Live from Koningsdam August 13 RT Vancouver

[-The-True-North-]

This might be a stupid question, but do we get charged a great everything we eat something? I know with drinks, mini bar and a few other items there's an 18% grat added.  But what about grabbing a muffin at Grand Dutch or a plated meal at Pinnacle?

 

Or is what what the $15.50 or $17 a day staff appreciation is for?

 

And worry, this isn't to ask of you are tipping anything extra, but what's automatically generated.

[SGCruiser2013]

Today is Juneau. We are taking the early Tracy Arm excursion which we haven’t done before. Today’s program:

 

[Florida_gal_50]

6 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

This might be a stupid question, but do we get charged a great everything we eat something? I know with drinks, mini bar and a few other items there's an 18% grat added.  But what about grabbing a muffin at Grand Dutch or a plated meal at Pinnacle?

 

Or is what what the $15.50 or $17 a day staff appreciation is for?

 

And worry, this isn't to ask of you are tipping anything extra, but what's automatically generated.

No, you won't be charged for a muffin.  Those are free.  Absolutely you'll be charged the 18% in the Pinnacle.

[Jammu2]

Your ship passed us on the way to Juneau earlier today.

 

 

[SGCruiser2013]

1 hour ago, Jammu2 said:

Your ship passed us on the way to Juneau earlier today.

 

 

Right back at you, the Solstice from our Tracy Arm excursion boat 

 

[SGCruiser2013]

Good morning from Skagway! Looks to be clear and cool and full of fresh air.

 

 

Today’s program:

 

 

 

No shore excursion planned today. DW is zip lining so look forward to that report. Not too much in the ship activity listing so will likely walk into Skagway to explore a bit. 

[SGCruiser2013]

Yesterday we did the Tracy Arm Fjord excursion, about 6.5 hours (9-3:30) in advance of Juneau. Had not done that before and got to see the South Sawyer glacier. Also saw a few whales which was great. Weather held very nicely. Took a million pics but will only post a few of my faves. 

 

 

 

 

 

The crew on the excursion were great and very attentive and informative. Inside the ship was a bit Covid-y for my more anxious self, nevertheless set that aside. Since you can’t really eat a meal, it’s snacks and drinks only from about 8:30 gathering to 3:30 return so need to be prepared for that. Most of the seating was inside and outdoor back deck open for standing. When we slowed down for glaciers and waterfalls and whales, they also opened the up top deck which provided plenty of outdoor room. 
Weather stayed just fine and really glad we did this, the scenery was really great.

[SGCruiser2013]

Last post re Juneau, yes before dinner we snuck in a pound of King Crab at Tracy King’s crab shack. Highly recommend. Then dinner back at Club Orange. Had the special again which was Duck breast and black cherries. Thought was good 7/10 but maybe just shoulda stayed at TK and loaded up on more crab 🙂 Service at Club Orange was again great, and I got to meet the very nice Erza, who had been over at the Pinnacle on our first night. I told her @steve4031said hello and that she had a great reputation on CC.

 

After dinner, saw the first comedy show which was PG but enjoyable. The “spicy” version later in the week which I will look forward to. Here are a couple pics from dinner (with an added shot of TK’s crab):

 

 

 

 

[SGCruiser2013]

On 8/15/2022 at 4:18 AM, -The-True-North- said:

This might be a stupid question, but do we get charged a great everything we eat something? I know with drinks, mini bar and a few other items there's an 18% grat added.  But what about grabbing a muffin at Grand Dutch or a plated meal at Pinnacle?

 

Or is what what the $15.50 or $17 a day staff appreciation is for?

 

And worry, this isn't to ask of you are tipping anything extra, but what's automatically generated.

I have two examples. Two days ago I got a gelato for $2 and it showed up $2.36 and today I checked receipt for latte at Grand Dutch and they had also applied 18% service. So answer looks to be yes. 

[1ANGELCAT]

24 minutes ago, SGCruiser2013 said:

I have two examples. Two days ago I got a gelato for $2 and it showed up $2.36 and today I checked receipt for latte at Grand Dutch and they had also applied 18% service. So answer looks to be yes. 

There had always been a charge for the gelato and the coffee at the Dutch cafe.

[-The-True-North-]

Have it all doesn't cover drinks at Grand Dutch?

