Hitchhiker’s guide to cruising - Serenade Live

[Tree_skier]

54 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

 

 

On the ship you wear them when walking around but as soon as you are seated with a drink no masks required regardless of what venue you are in.  

Just as a note I think this has contributed to my beating the daylights out of the DBP.  I don’t not have a drink in my hand at any time.  

[Tree_skier]

Some closeups for the 🐝of the Windjammer

 

 

[Tree_skier]

A few more pics from ISP and Hoonah. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the future is bright for Icy Strait point with all the development they have actually underway. I’m looking forward to returning and experiencing all it will offer. 

 

 

one last look at Serenade in all her glory. 
 

We lucked out today weather was much better than expected. It was a truly glorious Alaska day. 

[Tree_skier]

Forecast is dire for tomorrow. Gale force winds and rain in Juneau. I’m praying we get lucky again. 

[Saab4444]

6 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

I do, I’ve just been lazy.  I’ll try and get them out this afternoon.

Who is the Captain on your cruise? Thanks and have a great trip!

[Missusdubbya]

4 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

Forecast is dire for tomorrow. Gale force winds and rain in Juneau. I’m praying we get lucky again. 

Fingers crossed! That famous liquid sunshine 😁. Thanks @Tree_skier for the wonderful photos, ISP looks the same as when I saw it in 2017 (except for the gondola signs)

[A&L_Ont]

5 hours ago, Missusdubbya said:

Fingers crossed! That famous liquid sunshine 😁.

 

Agreed, let’s get that sun out and some king crab legs on the pier. 

 

 

[A&L_Ont]

13 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

Sorry @A&L_Ont, I failed the weight test for the zip rider. To many Long Island ice teas apparently. It might be the ice cream as well.

@Tree_skier, I’ve found that scales lie.  That’s my story. 😁 
 

Sounds like you enjoyed your stop at ISP.  We were there a few years ago with the family, and my mother in-law was there maybe 6 years previously.  She noticed many changes, and I even have with the photos you posted today. We had a 20 minute bus ride to the top of the mountain for the zip down.  The gondola up will be quick, but one will miss out on seeing the town and the funny banter from the driver. 
 

This community has turned into a well oiled machine, thanks to the cruise line. They are their own private island, so to speak. 
 

Now, if you had posted some photos of the lobster bisque from their restaurant I would have been really sad. 

Edited August 27, 2021 by A&L_Ont

[sgregel]

I am thoroughly enjoying your review!  I'm on this sailing 9/6.  It's my first cruise to Alaska, and I'm very excited.  I'm a little nervous about the weather, but I hope to be prepared.  I'm bringing a rain slicker and waterproof ankle boots with good tread per the suggestion from another post.  

 

Do you have to wear a mask in the casino?  I'm hoping there is no smoking in the casino given the Covid restrictions.

 

Thanks so much!  Enjoy your cruise!

Sandy

[Tree_skier]

13 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

Who is the Captain on your cruise? Thanks and have a great trip!

Capt. is Capt. Stig Nilson

I met him briefly yesterday while waiting for an elevator. We spoke for just a moment. I have a Norwegian heritage so we spoke about that. He was quite personable. 

[Tree_skier]

2 hours ago, sgregel said:

 

Do you have to wear a mask in the casino?  I'm hoping there is no smoking in the casino given the Covid restrictions

You do not have to wear a mask in the casino but there is definitely smoking in the casino

 

We have lucked out on the weather so far. Today is the only one that is dodgy so far. 

[Tree_skier]

Sorry for no update last night. I finished dinner and then went up to the room for a bit before I was going to head to the casino and later another round karaoke. I ended up falling asleep on the couch. So nothing to tell about last night at all

 

This morning I woke up to ice floes in Endicott arm. 
 

We got to the glacier but could not see a thing because of the heavy fog. Capt Stig apologized for not controlling the weather. 
 

The ride up Endicott arm was amazing. We watched from our  room until we got to the glacier. We had breakfast at Chops while we did the rotation at the glacier but there we nothing to see. we watched the return trip out of Endicott Arm from the top decks. It wasn’t raining and wasn’t to cold. 
 

