Bit of a blog - Radiance of the Seas – Alaska Cruisetour – July/August 2010

[wolfcathorse]

Have fun on Radiance, you'll love Captain Bjorn...he goes on vacation when you dock in Vancouver 8-13, so maybe he'll be going a little bit faster to get there! Let us know if you still see lots of whales in August there. Look for them especially at Icy St Point.

[MJN]

Linda,

Curious if you went up the tram to the top of the mountain there? We saw they have a tour of prince William Sound from there as well. Hope you have a wonderful cruise. Usually they have an area on the ship to get on the internet. Can't wait to see what you do in the different ports...........have fun........MJN

[Morecruisesplz]

Just back from our dinner at the Japanese restaurant in the hotel. Absolutely fantastic.

 

Soft shell crab hand roll

 

 

Black cod with miso sauce

 

 

 

What hotel Linda?

[AF-1]

wow, this is a fun thread; I love reading and looking at the pics. My best friend and his family are on this cruise.

[ganny3]

Linda, thank you so much for taking the time to share your trip with us. It is fascinating reading and I am getting so excited thinking this time next year it will be me.

[MJN]

Linda, Hope you are having a good time on the radiance and in the ports. Saw the Radiance on the webcam for both Seward and Juneau, also saw it was raining in Juneau, hope that isn't affecting your excursions. Can't wait to hear the rest of your review.

MJN :)

[Lynne95]

Hope this means you are just too busy, and having a wonderful time! Enjoy!:D

[vbmom87]

Hope this means you are just too busy, and having a wonderful time! Enjoy!:D

 

I think it means lack of internet connection.

[NorbertsNiece]

What hotel Linda?

 

Hotel Alyeska.

 

Hi everyone.

Explanation for my absence follows!

 

Thanks for posting the webcam pic Persnickety! I have a similar one. ;)

[NorbertsNiece]

I’ve been offline, out of internet access, for a while so you’ve a fair bit of catching up to do.

 

It’s been one long day. It’s now almost midnight.

 

We got up around 615 am to pack up both cases and head out.

 

The hotel provides a shuttle to the station so we made our way to the stop and sure enough just before 720 it arrived. There were others on their way to the station too as well as a gent with 2 bags full of laundry and a lady and her daughter heading to a store for supplies. I was concerned about arriving at the station in good time as the ticket said to arrive an hour before the train would arrive at 805 and we were already way late.

 

Well.

 

There is a stop with a covered shed for shelter at Girdwood station. That’s it. No little shop to buy snacks; no booking office; no toilets. Just this little building.

 

The train pulled up, coming around the mountain sounding its whistle. We were invited to board by name. We had dome tickets. Unlike RCCL they provide free coffee in the Dome. We also walked through a very well equipped buffet car. Seats were comfortable enough and there was an adequate commentary. Breakfast, on the other hand, was not as good as the RCCL car on the Wilderness Express; it was ok though.

 

The view was wonderful and we saw a moose!! :D

 

We arrived around 11am and the Kenai Fjords van was waiting for us. It’s raining steadily. We got our boarding passes at the office and headed for the catamaran. It was almost full. Found us a couple of seats on the upper deck. What a fabulous experience….. notwithstanding the nausea from the rough seas… and the effects of sitting on a frozen toilet seat!

 

We saw a whole of host of animals : sea otters, harbour seals, dall porpoise, horned and tufted puffins, murre gulls, steller sea lions, a cormorant….. highlights : mother and calf humpback whales and then a whole school or orca….. with a calf doing the jumping out of the water thing…… just magical. It helped that the rain stopped soon after we set sail. Lunch was included. Stop at a glacier was completely absorbing; bits of it broke off as we watched…. Little chunks of ice floating by the boat.

 

Due to our encounter with the orca on our return the shuttle buses are busy running people to the station to catch their train. I want to board. Exhausted, or as we say in the UK, knackered. A cab arrives to pick up some people but they have disappeared so I we jump in and take it to Radiance rather than wait. We go through security…… then ping! ping! our photos are taken and we’re on board…… we bypass the boarding souvenir photo line…. and head for our room. On the way I order a water package. I’ve completely forgotten to bring our own…and we standing right opposite a store in Seward too!

9256. I booked this room on March 21st 2009. I have that giggle in my throat when I head out to the balcony. It’s HUGE!!!!!

