Alaska Cruise - June 2015

Alaskan Cruise - June 10-19, 2015

June 10, 2015 - Orlando to Vancouver

It’s time to sail away again, this time to Alaska.  My flights to Los Angeles and then to Vancouver were uneventful, but long.  I took the convenient train from the airport to downtown and my hotel.  I relaxed until it was time for dinner.

June 11, 2015 - Vancouver

As usual, jet lag got to me and I was awake at 4:00 am.  I took an early five mile walk, locating the cruise terminal before walking the path to Stanley Park.  I was tempted to take a sea plane tour, but never found the time.

At noon I walked from my hotel to the Silversea Silver Shadow.  I've now been on all five Silversea ships.  I relaxed by the pool in the warm sun.

I had dinner with some fellow single travelers and was shocked there was a completely new menu. 

June 13, 2015 - At Sea

I love sea days and this is the only one on this cruise.  The weather was beautiful and I enjoyed my walk around the deck.  My routine quickly returned, Bloody Mary’s at 11:00 am, a late lunch, a much needed nap, team trivia (yes we won), cocktails, dinner and the same show with a new cast.

June 13, 2015 - Ketchikan

I started the day with my four mile walk.  I ended my walk in the familiar tourist section.  I made sure I visited Diamonds International.  Julie will receive a new bracelet and many gold charms.

June 14, 2015 - Juneau

There are only three ways to get to Juneau, by air, by sea or birth canal.  More teenagers have pilot's licenses then driver's licenses.  The weather was sunny and hot.  I took my four mile walk across a bridge to Douglas.  I got some nice shots of the four cruise ships docked in the city.

I went to Tracy’s Crab Shack for fresh Alaska king crab.  I had one leg, four mini crab cakes, crab bisque and a beer.  It was quite expensive, but well worth it.  The legs were $20 each.  I think that was the first time I had ever had fresh Alaska king crab and I'll have more if I return. 

I took the cable car to the top of the mountain for amazing views of the scenery.  The sky was bright blue with almost no clouds.  I was going to walk one of the trails but decided I didn't want an encounter with a bear.  There was one bald eagle soaring above.

I picked up more gold jewels for Julie.  I also took some special pictures for my favorite blond.

June 15, 2015 - Skagway

There is basically only one shopping street in Skagway.  I don't think any of the ports of call would exist without the summer cruise tourists.  I walked a few miles and visited the miner’s cemetery.  On my return, I made sure I got some more real gold charms for Julie.

The main tourist attraction in Skagway is the steam engine train on the tracks taken by the gold rush miners.  I've done it before and based on the comments I heard; it was still a boring trip.

June 16, 2015 - Sitka

The weather finally returned to normal, chilly and overcast.  I opted to stay on the ship, since Sitga doesn't have DI (Diamonds International).  I caught up on my reading and updated this blog.

June 17, 2015 - Hubbard Glacier

Unfortunately we were unable to see Hubbard Glacier.  There was too much fog in the air and ice in the water. We sailed by Turner Glacier and exited the bay.  At least we had fabulous weather earlier in the week.

Seals on a buoy

June 18, 2015 - Seward and Anchorage

The train ride from Seward to Anchorage was amazing.  We saw moose, eagles, waterfalls and penguins (yes Julie, penguins).  The four and a half hour train ride was well worth it, even though it was less then 100 miles. 

I had to spend the entire day in Anchorage, because my flight didn’t leave until 11 pm.  I went to the small creek and saw about ten salmon heading upstream.   After dinner I headed to the airport for my red-eye to Los Angeles connecting to another long flight to Orlando.

Salmon