Mostly Live From August 21-28 Alaska Sailing

[Woofbite]

11 hours ago, roxybear135 said:

I forgot to mention we also did afternoon tea which I remember really enjoying from my last HAL cruise. Now they bring you a little tower of plates with desserts and some savory sandwiches. All of it was delicious and I recommend going to afternoon tea at some point during your cruise (they have it multiple times during the week) 

Is that biscuit sandwich what passes now for scones, jam and real clotted cream? 

[zelker]

21 minutes ago, Woofbite said:

Is that biscuit sandwich what passes now for scones, jam and real clotted cream? 

Sadly, yes.  And they're dry and terrible, as is pretty much everything else on the tower.  We used to enjoy afternoon tea but it's nothing like it used to be so we rarely go anymore and we miss it.  

 

Edited August 23, 2021 by zelker

[zgscl]

4 hours ago, ontheweb said:

"The blues club was packed." If that is true at a very reduced capacity, you have to wonder what it will be like when capacity gets to 100% or nearly 100%.

On our sailing on the 14th BB Kings was always overcrowded and not nearly enough seating (even though they bring in extra for the comedy). You needed to get there about 40 minutes before the first event of the night or you were out of luck as far as getting a seat. Lots of people crowded in the back to sit. 

[AncientWanderer]

13 hours ago, roxybear135 said:

I forgot to mention we also did afternoon tea which I remember really enjoying from my last HAL cruise. Now they bring you a little tower of plates with desserts and some savory sandwiches. All of it was delicious and I recommend going to afternoon tea at some point during your cruise (they have it multiple times during the week) 

 

 

 

Thank you for posting this about the tea service and that it was delicious!  Going to tea is one of my favorite sea day activities, and I love how they've gone to the towers versus just passing things around to tables.  I can't wait to try this!  

Maybe @Sharon in AZand I will have an opportunity to break scones together in October.    😋

[LawDog61]

10 minutes ago, zgscl said:

On our sailing on the 14th BB Kings was always overcrowded and not nearly enough seating (even though they bring in extra for the comedy). You needed to get there about 40 minutes before the first event of the night or you were out of luck as far as getting a seat. Lots of people crowded in the back to sit. 

 

[LawDog61]

How crowded were the other music venues?

[roxybear135]

2 hours ago, Woofbite said:

Is that biscuit sandwich what passes now for scones, jam and real clotted cream? 

No I think it was just whipped cream instead of clotted cream. It was tasty but not my favorite thing that we had during tea time. The chocolate cake was really good as was the cream puff. 

[roxybear135]

40 minutes ago, LawDog61 said:

How crowded were the other music venues?

Nothing other than BB Kings has been crowded. We got to the Humanity show about 5 minutes before it started and it was only about half full at most so it was very easy to find a seat. The piano bar was also fairly empty when we went and it’s only been busy one time that we’ve walked by. There’s a small area that plays classical music that seems to be fairly busy (we haven’t gone yet to watch a performance) but I’ve always seen a few empty seats while walking by. 

Edited August 23, 2021 by roxybear135

[LawDog61]

Just now, roxybear135 said:

Nothing other than BB Kings has been crowded. We got to the Humanity show about 5 minutes before it started and it was only about half full at most so it was very easy to find a show. The piano bar was also fairly empty when we went and it’s only been busy one time that we’ve walked by. There’s a small area that plays classical music that seems to be fairly busy (we haven’t gone yet to watch a performance) but I’ve always seen a few empty seats while walking by. 

Hummm……and this  is at less than full capacity.

