sppunk Posted May 18, 2019 #1 Share Posted May 18, 2019 (edited) As we sit in Denver’s airport following a very bumpy flight from the east coast through some Midwestern tornadoes, I think it’s safe to start a live thread. Please join my wife and I as we sail on the lovely ms Volendam May 22 through Alaska’s Inside Passage to Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and the magnificent Glacier Bay. Before we board, we’ll be spending three full says in Vancouver, staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Plans for Vancouver include wandering, eating and sleeping. This is a well-earned getaway for us both. We have a few great excursions lined up for our cruise. We will be taking the Tracy Arm excursion directly from the ship before she rocks in Juneau. In Skagway we are doing a bus trip to Bennet Lake and then the White Pass railroad back. In Ketchikan we had booked a trip with Mountain Air but unfortunately due to tragic news I’m sure you all know we no longer can do that. Instead we will play it by ear. This is our second trip to Alaska, the first was back in 2008 on the Westerdam. That was our first HAL cruise; this will be our 7th. We received a note the other day that due to tide issues to be at Canada Place between 10 a.m.-12 p.m. for a 3 p.m. sail away. So, follow along. I’ll be posting photos. Lots of photos. I’ll do my best to make it worthwhile! But please ignore typos as I’m positing solely from my iPhone XS. More tomorrow from Vancouver. Edited May 18, 2019 by sppunk 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skoogs Posted May 19, 2019 #2 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Bon Voyage and smooth sailing. We will be on the NA Saturday, May 25th. I love Alaska! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cormike1 Posted May 19, 2019 #3 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Hey we are on this cruise also. We fly out Sunday afternoon from Ontario, Canada. Meet friends from Britain for this cruise. We are touring outside of Vancouver for the first 2 days and then after the cruise we will do Vancouver itself. We have also booked the Tracy Arm excursion and a few different tours in the other 2 cities. Our 1st Alaskan cruise but our 4th with HAL. Just finished up packing/closing our suitcases. Can't wait!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare *Miss G* Posted May 19, 2019 #4 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Looking forward to following along! Have a safe trip and enjoy your cruise. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in AZ Posted May 19, 2019 #5 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Looking forward to your live reports and photos. Enjoy your vacation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qoap24 Posted May 19, 2019 #6 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Have a safe and wonderful trip. We love Vancouver! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bateau4 Posted May 19, 2019 #7 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Looking forward to hearing your account. We're on this cruise in July. Enjoy Vancouver and Bon Voyage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakridger Posted May 19, 2019 #8 Share Posted May 19, 2019 I really enjoyed the Tracy Arm excursion because we were so close to the water and glacier. Also the Fairmont Pacific Rim is one of my favorite hotels so far...great service! I wonder if Patrick is still the door man there. He was so sweet! Have fun and thanks for posting about your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted May 19, 2019 #9 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Enjoy your stay in beautiful Vancouver, and have a fabulous cruise on the Volendam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0bnxshs Posted May 19, 2019 #10 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Chris and cormike1, enjoy your cruise! Looking forward to your blog, Chris. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted May 19, 2019 #11 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Hope you have a lovely, well deserved vacation 😄 Looking forward to following along with you 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ski ww Posted May 19, 2019 #12 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Bon Voyage, fair winds & smooth seas. Looking forward to your posts & following along. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted May 19, 2019 #13 Share Posted May 19, 2019 8 hours ago, cormike1 said: Hey we are on this cruise also. We fly out Sunday afternoon from Ontario, Canada. Meet friends from Britain for this cruise. We are touring outside of Vancouver for the first 2 days and then after the cruise we will do Vancouver itself. We have also booked the Tracy Arm excursion and a few different tours in the other 2 cities. Our 1st Alaskan cruise but our 4th with HAL. Just finished up packing/closing our suitcases. Can't wait!!! Bon Voyage!! Have a great 1st Alaskan cruise. After you do this one, you will want to go back. So much to see in Alaska. