SPIRIT to ALASKA May 8 - 15 Review ... LOVED IT!!!

[Lovharvey]

Lambie, was there any way for them to know that a train was stuck before they let another train go up there? If there isn't, seems like they need something in case there is a worst problem. Skagway is where I bought a jacket that I love. Wish I had bought more things because since we went in Sept., one of the last for the season, everyone was trying to make as much as they could before they had no more ships coming in until the next yr. Lots of good sales, 1/2 price or less.

Wish I could do the Sept cruise, but, just not enough vacation days left, but, I will be there for the weekend, so will get to see you, Nana and meet Mary.

Once again, I want to say, how good your pictures are. Hope the ones I take tomorrow come out half as good.

[LambKnuckles]

One song was sung and signed. Jay...

 

 

Our DJ and Karaoke host, said in all his years, he had never had a song signed in Karaoke!

 

 



 

 

We closed the bar and off to sleep, before Ketchikan on Mother's Day!!

 

[LambKnuckles]

Gorgeous pictures! I can't wait to see more!

 

THANKS!!! I'm uploading them day by day and getting to stories written... I'm glad you're enjoying them!!!

 

OMG...you are SO BRAVE. I keep thinking of that book I read to my boys when they were little: The Little Engine That Could. I think your attitude is just awesome. As much as I want to see Alaska, after looking at that excursion I am thinking of the white sand and turqoise water and umbrella drinks in the Caribbean! :eek::confused: This is such a treat to read! Thank you for sharing all this with us!

 

I don't blame you in your live of sand, sun and warm!!! But I LOVED this cruise. I really did!! ...and I'll do it again, in a heart beat!!!

 

The train trip was amazing. It was interesting and I do think we should always enjoy and be a part in what's happening... THANK YOU!!!

 

I know many cruisers to Alaska who say they never wore more than a Sweatshirt! But... I have photos that show SNOW deeper than I am tall, too!!!

A good friend of mine business card is on the wall at the Red Onion.

 

You didn't say he or she... hummmm... Hummmmm... There are a lot of business cards... ;)

Edited May 26, 2012 by LambKnuckles

[LambKnuckles]

Lambie,

Loving the review. We did this cruise the last part of August last year. We took the bus into Canada and the trail down and went to Liarsville for a Salmon bake. Re living our cruise through your review and loving the pictures.

 

I'm glad you're reading it and enjoying!!! I would have LOVED salmon bake... we saw slides of that excursion during Stu's talk.

 

Sounds like a relaxing night for you~ pictures of the town remind me of the show Northern Exposure which I loved. Where's the moose? :confused:

 

I felt the same way in parts of Alaska... I looked for a moose walking down the street!!! I loved that show!!!

 

I love the blue tints in the snow drifts in this pic, and the faraway looking bridge.

Nice shot!

Soooo enjoying this review!

 

The clouds were so thick... it really added character to the photos. THANK YOU!!!

[LambKnuckles]

I'm loving your review too! Even though I loved my excursion with Dyea Dave I have to say your train ride looks amazing. Now I wish I had done both. We saw a lot of snow as well, but your shots from the train are amazing. I can see why a train got stuck.

 

I remember that cold wind when walking back to the ship in skagway. Brrrr!

 

We did some shopping in skagway as well. A tip to everyone, make sure to take the coupon book with you that is left in your cabin. I was so deluged with paper stuff everyday (and eager to get out on the excursions) I forgot to bring it with me. Hardly looked through it. Only when I was wanting to buy stuff like an Ulu did I recall seeing I could have got the better one for quite a bit cheaper - I remembered then but didn't want to run back to the ship for it.

 

This was my first cruise to Alaska too, and I'm glad I went early season. Not only for the savings but because as far as I'm concerned, if you are going to alaska you might as well see snow.

 

THANK YOU!!! I meant to remind follks to take their coupon books!!! They did have some frfee offers and some discounts that were helpful!!!

 

When we were in the Seattle Terminal, they gave each of us a coupon booklet. AND, in Skagway, the first store, The Skagway Mining Company gave me a different one too! I loved many of the coupons for those typical souvenirs, Tshirts, caps, key chains, even little bottles of gold flakes...

I find most cruise food to be too rich.:o

 

It really is food, I wouldn't cook at home or eat day after day... But I enjoy it for the week on board... and there are times, when a salad and some breead is PLENTY!!!

 

Once again, love your photos! Chopsticks was my go to place for lunch too.

 

Did you try the sushi at the little sushi station (not on lido, on one of the lower decks)?

 

I ate at Chopsticks MANY days!! SO enjoyed it!!

 

I didn't eat any sushi on this cruise. But I did see the sushi station on Deck 2 forward. I just wasn't hungry when I walked by and it was open. We were Early Seating and the Sushi Bar opened at 5 and closed at 8:15... more for late diners...

[LambKnuckles]

Lambie, it rained on us in Juneau in August and that was probably the coldest day for us but we still had fun shopping.