 

My GoGo scooter is there. Darran’s hired tux isn’t. Only one of our cases has arrived so we check to see which one it is….. it’s the one with my best clothes in…. but no shoes. No sign of our room steward and their phone number is not being picked up. I’m aware from previous cruises that he’s likely to be on a break at this time. We unpack THAT case and start a laundry bag off. Just then the 2nd case arrives along with our steward : Gerald. He’s very affable. I request the beds to be apart (do they not pass the info from the booking forms on?), the coolbox to be emptied, Darran requests an ash tray from the balcony and I enquire about the possibility of bath robes.

 

We head off to the dining room and arrive around 720. Maitre d’ makes a comment about needing time to eat before muster. We are sat by a window and I ask to have the same table for the future. He again makes some comment and disappears. I am not impressed. We have a wonderful waiter and assistant : Octovian and Sherlynn and we are served promptly and with loads of time before Muster. Seriously. All those queries about the time MTD takes…. We were in and out in 40 minutes. I had Vidalia Onion Tart….. that just gets better and better!, prime rib…..more rare than medium which is how I like it, and strawberry pavlova. Darran had hot and sour soup with prawns, pork medallions and ended with chocolate and cherry cake. Way too much food. How do people manage more than one of anything…..will get back to you on that is I believe escargot will be on the menu tomorrow!

 

Sailaway on our balcony…. Made it back just in time. Room service with hot chocolate, coffee and cookies arrived a while later.

 

And whilst I’m talking food….. no chicken drumettes. Now I won’t go as far as to say this vacation is ruined…. But no chicken drumettes! Come on RCCL…. I’ll happily do without those Auction people (I thought they had been exterminated or something??) in return for a plate of drumettes occasionally in my room.

 

Our room is the same as Jewel. There is definitely an unpleasant smell in the corridor which I reported to the maintenance dept before writing this up. More about this tomorrow. I’m aware of the plumbing issues so maybe my sense of smell is heightened. No outside balcony light. It’s dark out….. first time since we arrived in the USA.

 

I Love Lucy on the tv.

 

Welcome aboard show really good. Surprised Darran agreed to come to it and we both enjoyed it….. main act : Los Gauchos….. very funny and very talented though I’d be interested to know what Arlene Phillips or Len Whatsisname would make of their Argentine Tango.

 

It’s occurred to me belatedly that of course there’s no wi fi in the room so I can’t connect. I’d done the sign up thing on the way back from the theatre. Oh, and I’m getting better at driving the scooter which was fun after a large Baileys.

[NorbertsNiece]

The curtains have blackout drapes for those of you concerned about cruising Alaska during the long days.

 

Had a wonderful shower this morning….. I now understand the stories about the shower curtain! Darran’s tux was hanging on the room door. He tried on the shoes and they are too tight. We decide to return to the room after breakfast for him to try everything else on. Met some more people from our M&M which was lovely. We breakfast in the MDR and whilst it was nice to get a fresh fruit salad bowl I may try something a bit more adventurous than scrambled eggs and bacon tomorrow. The fruit juice wasn’t. In so much as it was coloured orange and had some flavor but was very weak. I refuse to pay extra for freshly squeezed.

 

We head back to the room after breakfast and the shirts and trousers also don’t fit. We head for the stated area for the tuxedo shop but there’s nothing there. A lovely employee called the tailor to come to us and he arranges to meet Darran back at the room with alternates. I head for Guest Services as there’s no invite to the M&M for us and I want to exchange the coupons for Internet credit. I can’t have the credit until I purchase a package. So am currently sat on Deck 5 in the Internet area trying to log on with my NetBook…. Limited or No Connectivity. Am not surprised. We’re in the middle of nowhere.

 

Some time later…..

 

Back from the Meet & Mingle. 34 people had signed up and 26 turned up….. not bad at all. I was happy to meet the stalwarts and put faces to the names. We had a large tray of canapés and soft drinks provided. Wendy, who is on the Cruise Director’s staff, organized introductions, took questions and then organized the raffle. Darran won a canvas shopping bag with an umbrella, document wallet and T shirt inside! I won a baseball cap. :D

 

The Hotel Director turned up and introduced himself. Turns out to be the gentleman who had helped Darran locate the tailor earlier. A Yorkshireman with a South African accent, John Denton is hospitable and sincere. He is accompanied by his Executive Housekeeper.

 

So…. as mentioned in yesterday’s blog….. a friend from the M&M is on deck 9 too…. They had no water in their toilet last night……. Seems to have been resolved….. actually I recall passing a maintenance man entering a room as I steamed by this morning……

 

We have entered Yakutat Bay and are heading towards Hubbard Glacier. The Captain is playing the theme from Titanic over the tannoy system. Darran went to the helipad to get a forward view but came back. It is very crowded and although he is well wrapped up is not enjoying his photography so he has returned and lunch has been ordered through room service.