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare puppycanducruise Posted May 19, 2019 #14 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Thanks for taking us along. Looking forward to reading all about it. Have a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted May 19, 2019 #15 Share Posted May 19, 2019 sppunk Hopefully you have arrived in Vancouver safely. Many areas have been dealing with bad storms and tornadoes. Looking forward to your "Live" review. Hope you can find another company to do your float plane tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OVgirl Posted May 19, 2019 #16 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Enjoy your cruise to Alaska. If you happen to see Scott Singer on the ship, please at hi. A number of years ago when he was about 18, he did a really good "live from" on one of his cruises. Now he's been fortunate to have a job in the cruise industry. Thanks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carsonRNO Posted May 19, 2019 #17 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Also on Volendam sailing this coming Wednesday, 22nd. Wife and I arrive Vancouver tomorrow afternoon for a couple nights prior. Our first HAL, and first multi-night cruise. Before this we've only done several European overnight ferries. Regarding your reference to: "........We received a note the other day that due to tide issues to be at Canada Place between 10 a.m.-12 p.m. for a 3 p.m. sail away......" Our note from HAL on May 3rd referencing the earlier departure due to a tidal issue, recommended being at terminal between 10am and Noon or between 2 pm and 3 pm. All Onboard by 3:30 pm with departure at 4 pm (30 min. earlier than original time). Online also showing 4 pm. No matter, we'll likely be hanging around the terminal before 10 am. Since you plan to post photos daily, have you figured out Internet costs? Might be too late now to purchase Online at a Gift & Indulgence, but I went ahead and did the 7 Night Premium last week at $111.99 - everything else I found had costs higher, but not clear what was truly a current price. And, my wife is originally (and her mother still lives) from Newton, just down the Pike from Fenway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat shepard Posted May 19, 2019 #18 Share Posted May 19, 2019 @sppunk Bon Voyage. Thank you for sharing! & Go Sox! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJSULIBRARIAN Posted May 19, 2019 #19 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Looking forward to reading your impressions as I will be doing the same cruise on the Volendam in several weeks. Will be first time on the Volendam for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sppunk Posted May 20, 2019 Author #20 Share Posted May 20, 2019 (edited) Day -3: Sunday, May 19 Before I begin to today’s report, I can’t do it without posting the photo I took when we were flying into Vancouver. So, here: It’s a good day when you wake up, get ready for the day, realize your phone didn’t switch time zones and get to go back to sleep for another three hours. And that’s exactly how this day began. When we opened the shades this morning we were presented with an amazing view of Vancouver Harbor and the lovely Westerdam. Things really are looking up. A sun-filled 68 degree day beckoned us so we took full advantage. We stepped outside and walked to Stanley Park, about a 25 minute walk from the Pacific Rim. Then we walked. And walked some more. In all, 26,000 steps exploring the harbor, park, Gastown, etc. enjoying the views and celebrating life. Vancouver sure is pretty, guys. Here are a few pics: Dinner tonight was at Blue Water Cafe. Supposedly one of the best restaurants in Canada, we can safely say that’s a proper title. We had spot prawn wontons, west coast salmon and sablefish - their signature dish - with shiitake mushrooms, edamame, bok choy, and miso. So. Dam. Good. Today we hit the Vancouver jackpot. More tomorrow. Edited May 20, 2019 by sppunk 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted May 20, 2019 #21 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Following just by email updates while on Cunard wifi. Have a great cruise. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlorenceItaly Posted May 20, 2019 #22 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Enjoying your report. Thank you! Vancouver is a wonderful city. Way to GO with all those steps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted May 20, 2019 #23 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Love your pictures. Dinner sure looks good. The sea gull on top of the diver's head is cute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbhcw Posted May 20, 2019 #24 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Vancouver is one of the prettiest cities we've ever visited...loving your report and pics! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted May 20, 2019 #25 Share Posted May 20, 2019 I hope you are enjoying the cruise as she sails to Ketchikan. I have traveled this ship on the inside passage many times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now