 

Any northern light so far?

[SGCruiser2013]

2 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

Have it all doesn't cover drinks at Grand Dutch?

 

Any northern light so far?

No northern lights thus far, our cabin steward mentioned 8/18 which would be just after glacier bay and more towards Ketchikan but not sure. 
 

I have signature drink package and my drinks at Grand Dutch are covered - I had just asked to see the receipt they printed which had the charge on it (then, on my account, the line item shows up but no charge is applied and instead it says “promotion”. So I would think Have it All covers.

[Florida_gal_50]

3 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

Have it all doesn't cover drinks at Grand Dutch?

 

Any northern light so far?

Any drinks you “buy” (coffee, water, alcohol) will have the service charge.  If you pick up a muffin, sandwich, pie, cookie etc that you do not pay for will have no service charge.  Gelato has a charge therefore the service charge.

[-The-True-North-]

Thanks both.

 

Sorry if these are "dumb" questions. Trying to learn before our first cruise. Really appreciate posting the daily program too!

[SGCruiser2013]

Good morning everyone from the (traditionally) misty waters entering Glacier Bay. 
 

Today’s program:

 

 

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

Edited August 17, 2022 by SGCruiser2013

[SGCruiser2013]

Not too much to report from Skagway yesterday. DW had a great time ziplining. After much at the Dive In, we took a walk to Smuggler’s Cove. Dinner last night was at Pinnacle Grill - awesome! I asked about their 12 oz lobster tail, which they indicated would be served two six oz portions. So seems like cruise wide none of the larger tails made it on.

 

A few pics:

 

 

 

 

 

Went to see comedy show last night - different comic from night before. A little less PG but still a lot of potty humor. I like comic shows so was enjoyable with a drink or two.

[LuAnn]

5 hours ago, SGCruiser2013 said:

Not too much to report from Skagway yesterday. DW had a great time ziplining. After much at the Dive In, we took a walk to Smuggler’s Cove. Dinner last night was at Pinnacle Grill - awesome! I asked about their 12 oz lobster tail, which they indicated would be served two six oz portions. So seems like cruise wide none of the larger tails made it on.

 

A few pics:

 

 

 

 

 

Went to see comedy show last night - different comic from night before. A little less PG but still a lot of potty humor. I like comic shows so was enjoyable with a drink or two.

Oh I have been longing for a steak!! That looks SO good!!! 🙂 We have a dinner there...which one did you choose?

[SGCruiser2013]

5 hours ago, LuAnn said:

Oh I have been longing for a steak!! That looks SO good!!! 🙂 We have a dinner there...which one did you choose?

I had the Delmonico, it was great!!!

[SGCruiser2013]

Glaciers, glaciers, glaciers! 
 

Had a misty ride into Glacier Bay this morning but then it turned basically just cloudy with pretty good visibility. A little rain in the morning but not heavy and then a very nice afternoon. Rangers on the intercom we’re insightful and the Margerie glacier continues to truly be a wonder. We saw two pretty decent calvings from our balcony which was special. Some pics:

 

Reid glacier:

 

 

Lamplugh glacier:

 

 

Margerie glacier:

 

 

Onky thing I missed was Dutch Pea Soup on deck! When we set sail from glacier bay, we attended the Ranger talk which was good and then a representative of the Huna Tlingit talk about her homeland and culture. Recommend.

 

Dinner at Club O was good again, so good I forgot to take pictures! Had tortellini and chocolate soufflé. Have dinner scheduled at Caneletto tomorrow night but seriously considering Sel de Mer again. Just for the soufflé 🙂 alone though I’d likely have the Sole again 👀 👀

 

Show tonight was Step One Musicality, I thought the dancers were super great and in sync. Well choreographed and high energy. Earlier before dinner saw a great Schumann performance at Lincoln Stage and now enjoying the killer BBK all stars. Awesome day! 

 

Any questions about the ship, venues, etc don’t hesitate to ask. Or any pics I can take let me know. 

[-The-True-North-]

Have you had the 8" cookie for dutch cafe? Or bread pudding? Are they as as good as people claim?

 

How busy is the ship? Are people wearing masks?

 

Also what's the demographic? Someone told me HAL can sometimes be an older mix, not that it matters.

