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!
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.
Having a mid-afternoon snack at the Terrace Grill while waiting to leave Vancouver. The Terrace Grill is located at the mid-ship swimming pool on Lido Deck 9. Serves burgers, fries, and Mexican food.
Mid-ship swimming pool on Lido Deck 9
The mid-ship swimming pool on Lido Deck 9 has a retractable roof. Depends on the weather how far, if any, that the crew open the roof. Photo taken fron Deck 10 looking down.
Wandering around the Observation Deck 10
Seahorse sculpture in atrium between Lower and Upper Promenade Decks (2 and 3)