 

So I guess the weather is unpredictable there as in most places... but rain is frequent from what I learned!!!

 

I have a whale watching photo safari booked for Juneau on the 23rd of June...I'll be one sad soggy camper if that's our most cold/wet day. I was sort of "counting" on Ketchikan for that! ;) Oh, well. It's a vacation either way I suppose.

 

I understand that's the one they refund your money if you don't see a whale. I think they saw lots of whales on that one from our cruise. It would be a great excursion!!!

 

I LOVED Ketchikan!! Maybe it was because it was our sunniest... But I did love Ketchikan!!

Lambie, was there any way for them to know that a train was stuck before they let another train go up there? If there isn't, seems like they need something in case there is a worst problem. Skagway is where I bought a jacket that I love. Wish I had bought more things because since we went in Sept., one of the last for the season, everyone was trying to make as much as they could before they had no more ships coming in until the next yr. Lots of good sales, 1/2 price or less.

Wish I could do the Sept cruise, but, just not enough vacation days left, but, I will be there for the weekend, so will get to see you, Nana and meet Mary.

Once again, I want to say, how good your pictures are. Hope the ones I take tomorrow come out half as good.

 

The train that got stuck was about two miles ahead of us and would take the passengers farther into Canada and the Yukon. It was the one that you needed to take your passport because you'd get off in places... It was about 15 minutes ahead of us and clearing the track for the day!

 

The shopping in Skagway were great! I'm glad I bought things there. The port is a longer stop. So there's PLENTY of time!!!

 

When I go again... I think a Sept cruise to Alaska will be a fun one to take!! As we talked to clerks, many of them were just setting up their stores and inventory. We were their first ship, except in Ketchikan, where we were one of three in port.

 

I hope you LOVE your new camera!!! ENJOY!!!!

[musicgal]

Lambie- loving the pictures. As you can see- I'll be there in a few days... question???? Was the aft bar (fantail, serenity) open during the day? Hot tub open out there?

[kerrytens]

I, too, have to add my kudos for this review. Thank you so much for taking the time to post everything for us. Your photos are wonderful!!!

 

Thinking an Alaska cruise may have to be added to the ever growing cruise bucket list:D

[Poseidon Patty]

Hi, Lambie! Paris, here ;-) We did the whale watching cruise in Juneau, and it was awesome. They had a great buffet lunch for us, as we watched for whales. The staff on the boat are well trained to spot whales, and we saw bunches of them. This excursion is easily worth what you pay for it.

[billsrobb]

THANKS!!! I'm uploading them day by day and getting to stories written... I'm glad you're enjoying them!!!

 

 

 

I don't blame you in your live of sand, sun and warm!!! But I LOVED this cruise. I really did!! ...and I'll do it again, in a heart beat!!!

 

The train trip was amazing. It was interesting and I do think we should always enjoy and be a part in what's happening... THANK YOU!!!

 

I know many cruisers to Alaska who say they never wore more than a Sweatshirt! But... I have photos that show SNOW deeper than I am tall, too!!!

 

 

 

You didn't say he or she... hummmm... Hummmmm... There are a lot of business cards... ;)

 

It was a guy. He and his wife were on the March cruise.

[carnivalcruiser10]

One song was sung and signed. Jay...

 

 

Our DJ and Karaoke host, said in all his years, he had never had a song signed in Karaoke!

 

 



 

 

We closed the bar and off to sleep, before Ketchikan on Mother's Day!!

 

 

She song for ASL???

[LambKnuckles]

Lambie- loving the pictures. As you can see- I'll be there in a few days... question???? Was the aft bar (fantail, serenity) open during the day? Hot tub open out there?

 

THANK YOU and YES!! The aft is the Serenity Deck, on the Lido Deck, and it was alwys open, rain or shine. Even when the other decks were closed for back weather and winds, the Serentiy Deck was open... at least when I tried!

 

And there is a hot tub and towels were available. The pool was open in the day, as was the bar. But late at night and in the mornings, the bar was closed.

 

That hot tub was almost always in use. ...as most of them were. During the Tracy Arm cruise up and back, there was always someone in there and many taking photos of them in the hot tub, with the glacier and snow behind them!!

 

I, too, have to add my kudos for this review. Thank you so much for taking the time to post everything for us. Your photos are wonderful!!!

 

Thinking an Alaska cruise may have to be added to the ever growing cruise bucket list:D

 

THANK YOU! I know how it is to read a review and just want to be there someday!!! Alaska has always held a special place to me! It's so vast and still wilderness... But harsh and cold, too!!

 

I actually enjoyed all the weather. For the stories and the adventure! Not that I would want to be cold and be there always... But, the whole newness of the experience! And from a cruise ship... I can't imagine doing it differently. I would always be able to head back to the ship, or indoors from the outside and find a cup of coffee or a dinner fit for royalty, with no work on my part! What a life!!!

