Live from the Maasdam-14 night Alaska

[maureencruiser]

You're a long way off course, Buddy!

 

 

 

As we pulled away, I just couldn't tear myself away from the view.

 

 

 

I decided that day that I would try to do an Alaskan cruise every year.

 

 

 

It was stunning.

 

[maureencruiser]

I went to get a little snack, I had no idea my snack was so little, it would be dwarfed by the spoon I ate it with.

 

 

 

Goodbye, Celebrity!

 

 

 

As we picked up speed, it got colder and colder, but, I just had to get some pictures of the sunset.

 

It was gorgeous.

 

 

The sun set perfectly in this saddleback between two mountains.

 

 

My hands were so cold, I could barely operate the camera.

 

Finally, I went inside, got some supper and went to bed at 8:30. This began a trend, I haven't been up past 9pm the whole cruise. The Captain announced the next day that the Northern Lights were out that night. Some people from my roll call were lucky enough to see it, but, not me. I was out like a baby.

[mac3835]

Loving your photographs and commentary. I am becoming convinced that we need to take an Alaskan cruise! Thank you!

[maureencruiser]

Thursday

 

Thursday was glacier Day! We were supposed to go up Tracey Arm, but, went up Endicott Arm instead.

 

The Dutch Breakfast was so good the other day, I decided to have it again.

I must have looked hungry, because he gave me a huge portion of cottage cheese with blueberries.

 

 

It seemed like they skimped on the Gouda this time, though.

 

 

After breakfast, I headed out to see what the glacier was all about.

 

 

 

It was already beautiful and we weren't even to the glacier yet.

 

 

[maureencruiser]

When one goes to the glacier, one must eat split pea soup.

 

 

 

You'll notice I went with the trendy two hoodie look.

 

The bow, this is where all the action is!

 

 

Just gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

 

We were surrounded by ice chunks.

 

 

 

You can really see the blue in this one.

 

[maureencruiser]

This one had an interesting shape, like a cave.

 

 

 

The glacier!

 

 

This seal took one look at us and said goodbye. I hope I will see more seals.

 

 

Your intrepid reporter, trying not to look cold.

 

 

Beautiful.

 

 

[maureencruiser]

Even the view behind us was stunning.

 

 

Back to the glacier.

 

 

It's warmed up a bit, I've shed one layer, and an arm, it appears.

 

 

One last look.

 

 

One of my fellow roll callers told me if I saw black spots on the ice, it would be seals. I saw spots, but, I couldn't see any seals, so, I zoomed in, took some photos and figured I'd look at the pictures on my laptop to see if there were really any seals.

 

 

Well, Glory be! She was right! Thanks, Lisa Ann!

 

Time to leave, even this seal was waving goodbye.

 

[maureencruiser]

Again, the view from my cabin wasn't bad.

 

 

 

Two of the roll callers, the aforementioned Lisa-Ann and her sister, Karen held a wine social most afternoons They must have worked all day in the kitchen because they put out quite a spread.

 

 

Even Raylene showed up.

 

 

After the soiree, I happened to be up on deck when a bar waiter showed me a sneak peek at Juneau.

 

 

 

A HAL ship was just leaving and I could see Celebrity still in the harbor. You could see into Juneau for about five minutes then we were past it.

 

 

 

The waiter said it was the Nieuw Amsterdam, I'll have to take his word on that. Frankly, I'm not even sure how to spell Nieuw.

 

[maureencruiser]

Although I did not intend to, I ended up taking pictures of the sunset.

 

 

 

I love the soft colors.

 

 

Just beautiful.

 

 

 

After that, it was a quick bite to eat then off to bed. I had a busy day coming up.

[Setting sail for fun]

Hi Maureen,

 

So glad I found your review! You are entertaining as always.

 

I have never been on a cruise to Alaska (only short layover at the airport). And I have never been on Hollland America, so this is very interesting.

 

Your photos are amazing.

 

Have fun!

 

 

Debbie

[Kealy]

Following and enjoying all the pics and the banter. :-)

[Lizzie68]

Your photos are fabulous. Thanks for doing this blog.:)

[easyboy]

Nice photos. Following.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Catching up.

great report and beautiful pictures

[Skoogs]

Loving your blog and witty banter! We will be on Maasdam on September 12th for the last 14 day Alaska cruise this season. Your pictures and descriptions are a great help. Thank you so much!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Heartgrove]

The waiter said it was the Nieuw Amsterdam, I'll have to take his word on that. Frankly, I'm not even sure how to spell Nieuw.

 

 

We are really enjoying your photos! I believe that is the Noordam. It is missing the additional deck of the Niew Amsterdam, plus the cheatline on the hull is different on the Niew Amsterdam and Eurodam curving the "white"of the bow down below the Promenade Deck.

Edited September 4, 2016 by Heartgrove

[RuthC]

The waiter said it was the Nieuw Amsterdam, I'll have to take his word on that. Frankly, I'm not even sure how to spell Nieuw.

You spelled it just fine---"Nieuw". It's a 5-letter word, with the three middle letters all being vowels.

I find it difficult to type.

[lazey1]

Great blog! I'm wondering if you can tell me if the Maasdam has a paperback exchange? Thanks.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Maureen is having to much fun with her great photo blog so I will tell you. Yes they do. Not very many current books however.

[TheSecondSister]

Maureen -

We haven't seen you since your zipline adventure in Icy Strait Point yesterday. Raylene & The Winos just want to make sure you're okay :D

[AtlantaCruiser72]

Maureen -

We haven't seen you since your zipline adventure in Icy Strait Point yesterday. Raylene & The Winos just want to make sure you're okay :D

 

Maybe she decided to "go native" and is still swinging through the trees? :eek:

 

Seriously though, she may just be getting some good R&R as ziplining can be exhausting after such an adrenaline burst, and she might be sore - I know I usually am after doing so!

[maureencruiser]

We are really enjoying your photos! I believe that is the Noordam. It is missing the additional deck of the Niew Amsterdam, plus the cheatline on the hull is different on the Niew Amsterdam and Eurodam curving the "white"of the bow down below the Promenade Deck.

 

Thanks for that.

 

Maureen is having to much fun with her great photo blog so I will tell you. Yes they do. Not very many current books however.

 

And, thanks for that. I'm sorry not to be replying to your comments, but the internet is so expensive. I'm down to about 400 minutes left and the cruise isn't even half over. :(:(

 

Hi, Lisa-Ann, Yes, I am alive and well, decided not to go zipriding after all. I almost came to the soiree today, decided to work on my review instead. Maybe I'll see you tonight or tomorrow.

[maureencruiser]

Friday

 

Friday was Juneau Day

 

My first look at Juneau

 

 

Riding on a dolphin? I'm going whale watching, do you think I'll get to ride one? :eek:

 

 

A small group of us on the Roll Call were heading out this morning for a whale watch with Harv and Marv.

 

Don't be late for the tour or this could be you.

 

 

This is our boat, with Captain Steve shoving one of us onboard.

 

[maureencruiser]

There were several eagles around the harbor.

 

 

 

I was determined to get a good photo of this one.

 

 

So striking.

 

 

Even eagles on the ground.

 

 

6 eagles in one shot, my work here is done.

 

[maureencruiser]

More seals. That made my day.

 

 

 

It was a beautiful day to be out on the water.

 

 

Steve taught us to watch for the spout, that is how you find the whales.

 

Our first spout.

 

 

 

Followed by our first tail.

 

 

 

A beautiful spout.

 

 

 

More tail.

 

[maureencruiser]

Someone showing us their back.

 

 

 

 

 

I loved the sound of their breathing.

 

 

 

We saw many whales.