airbus320
Jul 9, 03, 9:50 pm
This is my first trip report and it will relate what I consider to be the trip of a lifetime. Although I have travelled extensively, I had never sailed aboard a cruise ship.
I left Vancouver aboard the Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas late Sunday at 5pm. As I sat on my portside balcony sipping a glass of white wine, I watched in fascination as we glided past Stanley Park, under the Lions Gate Bridge and started our journey North through the Inside Passage. Later in the dark, I recognized the lights of Campbell River and the famous Painter Fishing Lodge.
The next morning (Monday), we were still in the Inside Passage navigating though a myriad of lush green islands. I spotted in my binoculars a mother black bear and a cub on a deserted beach. Later that morning while walking my two miles on the top deck, I was fortunate to spot a whale by the spouting of water when the whale cleared its blowhole. (This exercise regimen was an antidote to the calory intake to come all that week)
That afternoon, we passed through a narrow channel, Granville Channel I believe. Again walking on the deck with fellow passengers, I spotted what I first thought to be a seal on the starboard side of the bow. My brother passed me his binoculars and said you won't believe your eyes! It was a black wolf swimming the narrow 300 meter distance between both shores.
The next day (Tuesday), it was cloudy and misty; not a good day to enter the bay to get to Hubbard Glacier. At noon while fine dining in the Aquarius dining room, the sun made its apperance as if on cue!!! We entered the bay and slowly ,so slowly, made our way through the ice towards the face of the glacier. Conditions were perfect and the captain skillfully manoeuvered the 915 foot 79K ton ship close to the glacier. He later told us that we had moved to 185 meters from the glacier as conditions were perfect: tide, ice conditions, visibility. He brought the ship parallel to the glacier and we observed in silent awe the calving of icebergs. Each massive chunk of ice breaking off the glacier with a tremendous crack similar to a cannon shot. The captain rotated the ship 180 degrees to allow the other side to view the most beautiful sight I have had the privilege to observe. After about 3/4 of an hour, we gingerly and slowly exited the bay on our way to Skagway.
Wednesday morning, I rose at 5am and armed with a carafe of coffee and a cup, I made my way to the upper deck to observe our passage through a majestic fjord heading into the port of Skagway. I later disembarked and made my way into a small community. (5 blocks wide by 9 block long. An interesting community with wooden sidewalks, Skagway is the departure point a narrow gauge railway heading toward Whitehorse Yukon. This railway was instrumental in opening the town and the environs during the Gold Rush.
We set sail that evening for the capital of Alaska, Juneau. I was so tired from walking and visiting the small community that I was still sleeping as the ship edged alongside the dock between two other cruise ships.(Thursday) It did this manoeuvre without the help of a tug using only thrusters on the bow and sides of stern. It was raining in Juneay and I took the trolley bus to get an idea of the local sights. Later with my trustee umbrella, I went back on foot to visit points of interest discoved during my mechanized reconnaisance. Late afternoon, the captain once again edged back from the dock with the two cruise ships still flanking right and left. I marvel at the dexterity involved in manoeuvering such tonnage. We certainly could debate the skill levels of a 747-400 captain and that of a 79,000 ton ship captain. I vote for the ship captain but I digress....
We then sailed on to Ketchikan, known for salmon fishing and the gateway to Alaska. It was Friday the 4th of July and the town was decked out to honour the occasion. I watched the parade and wished all a very happy day. On foot, I set out to explore the town but I was sidetracked by a group of fishermen casting off a bridge for king salmon. In fact, I watched a local bag a 25 pound salmon and observed many salmon swimming in the waters leading to the narrow creek. I spend too much time there and I had to expedite a quick visit to the town. The creek area is now shops but in the 50s, it was still the red light district. Very quaint and picturesque.
Later that afternoon, we set sail for Misty Fjord, a narrow passage with towering cliffs and a myriad of waterfalls some cascading, others trickling down the high rock face. The amazing fact about this fjord is that it is a dead end! The ship must turn around and when the ship is sideways in the fjord only 100 feet separates it from both shores. You talk about fancy driving!!!!!
The next day (Saturday) was spent at sea relaxing and again watching the shores for wildlifre as we passed again through the Inside Passage. We arrived in Vancouver Sunday morning to a gorgeous day.
In my estimation, the value of an Alaskan cruise is the beauty of nature. I spent hours each day in silent awe observing the grandeur of a small corner of the planet. This rejuvenated me and gave me new respect for our environment.
I would be remiss not to mention the high quality of the food. First class on SQ, CX and BA cannot compare. I realize that catering conditions are not the same. Why pay 5-10K for first class when 2K gives you a five star restaurant for 7 days. Ouch my waitline!!!!
And the entertainment; at least three shows were Vegas quality.
