An Alaskan adventure we won't soon forget - cruise and land tour - June 25 - July 7

[jmele999]

Day 6 - Behind-the-scene tour

 

My favorite place on the tour. I offered to keep an eye on the wine, but they graciously denied my request.

 

 

We also got a chance to see the room of a crew member. Most crew members share a room with 3 - 5 other people. This is a single room.

 

 

The crew members' mess hall and lounge. Crew members are allowed to drink onboard ($1 for beer or wine), but no hard liquor is served in the crew lounge.

 

 

[jmele999]

Day 6 - Arriving in Ketchikan

 

After the tour, we met up with the rest of our group for lunch by the pool. We also enjoyed the drink of the day - Stars and Stripes - half pina colada and half strawberry daiquiri, topped with blue curacao. It was very tasty and refreshing.

 

 

We arrived in Ketchikan shortly before 1:00 pm and spent a few minutes enjoying the parade and scenery from our balcony.

 

 

 

 

 

[jmele999]

Day 6 - Ketchikan - The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

 

The only excursion that we decided to book for Ketchikan was The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. We booked it through the ship ($35 per person), but you can also book it online. However, don't wait to book it when you get there as our show was almost sold out. The location for the show is two blocks from the ship and it is very easy to find.

 

 

The show started at 1:45 pm and as the name suggests it is based on lumberjack-style competitions between two teams:

 

The Canadian team

 

 

And the American team

 

 

The teams competed in a variety of events as shown below

 

 

 

[jmele999]

Day 6 - Ketchikan - The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

 

 

 

 

 

[jmele999]

Day 6 - Ketchikan - Creek Street

 

After the show we walked around town and visited the world-famous Creek street.

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, we did not get to see any salmon in the creek so you have to settle for the picture below.

 

 

Ketchikan is not only the southeasternmost city in Alaska, but also the salmon capital of the world and as such we took advantage of the opportunity and not only enjoyed lots of free smoked salmon, but also purchased some canned salmon.

 

 

[jmele999]

Day 6 - Ketchikan

 

Before the cruise, DP and I decided that we wanted to visit Totem Bright State Park, but unfortunately we did not get a chance to do it on this trip so here are some pictures from the Totem poles around town.

 

 

 

 

After walking around, DP and I were thirsty so we decided to go to a bar and enjoy some of the local drinks. I had the Bloody Mary with jalapeño pepper-infused vodka and DP had a cider.

 

 

Around 5:00 pm we decided to get back to the ship and for the last time board the beautiful Norwegian Sun (Day 7 is a sea day).

 

[jmele999]

Day 6 - Goodbye Ketchikan

 

We enjoyed happy hour at the great outdoors with a great view of Ketchikan. DP and I left happy hour early to get ready for our dinner at Cagney's.

 

 

During dinner at Cagney's I had to excuse myself because I could not pass on the opportunity of a beautiful sunset picture.

 

 

Dinner at Cagney's was as always great. The food was delicious and the service superb. I had the sea bass while DP had the filet mignon. The raspberry creme brûlée completed our meal.

 

 

 

By the time we made back to the cabin the sun was about to set over Ketchikan.

[jmele999]

Day 6 - Somewhere closer to Vancouver

 

We attended the 9:00 pm show that night showcasing high-energy performances by the Sun production cast. It was a great show, but the best part is the ending when they introduce the officers, staff and crew members. I always enjoy that part of the show.

 

 

 

 

End of Day 6

[jmele999]

Day 7 - At sea

 

 

 

[jenseib]

As usually loving it all.

I have a question..The red onion saloon...I know it's set up kind of like a brothel in theme...are kids allowed in there at all? We will have our 10 year old in there and I want to walk in and take pictures. I don't want to drag her in if it's a little too risque.

[FraudBroad]

As usually loving it all.

I have a question..The red onion saloon...I know it's set up kind of like a brothel in theme...are kids allowed in there at all? We will have our 10 year old in there and I want to walk in and take pictures. I don't want to drag her in if it's a little too risque.

