PurpleTraveller

San Francisco Days 2 and 3 The following day we went to Golden Gate Park. We caught the 5 bus from Powell Street to the far end of the route to the ocean at the end of the park. The bus fare cost USD3.00 each. Who knew that there are windmills and a small herd of bison in Golden State Park? We spent most of the day walking the entire length of the park stopping for a picnic lunch at one of the many lakes. We then walked to Alamo Square to see the "Painted Ladies". We then got the 5 bus back to Powell Street before returning to our hotel. On our last day we went Salesforce Park, a rooftop garden built on the fourth floor of the San Francisco Transit Center. It was quite amazing to walk through a garden four storeys off the ground. We then walked down to the waterfront to see the Oakland Bridge and visted the Ferry Building. We then walked back to our hotel through Chinatown. After getting the BART back to the airport we then flew home after a wonderful six weeks.

San Francisco Day 1 Our trip concluded with three days in San Francisco. We flew from Seattle to San Francisco and caught the BART train from the airport to Powell Street Station which cost USD10.00 each. We had to buy a paper ticket which cost an extra 50 cents each as the airport station currently doesn't have plastic Clipper cards to buy. We also had to buy our return ticket as it is not possible to buy paper tickets at other BART stations. So we bought two USD21.00 tickets at a machine using our credit card. While there is a person at the information booth they do not sell tickets so the only way to buy a ticket is at a machine. When we got to Powell Street Station we walked the couple of blocks to our hotel. We stayed at the King George Hotel near Union Square which is in an old building and in a very convenient location. Our room was small but clean and comfortable. The next morning we walked from our hotel to Pier 33 which took about 40 minutes. We had a tour booked to go to Alcatraz Island. I had booked the tour in April and it cost USD45.25 each. All tours for the day and for the following four days were booked out and people walking up without a booking were being turned away. If you want to go to Alcatraz Island during the busy season I would recommend that you book a tour well before you go. We had the 11.00am tour booked but our ferry was late as it had an issue and they had to swap ferries. We left at 11.15am and were on Alcatraz Island 20 minutes later. The city was covered in fog but the island was in the sunshine. We toured the old prison and while it was sunny it was very windy. We also had a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. We got the 2.00pm ferry back with great views of the city. We then walked the short distance to Pier 39 to get some lunch, look at some shops and check out a few seals. We then walked to our hotel through the streets of San Francisco avoiding the steepest of the hills. We were able to get a view of Lombard Street but since we had walked it previously decided not to walk down and up the hill to get there.

Seattle After visiting friends we then spent a day in Seattle so DH could revisit the Museum of Flight. We stayed at a hotel close to the airport as we had an early flight the next morning. We walked from the hotel to the Tukwila International Boulevard Station which took about 20 minutes. There we caught the 124 bus at 9.47am and it cost USD2.75 each. We got to the Museum of Flight just after opening at 10.05am. Entry cost USD26.00 each. My DH had assured me that we would only be at the museum for two hours or so. More than six hours later....... To be fair the museum had expanded since we were last there in 2004 with a huge new gallery with WW1 and WW2 displays. We were also pleased to see that the planes displayed outside are now under a massive roof to protect them. At 4.30pm we left the museum even though we still hadn't seen everything. DH now has an excuse to go back again! We caught the 4.47pm 124 bus back to Tukwilla International Boulevard Station and walked back to the hotel. It had been a very warm 89°F/30°C day so the 20 minute walk was very hot and sticky. We met a friend and had a great dinner with him at Wally's Chowder House.

The next few posts will technically have nothing to do with the cruise but I hope to inspire future cruisers, particularly overseas cruisers, travelling to Vancouver to extend their trip and see some of the spectacular area of Canada around Vancouver. I will also give some information about Seattle and San Francisco for anyone who may be starting or ending a cruise in those cities. If you're not interested just skip these next few posts and go to my Conclusion which will be at the end. Canada After our time in Vancouver we travelled to Kelowna, Banff, Jasper, Sun Peaks, Whistler and Victoria before returning to Vancouver. We had a wonderful time and here are some of my favourite photos. We travelled along roads with spectacular views, Tasted wine (Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Kelowna), Saw beautiful scenery, Admired magnificent mountains, Visted glorious lakes (Peyto Lake, Alberta), Walked on a glacier (Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefields), Spotted wildlife, Enjoyed gorgeous waterfalls (Athabasca Falls), Hiked through a river canyon (Maligne Canyon, Jasper), Went to an Olympic village (Whistler), Travelled on a gondola with a view (Peak to Peak Gondola, Whistler), Smelled the roses (Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island) And had a wonderful time!

Not far at all, maybe a ten to fifteen minute walk.

How fortunate for you! I was also surprised that there were so few people on deck on the morning of our first sea day when we were sailing northbound through the Inside Passage. I was on the Promenade so maybe it was busier up on the Sun Deck and it was very busy anywhere inside with a view outside. It was cold but great to be almost alone.