[roxybear135]

The internet service has ranged from mediocre to ok. Some things take forever to load and you can’t stream any video. I’ve been able to send messages via iMessage since I’m on WiFi and I’ve been able to send photos through that but they send very slowly. Checking email seems to take forever at times and other times go quickly. So I wouldn’t count on the ship’s internet being great and based on what I’ve seen on prior sailing’s posts, it’s likely to go out once we make it to Alaska. 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

10 hours ago, zgscl said:

For last week we got different numbers. On the first day we heard 1,370 form all the shoreside people and some of the crew. The captain said 1,700 and the Cruise & Travel Director said 1,500. Not sure which number to believe but the ship felt a lot less crowded than the pre-pandemic cruises we have done. I never waited behind more than 4 or 5 people at the Lido stations even during peak times. The most crowded place was BB King's which didn't have nearly enough seating.. 

WOW, that is some discrepancies in numbers. We were told we were at 1650 for July 24th and originally were were to go to 50% but decided to take to 65%, they told us that they plan to take it to 90% by mid August and through the end of the Alaska season. I think that the new rules of covid testing and masks made a lot of people have second thoughts and that they will have a much harder time reaching 50%. Just my gut feeling the people on board want to make it sound like there are a lot and the numbers from shoreside could be more accurate based on what is being stated. I do believe our number were pretty accurate. The Music Walk all venues were always busy, Lido at times was also busy although not where you could not find a table. 

What I do like seeing is the food pictures and options, I think food supply was limited for our first week. I truly was not till Thursday that there appeared to be far more in the Lido. The available options were pretty much the same every single day up till Thursday. Also I am seeing a improvement in food presentation of the same items in the last couple of weeks. Example the Chocolate Souffle yours has powdered sugar on it which makes it look a bit prettier, there was not any on the one my husband had. There is just little things but then we were the first week so that left lots of room forpractice and improvement. That is why I look forward to returning.

[roxybear135]

We just docked in Juneau and had the ship cleared around 12:45 Alaska time so we will be getting off the ship in a few to explore. The WiFi has seemed to be down all morning so I haven’t been able to get anything to load. 
 

We sailed into Alaska this morning which was pretty and I enjoyed spotting some bald eagles with my binoculars. For lunch they had fish and chips in the dining room which were good. Good variety seems to be far more limited on this trip than other cruises I’ve been on but so far the food has been pretty good. 
 

Here’s some views from our balcony of sailing this morning and Celebrity Millennium which docked shortly after us. 

[zgscl]

52 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

WOW, that is some discrepancies in numbers. We were told we were at 1650 for July 24th and originally were were to go to 50% but decided to take to 65%, they told us that they plan to take it to 90% by mid August and through the end of the Alaska season. I think that the new rules of covid testing and masks made a lot of people have second thoughts and that they will have a much harder time reaching 50%. Just my gut feeling the people on board want to make it sound like there are a lot and the numbers from shoreside could be more accurate based on what is being stated. I do believe our number were pretty accurate. The Music Walk all venues were always busy, Lido at times was also busy although not where you could not find a table. 

What I do like seeing is the food pictures and options, I think food supply was limited for our first week. I truly was not till Thursday that there appeared to be far more in the Lido. The available options were pretty much the same every single day up till Thursday. Also I am seeing a improvement in food presentation of the same items in the last couple of weeks. Example the Chocolate Souffle yours has powdered sugar on it which makes it look a bit prettier, there was not any on the one my husband had. There is just little things but then we were the first week so that left lots of room forpractice and improvement. That is why I look forward to returning.

I can’t wait to hear about your return cruise. Seems like a lot has improved since the first week. 

[aliaschief]

Bottom line? Are you having a good time?

[roxybear135]

Today we’re docked in Juneau so we got off the ship and headed straight to one of the shuttle stands to get tickets to go to Mendenhall glacier. Tickets were $45 plus tax for round trip. The weather was amazing today, around 70 and partly cloudy. 
 

We spent a couple of hours at Mendenhall and walked up to Nugget Falls. The place was beautiful and just as I had remembered it when I was there years ago. 
 

We then took the shuttle back into town and walked to the Tracy’s near the tram. We found out that they don’t have the Alaskan king crab at that location so if you’re looking for that (and I highly recommend it), head down the street to their other location. It was about a 10 minute walk and it’s located right near the coast guard building. Their prices have gone up considerably since I was last there but the crab was still amazing and worth the high price. 
 

