LIVE from Radiance of the Seas Alaska September 22nd 2023

[laurieal]

Cruise Day 1 - continued

 

After that, it was sailaway time. It’s always pretty fun when we have to go under a bridge. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

We had some down time before we had to meet for dinner, so I went back to my stateroom hoping I would be able to unpack. My suitcase hadn’t arrived, but this insult had:

 

 

A banana?! Bananas are the worst fruit. Bananas need to go to their room without dessert. Really, as a brand new Diamond Plus member I was expecting better treatment than this. 

[laurieal]

Cruise Day 1 - continued

 

Since packing wasn’t an option, I went to my balcony instead. It felt like a much better use of my time, to be honest. The scenery was beautiful and the sun was just starting to set. That moment alone confirmed I had made the right choice splurging for a balcony. 
 

 

 

 

 

Eventually I had to leave my little rectangle of paradise. I was meeting my friends for dinner and I had to go to the Shore Excursions desk. I had to cross the Centrum, which looked very lively. 

 

 

I contacted the Accessible Shore Excursions department back in spring to inquire about excursions for this trip. They responded saying it was a bit early for them but that they would contact me later when they were ready to plan excursions for people sailing in the fall. 
 

They wrote back at the end of June with a list of potential excursions. After discussing it with my friends, I requested the Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest for Sitka and the Rainforest, Wildlife Sanctuary, Eagles and Totems excursion in Ketchikan. They wrote back early august to let me know they had received my request and would contact the tour operators. 
 

And that’s the last I heard from them. I wrote back twice to inquire about the status of my excursions, but I never got an answer. 
 

So I explained the situation to the lady manning the desk and she confirmed that they didn’t have any accessibility requests under my stateroom number. They said they would contact the tour operators and let me know. My level of confidence that I would get to see any otters or totems was pretty low. 

[laurieal]

Cruise Day 1 - continued

 

But there was food to eat and drinks to drink, so I left the Shore Excursions desk and went to dinner. It was my first time experiencing the new MDR menus and I didn’t know what to expect. I had the escargots, the fried chicken and I shared a key lime pie and a peanut butter bar with a friend because sharing is caring. Also, sharing is hopefully not feeling so full after dinner that you just…can’t.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My food was ok. The escargots seemed very similar to what they were before, although I hear I won’t be able to get them every night so now I’m kind of regretting not getting two. The fried chicken was pretty good and it was hot, which wasn’t the case for everyone’s entrees at the table. The key lime pie was good, and so was the peanut butter bar, but I would pick the pie over the bar anytime those two are on the same menu. 

[laurieal]

Cruise Day 1 - continued

 

We went to the Colony Club after dessert for some liquid dessert and Movie Love Themes trivia. We did quite well, well enough to each leave with one celebratory marker which I hear will work on furniture, but not paper. Can’t wait to test that out on my sofa. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

I returned to my stateroom to unpack after that, since my suitcase had arrived just as I was leaving for dinner. However, I felt too tired and too full from dinner and I decided to leave it until the next day. What was it that Scarlett O’Hara said? I’ll think about it tomorrow? Yeah, that. 

[Sunshine3601]

45 minutes ago, laurieal said:

Cruise Day 1 - continued

 

After that, it was sailaway time. It’s always pretty fun when we have to go under a bridge. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

We had some down time before we had to meet for dinner, so I went back to my stateroom hoping I would be able to unpack. My suitcase hadn’t arrived, but this insult had:

 

 

A banana?! Bananas are the worst fruit. Bananas need to go to their room without dessert. Really, as a brand new Diamond Plus member I was expecting better treatment than this. 

You should be receiving some goodies, including chocolate covered strawberries (my fav) in the coming days.   

[Husky1987]

1 hour ago, laurieal said:

So I explained the situation to the lady manning the desk and she confirmed that they didn’t have any accessibility requests under my stateroom number. They said they would contact the tour operators and let me know. My level of confidence that I would get to see any otters or totems was pretty low. 

FYI We were just there last month and Ketchikan has a few totem poles in various places around town if you don't end up with a tour.  