Lunch will be main dining room and then we get into Juneau for a whale watching tour and bus ride to the Mendenhal Glacier. Because of an oncoming storm we have to leave Juneau 2 hours early. That’ll cut into our excursion a little but hopefully not to much. 
 

A few pics from Endicott Arm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Saab4444]

20 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

Capt. is Capt. Stig Nilson

I met him briefly yesterday while waiting for an elevator. We spoke for just a moment. I have a Norwegian heritage so we spoke about that. He was quite personable. 

Best Captain of all! 

[newmercies]

Thank you for sharing your pictures.  Sorry you are getting a shortened day in Juneau. The weather does look a little gloomy.  We're watching the webcam for the first sight of the ship coming into Juneau. I hope your day goes well.

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, Tree_skier said:

Capt. is Capt. Stig Nilson

I met him briefly yesterday while waiting for an elevator. We spoke for just a moment. I have a Norwegian heritage so we spoke about that. He was quite personable. 

 

1 hour ago, Saab4444 said:

Best Captain of all! 

I was going to say that too. Years ago when we did the southern Caribbean on Serenade, Stig was the captain. He made that trip so memorable. When we departed St. Lucia he brought us down to the Pitons, right between them he did a 360 turn then we sat there with an amazing sunset and stayed there until dark.

 

On the last day at sea, as we passed various islands he anounced the name and gave us a brief history of each. When we got to Montserrat he brought us up close, practically stopped the ship and gave us a chance to really take in the destruction that the volcano did with its eruption.

 

I will never forget him as the Captain for that cruise. 

[livingonthebeach]

19 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

Some closeups for the 🐝of the Windjammer

 

LOL! The 🐝 must be stinging mad as a hornet after seeing your WJ pics. 

[Bailey & Sophie]

13 hours ago, sgregel said:

I am thoroughly enjoying your review!  I'm on this sailing 9/6.  It's my first cruise to Alaska, and I'm very excited.  I'm a little nervous about the weather, but I hope to be prepared.  I'm bringing a rain slicker and waterproof ankle boots with good tread per the suggestion from another post.  

 

Bring a hoodie and gloves. I made a fleece ear band (not professional-held together with safety pins). Kept the cold wind out of my ears.

When you are close to the glaciers it does get cold.

You can view from the inside and be warm but nothing beats being outside to hear the glaciers calve.

Layers, layers, layers!

[sgregel]

7 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

Bring a hoodie and gloves. I made a fleece ear band (not professional-held together with safety pins). Kept the cold wind out of my ears.

When you are close to the glaciers it does get cold.

You can view from the inside and be warm but nothing beats being outside to hear the glaciers calve.

Layers, layers, layers!

Thanks so much for the advice!  I have a couple of jackets that I am bringing.  One is lightweight, the other puffy and wind resistant with a hood.  Lots of turtlenecks and jeans. The ear band is a great idea.  I have ear muffs, but the ear band would be easier to keep up with if you don't need it.

Sandy

 

[firefly333]

8 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

Bring a hoodie and gloves. I made a fleece ear band (not professional-held together with safety pins). Kept the cold wind out of my ears.

When you are close to the glaciers it does get cold.

You can view from the inside and be warm but nothing beats being outside to hear the glaciers calve.

Layers, layers, layers!

I must have been lucky. I was told go to the dollar store and buy a poncho. I also bought a end of season marked down fleece jacket with bears on it onboard. With the poncho over the fleece jacket I was fine. So glad I had the poncho, not pretty but worked perfect for me. One size fits all. Had my shoulder bags for tablet and purse under it so was glad it was so large. 

 

Dave I'm loving your review and cant wait to meet. 

[JBSteelerfan]

8 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

Bring a hoodie and gloves. I made a fleece ear band (not professional-held together with safety pins). Kept the cold wind out of my ears.

When you are close to the glaciers it does get cold.

You can view from the inside and be warm but nothing beats being outside to hear the glaciers calve.

Layers, layers, layers!

 

Being up on the helipad is excellent for glacier viewing.  Yes, it does get cold, but it is so awesome!!