Sorry to hear that you also missed out but sadly not surprised since I was told that will be the route that they are sailing on this itinerary for the rest of the season. We didn't get to see any of the Inside Passage or Seymour Narrows northbound on the day we left Vancouver as we left more than three hours late due to the medical evacuation and it was dark by the time we got there. Fortunately we did get to see some of the northern end the following day. I think that at the very least Princess should have informed their passengers of the change so that we weren't so disappointed. If I ever do an Alaskan cruise again we will certainly be checking the itinerary very closely to make sure that we can cruise the Inside Passage southbound during daylight.

Maybe there was a glisten in the eye and a sniff or two. 😂 You will have a wonderful time once you get to go! 😊

Thank you! We thought the scenery we saw in Alaska was some of the best we have ever seen. We loved everywhere we went and would love to do another Alaska cruise. There are so many different things to do in each port we would never get bored and as for the scenery we would never tire of watching it. I also want to get to go whale watching! And I will make sure I get to cruise the Inside Passage! Hope you have a wonderful cruise and get a comfortable mattress! Happy cruising!

Thank you. We absolutely loved Vancouver! My DH had never been to Vancouver before and I had only been once before in January 2005, during a snow storm, for only half a day on the way to Whistler. I think we covered a fair amount of ground and saw a lot of places which we really enjoyed. We loved sitting on the waterfront each afternoon watching the world go by and the seaplanes take off and land. Vancouver is just beautiful! We were so looking forward to cruising through the Inside Passage during the day and were very disappointed to miss it. At least you are forwarned and hopefully won't be as disappointed as we were. If by chance (though unlikely) you do sail the Inside Passage it will be a lovely surprise for you. If we ever sail out of Vancouver again I will carefully check the itinerary (though I thought I did before choosing this one 🤔) to be able to cruise the Inside Passage on the eastern side of Vancouver Island during the day. Thanks for reading along and I'm pleased that you enjoyed the photos.

We did but we were also looking forward to our land tour of Canada.

Friday June 16 - Vancouver It was an overcast day with a little rain and we were moving from our hotel to another to start our land tour of Canada. We did very little other than taxi from one hotel to another, explore our new neighbourhood and do our laundry. Saturday June 17 - Vancouver We made another visit to Stanley Park making a quick stop at the Totem Poles and then to Prospect Point to see the Lions Gate Bridge. We then went to Granville Island to enjoy the markets. There were all types of delicious looking fruit and vegetables and different types of food along with flowers and art and crafts. We got some lunch from one of the shops and went outside to eat it. While outside we saw a lady with a falcon which is trained to chase away seagulls. We walked around the market buildings which included a train caboose and went into many of the great shops. We were also able to see the other side of the painted storage silos, that we had previously seen on our walk on Wednesday, at the operating cement works next to the markets. We then caught one of the little ferries across the water and walked back to our hotel.

Thursday June 15 - Vancouver It was a much nicer day so we walked to Canada Place and got the free shuttle to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The shuttle left at 9.30am and we arrived at 9.50am. The entry cost CAD69.95 plus tax for each adult. We started with walking across the Suspension Bridge. The bridge moves a lot when walking across it and we were high above the river. It wasn't very busy as we were early but later in the day it was jam packed with people. Next we walked through the Treetops Adventure which I loved. To be so high in the trees was wonderful. We then went to see the raptors and spoke to their carers about the birds. We went for a walk under the Treetops Adventure and along the side of the gorge amongst the very tall trees. We then walked along the Cliff Walk which hangs off the cliff and gives good views of the Suspension Bridge. It was interesting to see plants and even trees growing on and clinging onto the side of the cliff. We got a shuttle at 1.15pm and got back to Canada Place at 1.35pm. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching sea planes take off and land and strolling along the waterfront.

Wednesday June 14 - Vancouver It was a cool and overcast day but we decided we would go for a walk around the city. We walked to Chinatown and saw the gate but found the area rather grubby and rundown. We then walked to Science World and along the waterfront to the BC Place Stadium. Our next stop was the Engine 374 Pavilion which houses the engine that pulled the first transcontinental passenger train which arrived in Vancouver on May 23, 1887. The engine was retired in 1945 and has been beautifully restored. It is kept in a custom built glass pavilion next to the old train turntable and train sheds which have been restored. After admiring the train and chatting to the volunteers about the restoration of the train we continued walking around the shoreline and past Granville Island. We then walked to English Bay Beach and then made our way back to our hotel.

Tuesday June 13 - Disembarkation Vancouver This was the sad day we had to leave Crown Princess. After breakfast at the Horizon Buffet we collected our belongings and vacated our cabin at 8.00am. There were very long lines of passengers wanting to disembark crowding the area around the Piazza on deck 7. As we weren't in a hurry we waited in the Crown Grill which was the Platinum and Elite waiting lounge until 9.30am when the lines were short. It only took a few minutes to self disembark with our luggage. We walked back to the Days Inn Hotel where we were able to check in and get access to our room immediately. We had a lazy day going for a walk, doing some shopping and having lunch. At 4.00pm we went to the waterfront and watched Crown Princess sail away at 4.45pm.

