Alaska Cruise, June 2007

In June of 2006 we started planning a family reunion cruise to Alaska. We had heard it was very scenic and beautiful, especially during the summer months. Carol and I went to Parker Cruises in Kirkland and talked with one of the agents about the different choices we had. We decided we would go in June of 2007 on Norwegian Cruise Line, with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. Also, we would have several hours in Glacier Bay area. Once we had our itinerary we sent it to family to see who would be able to come. We were really hoping all of my siblings would be able to make it. In the end Dave wasn’t able, and although Phil and Naomi had planned to come, they were unable to after all. So it became 12 of us, Jon & Joyce and their sons Tim & Julie, and Ben & Jeanine, then Carol & Mike, Ruth & Earl, and Doug & me. We met at the cruise terminal in Seattle on Sunday June 17th. We were able to get on our ship the Norwegian Pearl about 12pm. Jon and Joyce and boys got on, and then decided to go down to the Seattle waterfront for awhile before our final boarding call at 3pm. We decided to explore the ship so we stayed on. Ruth and Earl and Carol and Mike showed up shortly after and got settled too. We had all selected balcony rooms on the 9th floor so we were close by each other. The ship left the Seattle port at 4pm. We didn’t have specific plans together for dinner until Monday night so we all were on our own to explore the ship and go to the shows. The first evening there was a “welcome aboard” show which was entertaining and fun, and gave us a chance to meet some of the crew. We ended up eating dinner with Ruth and Earl. Mike and Carol had reservations at the Steak House. Our cruise was “freestyle” so we didn’t have a specific dinner time. There were several restaurants, including about 4 that had a surcharge and were a little classier than the other choices. After dinner we spent a little time in the casino (which was a bust!) then enjoyed the late evening entertainment at the lounge on the 11th floor. On Monday we were going through the inside passage so it was scenic as we were making our way past Vancouver Island on up to Alaska. We again enjoyed the entertainment on the ship during the day then that evening we all got together and had dinner at the Italian restaurant. The food was good and we enjoyed visiting with each other. On Tuesday we pulled into Juneau about 2pm and were able to be off the ship until 10pm. We stopped at the fishery which had a museum, and then we headed to the town and explored the area. Mike, Earl, Doug and Jon and boys had scheduled a deep sea fishing trip so they went to that, while Joyce and girls wanted to go shopping. Ruth, Carol and I went on a tour which included the city highlights then on to Mendenhall Glacier which included a guided walk and the Visitor Center. It was so interesting to be so close to the glacier. Once we got back to town we met up with Earl, Doug and Mike and spent the afternoon exploring the town. We stopped at the Red Dog Saloon and at some of the shops in town. Later we ate at a little seafood restaurant right on the bay in town. Wednesday we got up early because we were in Skagway and we had scheduled the White Pass railway tour. The boys and wives were on a tour which included lunch so they were in a different rail car, but the rest of us were together. We enjoyed the scenic view of the mountains and were able to get out at the pass which is on the border of Alaska and Canada. After returning and exploring Skagway we headed back to the ship. On Thursday we stayed on the ship and were in Glacier Bay for most of the day. It was so beautiful to see the glaciers and to hear them cresting with the loud roar as they hit the water. There were small icebergs floating by occasionally too, sometimes with birds on them. On Friday we were in Ketchikan. Rather than dock in a port we took tenders to the marina. Doug and I got a late start so when we got off the ship the others had gone to the Lumberjack show which they said was entertaining. We went to the downtown area and explored some of the shops again. Creek Street has a collection of shops, restaurants and galleries in old wooden buildings built on pilings above Ketchikan Creek. After our day in Ketchikan we all got together for dinner that evening. We couldn’t get a table for all 12 of us so we decided to have the girls at one table and the guys at the other. It was fun to eat with Joyce, Jeanine and Julie as well as Ruth and Carol. The girls were having fun and had spent the day shopping. We had a great evening and spent time together afterward in one of the lounges. On Saturday we were mostly at sea, but docked at Victoria that evening. We walked from the cruise terminal up to town and went to the Titanic Exhibition which was at the Royal BC Museum. It was a poignant exhibition with actual artifacts from the ship. We were given a passport with an actual passenger’s name as we entered. At the end of the tour you were able to see if your passenger name was someone who had survived. After we left the museum we had time to go to the Inner Harbor where there is always entertainment. We walked through town awhile and then headed back for our last evening on the ship. There was a barbeque party planned so we headed to the restaurant for dinner. By now I think we all were tired of the ship food. It was OK, however it started to seem the same every night. I’m sure we gained weight though because you could eat all you want, anytime. We spent our last evening visiting and realizing our trip was coming to an end. Jon and Joyce and family were leaving immediately after we docked so this was our last chance to visit. That evening we were to leave our luggage outside our door. In the morning debarkation was somewhat chaotic. Everyone was given color coded cards so we couldn’t leave until our time to leave. We had time to go to breakfast before we left the ship, then it was our turn to leave. We had time for quick goodbyes to Jon and family before we headed home. Although Doug had been concerned about going to Alaska – he thought it would be just too cold, he actually enjoyed it. We had mostly 70 degree weather and a wonderful time with family. Another great vacation came to end!

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