 

It's not...took my 16 year old last month and it was fine. The girls dresses are "historic risque" so they are more clothed than typical teenagers are today! You daughter will probably get a kick out of going to a "saloon" with her parents!!!

[jmele999]

It's not...took my 16 year old last month and it was fine. The girls dresses are "historic risque" so they are more clothed than typical teenagers are today! You daughter will probably get a kick out of going to a "saloon" with her parents!!!

 

I agree with FraudBroad. My only concern would be some of the paintings over the bar of half-naked women. I would suggest that you go inside before bringing her into the saloon.

[jmele999]

Day 7 - At sea

 

Today was a very warm day and people started getting to the pool around 9:00 am. The pool deck was very busy all day.

 

 

The crew was busy preparing a special cookout for us including smoked salmon.

 

 

 

 

And it wouldn't be a pool party without some drinks.

 

 

We spent most of the afternoon around the pool either sleeping or just relaxing. It was a great day.

[jmele999]

Day 7 - At sea

 

We also spent part of the afternoon in our balcony enjoying the beauty of the inside passage, followed by bingo, and the second Latitudes reception.

 

 

 

 

After the Latitudes reception, which was held at 5:30 pm in the observation lounge, we all enjoyed our last dinner onboard at seven seas.

 

 

 

 

The dessert above is a coconut soufflé and it was not very good. I give NCL credit for trying to serve a soufflé in a main dinning room. The rest of the dinner was very good.

Edited July 24, 2015 by jmele999

[jmele999]

Day 7 - A beautiful sunset to end a wonderful cruise

 

After dinner we took a walk around the promenade to enjoy the beautiful sunset.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jmele999]

Day - 7

 

One of the saddest moments of any cruise is when you have to look over the forms below.

 

 

 

 

 

We finished packing up and went to the farewell variety show in the Stardust theater, followed by the quest adult game show.

 

After quest we went to the champagne bar for our last drink onboard. A rum cake martini (see below) for me and a French raspberry martini for DP - a great way to end a cruise.

 

Edited July 25, 2015 by jmele999

[jmele999]

Day 7 - Good night from the Norwegian Sun

 

And here are the saddest pictures of our trip.

 

 

 

[HackingVegas]

What time does embarkation start in Seward? I've never set sail so late in the day. Was it 9pm for you as well?

[bluecartakesacruise]

Day 7 - Good night from the Norwegian Sun

 

And here are the saddest pictures of our trip.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...psrj9bsyb7.jpg

 

 

Aww, sad indeed. Thanks for the terrific review, it took me back to our trip in May. Nice to see you guys are still living the dream. :)

 

John (from the Jewel)

Edited July 26, 2015 by bluecartakesacruise

[ourfamilylovescruising]

Great review Loved the pictures:)

[soaringfalcon]

Even the poor mouse looked sad! Always a tough day!

[LMD]

Hi - do you know what time you docked in Vancouver and what time people were able to start disembarking? Thanks.

[jmele999]

What time does embarkation start in Seward? I've never set sail so late in the day. Was it 9pm for you as well?

 

I think that you can board as early as 1:00 pm. We departed Seward shortly before 9:00 pm.

[jmele999]

Day 7 - Good night from the Norwegian Sun

 

And here are the saddest pictures of our trip.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...psrj9bsyb7.jpg

 

 

Aww, sad indeed. Thanks for the terrific review, it took me back to our trip in May. Nice to see you guys are still living the dream. :)

 

John (from the Jewel)

 

Hi John,

 

Thanks for stopping back. I heard that you guys also had a great time on your Alaska cruise.

 

Johan

[jmele999]

Hi - do you know what time you docked in Vancouver and what time people were able to start disembarking? Thanks.

 

We docked shortly before 7:00 am, and the first guests were allowed to disembark around 8:00 am.