You are very welcome. I should have mentioned that it was free to go into the legislative building and do the self guided tour. I think it was also free to do a guided tour but you could check. You should also check when the building is open as I think it is only certain times of the year. The ferry ride was great!

The legislative building was lovely inside and it didn't take long to do a self guided tour. We were given a booklet with information to do the self guided tour and they also have guided tours that you can take. Do you mean ferry to and from Vancouver to Vancouver Island? We went on that ferry on our land tour and the scenery of the islands we passed through was lovely. I didn't include any photos but here are a few.

No I didn't. Would be good on an overcast or wet day but we wanted to enjoy the sunshine.

Thank you! It is amazing how different a place can be depending on how busy it is. We always try to get off the ship early if we are going to DIY. We were going to go to the Lower Reid Falls when we were in Skagway but decided to do the excursion to the Yukon. We are really glad that we did because it was a great excursion and we had a wonderful day. If we get back to Skagway I'll plan to go to the Falls. The view was fantastic from Deer Mountain but we probably wouldn't have done the hike if we had known the state of the trail. We laugh now but I don't think we'd do it again. Very interesting that you went through the Inside Passage southbound. Maybe we didn't because we were heading to Victoria but I'm really pleased that you got to experience it on the way back. Good to hear that your mattress was bearable. It sounds like it is random mattresses that are bad but then again none should be bad. Thanks for reading the review.

We did wonder if the reason for changing the itinerary was something to do with the need for a pilot. I guess we'll never know. Thank you! We much prefer to DIY and explore a port on foot if possible as we love to walk. We only do excursions if we want to go further afield to see something in particular such as going to the Yukon.

Victoria On Land Part 2 That evening we walked to the Legislative Assembly Building to see it and the city lit up. Even the horse carriages were lit up. The following day we walked to the Christ Church Cathedral where we were lucky enough to hear the organist practicing. We then walked to Craigdarroch Castle which was built between 1887 and 1890 by Robert Dunsmuir. Unfortunately the castle was closed but we were able to walk around the castle. Just down the road is Government House which also has lovely gardens. On our return to the city centre we sat on the waterfront enjoying the sunshine with a view of the Empress Hotel.

Victoria On Land Tour Following the cruise we spent two weeks on a land tour of Canada including another two days in Victoria and visited the Butchart Gardens and Government House Garden. We spent hours at Butchart Gardens and once again enjoyed a beautiful day. We visited at 3.00pm and it wasn't very busy at all and I managed to get photos without people in them. I have wanted to visit the gardens ever since I saw my mother's photos from when she visited more than thirty years ago. I even have a jigsaw puzzle of the gardens and I couldn't believe that I was finally here.

Monday June 12 - Victoria Part 3 We then made our way to Beacon Hill Park where we enjoyed the serene surrounds and a picnic lunch. The world's tallest Totem Pole which stands 127 feet and 7 inches tall, is in the park. We then walked along the waterfront to the Mile Zero Monument which marks the start of the 8,000km long Trans-Canada Highway that travels the length of Canada. It was very warm walking along the waterfront towards the ship and we stopped for a while to watch the world go by and to chat to some ship friends. We walked out along the breakwater and saw a sea otter swimming in the water and catching fish. The sea otter came onto land where it rolled around in a log and was so cute. We returned to the ship at 3.15pm after a lovely day. Dinner was at the Michaelangelo Dining Room again and after dinner we watched Carnival Spirit arrive into Victoria. We left Victoria at 10.00pm.

Monday June 12 - Victoria Part 2 We then walked towards the waterfront passing one of the horse drawn carriages that do tours around the city. Crossing the road we then made our way along the waterfront. Continuing along Government Street to the shopping area we stopped in at Roger's Chocolates which is in a quaint shop established in 1903. Walking along we diverted to Bastion Square to enjoy the lovely buildings and gorgeous flowers and baskets. A short walk away was China Town with its gate and narrow Fan Tan Alley. Retracing our footsteps along Government Street we passed a plant whale statue next to the Empress Hotel. Heading towards Beacon Park we then passed the Totem Pole display at Thunderbird Park.

Monday June 12 - Victoria Weather Forecast - Clouds, High 67°F/19°C, Low 58°F/13°C We woke to a glorious sunny day and after breakfast we sat on the Sun Deck as we approached Victoria. We docked at 9.00am and were soon allowed to disembark. A short walk from the dock is Fisherman's Wharf where there are restaurants along with a cute collection of house boats. We walked further along the waterfront and past the beautiful Gatsby Mansion to the city centre. We made our way to the Legislative Assembly Building of British Columbia which is an impressive and beautiful building. After passing through security we were able to walk around the building on a self guided tour seeing the beautiful stained glass windows, central dome and legislative chamber.