Sunday, November 22, 2009
Daily Program for Thursday, June 18 2009
On the Daily Program for Thursday June 18, 2009, the big event was in port at Ketchikan, Alaska. This is a pretty town, well known for its fleet of salmon fishing boats and salmon canneries. Also formerly well known for its former red light district on Creek Street, a wooden boardwalk that housed several brothels.
The Zuiderdam docked around 10am. We'd booked the Ketchikan Duck Tour. This is an amphibious vehicle, that is a cross between a bus and a boat. The tour started off in town and ended up in the harbour. A lot of fun, with a lively narrator telling us about Ketchikan. And one of the best priced deals on the cruise. $38 for an hour and a half tour.
After the tour we wandered around town. We saw similar gift shops that we'd seen in Juneau and Skagway, selling similar souvenirs at similar prices. We walked up to Creek Street and wandered around the former brothels, now restaurants and gift shops.
There wasn't a whole lot of activities available on the Zuiderdam while it was in dock. A camera workshop, a ping pong tournament, and a bridge tournament. Afternoon tea at 3pm.
The Zuiderdam departed Ketchikan at 5:30pm.
Playing in the screening room today at various times was Body of Lies.
Tonight we chose to eat upstairs in the casual Lido Restaurant. Afterwards we enjoyed the Showtime: Dreampark in the Vista Lounge geaturing the singers and dancers of the Zuiderdam.
The Zuiderdam docked around 10am. We'd booked the Ketchikan Duck Tour. This is an amphibious vehicle, that is a cross between a bus and a boat. The tour started off in town and ended up in the harbour. A lot of fun, with a lively narrator telling us about Ketchikan. And one of the best priced deals on the cruise. $38 for an hour and a half tour.
After the tour we wandered around town. We saw similar gift shops that we'd seen in Juneau and Skagway, selling similar souvenirs at similar prices. We walked up to Creek Street and wandered around the former brothels, now restaurants and gift shops.
There wasn't a whole lot of activities available on the Zuiderdam while it was in dock. A camera workshop, a ping pong tournament, and a bridge tournament. Afternoon tea at 3pm.
The Zuiderdam departed Ketchikan at 5:30pm.
Playing in the screening room today at various times was Body of Lies.
Tonight we chose to eat upstairs in the casual Lido Restaurant. Afterwards we enjoyed the Showtime: Dreampark in the Vista Lounge geaturing the singers and dancers of the Zuiderdam.
Farewell Dinner on Wednesday June 17 2009 aboard Holland America's Zuiderdam Alaska cruise
Farewell Dinner
Appetizers:
Papaya with a Rainbow of Fruit - splashed with banana liqueuer and coconut shavings
Alaskan Seafood Ceviche - jumbo shrimp, bay scallops, squid and Alaskan King Crab
Pate Country Campagne - liver pate
Escargots Bourguignon - baked snails
Soups and Salad:
Lemon Turkey Spinach Barley Soup
Cream of Four Mushrooms
Chilled Apple Vichyssoise
Alaskan Sunset Salad
Entrees:
Rustic Home-Made Lasagna
Coq au Vin
Brasied Lamb Shank
Surf anvegetab;e d Turf
Grilled Chinese Five Spice Salmon and Crispy Tortilla Salad
Curried vegetable Cutlet
Then there were Master Chef Rudi Sodamin's Reccomentaions:
Salmon with Basil, Tomatoes, and Capers
Also available daily:
French Onion Soup
Classic Caesar Salad
Grilled Breast of Chicken
Broiled New York Strip Steadk
White Rice, Idaho Baked Potato, Steamed Vegetables
Appetizers:
Papaya with a Rainbow of Fruit - splashed with banana liqueuer and coconut shavings
Alaskan Seafood Ceviche - jumbo shrimp, bay scallops, squid and Alaskan King Crab
Pate Country Campagne - liver pate
Escargots Bourguignon - baked snails
Soups and Salad:
Lemon Turkey Spinach Barley Soup
Cream of Four Mushrooms
Chilled Apple Vichyssoise
Alaskan Sunset Salad
Entrees:
Rustic Home-Made Lasagna
Coq au Vin
Brasied Lamb Shank
Surf anvegetab;e d Turf
Grilled Chinese Five Spice Salmon and Crispy Tortilla Salad
Curried vegetable Cutlet
Then there were Master Chef Rudi Sodamin's Reccomentaions:
Salmon with Basil, Tomatoes, and Capers
Also available daily:
French Onion Soup
Classic Caesar Salad
Grilled Breast of Chicken
Broiled New York Strip Steadk
White Rice, Idaho Baked Potato, Steamed Vegetables
Daily Program for Wednesday June 17 2009
Today, June 17 2009, was cruising Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska. We arrived in Glacier Bay around 7am and saw some spectacular scenery. Two park rangers came about the Zuiderdam. Twofold. They are there to ensure the cruise ship is not doing anything that isn't environmentally friendly and entering areas they're not allowed to go, and to educate the passengers about the national park. They were over the public address systems for several hours. Not continuously because they didn't want to disturb the wildlife, but often enough to let us know what we were looking at.
