Happycrafter123

We returned to ship at 5 pm yesterday in Ketchikan and all aboard was 7:30. The pool deck was busy but there were still spots to be had in hot tub and chairs. One thing I love about the Sun is that the ratio of deck/pool space to guests is good and it is usually not too crowded even on nice days. We lounged here about an hour enjoying the hot tub and sunshine. Another nice thing about the Sun is that the whisky bar (windjammer) May have a spot to buy cigars but does not seem to have a smoke /cigar pit like in the bigger ships, si it is a nice bar to hang out at, with top shelf drinks, live music a lot of the time, and cleanish air.

Yesterday’s daily

Ketchikan was another great day. Out of the ordinary warm and sunny weather, we started the day with the Wilderness exploring and Crab Feast excursion and then afterwards walked around town and shopped. I’m not a big shopper but for those of you who are, I think you will like this stop best. I got a beautiful porcelain handmade Alaskan doll—right now she is bubble wrapped so I’ll share photo of her when we get home. the former red light district and a brothel tour of Dolly’s was the highlight in town. I need to borrow hubbys phone to get photos for that as I was cradling my porcelain doll by then which impeded photography. Ketchikan is lovely and in bloom at this time of year

The Elton John show last night was the best show so far. Not a regular though, this was a guest entertainer. No photos allowed. He had an amazing voice and a fun line up of music but also engaged with the audience a lot. It was fun.

Yesterday’s daily

So good, hubby started with Femrench onion soup and a crab cake, and I started with the ahi tuna and prawn cocktail. then he had the New York striploin and I had the fillet. I chose bake potatoes as I love all the toppings they bring! and a nice birthday surprise at the end

Dinner at Cagneys is so enjoyable with impeccable service starting off with drinks and bread, and a view out the window. when we go home and talk about our trip we always talk about dinner at Cagneys.

Today we went on the whale watching and seafood feast. This was another excursion we could have lived without. Hubby rates it at a 2.5/5. It was only 3 hours and we were done by noon so spent some time wandering the beach and forest trails, hanging out by the camp fire and riding on the lower (free) gondola. It was a lovely day despite the overpriced and underwhelming morning excursion.

Today was a glorious day weather wise with a beautiful setting in Icy strait point. we have been enjoying the great outdoors deck which they do not have on the larger boats. It has great views and we spend a lot of time there. This morning was no exception.

Yesterday’s daily

@Mizunosport the canvas painting looks fun and is now waiting list only so make sure to sign up early! It is $35. This is a pretty good price I’ve done these type of things for more at home. Maybe I will get to join tomorrow if there is a no show as I added myself to waiting list…. ps are you a golfer? Or what sport does your screen name represent?

Excursion review: Historical Floathouse And Boat Cruise From NCL this was a short excursion capped at 6 people. There were 4 of us. Sadly, we were surprised to be informed at the start that it was not a wildlife excursion but we might get lucky and see some wildlife en route. In good news we got an amazingly warm and sunny day. we sailed through the harbour, then to a house boat, took a look about it, and back to harbour. Tour ditched you there and it was up to you to find the shuttle back in your own. Advantage of this excursion - small group for myself, this was a dud. Kind of boring and definitely not worth $200 US. after the excursion and before returning to ship i did take advantage to go in to the small museum for $5 entry fee and learn about the log trade and history. buffet was thankfully still open on my return and a nice afternoon to lounge on the deck with a drink

Starting off the day a little nauseated, this time I blame after effects of the martini tasting yesterday, followed by high fat dinner at the Mexican restaurant. We were scheduled to go on the zodiac and big feast today, and I am neither up for a bouncing zodiac ride nor a feast so hubby went to talk to excursion desk and they were super kind and moved me to an alternate tour. Hubby can enjoy the bouncing waves without me while I take the safe option to learn about Sitka history. i have to say, the rocking is a real problem but I love this ship and we are having a great experience. The staff are so wonderful and the feel is so personable. It is super easy going and there are never lines for anything. I WAY prefer it to the Breakaway and Getaway.

@destar I hope you will post a live for the bliss when you go!

@YVRteacher ah yes I forgot you are going on Spirit! Yes I am thinking about the Jewel as I’m hoping it has the personability of a smaller ship but with better stabilizers. But looking for 2025, we got season passes for Disney so 2024 will be the year of Mickey Mouse lol! Looks like 2025 is not yet scheduled. Maybe we can meet up one day for arts club before then 😉

@YVRteacher just saw the Jewel passing us by near the Hubbard glacier viewing! lots of ice and fog, we did not get close enough to see the glacier, hope it goes better for you!

The gravol helped- made it to spa and now for a late breakfast. @Mizunosportjust pack your nausea meds.

Today’s daily

Ship is rocking a lot, hubby has gone on mission of mercy to get me a boiled egg from the buffet to go with my gravol. hoping that makes things better as I have a spa appointment this morning and then hopefully glacier viewing this afternoon. Tonight we plan to try out Los Lobos for the first time and then at the theatre There is a Dolly Parton tribute…. A full day of activities for this sea day if I can figure out how to conquer my body’s reaction to all this swaying.

Wishing you a wonderful tour so you can refill your energy and spirit! I will be curious of your experience on the Spirit as well as any excursions, as I am liking the more personable smaller ships and already planning my next Alaskan adventure. good luck with the last minute packing and with embarcation tomorrow!

Was this on the ship or in town? I want to try this!

They are identifiable and that would be cool to see ones that are on their migration which you saw elsewhere! The bubble feeding was super cool. we have more whale watching scheduled, I really want to see the orcas — we grew up watching them at the aquarium back when they were commonly in captivity and I love them so much, but I’ve never seen them in the wild, so hoping for that in Victoria or maybe icy straight point.

Yes @JeanKC I was worried when I saw that, as I was imagining a $500 tax bill for the trip if it was daily, so would have added up, but grateful to see it only in Seattle (so far). We could have kept the price down if we’d known by not ordering the most expensive bottle of wine with dinner as the tax is 10% on list price….

Once we got back yesterday from our excursion we headed over to spinnaker for a couple of drinks and to listen to musician Matthew. The bartender made an excellent old fashioned. after that over to Cagneys for an excellent dinner. Service was impeccable - swift, professional and personable. The sommelier recommended a different wine for us that we really enjoyed. We have two more reservations at Cagneys on this trip which I am looking forward to!! I’ll confess it was a lot of food and I struggled to finish, but which of these delicious things was I going to skip???

@Murt22 hubby had promised me a short write up and photos to share - let’s see if I can wrangle that from him today ;-). I can say he really liked it and did see more wildlife than I did, and I do feel a bit jealous as he was going on and on about the facts and info from the captain of the boat who seems to have been very experienced and knowledgeable. He also got better photos than me.