Statendam 2 week B2B cruise! Fantastic!

[dcsam]

We returned last night from 2 glorious weeks aboard the Statendam. The weather was great the entire time.
We drove to Vancouver (after picking up my brother and his wife at SEATAC) and spent the night at the Accent Inn, Vancouver. We shared a 'suite', but it wasn't sweet. It was very small for 4 adults, but it did have a small bedroom allowing for some privacy. I think we paid around $300 for the night, but that also included our RT (4) transfers AND parking
for the 2 weeks, so overall it was a good deal, and I'd stay there again.

Our first day was 'at sea' so we just relaxed.

Ketchikan: We took the city bus to Totem Bight (beautiful)

Juneau: We rented a car and drove to the glacier, drove as far north as possible and did a bit of hiking; drove to a beautiful beach accross the bridge and did some more hiking.

Skagway: The four of us did the free park-sponsored tour of town. After that, my brother and his wife did the train up, bike down tour. Later, three of us hiked to a nearby point and watched (and listened to) a humback whale cruising back and forth.

Seward: The four of us did the 9 hour Kenai fjords trip. Spectacular!!! Even though the boat was large and we had few people, there was very little outside viewing area (just the bow and stern - no walkaround deck), so it seemed exceptionally crowded. Thank goodness I'm tall!

Haines: We rented a car and drove out for some bear viewing. We only saw one (we should have gone earlier), but it was still a thrill. After that, we drove to the Yukon. We made many stops along the way, taking pictures of the 'tundra'. Saw a moose! Stopped at a log restaurant (Mile 33?) for hamburgers on our way back. Once back in town, we drove to a dead end road for a short hike.

Back in Juneau:
I took a rigorous hike up to the tram; bought a gift and took the tram back down for no cost (just show the receipt) . My brother, sister-in-law and mother took the tram up. From there, my brother and his wife did some hiking and my mom just meandered around until they returned.

Back in Ketchikan:
My brother and sister in law took a tour with Southeast Sea Kayaks. My mother and I just bummed around town.

I think we saw only 1 show in two weeks. But we enjoyed being outdoors as much as possible and enjoying nature - THAT'S the show. We ate most meals on the back deck (above the pool) in order to maximize our scenery and fresh air time. We ate 1 night in the main dining room (formal night), and enjoyed the lobster. Usually, it's dry and overcooked, but this was excellent. We enjoyed several breakfasts in the main dining room (have to have my espresso).

HIGHLIGHTS:
-Kenai Fjords 9 hour trip

-Just being with family


NOT SO HAPPY MOMENTS:
-The smell of the Statendam

-Just being with family ;-)

-My sister-in-law's father 'passing' as we were heading home. She was undecided about this trip until the day they left, and we were all hoping he'd hold on until she arrived back home... and he almost did.


I'd be happy to answer any questions about Alaska or the Statendam.
Caroline

[Susie51]

Ill be on Westerndam for the Sept. 6th sailing. What time did the sun set in Juneau while you were there?

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip, but it is sad that your SIL's father past away before she got home.

[dcsam]

Hmmm... I'm trying to remember. I think the sun set around 8:30-9. However, the time will be earlier for September (by about 30 minutes).

My sister-in-law's dad died in the morning of the day they flew back. I know she's going to feel guilty about 'not being there'. Personally, if that was my dad, I would have cancelled the cruise. And I'm actually surprised she went, but there's no right or wrong decision when it comes to things like this. It's all very personal. She was there when it counted the most - when he was living and not dying.

[IRL_Joanie]

Originally Posted by Susie51

Ill be on Westerndam for the Sept. 6th sailing. What time did the sun set in Juneau while you were there?

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip, but it is sad that your SIL's father past away before she got home.

Just did a Google search and came up with a couple site to help you get the sunrise and sunset times for various parts/cities of Alaska.

http://alaska.org/SunTimes/
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...nomy.html?n=18
http://www.sunrisesunset.com/usa/Alaska.asp

Joanie

[sylteach]

Thank you for the sunrise/sunset info! I see that when we are at Ketchikan and Skagway it will get dark before we even have to board the ship. Cruise ships look really "cool" in the dark from shore.

[IRL_Joanie]

Originally Posted by sylteach

Thank you for the sunrise/sunset info! I see that when we are at Ketchikan and Skagway it will get dark before we even have to board the ship. Cruise ships look really "cool" in the dark from shore.

You are quite welcome. I really enjoy researching and finding this type of info. So feel free to holler at me if you need to.