 

I’m now sitting on our balcony. The sun is shining and we are lovely and warm back here. I wanted to write this as it happens as I’ll forget the awesomeness of what I am seeing.

 

We are at Hubbard Glacier. It is silent. Totally silent. Every so often a cracking, rumbling noise can be heard as the glacier makes a move, a gesture towards us. We’ve seen a large piece crash into the water that is Enchantment Bay. The ship is turning slowly, slowly, so that the port side can see the glacier close up. We are 600 feet away! We are nearly broadside now, the glacier towering above us. I am now sitting in shade and it is getting cooler. There are blues in the ice, some very deep, others far lighter, aquamarine, turquoise. There are shards pointing up into the sky. We are on deck 9….. the height is at least twice us if not more. Think Superman’s ice palace and you get the picture.

 

The skill of being able to manoeuvre so close …… breathtaking.

 

Lunch has arrived and I am sat on the balcony in a t shirt eating pea soup followed by honey stung chicken which I only ordered to report back…. It was dry. Sweet potato chips were ok. Darran had the turkey sandwich which he polished off.

 

We are turning slowly slowly, so the starboard side gets to be broadside to the glacier. I hope you’re reading this with an English accent… pronounced glass (rhymes with lass) – ee-er.

 

A huge chunk of ice just broke off….calving….. crashing into the water.

 

We’re now facing the other way and it’s seal city out there! They are ambivalent to our presence, chillin’, sunbathing, sliding in and out of the water. Seals and hot chocolate on a balcony in the sun in Alaska…… never, ever thought I would write THAT sentence!

 

The sun is now behind clouds and it is beginning to cool down. By the time we will be pulling away our photos won’t do it justice. Well mine won’t. Darran’s will hopefully be awesome.

 

As we pull away we are facing the glacier. A massive block comes away which precipitates more and more snow to cascade thunderously into the water; this goes on for some considerable time. I don’t know if Darran caught a picture of it prior to the breakaway but it was in an area with many horizontal stripes. It doesn’t look like that any more. Does the captain say each time that that’s the biggest calving he’s ever seen? Everyone is out on their aft balconies and applaud the display.

 

I have a nap….. a couple of hours worth…. I wake up to see Darran watching a Disney film with James Coburn and Nichelle Nichols set in Alaska and he’s muttering ‘Those aren’t Alaskan Huskies’ like an expert ;)

 

Formal night. We are promised to sit back with Octovian tomorrow. We sit on a large table with 3 others. I’m loving the savoury bites. I have escargots (2 portions….. they’re only little after all) and duck. No dessert. The decaf coffee is not good. Darran has lobster bisque, sirloin and double strawberry cheesecake. He eats everything. We head for the casino to spend our complimentary coupons. Darran wins a T shirt. The teller takes one look at him and says XXL. I don’t think Darran was too happy at that. They’re charging 3% to cash up there so I pass. Their loss. I’m a big loser casino-wise so they have done me a favour. I have small notes for room service tips until I get to an ATM that isn’t going to charge me for the pleasure of using it. I shall try out the ATM in the Guest Services area to see if there’s a charge there. I shall need cash for some of our excursions booked by email where they’ve said ‘Pay us when you get here’!

 

Tomorrow we are taking a helicopter up to Mendenhall Glacier with North Star trekking. We are being met at 1030 which is very civilized. I’m glad I only booked the shortest hike. I am confident my hip will manage this.

 

For those of you concerned about seasick pills….. this has been such a smooth ride. I’ve barely noticed any movement at all. Maybe this is unusual for Alaska, but I’m grateful!

 

We went to the ‘Original Drifters’ show tonight. I gather there are various groups going under the Drifters name. It was a good show but the highlight for me, as we were leaving…… was a waiter dancing to the music behind all the seats…. He was in his own world feeling the beat….. he took my hand and grooved along….

[NorbertsNiece]

It’s raining steadily. We have breakfast in Windjammer. Perfect. I get what I want when I want it and have good company. We are sat 2 tables from the Drifters and their support act. I try to get online to post the blogs for the last 2 days but there’s no net access.

 

I call North Star and they’ve not cancelled our 1030 flight yet so we head into town. It’s raining steadily and there’s no shuttle bus. I have decided that as I’ve been pain free for a few days to leave the scooter in the room for the day and manage without. It’s quite a walk in from where we are berthed. In the pouring rain. Maybe 20 minutes. Best advice I ever had….wear layers. We are warm and dry underneath our coats and REI water resist trousers. Hit the main street and find our guide who says the flight is now cancelled as it’s too dangerous at this time and to be back at 1215.

