Diamond Princess photo/video review Alaska

[Bimmer09]

Wow- you saw the whales video before even posted the link

 

 

I had real trouble keeping track of the tail flapping whale as (a) the boat was bobbing (it's a 7 person boat) and (b) the camcorder has no viewfinder- just an LCD screen that pops out the side and when the light hits it at a certain angle the screen grays out so I couldn't see if I was actually focused on the whale and just had to hold it in the general direction whilst trying to keep standing up in the boat.

 

Anyway I still have to show the Juneau photos even though the chronology is now compromised-but that's life in the big Glacier.

 

I'll put them up in the morning.

 

Norris

[MilliesMom]

Wow- you saw the whales video before even posted the link

 

 

I had real trouble keeping track of the tail flapping whale as (a) the boat was bobbing (it's a 7 person boat) and (b) the camcorder has no viewfinder- just an LCD screen that pops out the side and when the light hits it at a certain angle the screen grays out so I couldn't see if I was actually focused on the whale and just had to hold it in the general direction whilst trying to keep standing up in the boat.

 

Anyway I still have to show the Juneau photos even though the chronology is now compromised-but that's life in the big Glacier.

 

I'll put them up in the morning.

 

Norris

 

Norris ... I'm sorry. I had posted the main link the other day when the individual links weren't working. When I saw the whales were there, I had to go watch. Truly amazing.

 

I understand about the camcorder. I won't buy a camera without a viewfinder and they are getting harder and harder to find. Our camcorder doesn't have one but the screen is movable so that helps with the light. I'm going back and forth on whether to take the camcorder (40X zoom) or the camera/viewfinder with 30X Zooom. Hubby will also take his Nikon. I'm leaning towards the camera right now as I can do HD video with it also.

[Bimmer09]

 

In the summer months Alaskan ports are abundant with beautiful flowers (Anchorage being the King)

 



 

My mission ashore was to find a gift shop- if there was such a thing in Alaska (LOL) and buy some batteries and a fridge magnet of the town. There was a bear barring my way but I distracted him with some salmon left over from last night's dinner.

 



 

Across the street the Red Dog Saloon.

 



 

[Bimmer09]

Nice art on this Smart car....

 



 



 



 



 

[Bimmer09]

If you scroll back to the first photo of flowers, behind them you may make out

a row of red booths- there are about a dozen small booths where you can book a local tour if you haven't already done so.

 

After breakfast we went ashore to meet the Harv n Marv minibus to take us to the harbor a 25 minute drive away at Auck Bay, where we would join Capt. Tina on board the same boat we took with the late Capt. Tony a year prior. There is a toilet on board and some drinks and granola bars. Capt. Tina was very knowledgeable, fun and friendly and we enjoyed our two plus hours on the water. No rain.

 

We saw Mendenhall Glacier from out in the bay

 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

As I was using video only on the boat Carol took some photos which I will use here for flavor.

 

 

If you haven't been whale watching on a small boat before be sure to (a) visit the bathroom on dry land first (2) dress warm in layers (3) have full batteries and lots of space on your camera as you will take many photos and maybe not many good ones (4) a good pair of binoculars are good to have although they have some light 8 x 40s on a Harv boat. (5) tip the guide for the great work they do!

 

Once back in Auck Bay (spelling?) you go to Mendenhall Glacier for a 15 minute stop.

 

 

 

Most people on the mini-bus, from the Diamond and The Radiance were let off Downtown to shop but we carried on to the ship with the prospect of a hot meal (Pizza, knackwurst and fries) up on deck by the Neptune Pool.

 

After naps we headed up to Skywalkers where between 5 and 7 they have a snack buffet for Suites, Platinum and Elite cardholders. The servers there knew me by name as it was a favorite hang-out for a drink and a cigarette with a stunning view.

[Bimmer09]

 



 



 

[Bimmer09]

[Countrygirl44]

Norris, this one is also marked private. I have enjoyed your review so very much. It is sooooo interesting to read. the videos and the still photogrphy are amazing. DH and I both love Alaska! We would love to go back again, however, his health at this time would not enable him to go. We are reliving Alaska through your review. Thank you so very much!

[Bimmer09]

Norris, this one is also marked private. I have enjoyed your review so very much. It is sooooo interesting to read. the videos and the still photogrphy are amazing. DH and I both love Alaska! We would love to go back again, however, his health at this time would not enable him to go. We are reliving Alaska through your review. Thank you so very much!

 

Video is now Public.

 

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Monday night, after Ketchikan we dined in one of the four Anytime dining rooms-the Savoy and were seated near the entrance close to a Chef's Table in full swing, with Executive Chef, Jeremy Snowden cooking some dishes at the table on a hotplate.

