Live from Solstice: ALASKA Dawes Glacier May 12-19, 2023 (First Sailing ex SEA)

[Barwick Cruiser]

4 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

@Barwick Cruiserwe have done both early season (May) and end of season (Sept) but never peak season, so all we know are cooler, wetter days. But considering much of the area is located in a temperate rainforest, we expect the rain, lol.

We really like the snowy peaks, and even light snow, we see/get in May; although we know we're too early for salmon running. We have been blessed with bears, though, especiallyin Sitka and ISP/Hoonah. 

We very much enjoy the beauty of the active waterfalls in Sept, so both are great times for us.

Interesting…I would’ve thought with spring melt that the waterfalls would be larger and faster in the earlier months. We’ve previously chosen September to avoid the bugs as well as the kids of summer. May would work well too then apparently. Thanks everyone, sorry OP for digressing! 

[Fly and Sail]

1 hour ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

Interesting…I would’ve thought with spring melt that the waterfalls would be larger and faster in the earlier months. We’ve previously chosen September to avoid the bugs as well as the kids of summer. May would work well too then apparently. Thanks everyone, sorry OP for digressing! 

IMHO May (especially early May) is the best period to go. Never been disappointed  so far. That being said, I went once in July (Millennium 2021) and it was great as well.

[Barwick Cruiser]

15 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

IMHO May (especially early May) is the best period to go. Never been disappointed  so far. That being said, I went once in July (Millennium 2021) and it was great as well.

Was there still snow on the peaks in July? How many kids were onboard? 

[Fly and Sail]

6 minutes ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

Was there still snow on the peaks in July? How many kids were onboard? 

 

This was during Covid. Almost no children, as the cruise left in the early days of the mandatory vaccine yada yada (JUL 15 ex SEA). Let me check my photo files and find some pictures.

Edited May 18, 2023 by Fly and Sail

[Fly and Sail]

I have to say the BLU desserts are spot on at the moment.

 

 

[cruisinfly]

Thank you for the live review. Will be on board the Solstice in a couple of weeks and really looking forward to it! I sure hope we have the same weather you're having.

 

If there's anything specific that you've done that's special that you'd recommend, love to hear about it. Either on the ship or at the ports.

 

Hope you have a good day in Victoria. We are planning to do an e-bike tour there..

[Fly and Sail]

54 minutes ago, cruisinfly said:

Thank you for the live review. Will be on board the Solstice in a couple of weeks and really looking forward to it! I sure hope we have the same weather you're having.

 

If there's anything specific that you've done that's special that you'd recommend, love to hear about it. Either on the ship or at the ports.

 

Hope you have a good day in Victoria. We are planning to do an e-bike tour there..

 

Yeah: Avoid eating at the Mast Grill. It'll save your life! 😬

 

But if you're referring to activities and excursions, no I didn't do anything except going for a walk on my own (totem pole heritage museum in Ketchikan, Tram up the mountain in Juneau). If this is your first Alaska cruise you should take the White Pass Railway in Skagway - it's an unforgettable experience.

 

We're completely fogged in today and this doesn't bode well for Victoria. I was planning on getting off and eating some oysters but with this weather I guess it'll be Persian Garden and Hottub.

[cruisinfly]

Sorry to hear about the fog. Maybe a trade for all that great, sunny weather! I do love a good burger but from what I read, you can't get one from the mast grill. A bit disappointing to hear.

 

This is our first time in Alaska and yes, we are planning the Railway in Skagway (one way with the other trip via bus stopping at a couple of sites). We're also doing some wildlife/whale watching boat tours in Ketchican/Juneau. I hope they are worth the cost.

 

Looking forward to additional pics.

[Fly and Sail]

Fog has largely disappeared and we’re sailing along the coast now. I estimate about 2:30h to Victoria plus clearance time.

[Fly and Sail]

It turned out to be quite a beautiful day after all!

 

Now for some oysters in victoria! ❤️🦪

[Octavias]

9 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

It turned out to be quite a beautiful day after all!

 

Now for some oysters in victoria! ❤️🦪

We were just there for a visit a few weeks ago.  Such a beautiful place!  

[Fly and Sail]

So good!! 🦪 Walked to Finn’s Seafood & Chops.