 

We head off to find an ATM and pretty much walk the town center in order to find one. We then go to the Red Dog Saloon for a drink. It’s a fabulous bar reminiscent of the old days with sawdust on the floor and a honky tonk piano player. Wonderful décor, friendly staff and great hot cocoa.

 

We pop into the gift store next door and a few other stores. There are some beautiful totem poles which could be shipped but I haven’t the courage to ask the price. Only small ones…. Would fit perfectly on my sideboard…. Oh well.

 

Call the helicopter firm again and they are refunding me my money. Sigh. Next best bit of advice….. thanks CC…. have a back up plan….. so we jump on the blue bus for $7 per person each way up to the Glacier that way. (The Mt Roberts Tramway is also shrouded in cloud). There’s a creek nearby and we spy salmon; there is also rumour of a bear in the area but we don’t see it. We pay an extra $3 for entry to the centre and to watch a 20 minute film. The view of the glacier is grey and cloud covered. There are blocks of ice floating on the lake and there are kayaks out there…..

 

Back in town I’m not feeling too strong and I wonder if there’s a shuttle to the ship. It appears that there is so we get on. Problem is, it’s not the shuttle for Radiance. It’s the shuttle for Rhapsody berthed further away from town. I had to explain to the driver why we weren’t getting off there and asked him to take us back to town. So we’re back at the shuttle area and the driver tells us to stay put and he goes to have a word with a neighboring driver. He then jumps back in and takes us to Radiance!

 

I’m back on the scooter. We have lunch in the Seaview Café which is deserted. We have clam chowder; I have a Reuben sandwich and Darran a tuna melt. We then head back to the room to fetch the Netbook and head to Windjammer for afternoon tea. Still no internet access. I head to deck 4 to raise this with guest services where I am promised a refund of unused credit. Apparently the internet may be back tonight. Or not. They’re working on it. I thenwait for the Explorations desk to open up so I can book our Vancouver…………. Darran just came running into the room ‘Bald eagle bald eagle bald eagle’…. Grabs his camera and out to the balcony again….. tour and then airport drop off. The TV system for bookng excursions isn’t working either. I pop on some shoes and go out on to the balcony….. HUGE bird sat on lamppost or something right nearby. I catch it with my binoculars…. Very regal looking…. And then gracefully it lifts off and sails off down the port side. Darran has some pics.

 

I’ve just picked up a network connection from the room but it’s not free so I regrettably pass on that.

 

We skip ‘The Piano Man’ Show. We have an early start in Skagway tomorrow with Dyea Dave and George Clooney is on the TV!

[NorbertsNiece]

Whichever direction an empty or near empty lift/elevator is going take it, even if it is heading in the wrong direction. You will get to where you want to eventually. Some people are very sweet but most ignore me and it. Am thinking about venturing out this evening without it….. no pain for a few days! Then again…. Maybe because I’m not weight bearing all is quiet on the hip/leg front As I’ve not been online for a few days I can’t remember when I wrote this…. Tine of writing is Sunday….. so maybe yesterday….

[NorbertsNiece]

Good Morning Dear United Kingdom Guest,

May, I have the pleasure of introducing myself. My name is Tony J. Fitzsimmons your Food & Beverage Manager from the seaside of city of Liverpool, England.

 

Seeing that we are shipmates from the United Kingdom throughout the cruise it gives me great joy to announce that I will organize three events especially for you.

 

I will host an English tea party in Portofino on August 10th at 3.30pm. Invitations for this event will be delivered to your staterooms.

 

On day 7, August 12th, we will hold two (2) galley tours at 10.00am and 11.00am. Invitations will be sent to your staterooms with the timing of your tour.

 

And last but not the least, I will also do a Maritime speech ‘Through my eyes for fifty one (51) years at sea’ on Thursday, August 12th at 3.45pm in the Colony Club. This event will also be announced in the cruise compass.

 

It is a great pleasure to have you onboard this beautiful ‘Lady of the Seas’.

 

Oh, by the way I am a Liverpool FC supporter, don’t laugh.

 

(signed)

[ddean52]

Good Morning Dear United Kingdom Guest,

May, I have the pleasure of introducing myself. My name is Tony J. Fitzsimmons your Food & Beverage Manager from the seaside of city of Liverpool, England.