Joanie

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome Home.

Glad you had a wonderful Alaskan cruise.

Sorry about the smell of the Statendam and your sister-in-law's father passing away.

[Jo-Bob]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed your cruise, but have to ask for more information, please, regarding the 'smell' of the Statendam as you mention. I am to board in a couple of weeks. Thanks.

[minus]

Where did you go to see bears in Haines? I will also have a rental car and really want to see some!!!

[dcsam]

Minus,
When is your trip? Seeing the bears depends a lot on the salmon runs. We drove to a lake (I think it's Chilkoot or Chilkat). There's a river that flows from it, and this is where the bears tend to 'fish'. It's about 7 miles out of town, and it's easy to find. I do recommend getting there asap. How early can you pick the car up? We were there around 9 am - too late. There were 4 bears spotted earlier. I had a car arranged months in advance, but when I called, I was told it broke down. A kind fellow recommended I walk to Hotel Holingsford (not sure of the spelling). It was just a short walk away. I think they operate Avis car rental. We paid $100 for a Toyota RAV. Anyway, whoever you rent from, make sure you can pick the car up soon after you dock. Also consider driving to the Yukon. There's really no stopping point or scenic turnaround. We just enjoyed the scenery, and we turned around when we were ready. You really have to drive beyond the border to experience the 'tundra'.

As far as the smell of the Statendam, well... it was definitely there. Some people seemed to be more bothered by it than others. I must have a sensitive sniffer. It seemed a bit stronger on our first week than the second, so hopefully they're working to solve the problem. Did it ruin our trip? Absolutely not, but it's something I'll remember about the Statendam. It's a ship after all and **** happens! :-)

[Himself]

I am glad you enjoyed your cruise. I am sorry the Statendam did not stop at Sitka on the way back. It is a wonderful port of call.

[minus]

Originally Posted by dcsam

Minus,
When is your trip? Seeing the bears depends a lot on the salmon runs. We drove to a lake (I think it's Chilkoot or Chilkat). There's a river that flows from it, and this is where the bears tend to 'fish'. It's about 7 miles out of town, and it's easy to find. I do recommend getting there asap. How early can you pick the car up? We were there around 9 am - too late.

We'll be in Haines on Sept 2nd this year. Unfortunately, the car rental place doesn't open till 9am so we'll probably miss the bears. We were planning on driving to the Yukon so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed that drive!

[dcsam]

Minus,
You could go out to view the bears at dusk/sunset. The timing didn't work for us to view them on the way back because it was still to light outside. But by September it might work.

[JWJs]

dcsam ~ thank you so much for posting your Statendam Alaska cruise review. I'm glad you enjoyed your b2b cruise.
So sorry to hear about your SIL's father.
We sail on the Statendam on 12/21/09 (our 1st HAL cruise) and on the Coral Princess 9/14/09 (our 1st Alaska cruise). We have 4 Alaska land tour days prior to the 14th.

I do have a couple of questions re your cruise.

Was the smell all over the Statendam or just in one area?

Where was your cabin?

What was your impression regarding the condition of the Statendam?

[dcsam]

I enjoyed the Statendam. We were located near the stern on the lower promenade deck. From what I gather, I'm not the only one to have noticed the smell. We noticed it on the lower promenade deck and lower decks also; the lido; most hallways; on the stern area near the lido dining area. It seemed stronger the first week than on the last. Some might not have been bothered by it at all, so you might not have a problem with it at all. I read one posting where they noticed it, but they didn't think it was as bad as we thought. I'd be interested to hear how you found it. The condition of the Statendam is fine. I love that class of ship. However, I prefer the older ships rather than all the large, glitzier types. I think it's just a matter of personal taste.

[JWJs]

Thank you dcsam. I will for sure report back on this thread after our cruise to let you know if experienced the smell.

Know what you mean about liking the size of the Statendam. Only other smaller type ship we have sailed on was the Sea Princess. I was a bit disappointed at the time...the year before we were on the "glitizer" Celebrity Galaxy and I missed Celebrity. Then...after 3 days on the Sea Princess....I reconsidered and loved the Sea Princess from that point on. Saw her coming into one of the ports we visited last year and took some great pictures of her approach and while she was docked.

Thanks again for your reply!

[minus]

Originally Posted by dcsam

Minus,
You could go out to view the bears at dusk/sunset. The timing didn't work for us to view them on the way back because it was still to light outside. But by September it might work.

Good idea!!! Thanks for your great review and your help!