The cruise

Victoria to Sitka

Friday - Had a farewell dinner at the hotel as the first part of the trip was just about over and we were about to transfer to the Alaskan cruise. Dinner was cold and very forgettable for such an expensive hotel as the Victorian Empress Hotel.

Saturday - Up very early morning and following a similarly lousy breakfast at the hotel we headed for the ferry terminal to board the Victorian Clipper, a high speed catamaran to Seattle, Washington. We completed US customs prior to boarding. The trip took just over 3 hours, but was very smooth and comfortable.  /Everyone on the tour is of the opinion that /Scenic cruises are overpriced and overrated - just heard that one bus is quarantined in Whistler with all passengers down with gastro.

A short bus ride to board the ms Westerdam and then off to the dining room for lunch. Our cabin is quite comfortable, reasonably spacious and with an outside veranda, although it’s too cold to stay out there when we are underway. Ship is much better than the Costa cruise (from hell) that we had last year. Drink prices are very reasonable (especially during happy hour), the meals are tasty and there are lots of activities to occupy your time if you want to participate.

Sunday - Went to a show Sunday night (mothers day Andrew, not to mention mum’s birthday which you also forgot) which was not bad. Quite a few Americans on board, including a convention of over 700 from out in the country areas, and probably 400 Aussies as well.  Some Americans very scary with their Stetson hats, bib and brace jeans and the incredible size of them – Di is feeling very slim now!

Passed lots of whales as we cruised up the Alaskan coast to Juneau, but they appeared to be very small and were not breaching. We decided to cancel our whale watching trip in Victoria (booked for next Friday on our return) because of the poor trip others had last Friday. Replaced it with a similar trip in Juneau on Monday as they offered a partial refund if no sightings (whales, bears, seals etc) are made, unlike Victoria.

Monday - Have now completed the whale cruise which predictably was very ordinary.  What they didn’t tell us was that whales in Alaska are feeding so they don’t breach or tail slap, you just glimpse them under the water.  The only good thing about the cruise was the beautiful weather. Juneau has 305 days of rain per year and we managed to get one of the dry ones with sunshine and no wind so it was a very pleasant cruise.  Again some very scary Americans on board – very nice but certainly strange.  They are all here for a 4H conference – apparently they do something with young people like rug making, hair braiding or some such things – really don’t understand any of the explanations I have been given.  Anyway they are all on board from western country America with their families, at times it’s a bit like being part of the movie Deliverance but nevertheless entertaining.

Tuesday - we cruised to the  Hubbard glacier, a sedate cruising day with spectacular scenery.  Unfortunately being the first ship of the season the Captain was a bit cautious and as there is still lots of pack ice and little icebergs we could not get c loser than 2 miles to the glacier so didn’t get the full effect.  Certainly got the full effect of the wind straight of the glacier. Stood on deck for about 3 hours and we were frozen solid but felt we needed to see first hand not thru glass.  Eventually retreated to our room to thaw out and much more pleasant watching thru the glass.

Had dinner at the Italian restaurant on the ship.  I’m going to wear a Typhoid Mary sign as everyone else said the restaurant was good but of course our meal was less than ordinary, cold vegetables, lukewarm pasta and tasteless.  The best bit was the bread and olive oil. Now updating log as we will be in Sitka tomorrow and hopefully get internet access, Likely we won’t have internet again until Sunday in Montreal.

Wednesday.  Arrived in Sitka, absolutely beautiful part of the world.  Takes your breath away coming into the harbour with all the little islands, houses and spectacular scenery. Stood on balcony watching whales (yep get to see them for nothing after paying a fortune to not see them) seals etc.  The day is glorious and we set off on a sea otter tour.

Found a raft (official term) of otters and they are gorgeous, then another raft of mothers and babies.  Andrew they are the ferrets of the sea.  Could watch them for hours, fabulous creatures.  Then saw whales  who were showing their flutes (tails) and lunge feeding (coming out of the water with their mouths open).  Then bald eagles on nests.  So finally a tour that delivered what it promised.  Then went into Sitka and walked around, but couldn’t find internet cafe.  As I said an absolutely brilliant sunshiny day in a fabulous little town.

Back on board and we had a special dinner tonight where the waiters were the entertainment.  First course was served by ballerinas (hysterical) and second by ‘swingers’ and desert was can’t remember – had too much wine by then.  Followed a great dinner by another bottle of wine in the piano bar.

Am now updating blog before biting the bullet and paying the outrageous amount of money the ship wants for using the internet.  Don’t expect to upload again till we reach Montreal on Sunday.

Tri – they had Nachos and all sorts of Mexican every lunch time!

Thursday – internet not working last night so about to try again

Arrived in Ketchikan this morning, this is still very much a frontier town.  Nowhere near as pretty as Sitka but again a lovely sunny morning so we disembarked and walked the streets.  Spent more money in shops and have had to buy a couple of bags to bring things home.  Very busy in town as 3 cruise ships in dock. Now back on board for lunch and going to try out the spa this arvo.  The weather has closed in so nice to be back in the room.