Hi, Lambie! Paris, here ;-) We did the whale watching cruise in Juneau, and it was awesome. They had a great buffet lunch for us, as we watched for whales. The staff on the boat are well trained to spot whales, and we saw bunches of them. This excursion is easily worth what you pay for it.

 

Paris!! THANK YOU for adding comments about the whale watching tour!!! I'm glad you could say more!! I really would have loved to see more whales... or see more of the whales I saw... and I think this tour would have done that!!!

[LambKnuckles]

It was a guy. He and his wife were on the March cruise.

 

I'm so glad they could enjoy Alaska!! It really is a great cruise!!! ...and knowing his card is at the Red Onion... I'm sure he loves to tell stories!!! :)

 

She song for ASL???

 

Yes, Taylor, they lady knew ASL and wanted to sign as another lady sung. It was truly a wonderful thing!!! She only did one song, and they BOTH were fantastic!!!

 

:cool:

 

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OK... I should get Ketchikan up today!!! Cross your fingers... I have church and some chores, too -- and of course, NASCAR to watch... ;)

Edited May 27, 2012 by LambKnuckles

[carnivalcruiser10]

Yes, Taylor, they lady knew ASL and wanted to sign as another lady sung. It was truly a wonderful thing!!! She only did one song, and they BOTH were fantastic!!!

 

:cool:

 

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.

.

.

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OK... I should get Ketchikan up today!!! Cross your fingers... I have church and some chores, too -- and of course, NASCAR to watch... ;)

 

oh that great she deaf on cruise.....

[Cindy]

Great job, Lambie! I love your pictures.:D

[billsrobb]

I'm so glad they could enjoy Alaska!! It really is a great cruise!!! ...and knowing his card is at the Red Onion... I'm sure he loves to tell stories!!! :)

 

 

 

Yes, Taylor, they lady knew ASL and wanted to sign as another lady sung. It was truly a wonderful thing!!! She only did one song, and they BOTH were fantastic!!!

 

:cool:

 

.

.

.

.

.

 

OK... I should get Ketchikan up today!!! Cross your fingers... I have church and some chores, too -- and of course, NASCAR to watch... ;)

 

Yes he does Lambie.. Don't forget to wear Red today at Church..

[belkin]

Lambie, you are doing great!!!!

[LambKnuckles]

We really did have fun closing the Karaoke bar...

 

Let me post some extra photos:

 

Jay is a GREAT DJ!! His favorite comment: "ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!"

 

There's something "magical" about this photo...

 

 

And we had some fun too!!!

 

 

...and Duck Farts... too... my down fall...

 

 



 



 

[LambKnuckles]

 



 

And, when they sang a Love Song... They asked all couples to get up and sing or dance... Well... i tapped Jay, and we sang and danced!!!

 

 

I wandered around the ship... I love the vases they have at each elevator landing... Here are my fovorites. They are pieces of art!!!

 

This one reminds me of a cool glass of beer...

 

...and this one just makes me smile...

 

And this one is just graceful and elegant!

 

There are MANY -- but I gleaned it down to three...

 

 

[silverfoxcruiser]

Lambie - Thank you for putting all this effort and energy into a GREAT review. Love all the pictures!! Silver

[LambKnuckles]

Arriving into Ketchikan... 7:00AM...

 

What a GREAT DAY!!! What a blue sky and WONDERFUL day!!!

 

After yesterday's sailing to Ketchikan, and the storms on the shore...

 

 

 



 



 

 

It's Sunday and it's MOTHER'S DAY!!!

 

As you saw... we're not the only ship in port! The Celebrity and the Radiance of the Seas is also here... This makes the stores and the port a bit more crowded and we're the last to arrive and the first to leave... SO Let's get this day started!

 

Being Sunday, I looked out and saw a steeple...

 

[LambKnuckles]

 



 

 

There goes one of my Roomies... off to her excursion of the Deadliest Catch!!!!

 

 

Hummm, it's 7AM and maybe that's a church with an early service... So off I go to find out...

 

Yep... it starts at 8:30... St. John's Episcopal... That works!!!

 

But first, all the stores are open and the sights are wonderful!!!

 

 

[LambKnuckles]

 

 

 

Now... off to church...

 

It's a beautiful church and service. During Passing of the Peace the priest asked if there were visitors... Five of us raise our hands and he asks us to introduce ourselves. One couple is from Florida, I'm from Texas, and another couple, in a beautiful accent, tells us they're from Italy!!! What a diverse group...

 

Here are a few shots of some of their stained glass windows...

 

 



 

[LambKnuckles]

After church... and I don't know if it's ironic or just being a tourist... but it's off to Creek Street...

 

 



 

Where...

 

... found their home and employment...

 

It's a great area and has lots to see, places to shop, and things to read!

 

 

 



 

 

[LambKnuckles]

 

 

 

 

 

But, I don't forget to look up...