Around 10:30 or 11am the Zuiderdam came to the Margerie Glacier, and stayed there for about an hour. The ship stayed for half an hour in one direction, then turned around, and stayed stationery for another half hour.
Kerry still wasn't feeling very well and was in the cabin. I came downstairs and said you've got to come up on deck and see this glacier. Its incredible. I also wanted him out of the room so I could get the cabin cleaned and fresh sheets and towels. I saw the cabin stewards in a room across the hall and let them know I was getting Kerry out of the cabin for twenty minutes or so, and could they come in and clean the cabin right away. They were wonderful and said they'd be over there next. Probably quite happy that I'd made their job slightly easier and they didn't have to work around someone in bed.
While Kerry was on deck with me looking at the Margerie Glacier, we witnessed a few calvings. One of them must have been several tons of ice that calved off. It created a huge splash and even rocked the Zuiderdam with the wave action. Later we found out that the park rangers said that was the largest calving they'd witnessed in four years.
After the hour the Zuiderdam moved on to the Jons Hopkins inlet, another beautiful sight, and we stayed there for about half an hour. We couldn't go into the inlet because of the environmentally sensitive area, mainly seals and their pups.
Wow! This national park has some incredible scenery. We even saw a bear on the beach a little later in the afternoon, not to mention several whales in the area.
Throughout the day there were various seminars, mostly about Glacier Bay, but also art, a preview of shopping in Ketchikan, a camera workshop, flower arranging, and a craft class. The movie playing at various times throughout the day was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
This night is was a formal night for dining in the Vista Dining Room. In fact it was the Farewell Dinner, even though we were only halfway through the cruise, oddly enough. That evening playing in the Showtime Theatre was comedian Jeff Burghart.
At 10:30 that night a dessert extravaganza was held at the midship swimming pool area on the Lido Deck 9. I don't know. That late at night I'm not really in the mood for pigging out on luscious desserts.
Also sad to say I became seasick that night. When I was eating dinner in the Vista, which is close to sea level, I had a window table. One of my dining companions was seated beside the table and she was very chatty, so I had to keep looking at her. The waves were high that night and toward the end of the meal I began to be queasy. Oh no....
Around 10:30 or 11am the Zuiderdam came to the Margerie Glacier, and stayed there for about an hour. The ship stayed for half an hour in one direction, then turned around, and stayed stationery for another half hour.
Kerry still wasn't feeling very well and was in the cabin. I came downstairs and said you've got to come up on deck and see this glacier. Its incredible. I also wanted him out of the room so I could get the cabin cleaned and fresh sheets and towels. I saw the cabin stewards in a room across the hall and let them know I was getting Kerry out of the cabin for twenty minutes or so, and could they come in and clean the cabin right away. They were wonderful and said they'd be over there next. Probably quite happy that I'd made their job slightly easier and they didn't have to work around someone in bed.
While Kerry was on deck with me looking at the Margerie Glacier, we witnessed a few calvings. One of them must have been several tons of ice that calved off. It created a huge splash and even rocked the Zuiderdam with the wave action. Later we found out that the park rangers said that was the largest calving they'd witnessed in four years.
After the hour the Zuiderdam moved on to the Jons Hopkins inlet, another beautiful sight, and we stayed there for about half an hour. We couldn't go into the inlet because of the environmentally sensitive area, mainly seals and their pups.
Wow! This national park has some incredible scenery. We even saw a bear on the beach a little later in the afternoon, not to mention several whales in the area.
Throughout the day there were various seminars, mostly about Glacier Bay, but also art, a preview of shopping in Ketchikan, a camera workshop, flower arranging, and a craft class. The movie playing at various times throughout the day was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
This night is was a formal night for dining in the Vista Dining Room. In fact it was the Farewell Dinner, even though we were only halfway through the cruise, oddly enough. That evening playing in the Showtime Theatre was comedian Jeff Burghart.
At 10:30 that night a dessert extravaganza was held at the midship swimming pool area on the Lido Deck 9. I don't know. That late at night I'm not really in the mood for pigging out on luscious desserts.