[Ozark_Kid]

2 hours ago, laurieal said:

My level of confidence that I would get to see any otters or totems was pretty low. 

We cruised Alaska last year.  While in Sitka we visited the Sitka National Historical Park.  There are totem poles all over and there is no fee to visit.  Here's a map.  Notice the port in the middle of the map and the park is east, to the left, of the port.

We walked to the park.  At the time I still had my mobility so I do not remember if it would be a challenge for you.  Once there the paths are gravel but pretty smooth.   Here are some pics that may give you an idea.

 

 

 

After we visited the park we walked to the Alaska Raptor Center.   There was a charge to go inside but I don't remember how much.

 

You like birds so you would love this place.

 

 

If you feel like you need transportation to go to these places I haven't done the research.   I do remember right outside the port were several options.   If you choose these places I am sure you will enjoy them.  Good luck.

[crzndeb]

9 hours ago, laurieal said:

A banana?! Bananas are the worst fruit. Bananas need to go to their room without dessert. Really, as a brand new Diamond Plus member I was expecting better treatment than this. 

I’m on the Jewel right now, and so far have escaped the dreaded fruit plate. I have received a cheese plate, and a trio of mini cupcakes. 

[BecciBoo]

Thanks so much for your detailed review.  We are planning our 3rd Alaska, again Vancouver to Vancouver for our 30th anniversary and I just recently bought an electric wheelchair because of my AFIB.  So great to see an Accessible review!  We always stay at Canada Place because it's so easy to have your luggage go directly onboard from the hotel.  Especially now.  Looking forward to your journey.  Hoping to snag another aft cabin for 2026 when itin comes out.  Up at midnight😜

Edited September 24, 2023 by BecciBoo

[laurieal]

7 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

We cruised Alaska last year.  While in Sitka we visited the Sitka National Historical Park.  There are totem poles all over and there is no fee to visit.  Here's a map.  Notice the port in the middle of the map and the park is east, to the left, of the port.

We walked to the park.  At the time I still had my mobility so I do not remember if it would be a challenge for you.  Once there the paths are gravel but pretty smooth.   Here are some pics that may give you an idea.

 

 

 

After we visited the park we walked to the Alaska Raptor Center.   There was a charge to go inside but I don't remember how much.

 

You like birds so you would love this place.

 

 

If you feel like you need transportation to go to these places I haven't done the research.   I do remember right outside the port were several options.   If you choose these places I am sure you will enjoy them.  Good luck.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I have saved the information if not for this visit then for a future one. 

[laurieal]

Day 2 Cruise Compass

 

 

 

 

[jlstwinmommy]

15 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

You should be receiving some goodies, including chocolate covered strawberries (my fav) in the coming days.   

I’m not sure about that. I just got off that ship on Friday. New D member here. I received the fruit plate, although my fruit was at least melons and strawberries. Never got anything else. 

[Ozark_Kid]

@laurieal. Have you recoved fully from falling out of your chair earlier?

 

It looks like the internet is working for you.   What do you think.  You probably already know that if it gets hard to post pics while at sea try at port from your cell phone.   When we were there we got great 5g service at port and at least an hour after departure while on the balcony. 

[mapleleaves]

2 hours ago, laurieal said:

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I have saved the information if not for this visit then for a future one. 

Maps & Guides - Visit Sitka

[Bailey & Sophie]

17 hours ago, laurieal said:

 

 

 

Another one to add to my list next week.

Is it improper to just stick your whole face in it? Asking for a friend.

[Bailey & Sophie]

17 hours ago, laurieal said:

Cruise Day 1 - continued

 

After that, it was sailaway time. It’s always pretty fun when we have to go under a bridge. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

We had some down time before we had to meet for dinner, so I went back to my stateroom hoping I would be able to unpack. My suitcase hadn’t arrived, but this insult had:

 

 

A banana?! Bananas are the worst fruit. Bananas need to go to their room without dessert. Really, as a brand new Diamond Plus member I was expecting better treatment than this. 

 

I feel the same way. I can get my own fruit from the buffet, where this stuff comes from.

[laurieal]

Just now, Ozark_Kid said:

@laurieal. Have you recoved fully from falling out of your chair earlier?

