Live from the Maasdam-14 night Alaska

[maureencruiser]

Eventually, Steve asked if we wanted to see sea lions.

 

 

A bevy of sea lions.

 

 

 

I have a great video, you can hear how much noise they make. When I get home, I'll post that.

 

 

I loved them so much.

 

 

 

They started jumping in the water, putting on a show for us.

 

 

Sea lion races.

 

 

 

 

[maureencruiser]

On our way back to the ship, stopping to enjoy the view.

 

 

 

 

 

Again, the weather couldn't have been more beautiful. We have been so lucky in that regard.

 

[maureencruiser]

So, let me tell you about dog sledding.

 

One of, if not THE main draw of an Alaskan cruise for me is the opportunity to go dog sledding on a glacier. Once I had the trip booked, I quickly made arrangements through an outside company to go dog sledding . It was expensive, but, it was worth it.

 

Three days before I left town, they called me to cancel. There wasn't enough snow left on the glacier, due to heavy rain. I was very sad, but, wasn't going to let it spoil my trip.

 

At the shore excursion talk, they were still selling dog sledding trips! They used a different glacier than the other company. Yes, it was back on! Until I went to book it and it conflicted with my Harv and Marv outing. The ship wasn't offering it in the afternoon. More disappointment.

 

The morning I arrived in Juneau, I was out on the dock waiting for Harv and Marv and got talking to a man selling tours. He said Temsco was doing dog sleds in the afternoon and quickly signed me up. It was back on and it was less expensive!

 

So, at the appointed time, I met my shuttle at the dock. Also on the shuttle was a father/daughter pair from Australia off the Volendam. They, too, had booked through another company, but, since they had been traveling for weeks, they had just found out on the dock that their tour had been cancelled.

 

Also on our shuttle was another couple from Australia, also off the Volendam. They had just wandered off the ship with no plans and decided to go dog sledding. They worried if they had enough clothes since they hadn't dressed for the glacier. They ended up being just fine.

 

So, at the office, the first thing they do is give you a dog stamp and show you a safety video.

 

 

I loved my doggy stamp, but, I needed help getting my glacier boots on.

 

 

One advantage of being heavy is that you get to fly in the front of the helicopter with the pilot.

 

 

 

 

The view of Juneau as we took off.

 

 

Gorgeous.

 

[maureencruiser]

First glimpse of the dog camp.

 

 

I claim this glacier on behalf of the USA! Notice the beautiful blue sky.

 

 

 

So, this is how it works, 4 people go out with one musher. 2 people sit in the front, then the musher stands, 1 person sits behind him and 1 person stands on the rails.

 

 

 

 

 

We had 3 helicopters that needed to break into groups of 4. I stepped aside to let Team Oz go together and ended up being put with a different couple off the Volendam. I think our sled went faster because we had less people.

 

 

My team, getting ready.

[maureencruiser]

We were lucky to get this in, tomorrow will be their last day. You can't really see, but, this copter was taking away equipment.

 

 

This team just returned, they lay in the snow to cool off.

 

 

My team, this is Motorhead, she seemed a little skittish.

 

 

Zeppelin and Pantera, are you starting to notice a theme? The lead dog was a female, Scary. Matt, my musher said Scary was the smartest dog he'd ever worked with.

 

 

I got to sit in the very first seat.

 

 

 

I was happy about that.

 

[maureencruiser]

Wer'd run for a bit then stop to rest and switch seats. I was the second sitter on the next leg (sitter, not sister, Lisa-Ann!)

 

 

Matt, the musher.

 

 

 

Beautiful dogs.

 

 

 

 

Sled selfie.

 

 

 

The glacier was beautiful.

[maureencruiser]

I got to stand on the rails for the final leg.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giving love to the pups.

 

 

 

 

And, getting love back.

 

[maureencruiser]

They had 2 week old puppies back at the camp.

 

 

 

Awww

 

 

The ride home was equally glorious.

 

 

I stopped to do some shopping on the way back to the ship and I could barely move, I was so tired.

 

I was so thirsty, I headed directly to the bar for a Tropical Cable Car. A woman walking by said that must have been some shopping, if you're that exhausted.

 

 

The drink so nice I ordered it twice. That was Juneau for me, I was in bed by 8:30.

[sunnydaze]

I'm really enjoying your fabulous review and beautiful pictures. Thank you!

[nat9511]

Maureen, I am loving your review. Your pictures are fantastic. I went to Alaska about five years ago and this is bringing back so many wonderful memories.

 

Another trip to Alaska is on my bucket list. I have to start saving my pennies!!!!!!

 

Natalie (from the Allure cruise in 2013)

[Setting sail for fun]

Amazing! Just amazing! I think I will have to try an Alaskan cruise.

[Mare10]

What wonderful pictures and review!!! You have me all the more excited for my 4th Alaska cruise coming up in May! I especially loved seeing your photos and comments about your Ketchikan tour since we signed up for the same one. I would love to meet up with you on a cruise.... I can tell you are a lot of fun!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Your pictures are wonderful -- whales, eagles, sea lions, dog sledding, puppies.

[kelliebiz]

Wow! I am loving your reporting style and wit, and scrolling through your pictures is sublime. I can't wait to go! I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip as much as I am 😄

[A&L_Ont]

Awww

 

 

I wonder what Nutmeg will say?

 

I'm enjoying your pics and prose Maureen. This really makes me want to return to Alaska, like today.

Edited September 5, 2016 by A&L_Ont

[Caribbean Chris]

Your dog-sledding photos are the BEST!!! Feel like we were there with you.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

Eventually, Steve asked if we wanted to see sea lions.

 

 

This picture reminds me of the NCL Escape pool deck on a sea day for some reason ..... Bodies on top of one another fighting for space :eek:

 

Keep the amazing photos coming!!!!!! Your review is truly wonderful to follow!

[JimAOk1945]

I am really enjoying your review. The pictures give me ideas of what to do on our next Alaska cruise.

[Butterfly0822]

I have been very entertained by your review! Hope you are having a wonderful journey - thank you for sharing it with all of us.

[cynt]

Definitely adding dog sledding to my next Alaskan cruise. Loving your pics Maureen!!

[Chocolate Rose]

Totally loving your photos and comments!! I want to grow up and be just like you when I leave for Alaska next May! Would you be willing to share what camera you use? I'm still trying to figure out which camera to get before my cruise. TIA

[easyboy]

Really nice photos. I know now what I missed in my previous trip.

Thanks.

[maureencruiser]

Thanks for the kind words, everybody. Alaska is beautiful. If you've always wanted to go, just do it. It's lovely. My camera is a simple point and shoot. Canon SX600 HS. I just need a camera I can put in my pocket and go. I just use the auto function, don't know anything about shutter speed, etc. I just see things I like, point the camera at them and hope for the best. Occasionally, it actually works out and I get a decent shot.

[maureencruiser]

Saturday

 

Saturday was Icy Strait Point and I was grateful to have a quiet day.

 

 

Wow, HAL is like NCL, they have a ropes course.

 

 

 

Or, this man has misbehaved and is being punished.

 

I ordered the cottage cheese with blueberries again and received them a 3rd way, kind of odd, you would think that would be consistent.

 

 

The benny was delicious, though.

 

[maureencruiser]

Finally, the rainy weather we had been warned about had caught up with us.

 

 

 

I lied, it is the same window washer from before, raining down upon the lower decks. :p

 

 

It was a beautiful day in ISP.

 

 

It just couldn't be more gorgeous.

 

They had a welcome committee out to greet us.