Also sad to say I became seasick that night. When I was eating dinner in the Vista, which is close to sea level, I had a window table. One of my dining companions was seated beside the table and she was very chatty, so I had to keep looking at her. The waves were high that night and toward the end of the meal I began to be queasy. Oh no....
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Photos of Skagway and musher's dog sled camp
I managed to get a good shot of the Zuiderdam while we were in port in Skagway.
At the musher's dog sled camp
Downtown Skagway
At the musher's dog sled camp Downtown SkagwayDaily Program for Tuesday June 16 2009
The Zuiderdam docked in Skagway around 7am on Tuesday June 16.
It also was the beginning of Kerry being quite sick. The night before he was at the Lido restaurant and had chicken salad and got food poisoning. We later found out about 3 other persons who also ate the chicken salad that night and were quite ill from the food poisoning.
We had already prepaid to go to a musher's dog sled camp, about $115 each. So Kerry decided to press on and go to the camp even though he wasn't feeling well. At one point I had to ask the driver of the mini bus to pull over so Kerry could be sick. Assured all the passengers he wasn't contagious - it was something he ate. In fact one of the women on the bus said she also took the chicken salad, had one bite, and decided it didn't taste right and didn't finish it.
We arrived at the dog sled camp about 25 minutes after leaving the Zuiderdam and were taken to a vehicle that looked like a modified golf cart, seating about 6 passengers and a driver. Yes, this was on wheels. No snow, no sled. There were 16 dogs pulling the sled and away we went. It was raining lightly so it was kind of a muddy trail. At the half mile mark, halfway mark too, the driver changed off the dog team. We returned to the camp with the new team and were able to pat some of the dogs who'd pulled the sled. These aren't husky dogs, but rather several type of mixed breeds. The mushers try to breed for intelligence and speed. Many of the dogs have border collie in them, but also many other breeds. Then we met puppies who were about 8 weeks old and were able to cuddle them and take pictures.
We returned to the Zuiderdam and took Kerry to the infirmary. He was given medication for the gastro intestinal disorders - the staff refused to admit it was food poisoning - and was put on 24 hours isolation in our cabin just in case. I was not put on isolation and free to move about the ship and go back into Skagway.
There weren't too many programs on the ship that morning and afternoon due to being in dock all day and many passengers were disembarking to take advantage of activities.
Paul Blart Mall Cop was playing in the Screening Room and I went down at 4pm to watch the movie. But before that I wandered around Skagway. There isn't too much to Skagway. Its pretty much one street 4 blocks long lined with souvenir shops. Mostly selling the same things for the same prices. The same items can be found in the other ports of call. I took advantage of not having Kerry with me to get in some browsing and do a little shopping. I bought some salt water taffy for my father, some chocolate rocks for both my father and myself, a couple of pairs of Alaska socks, a stuffed polar bear for the grandson of a client, a stuffed husky for me, an ulu knife, and I got a free train whistle at one of the shops with a coupon I'd got on the ship.
That evening in the Vista Lounge I watched Showtime in concert with the singers and dancers of the Zuiderdam.
It also was the beginning of Kerry being quite sick. The night before he was at the Lido restaurant and had chicken salad and got food poisoning. We later found out about 3 other persons who also ate the chicken salad that night and were quite ill from the food poisoning.
We had already prepaid to go to a musher's dog sled camp, about $115 each. So Kerry decided to press on and go to the camp even though he wasn't feeling well. At one point I had to ask the driver of the mini bus to pull over so Kerry could be sick. Assured all the passengers he wasn't contagious - it was something he ate. In fact one of the women on the bus said she also took the chicken salad, had one bite, and decided it didn't taste right and didn't finish it.
We arrived at the dog sled camp about 25 minutes after leaving the Zuiderdam and were taken to a vehicle that looked like a modified golf cart, seating about 6 passengers and a driver. Yes, this was on wheels. No snow, no sled. There were 16 dogs pulling the sled and away we went. It was raining lightly so it was kind of a muddy trail. At the half mile mark, halfway mark too, the driver changed off the dog team. We returned to the camp with the new team and were able to pat some of the dogs who'd pulled the sled. These aren't husky dogs, but rather several type of mixed breeds. The mushers try to breed for intelligence and speed. Many of the dogs have border collie in them, but also many other breeds. Then we met puppies who were about 8 weeks old and were able to cuddle them and take pictures.
We returned to the Zuiderdam and took Kerry to the infirmary. He was given medication for the gastro intestinal disorders - the staff refused to admit it was food poisoning - and was put on 24 hours isolation in our cabin just in case. I was not put on isolation and free to move about the ship and go back into Skagway.
There weren't too many programs on the ship that morning and afternoon due to being in dock all day and many passengers were disembarking to take advantage of activities.