 

Seeing that we are shipmates from the United Kingdom throughout the cruise it gives me great joy to announce that I will organize three events especially for you.

 

I will host an English tea party in Portofino on August 10th at 3.30pm. Invitations for this event will be delivered to your staterooms.

 

On day 7, August 12th, we will hold two (2) galley tours at 10.00am and 11.00am. Invitations will be sent to your staterooms with the timing of your tour.

 

 

 

Great work! Enjoy your special events!! You deserve!!!

Dean

 

And last but not the least, I will also do a Maritime speech ‘Through my eyes for fifty one (51) years at sea’ on Thursday, August 12th at 3.45pm in the Colony Club. This event will also be announced in the cruise compass.

 

It is a great pleasure to have you onboard this beautiful ‘Lady of the Seas’.

 

Oh, by the way I am a Liverpool FC supporter, don’t laugh.

 

(signed)

 

Great job. Enjoy your special events! You deserve!

Dean

[AF-1]

Other than the weather being so so, u seem to be having a good time. I have friends on your cruise; and I can't wait to see their pics. have fun with the other stops; and enjoy the tea, and galley tour.

[Lynne95]

Wonderfully narrated Linda! :D

 

Sigh.....someday, someday....:rolleyes:

[ddean52]

Wonderfully narrated Linda! :D

 

Sigh.....someday, someday....:rolleyes:

 

Linda,

D:)oing same cruise on Radiance on Sep 10.....great timing for your blog! Thanks.

Dean

[ddean52]

Linda,

Do you have any major complaints so far with the cruise? Ship, food, staff, ports?

Dean:eek::cool:

[firstimer2009]

My DH and I were on an Alaska cruise last year this week (boo hoo) so I am reading this post for the memories. We had fantastic weather in Juneau, actually a bit warm, but what made me laugh is probably that same bald eagle landed on our ship, too. It's probably trained by the cruise lines to do that. We happened to be outside eating when it happened. My DH went nuts and grabbed the camera and did get the best photo. He even uses it for his screensaver.

 

Thank you, Linda, for the great post! Hope you have blue skies and smooth sailing the rest of the trip.

[MJN]

We will be one deck above you when we cruise on Radiance next year, in 1104. We too booked ours about 15 or so months in advance. Glad to hear you were able to enjoy viewing Hubbard glacier from your balcony. That's what we were hoping to be able to do. Sorry to hear your helicopter tour was cancelled. That would have been lovely. Keep up to good job and have a great time.....by the way, we always order extras of the escargot too! They are really delish! :)

[ddean52]

We will be one deck above you when we cruise on Radiance next year, in 1104. We too booked ours about 15 or so months in advance. Glad to hear you were able to enjoy viewing Hubbard glacier from your balcony. That's what we were hoping to be able to do. Sorry to hear your helicopter tour was cancelled. That would have been lovely. Keep up to good job and have a great time.....by the way, we always order extras of the escargot too! They are really delish! :)

 

Do the same thing with escargot, extra bread for the garlic butter!

Dean:cool:

[cruisenfever]

Good Morning Dear United Kingdom Guest,

May, I have the pleasure of introducing myself. My name is Tony J. Fitzsimmons your Food & Beverage Manager from the seaside of city of Liverpool, England.

 

Seeing that we are shipmates from the United Kingdom throughout the cruise it gives me great joy to announce that I will organize three events especially for you.

 

I will host an English tea party in Portofino on August 10th at 3.30pm. Invitations for this event will be delivered to your staterooms.

 

On day 7, August 12th, we will hold two (2) galley tours at 10.00am and 11.00am. Invitations will be sent to your staterooms with the timing of your tour.

 

And last but not the least, I will also do a Maritime speech ‘Through my eyes for fifty one (51) years at sea’ on Thursday, August 12th at 3.45pm in the Colony Club. This event will also be announced in the cruise compass.

 

It is a great pleasure to have you onboard this beautiful ‘Lady of the Seas’.

 

Oh, by the way I am a Liverpool FC supporter, don’t laugh.

 

(signed)

Tony is a wonderful individual with a great sense of humor. We have had the pleasure of knowing Tony for the last 6 years and he always goes out of his way to make sure you are having a good time.

[cruisenfever]

Linda , if you go to the SeaView Cafe they offer a dish called Fins & Feathers. I believe it's the fins that are the drumettes. My husband will order a double portion of the fins because he loves them so much. You can order them and take them back to your cabin.

[Beach4me]

Enjoying your trip reporting! Have you come across the Portofino/Chops lunch menu yet? If so...details, please! :)

 

Enjoy!