In summary, I am hooked!!!! Panana Canal repositioning cruise here I come.
Thanks for reading.
I left Vancouver aboard the Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas late Sunday at 5pm. As I sat on my portside balcony sipping a glass of white wine, I watched in fascination as we glided past Stanley Park, under the Lions Gate Bridge and started our journey North through the Inside Passage. Later in the dark, I recognized the lights of Campbell River and the famous Painter Fishing Lodge.
The next morning (Monday), we were still in the Inside Passage navigating though a myriad of lush green islands. I spotted in my binoculars a mother black bear and a cub on a deserted beach. Later that morning while walking my two miles on the top deck, I was fortunate to spot a whale by the spouting of water when the whale cleared its blowhole. (This exercise regimen was an antidote to the calory intake to come all that week)
That afternoon, we passed through a narrow channel, Granville Channel I believe. Again walking on the deck with fellow passengers, I spotted what I first thought to be a seal on the starboard side of the bow. My brother passed me his binoculars and said you won't believe your eyes! It was a black wolf swimming the narrow 300 meter distance between both shores.
The next day (Tuesday), it was cloudy and misty; not a good day to enter the bay to get to Hubbard Glacier. At noon while fine dining in the Aquarius dining room, the sun made its apperance as if on cue!!! We entered the bay and slowly ,so slowly, made our way through the ice towards the face of the glacier. Conditions were perfect and the captain skillfully manoeuvered the 915 foot 79K ton ship close to the glacier. He later told us that we had moved to 185 meters from the glacier as conditions were perfect: tide, ice conditions, visibility. He brought the ship parallel to the glacier and we observed in silent awe the calving of icebergs. Each massive chunk of ice breaking off the glacier with a tremendous crack similar to a cannon shot. The captain rotated the ship 180 degrees to allow the other side to view the most beautiful sight I have had the privilege to observe. After about 3/4 of an hour, we gingerly and slowly exited the bay on our way to Skagway.
Wednesday morning, I rose at 5am and armed with a carafe of coffee and a cup, I made my way to the upper deck to observe our passage through a majestic fjord heading into the port of Skagway. I later disembarked and made my way into a small community. (5 blocks wide by 9 block long. An interesting community with wooden sidewalks, Skagway is the departure point a narrow gauge railway heading toward Whitehorse Yukon. This railway was instrumental in opening the town and the environs during the Gold Rush.
We set sail that evening for the capital of Alaska, Juneau. I was so tired from walking and visiting the small community that I was still sleeping as the ship edged alongside the dock between two other cruise ships.(Thursday) It did this manoeuvre without the help of a tug using only thrusters on the bow and sides of stern. It was raining in Juneay and I took the trolley bus to get an idea of the local sights. Later with my trustee umbrella, I went back on foot to visit points of interest discoved during my mechanized reconnaisance. Late afternoon, the captain once again edged back from the dock with the two cruise ships still flanking right and left. I marvel at the dexterity involved in manoeuvering such tonnage. We certainly could debate the skill levels of a 747-400 captain and that of a 79,000 ton ship captain. I vote for the ship captain but I digress....
We then sailed on to Ketchikan, known for salmon fishing and the gateway to Alaska. It was Friday the 4th of July and the town was decked out to honour the occasion. I watched the parade and wished all a very happy day. On foot, I set out to explore the town but I was sidetracked by a group of fishermen casting off a bridge for king salmon. In fact, I watched a local bag a 25 pound salmon and observed many salmon swimming in the waters leading to the narrow creek. I spend too much time there and I had to expedite a quick visit to the town. The creek area is now shops but in the 50s, it was still the red light district. Very quaint and picturesque.
Later that afternoon, we set sail for Misty Fjord, a narrow passage with towering cliffs and a myriad of waterfalls some cascading, others trickling down the high rock face. The amazing fact about this fjord is that it is a dead end! The ship must turn around and when the ship is sideways in the fjord only 100 feet separates it from both shores. You talk about fancy driving!!!!!
The next day (Saturday) was spent at sea relaxing and again watching the shores for wildlifre as we passed again through the Inside Passage. We arrived in Vancouver Sunday morning to a gorgeous day.
In my estimation, the value of an Alaskan cruise is the beauty of nature. I spent hours each day in silent awe observing the grandeur of a small corner of the planet. This rejuvenated me and gave me new respect for our environment.
I would be remiss not to mention the high quality of the food. First class on SQ, CX and BA cannot compare. I realize that catering conditions are not the same. Why pay 5-10K for first class when 2K gives you a five star restaurant for 7 days. Ouch my waitline!!!!
And the entertainment; at least three shows were Vegas quality.
In summary, I am hooked!!!! Panana Canal repositioning cruise here I come.
Thanks for reading.