Alaska September 21,2022

[crusin7]

Hi all.  I had every intention of doing a live blog but the internet has been very iffy.  Today we are in Sitka with good reception.  We flew in from LA to Vancouver on 9/20 to a gorgeous sunny day.  We were staying at the Regent hotel, the Fairmont Vancouver.  The rooms were very nice and a good downtown location.  I am traveling with my husband and sister.  We went to our favorite restaurant, Joe Fortes, Oyster bar.  It was excellent. 
 

 

 

We walked back to our hotel excited for our first cruise in 2.5 years.  
 

[crusin7]

9/21/22

We had a buffet breakfast provided by the hotel in the ballroom.  It was typical breakfast fare…decent nothing extraordinary.  We decided to take a taxi to port. We arrived at 11:15 full of excitement.  We stood in a line for about 15 minutes and the authorities finally checked our COVID results. We all had a PCR tests done on Sunday, to fit the requirements of 72 hours.  We then went through security and immigration.  Yippppeeee we make it to the Regent area.  An official tells us our PCR tests are invalid.  They had to be done on Monday.  We tried to reason with her but she said she got the date from the ship. They should have caught us earlier in the system but we have to return to the start and get retested. As you can imagine we are quite frustrated and angry. Now we have to walk all the way back to the entrance where we find other angry frustrated people. It seems that there are at least 100 of us that also tested on Sunday. The official says she will call the ships doctor. After a half an hour he says we may board. Unbelievably we have to start from the beginning again. After we go through immigration they X our passes because we have already been through once.  We are put in another line with at least a two hour wait. There are only two agents working. After 15 minutes we are able to explain to another agent that we have already been through and he lets us go into a shorter line. Finally we are through.  At least 2 hours has gone by.  Of course the Regent lines are now huge.  There are 2 desks you must pass through.  One to check PCR and vaccinations.  After this is room keys. More waiting.  Unfortunately we get an agent that has no clue what she is doing.  She scans my sister’s passport under my name.  After 20 minutes they finally let us board the ship.  Yayyyyy 2.5 hours. Embarkation grade. F-

[crusin7]

We finally make it on the Mariner.  We throw our bags in the room and go to La Veranda.  We see Jason, The maître d’ from compass rose..so good to see a familiar face!  We sit outside and have an excellent lunch.  Service is wonderful.  The food even better.  
We can finally relax.  
 

 

[crusin7]

Dinner is Compass Rose.  Yippppeeee  

 

Manu is on board.  He was our waiter on our last cruise 2/20 Splendor.  
Dinner is excellent.  Mussels, veal and Kahlua soufflé.  

[crusin7]

9/22. Sea Day

 

Good morning beautiful sunrise.  I have to say service has been great.  Grade A!

Food has also been excellent.  I showed up for an 8 am facial.  At 8:10 they tell me my esthetician had to do a random Covid test. No problem.  At 8:20 they tell me she will be 10 more minutes.  I can cancel or stay.  I tell her I waited this long I want to stay.  I ask if her lateness  will come out of my time.  She says yes.  What?? How is that fair??  Obviously I leave without my facial.  
Spa Grade B- to C+

 

 

[crusin7]

Dinner Compass Rose

 

Crab avocado salad without Bloody Mary sauce. Delicious 

 

Lobster tail and lamb chops.  Yummy 

 

[crusin7]

9/23. Ketchikan 

Good Morning 

 

Unfortunately it was raining cats and dogs so us Californians stayed on board and enjoyed a relaxing sea day.  

 

Halibut Compass Rose. Excellent.

Finally had the very famous Panko Shrimp. Excellent 

[crusin7]

9/24 Juneau 

See above photos coming into Juneau.  We are leaving Sitka now so I’m afraid no internet.  
We ate at Tracy’s Crab Shack. Very delicious.  The best thing we did was luxury whale watching.  Only 7 of us.  Grade A++

[crusin7]

 

We saw so many whales.  It was a dream come true!  Loved it!

