ALASKA ~ sailing aboard the brand new cruise ship the Norwegian Joy! I left from Sacramento on Saturday morning in late August for Seattle. After an uneventful flight (always grateful for those), we arrived and boarded the Norwegian Cruise Lines' motor coaches for the pier.
I was impressed by the swift and efficient boarding at this pier. It was only about 11:30am, and I was already walking on to this sparkly new vessel! I enjoyed some food and beverage in the buffet before heading to my stateroom. This was also to be a very new experience for me! Not my usual "balcony", this time I thought it was time to get the feel for an "inside" stateroom. Now it's not my first time! But I have not stayed in an inside stateroom for a very long time! The room was small. But it was really nice! Big comfy bed, desk area, plenty of storage in drawers and closets. The bathroom was actually a pleasant surprise! Bigger than I expected. It was just for me after all!
Our first stop was the lovely village of Ketchikan! As it turned out, this was also our only rainy day. But I did not let it dampen my time here! This is a place I would love to revisit one day- in the sunshine! Great history and I did learn so much about the creation and significance of the "totems". Even had the privilege of meeting a very famous man there, who's totems are actually in the Smithsonian! Bet that's a surprise to most!
Our next stop was Juneau, the capital of the state! Now when I left the ship it was raining, and I was kind of bummed. But by the time we reached the pier for the whale watching adventure it was all clear! Had a great time, and besides the whales (which were in abundance) we also got to see the sea lions! What a spectacular time!
After leaving the whales and sea lions, we boarded our coach for the Mendenhall Glacier! This is a destination I have always hoped to see with my own eyes, and it did not disappoint! Although it is melting, and quite a bit more so in the past eight years. It's magnificence can not be denied, and it is still more then 13 miles long!
Our next port was the amazing little town of Skagway! The history here is absolutely outstanding! The center of it all is packed with saloons and shops, and several very good little restaurants! I opted for a tour aboard the famous "trolley car", and was very happy to have chosen this excursion. Our guide was exceptional and had so many great stories to share! It was truly like walking back in time, and I tried to imagine what it might be like to live there! Both then and now!
I think, my most favorite experience of all was the cruise up Tracy Arm Fjord to the Sawyer Glacier. Not as big as Mendenhall. But the landscape and vistas approaching it were breathtaking! Then as we approached the glacier, I remember thinking; "Uh, how are we getting back out?!" You see the waterway is not big, and the NCL Joy... is very large! Man, was I impressed! Our Captain made that big girl perform quite the "ballet", a perfect '360' degree turn, and he did it twice for emphasis! (Show-off!)
Now I have been to Alaska- but this was (I will admit) my first cruise! Norwegian Cruise Lines did a fabulous job! I was very well fed (too much so), the stops were really memorable, and the on-board entertainment~ outstanding!
My only negative comment would be, one that reinforces something I have told my own guests for years! That is; if your budget allows for at least an ocean view, if not a balcony~ do it! Although I was very comfortable in my inside room, the absence of "day-light" was a problem more than once. You must rely on a "wake-up call", as your cell phone becomes completely useless! One morning I woke-up thinking it was about 8:00am, and it was 10:40am! I had missed two presentations I had wanted to see, and was not happy!
As a "Dream Vacation Designer", and someone who tries always to experience things for myself. This is a vacation I would encourage everyone to take at least once! The season for Alaska is very short though, only May through September! So planning early is extra important for the very best promotions, pricing, and value!
Hope to hear from you real soon for your Alaska planning!
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