Paul Blart Mall Cop was playing in the Screening Room and I went down at 4pm to watch the movie. But before that I wandered around Skagway. There isn't too much to Skagway. Its pretty much one street 4 blocks long lined with souvenir shops. Mostly selling the same things for the same prices. The same items can be found in the other ports of call. I took advantage of not having Kerry with me to get in some browsing and do a little shopping. I bought some salt water taffy for my father, some chocolate rocks for both my father and myself, a couple of pairs of Alaska socks, a stuffed polar bear for the grandson of a client, a stuffed husky for me, an ulu knife, and I got a free train whistle at one of the shops with a coupon I'd got on the ship.
That evening in the Vista Lounge I watched Showtime in concert with the singers and dancers of the Zuiderdam.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Photos of Tracy Arm, Mendenhall Glacier, and Juneau, Alaska
The main street in Juneau, Alaska.
At the Mendenhall Glacier. About a fifteen minute drive from Juneau, Alaska via an old school bus.
The main cruise ship dock in Juneau. The Zuiderdam is about one mile away. Shuttle buses for a $3 fee are available to get downtown.
Some icebergs in Tracy Arm.
The bow of the Zuiderdam is opened so passengers can go out and get a good look at cruising Tracy Arm. It is raining. Nobody stays out here very long.
Daily Program for Monday June 15 2009
Day 3 of the cruise was fairly action packed: cruising Tracy Arm and Juneau.
From 7am to 10am scenic cruising of Tracy Arm was on the agenda. For early risers from 5am to 7am cruising through Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage there might be an opportunity to watch for whales. Unfortunately our preference is to be sleeping at that time! Having lived on the west coast all our lives and spent many hours on boats plus whale watching on Hawaii, our past experience with whales is usually a splash as the whale is going back under.
Other items on the morning program are fitness classes, digital photography workshop, culinary class, casino clinic, bridge and card playing, trivia challenge, explorations speaker Glaciers 101 - a talk about Glacier Bay.
Not so many things on the afternoon program because the Zuiderdam docks in Juneau at 2pm and most passengers are expected to disembark.
We got off at Juneau but the Holland America dock is some distance from the main dock near Juneau's main street. About one mile. Perhaps a nice walk on a sunny day, but miserable in the rain. Choosing to stay dry as long as possible we paid $3 (or was it $4) for the shuttle bus into town. Like I said a quick drive. Princess Cruise ship was right there at the main terminal. Once we got to the bus drop off there were several booths selling local tours. We chose the Mendenhall Glacier. A little deceptive at $7 each way. Well once you're there you've got to get back somehow unless you call a taxi. So $14 round trip times 2 of us = $28. Mendenhall Glacier is incredible and definitely a must see for anyone on a cruise ship. And relatively one of the more inexpensive things to do in Juneau. We didn't spend much time at the glacier, the rain dampened our enthusiasm. Cold and wet is not a fun day. And yes, we were both wearing rain coats. Must pack rain gear for Alaskan cruises. There is a tram ride, costs around $30 that is at the main cruise ship dock and goes up the hill. Seeing as how it was overcast and raining, not a good choice because nothing could be seen at the top of the tram so we skipped it.
Mostly all there is to do in Juneau is wander up and down the main street stepping in and out of the gift stores. Don't worry if you don't buy something and regret it once you get back on the ship. You will see the exact same items being sold at the gift stores in Skagway and Ketchikan for the same prices.
Just a footnote to be careful about what tours you book and pay for in advance. The helicopter tours and some other float plane flights were cancelled due to the weather. Also the sled dogs get cancelled if the weather is bad as do many other tours. And often, the weather is bad in Juneau.
Save money by going back to the cruise ship for dinner instead of eating at a Juneau restaurant. The formal dinner in the Vista Dining Room is smart casual dress code. We decide to do the very casual thing and eat dinner in the Lido Restaurants instead. Klondike Gold Rush Dinner is the theme on the Lido Deck. Still had a very nice dinner including seafood chowder in a sourdough bowl while docked in Juneau and a table at a window seat to boot.
Tonight in the Vista Lounge the Zuiderdam presents a magician, or as James Cielen prefers to call himself, an illusionist. He put on a very good show. Loved the tricks. Then a quick exit to catch another speech with Ron about Alaska's Early Explorers & Wildlife.
Whew! I am beat and head for bed around 10pm, about the same time the Zuiderdam departs Juneau. Kerry decides to go to the Screening Room on Deck 3 and catch a movie - The International has been playing throughout the day. When its over he heads up to the Lido Restaurant for a midnight snack that proves to be his undoing. More on that on another blog!