[cwn]

Good report, thanks. We have been to Kitchikan 6 times and it has always rained. I think they are famous for their rain😄. Have a good cruise!

[RJ2002]

Thanks for catching us up after your crazy boarding experience and uncooperative internet.  Pictures are great.  Love that surf and turf pairing.  Enjoy!

[crusin7]

Sunday 9/25 Hubbard Glacier 

We know that if it’s Sunday it caviar and Mimosas!

 

 

It was excellent.  
We played Bingo for the second time.  Cathy won with 2 others.  Our previous play yielded a big fat Zero.

Hubbard Glacier A++

We had perfect weather. The Captain was able to get so close we felt like we could touch it.  
Piloting skills A++

 

 

Breathtaking!  

 

 

[crusin7]

 

That’s me!  Another once in a lifetime moment.  I have been on 4 Alaskan cruises and this was by far the closest and clearest.  You can hear the thunder of the ice.  The glacier put on quite a show!

 

[liptastic]

Thanks for the lovely photos and commentary. Your whale watching trip was a real winner. We’ve been on 4 Alaska cruises too and it’s always been a favourite of ours.  Have a great cruise. Jean.

[2012_Alaska_bound]

18 hours ago, crusin7 said:

 I have been on 4 Alaskan cruises and this was by far the closest and clearest.

That looked incredible!

I always tell friends if they want to do an Alaskan cruise, I will go with them. I love the scenery! Different each time, and always fun things to do in the ports. So far, 3 have them have taken me up on it! All on Regent!

[RachelG]

The boarding was definitely a fail, as was your spa appointment, but everything else sounds wonderful.  Glad you re making the best of it

[crusin7]

Wednesday 9/28

Victoria British Columbia 

Our excursion is High tea at the Empress Hotel. Because of rough seas our arrival is delayed 1 hour.

Yippeee no rain today!   The grounds are beautiful.

 

[crusin7]

The tea was delicious!  The scones were the best I’ve ever tasted.  Our guide Robert drove us around town after tea. He was very good.  The tea venue was very crowded.  Tea grade B+

Robert guide grade A

Internet grade D

 

[SkystheLimit]

Those tea pastries look delicious.  We enjoyed our teatime there as a excursion from the Mariner a couple of years ago.  The room is crowded but they are very efficient and it was enjoyable.

[janecambridge]

Great pics. We have our first Alaskan cruise on Explorer end of August. This has reignited our excitement. May I ask the best assortment of clothing to take for this time of year.? I read no jeans as it’s wet!! 

 

[crusin7]

I would definitely bring lots of layers and a rain jacket.  We had 2 inches of rain in both Ketchikan and Sitka.  During our visit to Hubbard Glacier it was 47°.  Gloves and a scarf are a must.  In Victoria it was sunshine and 61°.  I’ve been to Alaska in August and we had no rain.  This is our first time going in September.  
 

[puppyluv1]

Be sure your jacket is waterproof and not water resistant. I learned that lesson many years ago on a Mediterranean cruise!

[crusin7]

I forgot to mention the excellent laundry service on board. Get your clothes in by 9:00 am and they are returned the same evening looking better than before! We are able to pack much less…more room for souvenirs.   Laundry grade A++

[ChucktownSteve]

11 minutes ago, crusin7 said:

I forgot to mention the excellent laundry service on board. Get your clothes in by 9:00 am and they are returned the same evening looking better than before! We are able to pack much less…more room for souvenirs.   Laundry grade A++

 

Thank you for an excellent thread.  We're onboard as well and are taking great advantage of the laundry frequently.

 

I hope you don't mind that I'm uploading a short video of Hubbard Calving. We were within about 75 yards of the glacier if I remember correctly what the enrichment speaker told us on deck 12 outside of the Observation lounge. We were very close with what they said was the best weather and conditions of the season.

[ChucktownSteve]

Correction: 3/4 of a mile.  More coffee please.