 

I had my only poor dish of the week-a chicken Paillard, which lacked flavor and had a Chimmichuri "sauce" which wasn't a sauce at all....like some nasty salsa.

Ho hum. I made up for it with some excellent Fettucine Alfredo, a Princess staple. The waiter was just doing his job-a bit shy perhaps after I had challenged him on why it took 20 minutes for my bottle of wine to arrive from Sabatini's.

 

Tonight, Tuesday, after watching the Radiance of the Seas leave port (video may follow) from our balcony, we asked for a window table and were given a two-top with a fine view. It was here we met two waiters who to this date are our favorite combination of fun and efficiency- Siwa and Sadudee, both from Thailand. We would ask for the same table each night afterwards and they will appear in video towards the end of our cruise.

 

Next up...Radiance leaves port at dusk (video) then an early morning photo stroll in Skagway followed by an excursion to the Chilkat river, near Haines, with video.

 

Norris

[Assateague Island Princes]

Norris - many thanx for this wonderful review. I am a true Alaska fan, having been on four AK cruises, with my fifth coming up in 2014, and a land only 17 day trip coming up in less than 90 days (woo-hoo!). Because of this, I "troll" all the cruiseline boards after first looking at the Alaska boards. I had seen your thread several days ago, but noting the date, just assumed it was one I had already read. Little did I know - until this morning - that this was just a "late" review of last year's trip. I am now mesmerized, and a good hour has passed reading, watching videos and pouring over your photos. Thank you, thank you! Have atleast taken the edge off my Alaska fix for the day - so appreciated.

 

More please....:D

[Bimmer09]

You may well ask as this was the one cruise where I didn't make it to or through any of the shows. Being up so early and often not getting an afternoon nap (though Carol managed to) and having drinks and big dinners I was very tired and sleepy by show time and never saw Billy Highgate,the Cruise Director, perform which I regret as Carol thought him to be a fine song and dance man with a gift for comedy too. I did see his Assistant Dan doing the newlywed game in the Explorers lounge. A tall Brit with a free-spirited attitude and a quick wit although he wasn't one to edit himself (less is more). He commandeered one of those motorised scooters at one point and drove it down the aisles of the theater to hysterical acclaim.

 

Still, you can't do it ALL on a cruise and in Alaska I have to be up early.

 

I did attend karaoke and Princess Pop Star in Club Fusion quite a lot and went to see the Pop Choir on the last sea day as Carol was singing in it. She had to fit several rehearsals into her busy schedule. I also went to a show featuring the string quartet which played almost daily in the Piazza (in Explorers).

[shazz56]

After naps we headed up to Skywalkers where between 5 and 7 they have a snack buffet for Suites, Platinum and Elite cardholders. The servers there knew me by name as it was a favorite hang-out for a drink and a cigarette with a stunning view.

 

 

Hi Norris,

Love your review so much i dread it ending....

 

We are sailing in May on the Diamond Princess.... and as a smoker, was wondering if you can still smoke in the Skywalkers lounge?

Nothing like sitting, drink and smoke in hand in relaxing chairs watching the world go by ......

 

 

 

 

Cheers from 'Down Under'

 

shazz and bazz

Edited March 7, 2013 by shazz56

[Bimmer09]

Shazz and Bazz.....just follow the route I took in the video....starboard side by the windows, adjacent to the bar.

 

You will love it. Remember...5 to 7pm is Suite,Elite and Platinum Passengers only. They close the bar at 7 so go just before 7 if you are not one of the above and get a couple of drinks in, then you can sit with a cigarette as long as you wish. Once the bar staff left I had the place to myself, with a couple of fresh drinks (about $8 for a rum and coke)

 

Get a Clean Sweep bar card on your first day....

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Here is a video of a beautiful ship we met in some of the ports (Juneau, Skagway). When I first got the idea of Alaska cruising the first line I looked at was RCI (RCCL) as I had worked for them and was always proud in saying that.

 

More research though, led me to book the Coral Princess...and the rest is history. In 16 months I took 4 Princess cruises and became Platinum on my last cruise on the Ruby. (Suites count as two cruises)

 

It's 4 minutes of nothing much happening except a beautiful vessel leaving port.

 

To me it's exciting to witness.

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwbjcCPHubU

[shazz56]

Shazz and Bazz.....just follow the route I took in the video....starboard side by the windows, adjacent to the bar.