 

Thanks 

[-The-True-North-]

Have you had the 8" cookie for dutch cafe? Or bread pudding? Are they as as good as people claim?

 

How busy is the ship? Are people wearing masks?

 

Also what's the demographic? Someone told me HAL can sometimes be an older mix, not that it matters.

 

Also, the KP index is super hight yesterday and today, northern lights should be out at midnight.

 

Thanks 

[SilvertoGold]

OP: 

Wonderful commentary, fabulous photos!

How was Johns Hopkins Glacier, any calving?

Smugglers Cove: was the bridge easy to find?

 

Thanks for taking the time to post.  Really, the first thread I look for each morning :)

 

 

[SGCruiser2013]

3 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

Have you had the 8" cookie for dutch cafe? Or bread pudding? Are they as as good as people claim?

 

How busy is the ship? Are people wearing masks?

 

Also what's the demographic? Someone told me HAL can sometimes be an older mix, not that it matters.

 

Also, the KP index is super hight yesterday and today, northern lights should be out at midnight.

 

Thanks 

Good morning! We arrive Ketchikan in a few hours. Right now all mist and drizzle outside the ship, so we will see what portends.

 

Hadn’t had the 8-cookie at GD…until this morning when I saw your post. Grabbed one and had them warm it (my preference). It was great though maybe not mind blowing 🙂 on the other hand I felt like the bread pudding I had the other day was more legit. So good! For breakfast, I also really like their Texas Toast French Toast. 
 

Cookie pic:

Texas Toast French Toast pic:

 

 

Per a few discussions there are just above 2000 on board, so I think that’s about 75% full. Mostly it doesn’t feel crowded at all. Exceptions are Lido at breakfast is like a bus station, early shows are full, and the good night venues like BB King’s are about 80-90% full but seating is pretty dense. My impressions - The crowd has very few kids, teens and twenty something’s. A few thirty to forty something’s. Moderate 50 to 60 something’s and a lot of 70s and 80s. Suspect some of that HAL and some also time of year since for most part we are I’m close or just into school season. 

 

Masking is light, I would estimate 15-20%. Employees are basically all masked. I plan to do a post later about a few Covid observations for those interested. 

Edited August 18, 2022 by SGCruiser2013

[SGCruiser2013]

2 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

OP: 

Wonderful commentary, fabulous photos!

How was Johns Hopkins Glacier, any calving?

Smugglers Cove: was the bridge easy to find?

 

Thanks for taking the time to post.  Really, the first thread I look for each morning 🙂

 

 

We only had a distant view of John’s Hopkins glacier and not close enough to see calving or not. 
 

In Skagway, Smugglers Cove was pretty easy to find. From where we docked the bridge across was easy to locate/see from most vantage points. It’s effectively just opposite direction of the road into town. Once you cross the bridge there is a well marked trail towards Smuggler’s Cove as well as a “point” that I can’t fully remember the name of. As you walk down, the sign will eventually point left to go to the “point” (where rocks jut out into the sea - very scenic), or to the right which is towards Smuggler’s Cove. As you follow the trail, there are periodic little markers on the trees with a hiker picture that lets you know you are still on trail and that’s helpful. Was a nice walk!

[SilvertoGold]

4 minutes ago, SGCruiser2013 said:

We only had a distant view of John’s Hopkins glacier and not close enough to see calving or not. 
 

In Skagway, Smugglers Cove was pretty easy to find. From where we docked the bridge across was easy to locate/see from most vantage points. It’s effectively just opposite direction of the road into town. Once you cross the bridge there is a well marked trail towards Smuggler’s Cove as well as a “point” that I can’t fully remember the name of. As you walk down, the sign will eventually point left to go to the “point” (where rocks jut out into the sea - very scenic), or to the right which is towards Smuggler’s Cove. As you follow the trail, there are periodic little markers on the trees with a hiker picture that lets you know you are still on trail and that’s helpful. Was a nice walk!

Excellent! Perfect description and we know Skagway well, so just have to head towards the airport area. 

In September the ships are allowed past Jaw Point and can sail much closer to Johns Hopkins to see the seals.  

BTW: have you tried the giant chocolate coated cream puffs at the Dutch Cafe?  Beyond fantastic and something I have to drag myself away from :)

Glad you are having a good cruise! Love your thread!