[livingonthebeach]

20 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

Sorry for no update last night. I finished dinner and then went up to the room for a bit before I was going to head to the casino and later another round karaoke. I ended up falling asleep on the couch. So nothing to tell about last night at all

 

This morning I woke up to ice floes in Endicott arm. 
 

We got to the glacier but could not see a thing because of the heavy fog. Capt Stig apologized for not controlling the weather. 
 

The ride up Endicott arm was amazing. We watched from our  room until we got to the glacier. We had breakfast at Chops while we did the rotation at the glacier but there we nothing to see. we watched the return trip out of Endicott Arm from the top decks. It wasn’t raining and wasn’t to cold. 
 

Lunch will be main dining room and then we get into Juneau for a whale watching tour and bus ride to the Mendenhal Glacier. Because of an oncoming storm we have to leave Juneau 2 hours early. That’ll cut into our excursion a little but hopefully not to much. 
 

A few pics from Endicott Arm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gorgeous photos! I am reliving my Alaska cruise thanks to your wonderful thread. Are they still offering the boozy coffee drinks out on the decks?

[Tree_skier]

Good morning all, yesterday in Juneau was amazing. Our excursion, which I referenced earlier, was excellent and I highly recommend it.  Our weather held up so we were really fortunate.  We started be boarding a bus which took us to the Mendenhall Glacier.  Our driver, Marc, was so personable.  He was funny, knowledgeable and a little bit corny but he got our tour off to a great start. At the glacier we were given given an hour of free time to roam the area and visit the visitor’s Centre.  I would have liked a little more time. The trail to Nugget falls was advertised as 45 minutes but with my trick knee giving me grief I didn’t trust that an hour would be sufficient.  I suspect this is where they shaved some time to  get us thorough this excursion before our earlier all aboard time.  I was happy with a shorter trail walk out to a viewpoint for pics and then a short meander through the Visitor Centre.  

  

We boarded the bus again and were shuttled to Auke Bay for whale watching experience.  Right from the get go we knew we were in for a treat. Before we even left the dock a pod of a dozen or so dolphins came bobbing by.  Within minutes of leaving the dock, we spotted our first whale. Everyone ohhh and awed and couldn’t believe our good luck.  We watched this for a little while and then way off in the distance we saw a Humback leap out of the water.  Capt Zach made a careful approach to this new humpback and within a couple of mintutes we spotted not only one humpback but two.  A cow and a calf.  The calf was clearly very playful flicking its tail in and out of the water.  Then, without any warning, the calf breached the surface and for the next 30 minutes or so proceeded to put on the most amazing show.  He repeatedly leapt  through the air performing for us like he knew he was on display and didn’t want to let us down.  It was truly remarkable.  This is my first whale watching experience. I don’t know how many others ave had similar experiences. However, judging by the crew of our little ships response, it appears this was an extraordinary experience.

 

The dire weather held off just long enough to allow us to view this amazing spectacle from the outside deck.  The rain only began just at the tail end just before we headed back to shore.  After getting back aboard the bus Zach our driver regaled us with funny stories, tall tales and legends of Alaska until arriving back at Serenade with no minutes to spare.  We were the last dozen to board before pulling away from the dock.  By the time I cleared security, got on the elevator and got to my room to change the ship had already pulled away from the dock.  

 

Dinner in MDR was the first fail of this cruise.  Every course was very slow to arrive, my steak was than less than stellar and the servers seemed disjointed.  It didn’t matter much, the day had been so exceptional nothing could spoil the mood.  I wrapped the night up with a walk around the ship and then an hour of Karaoke.  

 

I did a pretty passable rendition Kid Rock’s “All summer long”.  I have yet to get back to the casino.  Probably tonight, but we will see. 

 

In Ketchikan today DW wants to shop.  I spent my shopping budget in Icy Strait Point on a really nice knife.  DW says she wants to catch up.  

[Tree_skier]

 

 

Some capture ice from Endicot Arm

 

 

The beautiful Mendenhall Glacier

 

 

Our own private Seaworld show

 

 

He was determined to leave us all with smiles on our faces.

 

 

He was having the time of his life and so were we.