 

You will love it. Remember...5 to 7pm is Suite,Elite and Platinum Passengers only. They close the bar at 7 so go just before 7 if you are not one of the above and get a couple of drinks in, then you can sit with a cigarette as long as you wish. Once the bar staff left I had the place to myself, with a couple of fresh drinks (about $8 for a rum and coke)

 

Get a Clean Sweep bar card on your first day....

 

Cheers!

 

Norris

 

Hi Norris,

 

This is our first cruise with Princess and only a balcony --- so no late afternoon drinks and smoke for us then.

Not a big problem, i am sure i will fit in a drink or 2 (and smoke) before 5pm when we are at sea LOL

 

Is there any other bars besides the casino that is open at night to sit and enjoy a smoke with a drink? I am sure i have read about the Churchill room. We spent every night on our Queen Victoria cruise a few years ago, in the cigar room. Where "he who must be obeyed, NOT" took up smoking again!

 

What is a Clean Sweep bar card?

 

sharon and barry

[Bimmer09]

Get a card when you buy your first drink on board (ask for it if not offered). You get points (varies by what you order)...

Beer=1 point, bottle of wine =6 is the range. Every 30 points you get a new one and the old is put into a drawing (last sea day) Get your card drawn and Princess wipes your bar tab (a Clean Sweep). One winner only.

 

There is only Churchill's/Casino where you can smoke indoors with a bar unless you are at the 5 to 7 pm Skywalkers event (or the disco). In the daytime you could always go down to the aft pool bar and carry a drink back up to Sky...

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Already it is Wednesday August 22nd and here we are at our last port.

I was up early and watching the crew mop the decks as it had rained during the night. It was foggy when we reached Skagway harbor but that just made for more atmospheric photos.

 

As usual I had a very early breakfast in the Horizon Court buffet. Once the ship was tied up I would be going ashore to walk into town and see it before the crowds hit. There were already two ships in port- Norwegians Jewel and Pearl,still with their deck lights lit and following behind us, the Radiance.

 



 

The Radiance turned around before reaching the dock and reversed in. The next photo is taken from our balcony (not a zoom shot).

 



 

As usual in Skagway a couple of the photographers were dressed up as a gunslinger and a saloon girl from the Gold Rush days and another photographer was there to capture me posing with them as I disembarked. No obligation to buy and you can just say "no,thanks" if in a hurry. That night the gallery on board will have thousands of photos displayed for you to browse through.

 



 

 

[Bimmer09]

I set off on a brisk 10 minute walk into the town. I always walk fast but you can stroll and still get there. Some folks are in wheelchairs. There is a little local shuttle you can ride in but there is a small fee. I like to walk regardless.

Fresh sea air. Skagway is ringed by mountains and very steep roads and a railway climb out of the valley to take you up and away on excursions you won't ever forget. On our previous Coral trip we had taken a coach to Bennet Lake in Canada (Yukon) and went kayaking as part of an excursion. We rode back into Skagway in the caboose of the White Pass and Yukon railway, winding our way down the mountains in misty drizzly weather. It was an amazing trip

which is still vividly etched in our minds.That train parks beside the ship waiting to take you away.

 



 

A restaurant where they specialize in fish and chips (think Halibut and drool)

 



 

There were about 11,000 passengers and 4,000 crew in port so the streets were mobbed....

 



 



 

[Countrygirl44]

Here is a video of a beautiful ship we met in some of the ports (Juneau, Skagway). When I first got the idea of Alaska cruising the first line I looked at was RCI (RCCL) as I had worked for them and was always proud in saying that.

 

More research though, led me to book the Coral Princess...and the rest is history. In 16 months I took 4 Princess cruises and became Platinum on my last cruise on the Ruby. (Suites count as two cruises)

 

It's 4 minutes of nothing much happening except a beautiful vessel leaving port.

 

To me it's exciting to witness.

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwbjcCPHubU

Norris, this one is also marked private. Loved the photographs of Skagway. I love all the Alaska ports, however, it is close as to my favorite, Skagway or Ketchikan.

[Bimmer09]

Radiance video is now public.

 

Please try it again.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

More Skagway pics. Pics of Diamond and Radiance stern to stern.

Ferry to Haines. HAL Westerdam in Haines. Eagle watching excursion on the Chilkat River and lord knows what else.

 

Stay tuned.

 

Norris

[CruisinLow]

Radiance video is now public.

 

Please try it again.

 

Norris

 

Sorry Norris. still cannot view the latest video of the Radiance. Can you please post the link again? thanks

[MGnut]

Radiance video is now public.

 

Please try it again.

 

Norris

 

"This video is unavailable"

 

But I'll keep trying :) They are too good to miss.

 

MGnut

Edited March 9, 2013 by MGnut