We then walked back into town and checked out the Red Dog Saloon which was fun. Most of the stores in town seemed to be strictly enforcing wearing masks which was nice. 
 

We then spent about an hour in the outdoor hot tub just enjoying the gorgeous weather and scenery. So far it’s been a fantastic cruise and I can’t wait to see glacier bay tomorrow. 
 

On a side note, it appears the WiFi has been down all day so don’t count on good internet service on the ship. 

[Mrsfrz]

On 8/22/2021 at 7:25 AM, atexsix said:

Glad to see plenty of bacon, couldn't handle what Carnival is doing, it's a staple for us and breakfast is our favorite meal.

 

 

I'm on this cruise and can assure you there is a lot of bacon! My favorite bacon is the English back bacon. It's almost impossible to find in the States, so it's nice to find it onboard. They also have several kinds of sausages and even bangers. I'd also like to comment on the hash browns. People on previous sailings had complained about them not having hash browns, but I personally really like these McDonald style ones they have here. 

[atexsix]

23 minutes ago, Mrsfrz said:

I'm on this cruise and can assure you there is a lot of bacon! My favorite bacon is the English back bacon. It's almost impossible to find in the States, so it's nice to find it onboard. They also have several kinds of sausages and even bangers. I'd also like to comment on the hash browns. People on previous sailings had complained about them not having hash browns, but I personally really like these McDonald style ones they have here. 

I know the hash browns you're talking about, and yes people say they look like McDonald's, they are okay as long as they aren't overcooked.  And once you cut em up they look like the kind you make at home.

[TotallyCruzin]

I love all the food info it all looks great! Question? Did you say that they still have the late night buffet?

[Boytjie]

8 hours ago, Mrsfrz said:

People on previous sailings had complained about them not having hash browns, but I personally really like these McDonald style ones they have here. 

 

Me too! Those triangles of fried potatoes is one of the things that remind me I am back on a dam ship. 😄

[Boytjie]

7 hours ago, TotallyCruzin said:

I love all the food info it all looks great! Question? Did you say that they still have the late night buffet?

 

I was not aware of one on the August 14 cruise. Not like I needed more opportunities to eat! 😄

Edited August 24, 2021 by Boytjie

[atexsix]

35 minutes ago, Boytjie said:

 

I was not aware of one on the August 14 cruise. Not like I needed more opportunities to eat! 😄

I went to that buffet once and I think it was mostly crew; I wonder if that's the reason they have it? It wasn't inviting or atmospheric at all, more like a hospital cafeteria. It reminded me of the kind of crowd you see sitting in Denny's at 2 in the morning.

 

I walked out and called room service.

 

 

Edited August 24, 2021 by atexsix

[luvteaching]

Yes - they still have the late night buffet. Our tablemates planned a visit at 10:30 every night for ice cream!

[rajkr74]

Yes, the late night buffet is more casual which allows us the ability to talk to staff and servers.  In general about 60% crew (Performers, casino workers) and 40% guests visit late night.  We go to get coffee and to see what is being served.  We always have early dinning in the MDR so trying some items is ok. Sometimes they serve regional food items which is nice to sample.  But the best is taking some ice cream back to the cabin!  

 

[Love the beach]

1 hour ago, rajkr74 said:

Yes, the late night buffet is more casual which allows us the ability to talk to staff and servers.  In general about 60% crew (Performers, casino workers) and 40% guests visit late night.  We go to get coffee and to see what is being served.  We always have early dinning in the MDR so trying some items is ok. Sometimes they serve regional food items which is nice to sample.  But the best is taking some ice cream back to the cabin!  

 

Ice cream and cookies....don't forget the cookies!

[woodworker&knitter]

7 minutes ago, Love the beach said:

Ice cream and cookies....don't forget the cookies!

Especially their macadamian and white chocolate. I’m not supposed to eat chocolate, but I do make a sacrifice once in a while