From 7am to 10am scenic cruising of Tracy Arm was on the agenda. For early risers from 5am to 7am cruising through Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage there might be an opportunity to watch for whales. Unfortunately our preference is to be sleeping at that time! Having lived on the west coast all our lives and spent many hours on boats plus whale watching on Hawaii, our past experience with whales is usually a splash as the whale is going back under.
Other items on the morning program are fitness classes, digital photography workshop, culinary class, casino clinic, bridge and card playing, trivia challenge, explorations speaker Glaciers 101 - a talk about Glacier Bay.
Not so many things on the afternoon program because the Zuiderdam docks in Juneau at 2pm and most passengers are expected to disembark.
We got off at Juneau but the Holland America dock is some distance from the main dock near Juneau's main street. About one mile. Perhaps a nice walk on a sunny day, but miserable in the rain. Choosing to stay dry as long as possible we paid $3 (or was it $4) for the shuttle bus into town. Like I said a quick drive. Princess Cruise ship was right there at the main terminal. Once we got to the bus drop off there were several booths selling local tours. We chose the Mendenhall Glacier. A little deceptive at $7 each way. Well once you're there you've got to get back somehow unless you call a taxi. So $14 round trip times 2 of us = $28. Mendenhall Glacier is incredible and definitely a must see for anyone on a cruise ship. And relatively one of the more inexpensive things to do in Juneau. We didn't spend much time at the glacier, the rain dampened our enthusiasm. Cold and wet is not a fun day. And yes, we were both wearing rain coats. Must pack rain gear for Alaskan cruises. There is a tram ride, costs around $30 that is at the main cruise ship dock and goes up the hill. Seeing as how it was overcast and raining, not a good choice because nothing could be seen at the top of the tram so we skipped it.
Mostly all there is to do in Juneau is wander up and down the main street stepping in and out of the gift stores. Don't worry if you don't buy something and regret it once you get back on the ship. You will see the exact same items being sold at the gift stores in Skagway and Ketchikan for the same prices.
Just a footnote to be careful about what tours you book and pay for in advance. The helicopter tours and some other float plane flights were cancelled due to the weather. Also the sled dogs get cancelled if the weather is bad as do many other tours. And often, the weather is bad in Juneau.
Save money by going back to the cruise ship for dinner instead of eating at a Juneau restaurant. The formal dinner in the Vista Dining Room is smart casual dress code. We decide to do the very casual thing and eat dinner in the Lido Restaurants instead. Klondike Gold Rush Dinner is the theme on the Lido Deck. Still had a very nice dinner including seafood chowder in a sourdough bowl while docked in Juneau and a table at a window seat to boot.
Tonight in the Vista Lounge the Zuiderdam presents a magician, or as James Cielen prefers to call himself, an illusionist. He put on a very good show. Loved the tricks. Then a quick exit to catch another speech with Ron about Alaska's Early Explorers & Wildlife.
Whew! I am beat and head for bed around 10pm, about the same time the Zuiderdam departs Juneau. Kerry decides to go to the Screening Room on Deck 3 and catch a movie - The International has been playing throughout the day. When its over he heads up to the Lido Restaurant for a midnight snack that proves to be his undoing. More on that on another blog!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Photos taken on first day at sea on Alaska cruise
Kerry having breakfast at the Lido Deck restaurant.
A lighthouse on a rock near an island off British Columbia's coast.
Salmon bake on the Lido Deck, aft swimming pool area.
Kerry enjoying a coffee on Lido Deck, aft swimming pool area while enjoying the scenery on the Inside Passage off British Columbia coast.
Relaxing on a deck chair on Lido Deck 9, aft swimming pool area while cruising through the Inside Passage.
The Canadian pilots leaving the Zuiderdam near Prince Rupert.
There is a world map with the Zuiderdam's location and route pinpointed by lights. The monitor shows the captain's log, the navigator's log, and other information regarding the Zuiderdam.
A lighthouse on a rock near an island off British Columbia's coast.
A little chilly on the Observation Deck. Fortunately the Zuiderdam provides blankets and I can bundle up on a deck chair with a good book.
Salmon bake on the Lido Deck, aft swimming pool area.
Kerry enjoying a coffee on Lido Deck, aft swimming pool area while enjoying the scenery on the Inside Passage off British Columbia coast.
Relaxing on a deck chair on Lido Deck 9, aft swimming pool area while cruising through the Inside Passage.
The Canadian pilots leaving the Zuiderdam near Prince Rupert.
There is a world map with the Zuiderdam's location and route pinpointed by lights. The monitor shows the captain's log, the navigator's log, and other information regarding the Zuiderdam.
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