 

It looks like the internet is working for you.   What do you think.  You probably already know that if it gets hard to post pics while at sea try at port from your cell phone.   When we were there we got great 5g service at port and at least an hour after departure while on the balcony. 

Yes, I have, thank you. It was very helpful to have a friend with me who gave me a push when there was a hill to climb. Probably helped speed up the recovery process. 
 

The internet has been really good so far up until today. I was able to steam some Ted Lasso on Apple TV+, stream some music, and post a bunch of pictures to Cruise Critic without any issue. I was actually surprised at how good it worked. 
 

However, I’m struggling today. Posting pictures is out of the question, so I’ll wait until we’re docked in Sitka to do that. Streaming music is working, but with some random interruptions. 

[laurieal]

Just now, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

Another one to add to my list next week.

Is it improper to just stick your whole face in it? Asking for a friend.

If your friend is not opposed to having sticky nostrils I think they should go for it. 

[ILCTCRUISER]

4 hours ago, laurieal said:

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I have saved the information if not for this visit then for a future one. 

Map shows main business area of Sitka.  It shows Cruise Shuttle stop. What is shown is a small boat wharf.   Cruise ship dock is out a bit and you shuttle in.  Can’t recall how long shuttle takes:  maybe 20 minutes.

 

[luvteaching]

I am loving reading your adventures. Thanks for doing it! The shuttle in Sitka is about a 5-10 minute ride at most and they have handicapped vehicles to take you in. They have the shuttle procedures down to a well-oiled machine. 

 

Karen

[martincath]

21 hours ago, laurieal said:

...My level of confidence that I would get to see any otters or totems was pretty low. 

Obviously I hope you're able to get on the tours you wanted to take, but worst case you could at least visit totems in Ketchikan on transit buses - their entire fleet is now similar to Vancouver, kneeling buses, ramps, dedicated wheelchair space near front doors. There's even a loop bus that stops right at the pier if you want to transfer rather than roll to the nearest stop serving the specific line you need for e.g. Saxman.

 

Details of accessible transit here; general transit page with schedule, live maps, search etc. here.

 

Sitka it's been a while, I don't think their fleet is all-accessible but they do have some specific vehicles, you may need to contact them for info - website here. Since you seem quite capable of a lengthy roll based on your Vancouver activities, I think you could get yourself to the Raptor centre and all the other, closer, downtown sites without actually needing a vehicle unless you want to do the out-of-town Fortress of the Bear.

[laurieal]

Thank you so much for all the info, everyone! I appreciate it a lot. 

[laurieal]

Cruise Day 2

 

I was up early after having set the clock back one hour the night before. I had some unpacking to do, but it would practically be a crime to do that before coffee, so I went to check out the Diamond Lounge. There was some confusion in the elevator bay, since apparently two out of the four water-facing elevators could go up to deck 13. 

 

After a couple of false starts, I eventually made it up there. They had some breakfast offerings out, but I went straight for the coffee machine to make myself a latté. And yes, I know that I’m taking liberties with the words "make myself" since it was just pressing some buttons, but hey I’m the narrator and I can be a barista if I want to. 
 

 

 

 

 

[laurieal]

Cruise Day 2 - continued

 

I took my freshly, carefully prepared hot beverage to the Viking Crown Lounge that I remembered liking a lot on the Jewel. It was very quiet, so I sat there for a while while I worked on my review. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[laurieal]

Cruise Day 2 - continued

 

Eventually, I felt a bit peckish so I went to the Windjammer. It was pandemonium, but I remembered something from my November transatlantic crossing on the Jewel: you can have a very peaceful breakfast if you can stand the cold. I’m Canadian; I’ve been training for this my whole life. So I made myself a plate of fruit and cheese and I settled comfortably at the back outdoor section of the Windjammer. 
 

 

 

Aaah. So quiet. I hope the word doesn’t get out too much about that section. 

 

I didn’t want to eat too much, because I had booked a cupcake decorating class with one of my friends at 10am. It’s something I see proposed as an activity on all the RCI cruises I take, but not something I would have done alone. On the way to Giovanni’s, where the class was being held, I found a tiny duck!