to reading more, counting the days until we board Solstice again next month

[h20cruzer]

I have really enjoyed your journey with you and your sister. Pictures are worth a thousand words. I have been to Alaska many times and its like visiting an old friend. I will be going on the Infinity on 09/18/16 and it makes me that much more excited after reading your review.

Thanks for taking the time.

Norma

[twins_to_alaska]

Thanks Martin, mtn_couple, and Norma!

[twins_to_alaska]

5:12p Victoria. View from balcony.

 

 

The shops and casino had to close before we arrived and were thus closed for the remainder of the cruise. I tihnk only 1 bar was open per deck. We had been told that afternoon by an unknown bartender that Michael's Club would be closed but later found that was incorrect information.

 

Explorer of the Seas was parked next to us.

 

 

5:24p We decided to attend the Captain's Club Elite Cocktail hour. We had been invited to Elite events as part of our suite perks and hadn't attended any yet. Sis thought it would be fun to go as in the Sky Lounge. There were only about 30 folk there. A bartender came to your seat and served you.

 

 

Sis got an iced tea and I my first, and probably last, Cosmopolitan. It was a little strong and I didn't finish it.

 

 

We only stayed 10 minutes.

 

Explorer of the Seas was leaving at 6p. She exits Canadian waters and then opens up her bars, casino, and shops and very very slowly makes her way to Seattle where we'll see her in the morning.

 

 

There were some 'runners' at 5:35p, one carrying a child on his shoulders as he jogged along.

 

Restaurants were open early for those who wanted to dine before heading into Victoria so we headed down to Luminae for our last supper.

 

Our favorite window seat. A bit of hustle and bustle outside.

 

[twins_to_alaska]

 

The amount of china and cutlery used in Luminae and other restaurants is sobering - although definitely a sophisticated presentation. If we didn't have an appetizer the charger would still be taken away unused and washed. O'Neil told us he had started as a dishwasher and worked his way up. We at least used our bread plates often to split entrees.

 

Our dinner was patty1955's day 4. Sis was interested in the Cauliflower Fried Rice but I wasn't. We ended up splitting the Grilled Barramundi with fava beans - can compare the photo with patty1955's as they also ordered. We weren't that hungry. Sis had gotten her free gelato scoop earlier in the day. I'd had mine yesterday, the pistachio. We have a Little Italy here in Baltimore and the Solstice gelato was just fair in comparison. A free small scoop was nice but I wouldn't pay money for it in the future.

We left open with the idea of leaving room for Barb's fish and chips at Fisherman's Wharf.

 

 

Explorer of the Seas drew in her last lines.

 

 

It was quiet. Sis at our table. Middle table was sisters/cousin group. The family in the back had 11 month old boy/girl twins. This evening they received a 1 year birthday cake and singing from the crew. We joined in. All the children in Luminae were very well behaved. First night our birthday celebration, last night theirs.

 

 

6:10p Back at the library. I loved these glass apples.

 

[twins_to_alaska]

[twins_to_alaska]

More views port side.

 

 

 

 

6:48p No line when we finally disembarked.

 

 

No excursions, just a slow walk along the water to the Empress and then back. Sorry, sis, that I didn't put on real shoes instead of wearing my Chaco Flip Sandals! It's a 40 minute walk. There is transportation from the dock if you prefer driving.

 

 

Our pretty ship.

 

[twins_to_alaska]

The David Foster Harbour Pathway was very well marked. Safe.

 

 

7:05p Fisherman's Wharf. Very colorful. Not hungry so kept going. We arrived Victoria too late for a whale watch. Last boats had gone out at 5:30p.

 

 

 

A marina further along.

 

 

Apartment/condo complex near the water.

 

 

Orientation map.

 

[twins_to_alaska]

Empress Hotel across water.

 

 

My sis tells me these are young seagulls, grayish.

 

 

Carriages awaiting fares.

 

 

7:27p Parliament buildings.

 

 

 

[twins_to_alaska]

 

 

The Royal BC Museum had closed at 5p. No Mammoths IMAX this evening.

 

 

The visitor's center has bathrooms so we headed there. Small shop outside where sis bought more post cards (earlier Ketchikan purchased ones had been left with Guest Relations for mailing while still in Alaska) and I shopped for ICEP, International Chocolate Exchange Program, our chocolate club at work. We meet every other Friday, which is payday end of timecard Friday, for half an hour and share chocolate bars from anywhere, we aren't picky, and socialize. I got Turkey Hill Maple Espresso dark chocolate (Quebec) and Cadbury Digestives (Vancouver).

 

 

Street performers near the water.

 

 

7:54p Orca topiary.

 

 

Sis would have walked a few blocks looking at shops but I was tired and didn't want to accompany her. She decided not to go alone.

[twins_to_alaska]

Mismatched lawn outside the Empress - not shade line. We thought it odd. It didn't seem to be part of an ornamental pattern.

 

 

We didn't linger for very long. Headed back to the ship.

 

Emily Carr statue.

This bronze statue honors the renowned Canadian artist Emily Carr, ensuring that Victoria's famous citizen is commemorated in her hometown. The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Victoria commissioned the statue from gifted sculptor Barbara Paterson. The monument features a seated Emily Carr with her sketchpad. Emily's Javanese monkey 'Woo' perches on her shoulder and her dog 'Billie' stands nearby.

 

 

 

If you didn't want a horse-drawn carriage there were pedicabs and here, a rickshaw.

 

 

Seagulls enjoying fountain across from marina near those pretty apartment/condos.

 

 

We decided to return through the residential area down Montreal St right to the dock. The walk was off the tourist path. Getting back into the feel of the real world instead of the cruise bubble. Felt very safe.

 

[twins_to_alaska]

8:30p Back at the dock. We bought some candy in the little store there. Sis was disappointed no Nestle Mint Aero but bought a regular one. No passport was needed to get back through security to the ship, just our SeaPass card. Sis had carried a bag and had our passports just in case.

 

We went back to the cabin and then wandered around the ship one last time. We hadn't eaten at Fisherman's Wharf so we stopped by Oceanview Cafe. It was busy. Had a few munchies.

 

9:28p Some desserts.

 

 

Although we had been told it would be closed we stopped by Michael's Club. Nichola was there alone when we arrived. I asked her to make me a final drink and she made her version of Day at the Beach. Vodka, amaretto, peach syrup, orange juice, cranberry juice. Interestingly, the cranberry juice came in a carton, which was new to us but standard for Nichola, she had never seen it in the plastic jugs. This initiated a discussion about provisioning and whether done locally. During our galley talk we thought we had heard that the majority of the food came through Miami.

 

10:00p My new favorite drink!

 

 

One couple stopped by to get a drink and water to take back to their cabin. A family of 4 also stopped in and stayed for some drinks around the corner. Very quiet as always.

 

Sis wondered, as I'd liked rum drinks on St. Croix, if I'd prefer Day at the Beach with rum instead of vodka. Nichola made me a second one, light on the rum. Just as good.

 

We said goodbye and went back to our cabin to pack up. Sadness. We weren't staying awake until we left Victoria at midnight. Expected to be awake early.

 

One of the items on the bed was a notice that there had been gastrointestinal illness on the ship. They wanted to know how many, if any, of the cabin occupants had been affected. We had noticed our bathroom smelling like vinegar several days earlier - higher levels of cleaning had been initiated on the ship. Nichola had mentioned the bar was going to be undergoing a deep cleaning.

Edited September 7, 2016 by twins_to_alaska