 

Dozen Oysters and a Seafood Chowder to round up this beautiful sailing. ❤️

 

 

[Majkman]

Fly and Sail,

 

   You have been beyond kind and generous with your time, information, news, updates, photos and videos. We'll be on the Solstice in 4 weeks, and regardless as to how many machines are down, my friends and family will know to check the casino if they're looking for me. 🙂

 

Thank you for everything, and I am so happy the weather has cooperated for you, you deserve that!!

 

Enjoy your remaining time on her, and bring her back in one piece!!

 

Andy

[Fly and Sail]

I had a visitor today who loved the pound cake with pear from Cafe Al Baccio:

 

 

Edited May 19, 2023 by Fly and Sail

[DaKahuna]

18 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

If this is your first Alaska cruise you should take the White Pass Railway in Skagway - it's an unforgettable experience.

 

 

Agree 100%.  The only thing we have done that was better was on our first Alaskan cruise we did a very long bus tour into the interior that that followed a lot of the train route up towards White's Pass.  However, our bus did not stop there and went as far as Emerald lake.  It was a wonderful experience with the bus driver stopping along the way when wild animals (deer, moose, etc.) were spotted. 

 

18 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

 

We're completely fogged in today and this doesn't bode well for Victoria. I was planning on getting off and eating some oysters but with this weather I guess it'll be Persian Garden and Hottub.

 

You are braver than I am ... I think oysters are out of season (May does not contain the letter "R") but I could be wrong. 

 

[Fly and Sail]

My last night almost ended up in the medical bay. I got some severe food poisoning yesterday (not sure what it was but the remnants I was able to identify at 3am were all from OVC lunch). Feeling a lot better this morning after two hours of sleep and I got some raw ginger from Sushi on 5.

 

As far as disembarkation goes: It’s now 8:20am and nobody has left the ship yet as there is once again a clearance delay. Walkoff was scheduled for 7:30 am. I have a transfer to the airport arranged by X at 9:05am (Group 18,19).

[Fly and Sail]

58 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

You are braver than I am ... I think oysters are out of season (May does not contain the letter "R") but I could be wrong. 

 

I paid the price for that bravery. ☠️

[DaKahuna]

Just now, Fly and Sail said:

I paid the price for that bravery. ☠️

 

I was actually surprised to see they served them to you.  Not that I would have eaten them, although they did look good. 

 

 

[Fly and Sail]

Just now, DaKahuna said:

 

I was actually surprised to see they served them to you.  Not that I would have eaten them, although they did look good. 

 

 

Actually in Vancouver and Victoria they are served almost year round. Can’t remember oyster ever being off the menu.

[DaKahuna]

Just now, Fly and Sail said:

Actually in Vancouver and Victoria they are served almost year round. Can’t remember oyster ever being off the menu.

 

I know they are some very delicious oysters to be had up in that area but still -- if the month does not contain the letter "R", I'll pass on oysters. 

 

[Fly and Sail]

Eventually I ignored the announcements and walked out with Group 5 at 9:00am even though my assigned number for the bus transfer was 18/19 (I had no luggage to pick up) was on the bus at 9:10 am - and again nobody ever checked any tickets.

 

Arrived at the Terminal for checkin at 10:15 am and my counter opened at 10:30. The airport is an absolute madhouse, one of the worst in North America. CLEAR saved me at least 45 min in security lineup.

 

Now I’m getting my stomach back in order with a Ginger Ale and Chocolate Cookies a and I’m off to Tokyo.

 

I hope those who get on the Solstice today and the upcoming season will have a fabulous time as well. Although I think weather wise he hit it out of the park this time.

 

Cheers!

 

 

[eyecantwait]

Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us!

Hope you're feeling better.

Can't wait for August!

[Octavias]

Thanks so much for a wonderful commentary and pictures of your experience.  We are taking the same cruise a year from now.  I’m more excited than ever for it! 😀

[OT-Miami]

Wonderful review - thanks for sharing!  We are planing our first Alaska cruise beginning of May 2024, so I've really enjoyed following along.  Safe travels!

[Fly and Sail]

Just arrived in Narita, easy peasy ride on Japan Airlines, and already on the train to central Tokyo. Hope jetlag isn't hitting too hard later.