Mtn Mom

Byron Glacier - Seward Hwy

Northwestern Glacier - Kenai Fjords

Wildlife Conservatory Park

South Sawyer Glacier

Glacier Bay

Davidson Glacier

Just a taste as to why we love Alaska

We got off her June 29th and as "THELOO" stated earlier Statendam has the "Dive-In". Tried the Back-Flip (Chicken with avocado sauce) and it was great but make sure you take extra napkins little messy eating.

Have a great cruise!

Just got off Statendam on June 29th. I consider her condition the same as I consider myself, getting older with bumps bruises and no longer in perfect condition. But I keep clean and only so much I can do with the rest of the issues. I saw the crew constantly cleaning and taking pride on the Statdendam. Did I find rust and flaws yes, but in Alaska those are so easy to overlook when you are in such beautiful surroundings and spending time on deck enjoying the views. We had rain and didn’t see any buckets or fans in the places we visited. I did see a few public bathrooms which had out of order signs, but the next time I saw them, they were working. Even a clothes dryer was out of order and quickly saw workers remove it, repaired and returned dryer. My stateroom bathroom worked fine, had hot water, and air conditioning worked too well for me, but an extra blanket solved that. But I am always cold.

I am so thrilled to see a review from the ship we will be sailing on late summer!!! I am sorry to swamp you with questions, but I''m starting to get a little anxious not knowing some things.

 

1. Did you do North or Southbound? Southbound

2. Where were the rough seas? Was it typical or related to a weather event? Rough (but depends, I'm sure on weather, which we had rain that day) but I am not to prone for motion sickness and just ate green apple and crackers or drink ginger ale, calm inside passages. Always be prepared for rain.

3. In Haines, what do you think our chances are to make the 1st run on the fast ferry?(fast or slow getting off the ship?) disembark was quick --just be down and ready to go. We didn't use ferry we took the Wilderness tour to Davidson Glacier which was awesome!

4. We are considering, with a good price, an upsell if it were to come, to a balcony. Did you have one and how much time would you use it there? On our first cruise we had a balcony and didn't use it much. We choose one on the lower promenade deck near atrium where we had quick access to either side of ship. We only slept and showered and spent rest in open areas or outsides, and if I wanted to peak outside at night I had a window to do that with. Cost of Balcony wasn't worth it for us where others may disagree, but if I would have been given a chance to upgrade I would of considered depending on cost otherwise spend $ for shore excursions.

5. Did you think port or starboard was a better choice for rooms? We had port going south, although we didn't see much shore on open sea, and when in the inside passages you had views on both sides. IMO I don't think it really matters which side.

6. Did you dine in the PG? Thoughts? Didn't do PG. We go to Alaska to see the sights and don't want to miss out with 2+hr dining. We did some MDR and mostly Lido. DH is picky and in LIDO he can see what he is getting before he gets it and if it is something he likes can go back and get more. He also likes Salad bar and can make his own salad. Know others like the dining experience and I say for those PG I hear is great.

7. How did you get to/from Seward to Anchorage? We came in early to Anchorage, had a car rental one day and drove part of Turnagain Arm, then took train down to Seward (highly recommended for exceptional views (we had good weather) there is part of that where no roads go and the only way to see it. Then visited Exit Glacier, and took Northwestern tour, and Kenai Fjords tours. My recommendation is the 9 hour Northwestern for views and wildlife. Then Boarded cruise in Seward and ended in Vancouver.

 

Thank you!!!

Becky

PS Wished I could still be there!!! Bare with my replies since I am new at doing this and knowing how to reply.

Krazy Kruizers is correct there is no Northern Lights "Room" (which I didn't know there was any room called Northern Lights) but there was entertainment in AK cruise called Northern Lights which "celebrates the beauty and grandeur that is Alaska".

Thanks to all you wonderful CC's and your thoughts on various threads that helped in planning our cruise.

This was only our second cruise sailing with our first on Ryndam and this one on Statendam, sadly both are leaving the fleet. Love the small ships.

Those sailing Statendam soon will find wonderful staff and ship. We had no problems with plumbing, able to have hot showers, and AC worked too well for me in AK (could of had more heat) but blankets work. Food was always plentiful as well as variety.Dive In was implemented. Entertainment in the Showroom was great with great Singers and Dancers performing a musical adventure in Northern Lights, Jeff Peterson and Indy the Magic Dog, the marriage game, comedy of Mike Robinson, Indonesian Crew show, Rockin Roadhouse, and Dancing with the stars.

We had rain, sun, rough seas, calm seas. (learned green apples and crackers help with rough seas as well). Not normally affected by seasickness and these took the edge off. And those who have never been to AK will find beauty in whatever the weather. Attached Glacier Bay picture. (just coming into view of Marjorie Glacier in Glacier bay).

Thanks again CC's.

Amsterdam by South Sawyer Glacier