Just off Regal Alaska 5/18 Sailing Part 2

[Ethel5]

Part 2

 

 

The 2nd and 3rd days were sea days and they were rough due to a cold front coming through. Many people were seasick and the dining room was about a third empty at dinner. Fortunately, we are hardy sailors and were OK with the rocking and rolling.

 

We did all the usual sea day things-shopping, casino, demonstrations, lectures and eating. Dalton the DGS kept busy in the kid's club and wasn't bored at all. We did buy him a soda card the first day which was 25.00 including the Coke cup. We did breakfast in the dining room one morning and the rest of the breakfasts and lunches at the Cafe del Sol on the sea days. Out wait staff in the dining room was excellent and we trusted his suggestions.

 

On Thursday late afternoon, I found my DD cabin being configured into a queen bedded room and asked the steward what was going on and DD was meeting us in Ketchikan. He said for me to check with the Purser's desk. I admit-I had a meltdown. This was a long planned family trip and their 9th anniversary to boot. Now before you start lecturing me on the benefits of arriving the day before, let me just say that sometimes you just CAN'T. They were coming from Arkansas and we flew in from Florida. We only get to see each other 2-3 times a year. Anyway down to the Purser's desk and I get the stock stuff about how they don't know anything and I should check with Gordon in the morning. Next morning I am on the phone with the Purser's desk and again getting the run around. Keep in mind that there is no cell phone service and I don't know if DD is still going to Ketchikan or not-the last I heard they were, but I don't know for sure. So I toddle on down to the desk and I met wonderful Phillip. A very handsome guy I might add. He explained that they had moved this couple into DD's room and when they get definate word that DD was in Ketchican, then they ould move the couple out as DD paid for the cabin and it is hers for the duration of the trip. In the meantime, I am e-mailing my TA back and forth and she was making cell calls to DD and word did come back on Friday that DD was already in Ketchikan. Later that afternoon, they did move the couple out of the cabin and the lady was not happy. I think perhaps the ship could have waited to be sure that the cabin was available before moving the couple or maybe there was a language gap-the couple spoke Italian.

 

Sometime during the night on Friday going into Saturday the seas calmed down and we had smooth sailing. Saturday was a chilly day and we docked in Ketchikan under drizzlely skies. DD and hubby and the 2.95 yo DGD was at the dock waiting for us. Phillip from the Purser's desk and an officer from the hotel department met them at the gangway and they were quickly aboard with luggage in tow. It was that fast!

 

We did shopping in Ketchikan and did a self booked tour until we sailed away at 2PM.

 

Juneau was the next port and it was sunny and warm-light jacket or shirtsleeves was fine. We did the Mendenhall Glacier tour and it was just as spectacular as the firts time. Both kids enjoyed it and the little one was well behaved. In the afternoon the DGD and I took a nap and the rest went up Mt Robert's tramway and actualy saw a bear on the trails. Great pictures with a telephoto lens!

 

Skagway was another warm day and we just went jacketless and had the little one with a light jacket. The shuttle from the ship to town was $1.50 and well worth it. DD and her Hubby did the dog sled excursion booked from the ship and they said it was great. I got to babysit and I loved it. We went shopping. Later in the day, the guys went panning for "gold". The grandson loved it and the older guys said it was fun but for kids pretty much. In the meantime, DD the kid and I went shopping-it's what we do best!! Fellow passengers kept stopping us to say how much they were enjoying my granddaughter!! Honest.

 

I can't stress enough how our waiter and headwaiter cared for the little one. She was very well behaved and didn't make a fuss during dinner. She is a good eater and ate off the kid's menu which offered spaghetti, chicken fingers, hamburgers, fish sticks and hot dogs. One night, DD asked if they could get Mac and cheese for the next evening-no problem.

 

The next day was Tracy Arm viewing the glaciers. It was chilly and a warmer jacket was needed. Funny thing about Tracy arm-the naturalist said they can only get to view it some of the time. The rest of the time the ship can't get near it due to icebergs blocking the Fjiord. My question is the why don't we go to College Fijord or Glacier Bay? The answer is that only so many permits are given during a season for environmental reasons. Tracy Arm is supposed to be the most spectacular, but if ya can't see it who's to know? So we didn't get to see the spectacular glacier. The scenery on the way there was awesome.

 

The next day was a sea day and the ocean was calm and everyone was enjoying the trip. The naturalist continued with his series of lectures and I enjoyed them. He was not the best speaker in the world but neither am I.

 

We went to Victoria, BC next and did shopping of course! My son is law went to a museum and he enjoyed it and took lots of pictures. Victoria is a very pretty city and the people are friendly. They do not have a large amount of US dollars so either use a credit card, carry a lot of small bills or be prepared to get change in Canadian dollars. Since were were there only a short time, we elected the CC route.

 

More later.

[3SDcruisers]

I'm waiting with anticipation for any more details you are going to share! Did you go in the gym? I've heard it's small. How was the internet access? Good connections? Which nights are our formal nights? How was the food?

 

Thanks, in advance.

[Ethel5]

Hi,

 

The gym is down on deck 2. It is small but it has weights, treadmill, sauna, steamroom. I got this from the male in the family-I didn't see it myself.

 

I guess I did go off on a side trip......

 

The room locatin is great. go further back and you go through a set of double doors and you have an almost private "back porch". We spent some time out there. Go up to deck 10 and forward and there is a bow facing deck that soesn't have too many people there. Washers and dryers are free but it's dollar each for soap and softner.

 

Food was generally good to better than good in the dining room. Cafe del Sol food was good too considering how many people they feed. They did theme days there-Italian, Asian, Mexican. Milk, Iced Tea and coffee are free. they also have free ice cream at 3pm each day.

 

Formal nights are the first full sea day and the day we did Victoria BC. We didn't see as many tuxes on this trip as we have ibn the past. Men were generally in suits and ladies wore everything from formals to Sunday best. Coctail dresses were the most popular. I didn't see too many teens but our kids ages were 2.95 and 10.

 

I guess you would classify this as an inside passage.

 

 

 

Keep asking questions-I'm a little jet lagged and go off on side trips!!!!

[3SDcruisers]

Thanks for more details. I love the tip about the "private porch". We just couldn't afford to do a mini-suite with the balcony, since this ship doesn't have a regular balcony room for three.

 

How was your room steward? Wonder if we will have the same one, or if they change around.

 

My men are bringing tuxedos. It's part of the fun - dressing up. We rarely do it at home.

 

What time was the early seating?

 

We are going to fish in Ketchikan, do Capt Larry whale watch in Juneau and kayak in Haines. We get Haines instead of Skagway. That's fine because we did Skagway two years ago.

 

Again, anything else you can think of....I'll be reading!

[Ethel5]

We didn't do any of the really active shore trips because of the kids and I'm an old ***t !!!

 

Our Steward was a small woman named Sandra. She did her job but nothing more and several times we had to ask her for clean glasses etc.

 

 

 

First seating was at 6:00.