 

 

Just as the rain started it was almost as if he knew it was time to go.  One last roll and flick of his tail as if to wave goodbye.

 

Truly amazing.

 

[Tree_skier]

11 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

Bring a hoodie and gloves. I made a fleece ear band (not professional-held together with safety pins). Kept the cold wind out of my ears.

When you are close to the glaciers it does get cold.

You can view from the inside and be warm but nothing beats being outside to hear the glaciers calve.

Layers, layers, layers!

My experience is not likely instructive I am Canadian born and of Norwegian descent.  I’m impervious to the cold.  Yesterday, while out on the water I wore a hoody and a light windbreaker and was sweating the whole time.  Cold is a relative thing.  Ive spent a lot of time on deck on the cruise ship and the heaviest i have dressed is my hoodie.  I way over packed the cold weather gear.

[firefly333]

11 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

Good morning all, yesterday in Juneau was amazing. Our excursion, which I referenced earlier, was excellent and I highly recommend it.  Our weather held up so we were really fortunate.  We started be boarding a bus which took us to the Mendenhall Glacier.  Our driver, Marc, was so personable.  He was funny, knowledgeable and a little bit corny but he got our tour off to a great start. At the glacier we were given given an hour of free time to roam the area and visit the visitor’s Centre.  I would have liked a little more time. The trail to Nugget falls was advertised as 45 minutes but with my trick knee giving me grief I didn’t trust that an hour would be sufficient.  I suspect this is where they shaved some time to  get us thorough this excursion before our earlier all aboard time.  I was happy with a shorter trail walk out to a viewpoint for pics and then a short meander through the Visitor Centre.  

  

We boarded the bus again and were shuttled to Auke Bay for whale watching experience.  Right from the get go we knew we were in for a treat. Before we even left the dock a pod of a dozen or so dolphins came bobbing by.  Within minutes of leaving the dock, we spotted our first whale. Everyone ohhh and awed and couldn’t believe our good luck.  We watched this for a little while and then way off in the distance we saw a Humback leap out of the water.  Capt Zach made a careful approach to this new humpback and within a couple of mintutes we spotted not only one humpback but two.  A cow and a calf.  The calf was clearly very playful flicking its tail in and out of the water.  Then, without any warning, the calf breached the surface and for the next 30 minutes or so proceeded to put on the most amazing show.  He repeatedly leapt  through the air performing for us like he knew he was on display and didn’t want to let us down.  It was truly remarkable.  This is my first whale watching experience. I don’t know how many others ave had similar experiences. However, judging by the crew of our little ships response, it appears this was an extraordinary experience.

 

The dire weather held off just long enough to allow us to view this amazing spectacle from the outside deck.  The rain only began just at the tail end just before we headed back to shore.  After getting back aboard the bus Zach our driver regaled us with funny stories, tall tales and legends of Alaska until arriving back at Serenade with no minutes to spare.  We were the last dozen to board before pulling away from the dock.  By the time I cleared security, got on the elevator and got to my room to change the ship had already pulled away from the dock.  

 

Dinner in MDR was the first fail of this cruise.  Every course was very slow to arrive, my steak was than less than stellar and the servers seemed disjointed.  It didn’t matter much, the day had been so exceptional nothing could spoil the mood.  I wrapped the night up with a walk around the ship and then an hour of Karaoke.  

 

I did a pretty passable rendition Kid Rock’s “All summer long”.  I have yet to get back to the casino.  Probably tonight, but we will see. 

 

In Ketchikan today DW wants to shop.  I spent my shopping budget in Icy Strait Point on a really nice knife.  DW says she wants to catch up.  

Instead of doing the cruiseline tour with a hour to do trails, it was suggested to me to walk out of the port and purchase bus tickets that took you to and from the same park. This gave me hours to do as many trails as I wanted. I did do the trek to where you come out and see the falls and loved the walk. I wasnt sure I could walk that far since I'd already done a hike and seen salmon in another area and it was pouring rain. Good thing I has my poncho.

 

I was wondering if you can still purchase tickets and have a lot more time on those busses that run every 30 minutes. Still a walk I remember. Huge mushrooms etc to look at. Glad to walk down me ory lane.